Robin here. With the memory of our outing on Tuesday still fresh in our minds and hearts, we set out today to visit with Kristina at the orphanage. Igor told us that Kristina questioned him several times on the ride back to the orphanage Tuesday night as to when she would be with us for good. What a great vote of confidence as we approach the big day where her new life begins as part of our family!

Kristina came running when she spotted us in the doorway and went straight into her Papa’s arms for a big hug. I noticed that the large red balloon she got from the restaurant on Tuesday was sitting high atop an armoire. She asked one of the Mamas if she could have it and was apparently told -- no. Perhaps there was a squabble over it amongst the children and the balloon was placed there until further notice. After I had my turn at the hugs and kisses we then headed down the brightly colored stairs, with Kristina several steps ahead in an effort to make it to one of many hiding spots she slips into along the path to the playroom. She loves jumping out and surprising us as we walk along -- and we never disappoint her with our reactions.

Our playroom activities today included a new game that Kristina seemed to be making up as it went along. She lined up scores of plastic bowling pins of different shapes and colors and then gave each of us an equal amount of rubber balls and beanbags to throw into a basket. I guess the object of the game was to get the balls and beanbags into the basket without knocking over the pins. After mastering that game, she then gave us permission to roll the balls at the pins in an attempt to knock them down. From there, we ended up sitting on a pile of mats located against the wall. Kristina took a position on the floor hiding behind the mats and we instinctively knew what she wanted us to do. We would roll the balls and they would fall off the end of the mats where she was crouching down in an attempt to be concealed. Kristina would then throw the balls at us from her strategic position and we would find ourselves ducking for cover. We had much fun with this game and then lay together on the mats where we talked and tickled and hugged for awhile.

It was now time to go, so we gathered up all of the toys and tidied up the playroom before heading back to Kristina’s group. Once there, we were given big hugs and many kisses goodbye. Two more orphanage visits -- one on Saturday and one on Monday -- and then we take Kristina out of the orphanage forever -- just as Igor promised her…