Spirit over Safety

It has become clear that Ukraine is not exactly a place where health & safety come first.   

Yet, I still get a chuckle out of the surprising examples of this....

(Note: the dude dangling from a single rope on the side of a building in the front - not sure a buddy in the window would be enough to make me feel safe)

I also wouldn't call Ukraine particularly focused on frivolous fun

So, as someone who loves everything festive, I applaud the guys "topping out" the new house across the street (putting a celebratory tree on top) - even if it does seem like tempting fate to balance so precariously while doing it

(A common construction ceremony at a structure's completion - apparently evolved from a Scandinavian custom of putting a branch on the top of a building, to appease the tree-dwelling spirits of the displaced ancestors)

And, having not generally seen many traces of Christmas cheer until late December, I was excited about the early signs in my favorite grocery store this week

Including a near life-sized Santa.....

(could be yours for ~$250)

A Christmas tree & draping being installed....

The noteworthy part being the clear priority given to festivity over safety

Gotta applaud the bravery balancing on the very top wrung, with carts and people squeezing by - all in the name of festive holiday spirit!

So, here's to showcasing festive & fun 

...AND, let's all agree to wear our seat belts 

Cheers!

 

Forgot about Jack-o-lanterns

Living in Kiev, I now realize just how much I relied on all the fanfare in stores to prompt me into action celebrating the season.....

Said another way, Halloween totally snuck up on me

OK, maybe it sounds like an excuse - but honestly, I only came across ONE single Halloween display in this city of 3MM+

At a fish restaurant, of all places!

While the city was totally Halloween quiet, our international school has enough Americans (~1/4 of the teachers & 15% of the kids), the Primary school started to 'do Halloween' a few years ago

Zoe's grade 1 celebration was as elaborate as any:

Kids dressed up....

Moms brought in an elaborate spread....

Crafts, games & cookie decorating....

But there were a few touches that reminded us we "weren't in Kansas anymore"

Nannies in attendance (in lieu of parents)

A professional photographer sent in (by a local parent) to capture it all

(relatedly, we went to a kid's birthday party here where the parents stayed on a different level eating / drinking the whole time - including when the cake was eaten, meanwhile paid for a videographer to capture the whole thing)

And unlike in the US, where a Halloween party of some sort is almost a birthright, it varied at our school.  The boys' grade 3 & 5 classes had nothing planned.

Thanks to the festive supplies Nana & Sissy sent, we were at least able to ensure the day wasn't sugar free.....

And thanks to our Primary School Principal being American, Trick or Treating at school was added a few years ago.

We got ready with some homemade / home-assembled costumes:

Mr. Pig....

(who quickly ditched most elements of his costume)

Mr. Candy...

(who reported it was not fun to be attacked by kids grabbing at his candy & have to run away from them all night)

And a Wink imported from Costco

Crammed into the school lobby anxiously awaiting the 5pm open

Then went from class to class gathering candy

While I originally worried 1 hour wouldn't be enough, the kids were done with the loop in ~15 minutes.   The boys proceeded to the playground, Zoe & her posse kept at it making ~4 loops, raking in a ton of candy

(too busy to stop for a frontal shot)

Despite it all, I still felt guilty that we didn't carve pumpkins.  

So headed to the market this morning - and now have another excuse....the only pumpkins available:

Last year we tried carving these - got several broken & bent knives to show for it

So instead, we agreed to keep our decorations out until they get replaced by Xmas decor 

Maybe a bit feeble

But it is 'character building' to be flexible, right?

And, at the end of the day, these are technically Jack-o-lanterns

Here's to the fun of Halloween - and remembering to eat your Mars(TM) candy every day of the year

Chasing Sheep

After a few days in Paris, we packed up & headed to England.   
Logan to London for work, the kids & I to Somerset to visit dear friends (who moved back from Kiev)

(note the joy - nothing more fun than a travel day!)

Upon entering the country, we appreciated the English everywhere - but I was even more excited about the fab groceries - even in the train station

(How we miss quality prepared food - I love you M&S Food)

The main draw....friends reunited

We enjoyed the novelty & beauty of the countryside

Especially watching their dog Maizy chase the sheep

(As city people, 10 sheep in the yard is novel - but a tiny dog chasing them, hilarious)

We were impressed with just how old & grand it all is 

(nearby village of Wells)

Excited by English, we left the Saturday market with ~20 books

And how quaint the villages are

Most have a village pub - this one's ~5 minute walk from their countryside house

While the delish English fare didn't help our Weight Watchers, it was fantastic

Being a 'getaway destination' for Londoners, we also enjoyed the random amusement of this part of England 

A play zone meets cheddar cheese caves meets prehistoric animals....

Who doesn't love silly mirrors?!

Especially the ones that make you tall & thin...

Cheddar cheese caves with a ghost story telling tour guide...

(Cheddar originates from these parts - thanks to the caves' constant ~12c temps & humidity)

As if that weren't random enough....

Living where English is rare, we enjoyed a movie

(Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 in 3D)

And being American, appreciated wine as a theater treat

Way too quickly it was time to head back

Our final English site - a Stonehenge drive-by

A whirlwind few days - the highlights reported were seeing Leah (Zoe), Maizy the dog (Xavier) & the cheddar cheese (Quincy)

And, once again, the kids showcasing the thrill of travel days

THANKS Nicky, Jock, Hannah & Leah for the hospitality & showing us some of England's best

Here's to a country with charm that runs as deep as it is old