August 25, 2005

  • Whoosh.  Maxim is certainly an active little critter and no mistake. 

    He can be very sweet and sharing, but will also take that which doesn't
    belong to him (cameras, sunglasses, photographs, etc.) and refuse to
    give them back.  He doesn't listen worth a flip to either English or
    Russian, and about that much talked-about afternoon nap......HA! 
    Fat chance.  And he's aggressive.  He is also musical, which
    is a plus.  Can sing little songs, for instance, and loves
    anything that makes music.  Also cars.  Like virtually every
    Russian boy I've ever met, he's car mad. 

    A few pictures from this morning:

    He did this until he discovered the scissors with the wavy and other
    fancy edges, then it was all over.  I had to fetch poor little
    Sasha - on the other side of the table - some more paper from another
    table, since Max cut every piece of the construction paper at
    ours.  Didn't DO anything much with it....he just likes to
    cut. 

    [shyly]  I made a
    rather attractive heart, composed of three different colored and sized
    hearts cut out by one of those pairs of scissors, with stickers nicely
    placed.  Was going to bring it home and maybe use it for a
    scrapbook page about Max, only he spilt water all over it. 

    Here's the whole crew.  That's Max on the middle row, second from
    the right, and Viktor and Vladimir in the middle of the top row, with
    Viktor looking at the camera.  Darling boys!  What I got as
    much of a kick out of as the assembled children were the Papparazzi
    Parents:

    Dmitry finally worked up the nerve to walk over and introduce himself
    to Viktor, starting with the obligatory Russian Manly Handshake. 
    They're big on Manly Handshakes.  ;^)  Then it was down to
    cases....

    The two boys have quite a bit in common, and got along well. 

    After lunch it was off to Dillards, where the manager generously provides an outfit for each child, gratis.  Here's Dmitry taking steps to make sure Mr. Out-Of-Control doesn't get squashed by a car:

    I fear I've changed my mind about getting Max together with the
    grandkids for play dates, considering how obstinate and aggressive he
    can be.  :^(  Since a child is normally only given one
    opportunity to come on an adoption camp trip, it's a shame the Powers
    That Be at this orphanage sent Max over at such a young age. 
    There's no doubt in my mind that two or three years will make a world
    of difference in him, making him far more likely to bond with a
    potential adoptive family.  Right now he'd need a young couple
    with enormous amounts of time, patience and energy to devote to
    him.  If anyone knows anyone like that, urge 'em to give Gladney a
    call!

    If it's before Sunday evening, contact me via email, or Gladney via phone, and we'll get Max together with them.