Monday afternoon's trip to visit DR

Here's Ellie with our 'substitute' taxi driver. When Seni has to work, this fella fills in. Ellie personally prefers this guy because he lets her put down her window instead of sitting in a warm cab with very little AC. She also likes him because he opens the door for her and treats her like a real princess. I'm not exaggerating. I wish I could tell you his name, but between the slightly different dialect and a different set of names here than the 'usual', the best I can surmise is his name is Tiku (tee-ku).

Arriving...

Ellie knows the way and leads us in.

Yesterday afternoon everyone was more lethargic than usual. This is their version of a baby gate. They just sit on the floor and let the babies crawl over them, then toss them back in the room. Can you spot the set of twins?

lunch time! Ellie wanted to do an "airplane" into David's mouth but didn't want to hold the spoon alone.

This is Sister Miriam and one of the twins. Some babies are fed in lap -- others in chairs. I don't know why some are done one way and others another.

My turn!

This photo was from the morning when he conked out!

Hello Friends,

Today we learn our court date and I'm trying not to be anxious. It will dictate much of how the rest of our time here unfolds. Tomorrow marks one week in Albania and Wednesday marks one week in Elbasan. My mom arrives on Thursday (in Albania) and the tentative plan is to return to Tirana with her on Friday. We have a fun surprise for Ellie in the works on Saturday. I think Ellie's parents are looking forward to some company and a change of scenery too!

As we look at the rest of our month, this will be our longest stint in Elbasan, with weekend trips back to Tirana planned nearly every weekend hereafter. I think the time will really fly after Mom's arrival!

Thanks for upholding us!

Cydil

Ellie-isms: #1) she presently has fountains and mountains confused. As we start to leave the main part of Elbasan the buildings get smaller and the mountains get closer. Everytime she says, "Look, Mommy! I see the fountains! We are almost to the hotel!"

#2.) Last night Ellie had an ice cream bar and dripped chocolate on her arms and legs. I told her she had to take a bath to take the chocolate off her legs. She started to seriously panic. All she heard was I told her she had to "take off her legs!" She said, "I don't want Mommy to take off my legs!" I felt horrible!