Thursday, October 24th - Passport Club: Russia! and Karate Belt Testing

After a night of virtually no sleep thanks to a very unhappy and uncomfortable baby, and a middle-of-the-night bed visitor named Lincoln, it was time to delve deep into my rapidly depleting energy reserves and host our Passport Club: Russia gathering!  It went really, really well and I was impressed with how attentive the kids were and how willingly (okay, minor bribery was involved...) they sampled the Russian snacks I provided.  Everyone did a very good job on their presentations as well and enjoyed the Russian children's game we played outdoors after lunch.  Another successful Passport Club in the books!  To finish the full day off, the kids had belt testing at karate in the evening and now we have three Orange Belts!  Congratulations you guys!!

Sometimes he wakes us up, pillow and blanket in hand, other times I simply wake up to find him already wedged between us. 

The baby was up from about 11:30 p.m to 9:20 a.m. - fun times!  I just stuck her in my wrap and got busy laying everything out for arrival.  To start,  I had coloring sheets and cups of crayons for the kids to design their own matryoshka dolls (otherwise known as Russian Nesting Dolls).

I had a "little kids" table set up for the smaller kids (Lincoln, Judd, Charlotte).

My Russia board, with presentations, craft supplies and the little set of nesting dolls the kids had painted the day before.

Friends began arriving and coloring.

I presented on the Russia Board, and I feel the kids did their best job yet of listening!  It's really neat to see their growth, month-to-month, with listening, presenting, and Q&A skills.  Afterward, it was snack time - I decided to do Russian food at snack time and simply provide pizza for lunch.  This worked out well, and the kids were pretty brave in trying the various foods, including caviar!

Judd and Lincoln both tried the caviar and both summarily spat it back onto their plates, lol.

There were also strawberry-filled blintzes, chunks of karavai bread, special chocolate treats, Russian pear soda and more. 

I'd had a difficult time choosing a craft because there were just so many options!  As I scoured Hobby Lobby one afternoon I came across these paper mache eggs and thought it would be really fun for the kids to create their own faberge egg masterpieces.  They turned out well - the kids painted the eggs, then let them dry during presentation time and went back later to finish them with jewel stickers.

Kids (and moms) seated for presentation time - they were actually seated facing the sofa, but turned around for Lincoln's presentation which utilized the TV for pictures (because daddy helped, and he's fancy like that~).

The moms had taken turns holding Waverly for me during most of the goings-on, and I was finally able to take her back in hand for presentation time.  Because I think it's fun and the kids always like it, I always try to dress natively for whatever country I'm hosting.  Bright and flowery dress for Brazil, borrowed a sari for India and this time I wore a long, flowing white skirt, black peasant blouse and a black & white platok on my head.  Waverly thought this was most unusual ;-)  The girls also dressed Russian-peasant-girl-esque with long flowing skirts and loose tops.

Lincoln presenting on Snow Leopards and AK-47s (because awesomeness).

LOTS of questions from the audience, haha.

Victoria did a great job presenting on the Karakurt Spider, and didn't even giggle one time on the last portion; it noted the rare bite side effect of spontaneous dancing that has been recorded throughout history.  Earlier in the week, she would bust out laughing every time she tried to say it! hehe

Scarlett also did very well, nailing all of the difficult Russian names!

Snagged a shot of the picnic lunch we had in the living room, although I don't know what prompted the Very Serious faces :-o

The cats had quite the gourmet lunch as we bequeathed the caviar and sprats to them.

After a fun game of Karavai Bread in the front yard, the gathering was officially over, but our friends stayed to play out back for quite a while which was the perfect way to unwind.  N decided to make herself into a faberge egg, which I thought was hilarious and creative :-)

Our friend Julia loves Salty... this is amazing because she used to be terrified of dogs - especially Salty! Now they're best buds and he sticks to her side like glue when she's over for a visit :-)

Ms. Amanda succeeded in taming the no-sleeping-baby and had her snoozing quite nicely.  It only lasted for an hour but it was still a welcome break for my tired arms!

When everyone left, I had the chance to take a couple of pictures, both of Victoria's work (since it was all I could find).  Here is her colorful matryoshka doll page!

And her designer faberge egg :-)

After demonstrating their skill and knowledge, the kids were awarded their orange belts.  First, Victoria~

Then Lincoln~

Finally, Scarlett~

Terrific! :-)  So proud for them of their accomplishment.