Olia and Dasha got up rather late this morning because we arrived home after 1:30 am last night.  I made greshka(sp) for the girls for breakfast.  Dasha liked the cinnamon bread toast better.  She is 12, but she is a tiny little girl.  She looks much more like a 9 year old child.  She seems quite comfortable with Olia.  They played the entire day.  They wanted to swim this morning even though it wasn't that hot outside.  Dasha told us (with the translation book) that she knew how to swim.  Olia told me that last year(and it wasn't accurate).  Olia could doggie paddle last year, but not swim.  Dasha loved the pool!  She can swim under water a little.  She is NOT a good swimmer, but I was surprised that she knew how to swim at all.  SHe does not like to sit still.  Olia was freezing and got out of the pool after a while, but Dasha stayed in and kept saying....c'mon, c'mon Olia.  The girls danced, did gymnastics, rode bikes, and did make-overs.  I am tired!  It is much easier to go to work!  I had to adjust goggles, get bikes ready, watch dance routines, and make meals.  I need a nap!  Olia is so happy to have Dasha here, but she was a bit fresh today.  I had to remind Olia that she still will be put on the chair if needed, even if Dasha is here. Dan came home at lunch and had told Olia he would take the girls to play miniature golf and go to the park.  I packed dinner sandwiches for them(I need as long a break as I can get) and water bottles and apples.  Dasha is not a big eater, but it seems like she will eat anything we put in front of her.  Olia cleans up after herself and usually puts her things in the dishwasher.  Dasha has followed what Olia does and she also rinses her dishes and helps clear the table.  I told Olia to go in the shower with Dasha and show her how to use shampoo and creme rinse.  They showered with their bathing suits on.  I don't think Dasha has ever used creme rinse before, but she just did what Olia told her to do with it. Olia has asked me several times already to adopt Dasha,  I told Olia that we probably could not do that because we just don't have to money to do it. And I don't know that I have the energy for another "first year transition."

    Frontier Horizons, the hosting organization, asked me to find a dentist and an eye doctor to provide free services for Dasha.  I found a local eye doctor, who is vice-president of the local Lions Club, who agreed to give her an eye exam for free.  His receptionist is fluent in Russian so it will work out perfectly.  He also is going to give us a voucher from the Lions Club for LensCrafters to provide free glasses.  I have called several dental offices, but no one has been willing to provide free care. 

   Olia has been trying to remember some of her Russian, but she is really rusty!  She does seem to understnad what Dasha says, but she can't speak fluently in response in Russian.

   I spoke to my friend Diana.  She is also hosting.  She is hosting a 14 year old Ukrainian orphan.  She was told that her host child was 12; the girl is actually 14.  She was hoping that her host daughter would fit in some of her daughter's clothes, but that didn't work out.  Dasha does fit in all of Olia's clothes so I don't have to buy her any new clothes. She is actually a bit shorten than Olia and much skinnier.  She fits in Olia's clothes from last summer. I just bought Olia a new pair of sneakers; she hadn't even worn them yet.  But she gave them to Dasha because Dasha only came with sandals.

   I hope they play a LONG miniature golf game!