Family Overseas Adventures: Going out with a bang

Happy Holidays! (Going back in time a bit here.....)

Pre-holiday, end of year is always busy. The 2 weeks prior to vacation in Kiev were no different – although with some local flair

Mall madness: pretty typical – holiday decor, a Santa to take pictures with....

The local touch is the type of stores. My favorite example – the ‘store’ which is really more of a closet with a woman demonstrating ironing products.

The funny part is people actually stopped & intently watch!

School Performances: Our school had its first Winter Performance thanks to an Austrian friend who spearheaded a Christmas concert.

The entertaining flair was the Peter Yarrow assembly (YES! The guy from Peter, Paul & Mary)…..He was in town & came promoting his anti-bullying message. A valuable mission for sure – but I’d suggest Ukraine has some lower hanging fruit to deal with before bullying takes priority

Winter Wonderland: Yes, we have been in the ‘White Christmas spirit’ for most of the month. The road to our house is fairly steep & narrow even when snow-free. Now requires snow tires, 4WD and two hands on the wheel.

The local excitement (the kids rejoiced) was the school bus calling 3 times in the past week to say they wouldn’t make it up the hill!

Cookie decorating: We frosted cookies at home, we brought in ‘naked’ cupcakes to decorate at school. All the regular sugar-high fun.

The entertaining part was realizing that most kids here – being non-American – do not have experience with canned frosting, food coloring & sprinkles. Kids in Xavier’s 2^nd grade class went decorations hog wild, dumping food coloring on top of the cupcakes, mixing bowls of only food coloring etc.

Holiday Parties: We got together with friends – but my favorite new event (I’m hoping becomes a tradition) was Logan joining forces with 4 other guys to hold a ‘moms day’ where the guys took the kids all day while we got our nails done…..then they made a fancy dinner for us. The ‘international part’ was the outfit for one of the dads…..

.....and the European (or is it man?) timeline....

(the time our final course was served)

Cultural Events: We saw the Nutcracker Ballet, Wind in the Willows play & Logan & I topped it off with a Marilyn Manson concert…..

My favorite local flair was by far the outfits at the Marilyn concert. ‘Goth’ style surely felt tame compared to what I’d expect to see at home, but compared to the typically Ukrainian Barbie inspired style it was noteworthy.

Airport fun & cut amenities: Our suitcases have elevated to the importance of a household pet....

(don’t worry – it may look like only 4 – but there are several empty ones nested inside)

The kids have become pros at airport down time (thanks Apple!)

And like the rest of the world, times are tough, amenities are getting cut – on Ukraine International Airlines you have to pay for all drinks (other than coffee/tea)