For Family and Friends: Alina's Adventures (as she calls them)

Well, one of them was last Wednesday when we got a bus back home after her ballet class and it was pretty full so we both had to go standing up. I was worried about holding her safely while the bus sped up and down the streets and simultaneously holding myself in place. And all she was interested in was playing with a baby that was on the opposite side of the aisle, completely unaware of my struggle to keep her from flying around the bus :).

Thankfully, the ride home is quick (about 15-20 minutes), and shortly before we reached our stop, a kind-hearted person offered his seat. By the time we had to get off, the part of the bus where we were was so packed that, as we were trying to get down, the driver closed the doors and started driving away. Some people standing closer to the driver told him to open the doors as Alina and I continued squeezing our way through the crowd until we finally got out. Very exciting ... for Alina, heh.

Another adventure was on Sunday which was a bright, sunny day, and in which we had planned to go to the zoo to see the latest addition. The day seemed perfect for our outing but then, before noon, huge black clouds filled up the sky, and much to our dismay, there was a summer storm. It rained like crazy!

Great! Change of plans. A few hours later, the sun came out and it was so warm, we decided to go swimming. While we were swimming, the dark clouds appeared again, so we got out and next thing we knew, it was raining ... again. Alina was happy enough with the excitment the crazy weather brought to her day and she was able to watch the beginning of "Jesus of Nazareth" (for the second time).

Then yesterday the electricity went off for a few hours due to another summer storm and made it quite impossible for Alina to go to ballet class. We had a grand time playing and reading until it got too dark to do so. Alina didn't mind taking a cold shower because it was, and I quote, "part of the adventure". Naturally, Laura wasn't the least inclined to follow her sister's sample and so had a not-too-cold wash up in the bidet.

After having a candlelit dinner, we went to the room for more playing and reading (this time with candles). Alina thought it was the funnest thing in the world and wished we could always use candles but also have electricity to be able to "watch videos and do other fun things".

Alina's fertile imagination whilst playing last night:

Alina: Bob, my daughter is sick.

Me: Your daughter?

Alina: Yeah! I have three daughters and this one's the oldest (holding up her largest doll).

Me: Oh, I see. And what is she sick with?

Alina: Oh, just like a cold and a cough. What should I do?

Me: Well, make sure she drinks lots of liquids, maybe you could make some chicken broth for her, and make sure she's dressed warmly. Check her temperature regularly to see if she gets a fever.

Alina: I already did. This is the thermometer (holding up the rolling pin from her kitchen set).

A few minutes later:

Alina: Bob, I already gave her tons of juice and water and I put a wet cloth on her forehead.

Me: Oh, she got a fever?

Alina: No, but it's to make sure she doesn't!

And to end this wonderful post, here are several photos of my funny, creative, expressive, HUGE monkey: