Extra Curricular Activities

    With our kids being homeschooled, we see it as important for them to have something outside of the house (especially in the winter!) and with Russian kids their age.  In the past, this has been very positive for them and a way that we've met connected with other families.  Now that we live in the village, we weren't sure what sort of options were nearby, but God perfectly provided for each of our kids. 



     Anneka is enrolled in horse lessons.  The horse place moved to our area just recently.  All of the girls in her class are her age, and she enjoys the horses, being outside, and having these new friends.  She already fell off of a horse once, and her teacher congratulated her on being "broken in". 




      The girls not only learn to ride, but they take care of the horses, their equipment, and their stalls, too. 




     Ella is enrolled in a local dance school.  She has three lessons a week for an hour and a half, and the whole time the girls are running, jumping, stretching, and doing exercises.  This is PERFECT for our active girl!  This picture was taken from just the first day.  Already after just a few weeks she can do the splits and is very proud to show anyone who is interested.  =)

Playing around with classmates before the class began.  

It's a bit harder finding activities for boys Ike's age.  One day he told us he wanted to be in karate. I thought this would be impossible to find something that was nearby for kids his age and that fit into our schedule.  Shortly after, I saw a sign for the start of a karate group in October.  I knew that God was showing His love for Ike in a special way.  We enrolled him, and he was there for the very first day!  It's fun to hear the boys laughing during the lessons and being active together.  Ike is especially proud of his nunchucks.  It's so funny to us that they give boys his age nunchucks!  =)

     We've been able to have art lessons with Larisa once a month during our team meetings.  This is a special time for the kids to be creative and enjoy art together. 

Pandas and Bamboo

     They all sprawl out everywhere.  It's fun to see them create.  Ella didn't want her picture taken on this day.

     One day Larisa made a contest out of the lesson. The winner was to receive a bunch of grapes.  All of the kids really got into it, and Bruce was the judge.  This goes against the American part of me to compare art!  But the kids didn't seem to mind, and in fact really liked the challenge.  Nathan was the winner!

Larisa, pointing out what she liked in Ike's piece of art.

     The kids continue to have piano lessons and are growing in their abilities to read music.  I sense that they're really beginning to enjoy playing the piano, which is fun.  

     I never dreamed our kids would have such wonderful opportunities at such a low cost.  This is one of the many ways God shows His provision and love for our family.