I Just Love These Kids or Goofing Around with a Camera

It takes a lot of work to get the four of these kids together - everyone has their own life, their own schedule, their own priorities. We tried for at least a month to find a good weather afternoon when we could take a few more pictures before Jackie headed back to school. Finally, the stars aligned today! A million years ago (okay, maybe sixteen years), these ice cream cones were the only ones available in Almaty. We remember buying them (with no wrapper) out of a box from a Moskvich trunk when Jackie and Daniel were toddlers. They still remain one of Jackie's favorite kinds of ice cream. We just had to buy some for nostalgia's (and photographic prop) sake.

This picture just might be my new screen saver (zoom in on Daniel's face):

We then played the game "Hurry Up!". Every time I yelled, they had a few seconds to find a new position and freeze. . . Much humor involved (for us and for those waiting at the nearby bus stop)!

And then there is this one. . .

I was wishing I had a single daisy to hand each of them. . . ("Tsveti" is flowers in Russian).

I just had to post this "Allison Almost Getting Bit By a Dog" series. Strolling along the street, minding their own business, Jackie and Allison are immersed in singing songs together. Daniel makes a side-wise, suspicious glance at the lurking canine.

Abby also looks wary of the dog. Allison and Jackie are still in their own world. . .

Dog barks viciously, lunges, and grabs Allison's jeans. Allison and Jackie jump and scream. Allison escapes, unscathed. Nothing like a dog attack to get your adrenaline running. . .

We then found this GREAT wall and took my very favorite pictures of the day. . .
The kids just started playing and singing favorite songs together. I snapped away. Passersby stopped to listen. Abby, ever hopeful, put out her hat for donations (hey, there is a poor college student in the band).

Love it. love it.

Jackie fulfilled a life-long dream and swung the guitar case around, singing "I Have Confidence" like Maria. . .

Allison couldn't watch, however, as she feared her precious guitar would fly out of the battered old case!

Gotta love that boy. . .

Almaty phone booth:

Feel the love. Aren't they wonderful?