Advent fun

In Russia the communists largely replaced Christmas as a celebration with New Year.

So Christmas is not the commercialized affair it has become in many countries.

Advent is something few outside of the church have any understanding of.

We decided to organize some Advent events aimed at helping kids (and their parents) understand the Christmas story whilst having fun.  

There were lots of activities

Face painting was particularly popular

Then it was story time...

Time to make an angel to take home

After all that work - snack time!

Book Club for three year olds.

Once Luda had the idea to get some friends together with their kids to discuss a favorite book the kids had read. This has now become a regular event - a book club for kids.

This time they discussed a book by the author Vladimir Suteyev. He was an animator who became a children's author, illustrating his own stories. He was also ambidextrous and could even write and draw at the same time!

One of his most

Maths Games

Luda has collected and created a host of games that teach and train mathematics, we test them on our own kids.

On Saturday we were invited by our friends in nearby Divnogorsk, to run a session of Maths games. 

It was a way to help parentss both inside and outside of the church.

The Church building in Divnogorsk

inside 

You can just about see the view of the surrounding mountains

First the kids played

Then we drank tea!

Our team of helpers!

Tanya

When we first moved to Krasnoyarsk we made friends, in church, with two girls from a children's home. Tanya was one of them. She later lived with us for a couple of years.

Tanya graduated as a social worker and got a job working in the children's home 

where she was brought up.

A year ago she married Artem

Now she has two children, both adopted.

Tolik

and Artem.

Only in Russia - Sushki

These dried bread rings get their name from the verb, "to dry" - "sushat".

They come in different varieties and sizes. 

These ones are made with milk, which makes them softer, others are more crunchy.

These sushki are made at the bakery.

They have Peter's seal of approval!

 

A Botanical Walk

One of our neighbours, Ira, came up with the idea of taking the kids on a walk to learn about some of  the local plants. She even prepared a guide with pictures. 

Our band of botanists set off in search of samples.

Their labours were rewarded, richly!

Those who could not wait for the picnic, tried placing sticks on an anthill,

and licking them afterwards (I am told it tastes sour).

Berries were also sampled

At the top of the hill we admired the view, although smoke from distant forest fires affected it badly.

Then we shared a picnic,

took a group picture

and headed back down the hill.

The track comes out at the biathlon stadium, where some, 

who could not wait for winter, ski on rollers!

Tired, but happy!

Only in Russia - Sirok

This is the first of what I hope will be a series of posts, showing you things that especially Russian, and might not be available elsewhere (although I am sure some countries have their own equivilents).

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"Sirok" translates as "little cheese", which is a little misleading, as they do not taste of cheese.

They come in different flavours the two below are: 

caramalised sweetened condensed milk, and strawberry flavoured.  

They are made from milk curds, butter and sugar, with a chocolate coating, and a flavoured centre.

These ones are 23% fat!

They make a very good snack, although they can leave your fingers sticky!