Happy Victory Day

Hello, and Happy Victory Day from Moscow.  Victory Day is when Russians celebrate the defeat of Germany during WWII.  It is a big day here.  And I mean a really big day here.  Over 20 million Russians died during WWII, and St.Petersburg was held under a seige and received nightly bombings while the people starved.  There is a big parade here today and they have been decorating the streets for a week.  There has been no working and no school since Saturday (the Russians have this thing that when they give days off you have to make up some of them by working on Saturdays.  Strange for us Americans, but whatever works for them).  Every grocery store, mall, and even coffee shops I have been in lately have been playing communist style propoganda music.  You know what I mean.  Think of the Soviet videos we were shown as kids.  I have often felt the need to grab my rifle, run into the street, and start calling everyone comrade.
While I applaud the Russians for celebrating this holiday (can you imagine living under Natzi rule?  No thank you.), I do take issue with some of the feelings associated with Victory Day.  And by this I mean that Russians I have talked to get mad when Americans say they won the war.  Hmmmm, I think my paternal grandfather stormed the beaches of Normandy.  And I think my maternal grandfather went from one island to another in Japan fighting brutal battles that eventually got him a bullet in the back.  The Americans liberated the concentration camps and the city of Paris.  And let's face it: without the Americans there probably would not have been good outcome to this war. 
But my Russian friends, I do see where you are going with this.  Many, many of your people died, and the war was fought in your country, not an ocean away.  So, I think on this issue we just need to agree that both countries fought bravely, lost alot, and got rid of a common enemy.
I do really respect Russians in one aspect of this holiday.  I had asked my Russian teacher if she thought Victory Day would become less important as the years went on and WWII veterans passed away.  She looked at me like I was crazy and said never.  Every child in Russia grows up knowing the stories from WWII and what family members died or were touched by the war.  Ask any Russian, and they will be able to list for you what happened to their family members during this time and it is a source of great pride.  It's quite amazing.  And it makes me wonder if we do the same in the US.  Are we as proud of our history as they are?    We should be.  And we should share that history with our children and grandchildren.  No country is perfect, but after living here and traveling to other parts of the world, let me tell you:  the US is doing better than most.  Seriously.
I love learning Russian history and talking to Russians about their families.  I have learned so much in such a short time.  Maybe next year we will even attempt a parade or two.  It's a rainy day here in Moscow, so the kids and I decided to do some arts and crafts (are you proud of me Suz?) and we made bookmarks.  The pictures below are from this morning.

 Why Kathleen feels the need to do art projects without a shirt on is beyond me.  I'm just happy she sat still for awhile.

Jesy and I also had a little lady that turned 4 on Monday.  I am really struggling that this little girl is 4, but I believe that she is going to continue to grow no matter what I say.  The first two pictures are of Kathleen and Amalie before the friends came over for pizza and cupcakes.  A little pre-celebration nap if you will.  And, I made the frosting for the cupcakes by myself.  Not a big deal in the States, but a very big deal here in Russia.  They do not have the same ingredients, and even butter and sugar are a bit different.  But the cupcakes were all eaten, so I think they turned out ok.

Happy Birthday Kathleen!  I cannot believe you are four.  I love you my special girl!  And yes, I purposely chose a picture of K giving me the stink eye.  That's my girl!