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November 2005
Sergei did it! He learned how to ride a two-wheel bike. Sergei was so
motivated to learn that he practiced everyday and within a couple of weeks
he joined his brothers on their long weekend bike rides. Sergei has also
started taking Tae Kwon Do classes and will be testing for his Yellow Belt
this month. Sergei is very proud of his new gi and his new skills. Sergei
continues take swim lessons twice a week after school and has recently
joined an ice skating team.
Sergei is doing very well in school. His teachers feel he has lots of
potential. He is currently attending second grade a Peterson School.
Sergei is always very proud to bring home his school work and his English
skills are improving every day.
July 2005
Sergei is doing great! He is learning English very quickly and he is
adjusting better and better every day to family life. Right now Sergei's
personal goal is to learn to ride a two-wheel bicycle! He practices
outside every day. We are sure that he will master this skill before the
new school year starts.
June 2005
Sergei has been feeling better this week. Last Sunday he has surgery to
remove a very large bladder stone. Sergei had to spend the night in the
hospital. Sergei was very brave. He had spent a lot of time in Russian
hospitals over the course of his life, so in some way he know what to
expect. On the other hand, when Ivan, Nikolai and Jim went to visit him in
the hospital, Sergei told them that he liked American hospitals better.
When we asked why, Sergei replied that "in American hospitals patients get
a pillow, a television and a call button to call the nurses!" True to
form, Sergei found the nurse call button far more interesting than the
television. In less than 24-hours from the start of his surgery, Sergei
was discharged from the hospital!
This summer Sergei will participate in some summer camp programs. This
will be a new experience for Sergei. While living in Russia, Sergei was
unable to participate in activities outside of the orphanage due to his
medical condition. Although we are better able to accommodate Sergei's
special needs in California, Sergei himself often believes that he is
unable to do many activities. Sergei requires a lot of coaching and
support to be an active participant in activities outside of our home. It
will be interesting if we can get Sergei to become more confident in his
abilities after the action-packed summer we have planned for him.
Kavin, Val, Nikolai, Sergei go to Catalina with Grandma Sue - Summer 2005
May 2005:
Sergei (7) came home to California on May 28, 2005.
We started the process of Sergei's adoption in August
2004, so we are all very excited that he is finally
home with us. Prior to joining our family Sergei lived
his whole life in several Russian orphanages and
hospitals. Originally we thought Sergei was a
shy, sad and quiet little boy, but as it turns out
that does not describe our Sergei at all! Sergei
is an extremely active, outgoing, funny and bright
little boy who is a skilled mimic in everything from
facial expressions and body movements to
vocalizations. We know he will have no problems
learning English. Sergei is also very
inquisitive. Sergei is always asking questions, we
can't wait until we can communicate with our little
boy without a translator! Sergei will finish off
the school year and then begin first grade during
summer session.
Photos in Russia May 2005:
