We have moved, I think, 14 times in the 10 weeks I have been here.  Now, in what I think is our last apartment, I am still adjusting to the changes that come with each move.  Here is a picture of our 'kitchen' in this apartment.

The microwave is quite unusual here but we have had one in one other apartment.  This is the first time we have not had an oven though.  And the first time the cook top has not been gas.  You can spot two little electric eyes to the far left.  And this really is the entirety of the kitchen.  There is one pot and one skillet but no cooking utensils.  There is a small refrigerator stuck in another room.  We are eating boiled eggs for breakfasts, eating lunch out, and making sandwiches and vereniky for supper.   So far, Sasha does not seem to mind.

Then there is the washing machine.  We were warned about the small washers but really they have all been fine.  There have only been, at most, 3 of us at any one time so keeping up with laundry in small washers has not been an issue.  And then we moved here....

The depth of this washer is about 7 - 8 inches.  Really, one set of clothes fills it up.  Good thing we will not be here long (we hope and pray)!  And of course we have the requisite drying rack (because there are no clothes dryers).  I have been surprised by how well clothes dry on them though.  Emileigh gave Sasha a virtual tour of our house a few days ago and when she got to the laundry room, he was perplexed that we have 2 washing machines.  How do you explain a clothes dryer to someone who has never seen one and does not speak your language?!  Have not figured out that one yet.

This apartment is also the first that has had a flat screen tv and the first to have 2 tv's.  It is also the first loft-style apartment we have found.  And the first to have not 1 bathroom, but 1 1/2 bathrooms.

Every step of the way, we have made adjustments and can say we have enjoyed (almost) all of them!  What an experience this has been.

Yesterday, we had one of our most memorable Thanksgiving days yet.  We were invited to a home of an American family who live just outside of Kiev.  There were many other Americans included who all had great stories of how they came to live here.  An added perk was that most of them could speak Russian as well as English so they could communicate easily with Sasha.  He enjoyed their dog and their 10 year old son....and the food.  There really is not much that he does not like to eat yet!  The food and the fellowship were great.  It was a wonderful day and a great way to spend our day of thankfulness.

Sasha absolutely is intrigued with maps.  He quickly noticed our cab drivers have gps maps on their iPhones and that he does not on his iTouch (which he thinks is a phone).

He also loved the dog of our Thanksgiving host family.  She is a cocker-doodle.  A serious breed consideration for our next dog!  Chewy was so cute.  And her hair color matched Sasha's!

A big game of Rulers of Catan.  Ali had fun visiting with others beside her mom!

There was another boy, close to Sasha's age, that he enjoyed hanging out with for the day.

Our apartment building is built in a rectangle with a parking courtyard in the middle of the buildings.  So out our back door on the balcony, we can see into this office.  We think their inspirational poster is pretty funny and one of the few signs we have seen that is in English.  Perhaps it is a message for us?