This is Vlad and Artur, brothers and best friends. This picture was taken the first full day after they arrived to America. They were so excited to go to the beach. It was evident from the start that they were adventurous kids.
They love just about anything and everything, except sitting still. I’m kidding, they sit still….. when they watch a movie.
Seriously, they are fully involved in life.
They love to swim.
Clown around…..
and they have found that Billy is just a kid at heart too.
They have made us laugh over and over.
You just never know what they will do next.
They love anything with a motor.
They constantly call out while riding down the road, Ford Mustang, Corvette, Mercedes and any other car that catches their eye. In that way, they are typical teenage boys. They have taken a million pictures of cars like this one that they have seen in parking lots. They are hilarious.
We took them to a local car show this weekend. We were admiring a car when we met Mr. Mark. He allowed the boys to sit in his car.
It made their night!
Mr. Mark also gave each of the boys a Dragster Magazine.
I’m pretty sure they know everything in that magazine by now. A big thank you to Mr. Mark for his kindness.
You see, they are just boys. Artur is 15. If he lived here he would be driving with a permit, and Vlad is 14 he isn’t far behind. Maybe one day they will drive a car of their own.
They do not have easy access to the same things we do here. It isn’t a bad thing necessarily, just different.
One day I was vacuuming with the central vac while they were playing outside. Artur came in to get something, I continued vacuuming. I saw something out of the corner of my eye. As I turned to get a good look I saw Artur on the floor holding the hose in his hands. He was feeling the vibrations. He followed the hose to the wall socket. The look in his eyes were one of puzzlement. I turned it off and tried as best that I could to explain what this contraption was. He smiled big.
Another day I was loading the washing machine. Vlad walked past and watched for a minute. He saw that the other machine was on. He reached over and touched it. He looked at at and with eyes big as saucers said “HOT” —–“What Sonya? What?” Apparently he had never seen a dryer. Once I retrieved the clothes and all the kids felt the warmth from the dryer they were amazed. Vlad still doesn’t understand it all. The other day he asked me “WHY”? He pointed that the washer and dryer look almost identical, so why was one water and one hot. With broken English, I did my best to explain.
Yesterday Artur brought his dirty clothes down to be washed. As he walked by he said “clothes want shower”. I couldn’t help but giggle.
They are inquisitive about so many things that they don’t know. Yet, they are very knowledgeable about many other things.
They absolutely love spending time with Billy.
He really tries to listen to them, stopping long enough for them to show him things that are of interest to them.
He cuts up with them.
I laughed the other day when Artur asked me…What is…”WHAT’S UP”? His eyebrows furrowed as he tried to understand. Some things are just funny, especially when you try to explain why in the world we actually say them.
They love making goofy pictures of Billy. They thought this was the funniest thing, Billy with Vika’s Barbies and a blanket!
He in turn loves to “monkey” around with them too.
Even the other day I heard a ruckus and went around the corner to call the boys down.
It was two boys alright….but one of them was grown.
Yep. Busted, kicking a soccer ball in the house!
Most of all the boys just want to be with him, they want to go where he goes. They love to work along side of him.
They enjoy that Father figure.
Sure there are those times when he corrects them. Like when it is late at night and the boys are still laughing and carrying on when it should be lights out. He goes to the bottom of the stairs and says….”Boys, knock it off and go to sleep”. Now, do they understand every word? I don’t know, but they get quiet and go to sleep, and arise ready to work along side him once again. Or when they are mean to their sister, and he explains that she is family and is to always have their love.
Every kid needs guidance, correction and love.
Fortunately, they have been able to spend time with grandparents as well.
I see the boys don’t just need a father figure, they need that mother figure too.
Always wanting me to stop and smile for the camera.
Which most of you know, I would rather be the picture taker, not the subject matter.
But, they have let me take a thousand and one pictures of them, so I oblige occasionally.
They show respect and are kind to me, quick to open a door or unload groceries from the car.
They pat the couch for me to sit next to them when it is movie time, slipping their arms in mine for some quiet time together.
They have even on occasion given me a break from cooking by preparing a meal.
I know they can do a lot of things for themselves, they are big boys.
But at the end of the day,
I think they just might look forward to that good night hug as much as I do.
I've Gone Country 
Posted by Aunt Janet on August 20, 2014 at 7:37 am
So sweet. They have been so lucky to have you and you them!!