At Matveevka - The Pre Party

This was our really big day. We got up early and had a breakfast buffet at the Intourist. We took a taxi to Matveevka and all of us squeezed into one. It was a 15 minute ride to the Orphanage.

Cindy recognized the facility in the distance by its small water tower. Larissa met us at the door and welcomed us into the canteen area. We set down the party supplies that we brought with us and sat down. This is where one spends most of the time with the children. I was ready to see the little guy right away, but Larissa had to be hospitable and serve us tea first. She gave us a warm welcome and explained that the bus to take the children to McDonalds would be ready in an hour. Alona came down to be with Julie and Mark. After I gulped down the very sweet black tea, we were able to go to Max’s classroom.

We entered the room and Max was sitting and smiling. He was still in his cast from hurting his ankle and there were crutches on the side of the room. I went over and gave him a big hug. He had the sweet teacher and she introduced us. The parents were in the front of the room and there was an awkward silence as they were waiting for us to do something. We had at least a half hour before the bus. I started with an American Culture lesson and told the class that we had two very important things to learn. The first was high five. I started going around the room giving the kids high five and the rest of the parents joined in. Once that lesson was complete I moved onto the second. I showed the kids the finer movements of the Good Job Knuckle Nock. It is very important that they learn the soft touch.

Two minutes later the awkward silence returned. I then remembered the party favors. I ran back to the canteen and retrieved the bag. I brought some kazoos in the shape of airplanes and colorful frogs that can jump. I passed them around. It was easy to play with the frogs, but they did not know what to make of the kazoos. I picked one up and started playing Happy Birthday. Then they got it. All of them went into a stirring rendition of this classic melody. At least that is what my heart heard. My ears heard quite a ruckus and Cindy was trying to keep the noise level down.

This kept everyone busy until it was time to get ready for the bus ride. Then they all disappeared to get their coats and we went outside to wait. I was carrying Max piggy back style. While we were waiting, I was teaching him left, right, backwards and forwards as he rode on my back. The bus arrived and 20 people piled into a van the size of a tall delivery truck. I rode in the front with Mark and the driver. We were surprised to see, let me say art not appropriate for children, taped to the front dash.