Saturday, 27 October....M&Ms...Daniel's first taste

We spent the morning shopping in the malls and the Chinese Bazaar. What a maze of shops that was. Mama was getting a bit dizzy with all the nooks and krannies with all sorts of winter clothing, and furs, and shoes. It must have been around 20-25 degrees, and we enjoyed a good brisk four hour shopping spree.

Our primary target was the souvenir store which had been closed for two days due to the Republic holiday. It was closed again - we will try tomorrow. Papa did buy a new winter cap…very stylish…sorrta Kaz’ looking. Mama now wants to buy some jewelry for herself. Go Figure.

Daniel had on his new sandals today…the ones we got him yesterday. We also introduced him to M&Ms (see MOV below). He loved them, as he does just about everything we bring him including apples, raisins, cookies, yogurt, bananas, to name a few.

The highlights of our only visit today were Mama was the horsey and Daniel sure liked that ride. And then as we left the orphanage, he was up at his bedroom window waving bye bye. It was sweet.

Here’s one more photo to add to the blog. Our last official visit is Sunday (two visits) and then Monday we get papers processed for the courts and such.

Second week anniversary in Kaz'

Here's a shot of the Madisons, and our translator Alina, watching Daniel enjoy a video game. He was so excited to hear that one day he will have his own computer….he said “spasiba” and gave us both a hug. Oh, yes, he can count to ten in English. What a good boy!

Our second week anniversary

Seems like ages ago, yet it has only been two weeks since we left O’Hare and headed east. We have since caught up on our sleep, and sure have had some very good meals….Turkish, Kazakh, Russian, Chinese…and Pizza. Last night we had tomatoes, mushrooms, and garlic on one full size, plus one half. It was very good and had lots of garlic. Papa loves garlic and Mama loves Pizza!

Saturday is bath day, so we will just get one visit with Daniel. We plan to spend our morning and mid day shopping at the local malls and at the Chinese Bazaar. Many of the malls here in Oskemen are very much like “antique malls” that we have in America with a bunch of vendors with small booths and a variety of items…clothing, toys, jewelry, food, and the like. A few malls are more upscale and sell fashionable more expensive items.

One of the bazaars near our hotel, http://www.shinyriverhotel.kaz/, is a maze of many little shops….all outside. It really is A bazaar. There are a few shops inside small buildings including stores that sell beef, and pork, and horse (we presume it is horse!)..all of which have been butchered and laying on tables for viewing and purchase. We hope to get a picture of some of these more unusual stores and shops.

Kazakhstan is a country of diversity and contrasts….it is really hard to put into words. For example….some cars have steering wheels on the right side, others on the left; the hot water is on the right and cold is on the left; instant coffee is just as good our ground brewed coffee; the tomatoes and olives and fruits and fruit juices are all delicious - even now at 40 degrees or less - we enjoy them all as if we were home in July or August. We have eaten Russian, Kazakh, Chinese, and Turkish, and have enjoyed some very good pizza too. We still have yet to try horse…at least Papa wants too….Mama will watch.

Snow and cold in Oskemen on Thursday

Thursday…snow and cold in Oskemen

25 October is a national holiday of some sort for the Republic of Kazakhstan. So we were only able to visit Daniel in the morning. He was so excited with the make shift Nija Turtle outfit, watched a Nija movie in Russian, played Tic Tac Toe, stickers, and tried a new puzzle.

We sure enjoy each and every visit with Daniel. Our official bonding period ends on Sunday, and then by next Tuesday we should know when our court day will be. Here’s the latest photo of the Madison Family.


We did wake up to some snow this morning, and it was colder. Sure would be great to see the sun again…

Wednesday…would you believe, another rain delay

We woke up to another rainy wet day, and din’t even bother to take the birch bat to the ball lot. We were treated to a special fall program, and all the kids participated; one group of Russian children and second of Kazakh. The kids were all dressed up, and some were dressed in native Kaz attire. They sang, they danced, and recited poems. We even got to watch Daniel dancing with a girl - it was cute, of course. It was really a nice program put on by the orphanage.

We were very impressed and could tell the kids were proud of their activities and poems. Unfortunately we are not allowed to take ANY pictures of the kids, only of Daniel. It is the orphanage policy. Daniel did finish the sand art project and we all helped put it in a frame. See photo below. If you see this same art work on E-Bay, don’t buy it. It’s a fake. LOL LOL

We spent our time between visits eating lunch at a very good Chinese restaurant. Then we shopped at a number of places, and did see a few snow flurries. Nothing that stuck to the ground…..yet.

OK...one photo...and short video...hope they get thru to America and the World.

Tuesday 23.10.07 Second rain delay

Another rainy, wet, dreary, cold day in Kaz. Gloomy gloomy. Not a good day to play ball…just stay inside and play. Daniel watched the same Nija Turtle movie he saw yesterday, but this time, it was in English. He was glued to the screen again, and laughed and seemed to recognize what was going on.

We did take a few minutes today and resized the baseball bat. Daniel helped Papa with the hand saw, and no one got hurt or cut. Plus we took a different approach on the stickers, it is a sand art picture that you have to peel off the sticker, and then pour the various colors of sand on the sticky part. We got about 1/3 thru our first project - a bird in the jungle. It is quiet colorful.

We did make more progress on the computer games. Daniel’s mouse skills are improving, and he has learned how to enter his name….D a n i e l.

Ok…here’s today’s photo of Daniel in his muscle man undershirt.

Daniel Jake Madison...singing and eating

Hi All

Here's a MOV...hope this one is viewable without cracking any necks out there.

Yes, that will be Daniels name on his new birth certificate.

Also...for any one wanting to post a comment, just click on the word COMMENT below each posting. You can make in anonomus or leave your name.

Bye Bye

Monday…Rain out game in Kaz’ - rescheduled for 23.10.07, NW lot

Hi All..Mama is better. She says about 90% or so. Throat a little sore and the antibotics help.

The sad news was, we woke up to rain and it was wet all day. Uck. No ball game. But we did want to show you his new bat. It’s a bit too tall for him, so Papa has to find a way to cut off about three inches of a birch branch. Engraving to follow that.

Due to the rain, we stayed inside and watched more Nija. He just laughed and laughed, and yes, sang the monkey Pucka song. Again, he laughs and laughs. We did find out today that we can also watch these movies in English. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to seeing the turtles speak English. He does know good boy, bye bye, and he can count one to five. When we left this morning, he left the room and then came back and said…have a good afternoon…In Russian…but the words are there.

We introduced Daniel to the world of computer games. And he seemed to understand the concept of clicking with a mouse, moving and dragging, and just had a ball. We think he got the highest score ever recorded in the history of Microsoft. If Bill Gates is one our blog followers, please check in.

Oh yes, just one more photo. Here we are playing memory game with the Mickey Mouse cards. He did a good job each time, and amazingly, he won every game. In fact, he had so many sets of cards, he gave a few extra pairs to Mama and Papa so at least we could say we had a few matches. We are so thankful that he has such good manners and likes to share. Plus, we are finding out more and more, he is a good hugger.

We have said this before...and we mean it each time. Thanks for all your posts. We look forward to checking the comments and finding familar names and new ones too. Thanks Janet and Jim...I know recall who you are.