And here's Elena...
Well, it's safe to say we picked up where we left off nearly a year ago. Elena remains Mama's little girl. Men--not to mention those who are 6'5"--are not a common sight in a Russian orphanage, and it's not all that unusual for little girls to be shy (or even terrified) around them...or so I'm told. Bonding with Papa will come in time.


One thing about Russian orphanages--they're uncomfortably warm inside, and they tend to overdress the kids for the weather. The temperature outside is probably about 60F, and the children are dressed in snowsuits with several layers underneath.



And it's Fall...the leaves are mostly off the trees. Valeria ("Laira"), the Wolfes' daughter, is still Elena's best bud a year after our first visit and the girls are forever bonded. With the Wolfes, we shared our first visit a year ago, a suite at the Frankfurt Sheraton during our layover yesterday, and are sharing our court date Wednesday.  ¶ 10:36 PM