fence painters, are you out there?

we're teetering on that line between winter and spring right now...we've had almost a week of sun (which is a lot) and the temp has been hanging right around 30 faren.(which is warm). in some places, the several inches of ice on the sidewalk has given way to some dry spots of concrete, and while there is still snow there are also many slushy pools to dodge as you walk. the tell tale sign that spring has sprung will be when the fence painters come out...every spring after most of the melt, the sidewalks fill with the city workers who repaint the short metal fences all over the city. every area of the city (in general) has it's color...we are orange (owange).


random pic, but too cute not to post!

there are many things i've come to love about moscow, but one of my favorites is the exercise that is built into life here. in the last three years i've seen progressively more joggers out on the street in nice weather, but joggers on the sidewalks is not a normal occurrence like it might be other places. and i think partially that is because exercise is so built into life here.

silas and i just got back from the grocery store. it took us 30 minutes to walk there, including up and down two tall flights of stairs (to cross under the street), and 30 minutes back, again conquering those two flights of stairs.

silas the boy = 26 lbs
silas' stroller = 20 lbs
groceries (on the way back) = approx 20 lbs.

i love that detail of this life.

these days are packed full and we are loving it! last night was the first showing of the play and it went great. two more shows to go! next weekend is the biannual "bella notte" that the hinkson choir performs - a musical montage. the next weekend is the rummage sale, and the next weekend tim leaves for uganda. this year's trip will be similar to last year...they will be going to new hope kasana in uganda and loving on those kids!!!