Mothers Day, TES Spring Concert, Cameron Duathalon

Saturday, May 17 - 1st Estonia Duathlon 

Cameron did his 1st Estonian Duathlon along with many other 6-14 year old competitors. Two boys in a picture below are his training buddies from 21cc triathlon club.  They are much older boys but speak some english and have taken Cameron under their care.

The race was very good practice for Cameron.  First of all this was his 1st ever duathlon and he did it with out understanding much for what anyone including announcers was saying:-) Running-Bike -Run - that's how it was organized.  He was in the mid pack of the 1st run, but the bike was a different story.  Most competitors had road bikes, even some 7 year olds did.  Cameron road on BMX bike so he could only go so fast.  His 2nd run was exceptional and he had 2nd fasted run split in his age group.  We are so proud of him and his ability to survive in any situation.  Cam is a fighter and really cool kid!

Tuesday, May 13 - Spring Concert at Tallinn European School (TES)

The boys have been practicing their songs for a long time now.  We could not wait to see and hear them perform finally.  The concert was held at the Tallinn Son and Dance festival Glass Building.  It had more amazing views of the Baltic sea and the ships that were coming into port.

Twins had to wear animal costumes, Cameron's grade P3 had to wear happy and bright spring colors.

Top left - music teacher Ivi.  Mag with his friend Gabe.  Middle - Cam with friends Michael and Varlteri.  The last song at the concert was performed by all the teachers including the Principal.  They sang in French - it was amazing. 

Sunday, May 11 - Mothers Day

I love how the boys were whispering all day Saturday about something.  They daddy took all the boys to a store and when they came back every boys ran different direction to do something.  The next day I figured out that they were getting ready for Mothers day and were hiding food, presents and flowers:-)

 Later that night Chris and I went for Mothers day dinner to a restaurant call PAAT.  Local place, right on the water and the building the restaurant is located is an upside down boat.  The food was one of the best we have had in Estonia yet.

Chris's 1st trip to our beach with his new sling. We put a big garbage bag over it so the sand doesn't get in.  We took a beach chair for him to sit on and boys threw frizzby with him.  Good practice for the boys because they need to trow right to him as he can't move out of his chair every time :-)

US back yard party, Rakvere Castle, Roof tops, TV tower, beach

Tuesday, April 22nd 
Flying back on red eye to Estonia, just Jurgita and boys, Chris is staying back for another doctors visit and PT.  The flight was uneventful, many thank to Sarah for the iPads - life saves during trips!!! Wednesday afternoon we landed in Tallinn.  Our driver Joel picked us up and took us home.  Major jet lag for 4 days but boys went back to school the next day - I guess they didn't feel as tired as I did:-)

To keep ourselves occupied and from falling asleep too early after jet lag we would go to our beach to fly kite that Aunty Val sent to us and to collect more unique rocks.  Also to sit on a warm sand and hope for some tan and vitamin D:

We also visited Tallinn television tower.  It was incredible to stand by such tall and skinny building, then to go inside and take the elevator all the way up to the viewing platform.  We were able to see our beach and all around Tallinn.  Then went to an OUTSIDE viewing cage - that was windy, supper high and a bit scary :-)

Same weekend we walked roof tops in Old Town Tallinn.  There are many viewing platforms in old town.  Some of them are from tall towers and some are from the tops of high "protection" walls  that surrounds the old town.  Our goal is to visit each and everyone in 3 years.
NOTE: like many other tourist sites, walking on roof tops safety is up to every individuals discretion. Small example: holding rails are there but beams in between are so wide that 8 year old Cameron could fall thought it if slipped or not careful.  So far none of the places we have been would meet US safety standards.  Needles to say, I was a bit (a lot) nervous.

By the weekend we were ready to explore and do some fun things.  So we took an 1.5 hr. road trip to Rakvere Castle.  It was a very child friendly castle with tons of activities: Swings, imitation horse riding, wagon pulling, dress up clothe and more.  We would totally go back.

Monday, April 21st

Big, back yard Open House for us, given by Ben, Jennie and Sammie (Pebbles and Bam Bam).  We had such an awesome time seeing many other friends we didn't get to yet see before we departed back to Estonia.  We are truly bless to have so many amazing people in our livest that love us an support us.

Not everyone we took pictures with but we did got Nathan and Erin Smith, William Forchen and Sophia Hyre.  Photo of Rohde boys new iPads they got from Fairy God Mother Sarah Sophia and Mr. Andrew.

Everyone got some good play time

Look at all these beautiful people: Ashley and Chris Forchen; Grandmamma and Pop Adrian; LARC girls: Vita, Judita, Gaila, Danguole, Zivile and Ruta; Pam and Denis Smith; Lori G; Micheline and Denis VanReenan; Andrew and Sarah.

Chris's Achillis operation, Easter at Grandmammas

Easter Sunday, April 20
The boys were so excited to have one more Ester egg hunt at Popop Adrians and Grandmammas house.  Uncle Bennie goes over the house and helps Easter Bunny hide all the eggs and they have many good places to hide them.  This year there were two golden eggs - everyone wanted to find them. Lucky once where Kylie and Tadas this year.

Monday, April 14 - Chris's Achillis Tendon Surgery Day

We got to Mercy hospital in Baltimore around 9am.  Lots of waiting around but they finally got him a bed and prepped him for surgery.  Dr. Campbell was in another surgery, we were next but not till 2pm.    It was great to have Chris's mom Linda there with us for support. 

On the left - the foot is marked for surgery.  Middle - in the waiting room before the surgery.  Right - thumbs-up ready to get it done!

The surgery was successful and we were eager to see Chris in recovery.  He was waking up from anastasia just as we were walking in.  He had a huge sling on his foot with a tube sticking out of it.  That was a part of a cooling device that is wrapped inside the sling.  A plastic bucket with a lid and a hose came with it - you put lots of ice and pour cold water over the ice, then connect the hose with the part that sticking out of the sling - turn it on and it pumps cold water to ice the foot.

Back in the States, Deep Run & St. Johns visit, Kate's B party, Easter at Popp Rohde's

April 10th - 4am - up and ready to head to USA for Chris's surgery to fix his torn achillies tendon.

Past four days Chris has been dealing with arrangements for his surgery.  Even if this is his personal thing - everything had to approved by State Department and USSS.  So in choosing a place for the surgery wasn't complicated by somewhat of a hassle and time consuming.  He knew, after 3 failed attempts by Estonian hospital to get him on the operating table, it will definitely not be done by the Estonian doctors.   State Department then is able to fly Chris to London have the procedure done over there.  Unfortunately, the USSS needed to provide somewhere around $35.000 for this trip and Chris need to stay 12 days post surgery by himself in a hotel to recover.   That just didn't make sense.  So after few suggestions by friends, family and professionals, Chris decided to come back to the States and see an ankle surgeon.   The next week was children's spring break, so it convenient for all of us to fly back to be with Chris and see some friends and family.

Journey back to US.  It was pleasantly organized service for wheel chair.  Because we ordered flight tickets the night before our trip - the airline couldn't accommodate us to sit together.  After a sweet talk to flight attendance Chris had 3 open seats around him.   The landing in Dulles wasn't as pleasant as we hoped for  - Dramamine next time for sure.  

This ripe and pretty beat up banana traveled with us from Tallinn house to Dulles as a morning snack for the boys.  Only for a customs dog to sit on my suitcase and be interrogated if we are brining any food.  Of cause my answer was NO b/c that banana was suppose to be eaten at 5am by someone:-)  Ups :-)

Friday, April 11

We settled in with Ben and Jennie.  It was amazing to be visiting and staying in our old house.  The first thing I did was run around house and visit with my plants, trimmed some bushes and cleans some flower beds.  At times if felt like we never left.  They gave up their bedroom just to make it easier on Chris and his injured foot.  Poor 5 month pregnant with twins Jennie went to sleep in the guest bedroom and Ben slept on the couch in the living room.  We really have a loving and caring family.

Friday I also took boys back to visit their old schools.

Cameron was welcomed back like a big celebrity and got so many hugs and was welcome to join in math class and computer class.  They stayed for recess so he could play soccer with his old buddies.  What fun that was.
Twins also had fun visiting St. Johns Parish Day School.  Their class was in music so Mag got to play xylophone and to sing some songs.  They also visited with some other friends, photo above: Sophie, Logan and Becket.

 Satruday, April 12 - did a quick Bachelorett party for Kate

Sunday, April 13 - we had Easter celebration at Popop Rohdes and Mimis house:

We not only celebrated Easter, had a great meal and did an egg hunt.  We were also excited about Gracyn and her team winning a Robotics competition and them traveling to compete in California soon.