We headed out to the local library today.
Our home library does not contain a set of encyclopedias, so we were forced to pursue public resources for some of our school work this week.
My 7th grader also needed a book on market bubbles. More on that later.
As we entered the library and turned left toward the reference section we heard a high-pitched squeal that seemed to come right from under our feet!
“Vatch out, pleees!”
I looked down to see a tiny mother with her three children.
“Oh my goodness! I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, “I didn’t see you down there. You’re so…..”
“Dat’s right, vee are smoll, but vee do haf a library card! My name is Mrs. Matreshka and thiss are my chiltren-Masha, Svetlana, and leetle Yuri.”
“Nice to meet you all. I’m Mrs. Clay and these are my children, Madelaine, Sveva, and Jack. I can tell from your colorful outfits that you are not from around here…?”
“Vee come last moonth from Russia. My hoosband die and I tell my chiltren that there is more opportunity in America. So vee sell all and come.”
“Oh my. I’m so sorry to hear of your husband. But we are happy that you’ve come and I hope we can be friends.
I talked with Mrs. Matreshka for several minutes while the children looked at books together. Masha and Maddie became instant friends as Masha was interested in encyclopedias too.
Sveva carried Svetlana to the children’s section and showed her how to type her name on the computer.
Our two little boys stared at each other and continually poked each other in the eye.
I found out through our conversation that the Mrs. Matreshka was interested in the freedom to educate her children at home She was eager for them to improve their English and wanted them to be able to spend their days together as they adjusted to their new home. She was also an art enthusiast! We had so much in common.
I could see that the Matreshkas would need help checking out their books, even with their library card. We offered to carry their books to the check out. They insisted on carrying at least one themselves. It was amazing to see this tiny family working together. “Vee must learn to do for ourselves here in America.”
We all headed out to the parking lot together.
“Would you and your children like to come over for lunch sometime this week?”I asked her,
“Spaseeba! Vee vould like dat much!”
“Great! How about tomorrow around noon?”
“Dat iss goot!
I got her e-mail address and we said good-bye until tomorrow. This was really an unexpected treat to meet these sweet people that we had so much in common with! We all looked forward to getting to know our new comrades!
(Story by Ms. Sveva Clay, vit a little help from her mom.) 🙂
That is so cute! I love it!
That was adorable.
Wow. It has been a week or two since I last read your blog, and I’ve missed so much! You have so many neat posts. I enjoyed reading them all. I’m not a naturally creative/artistic person, so I have great appreciation for those who are. Everything I’ve seen from your hand is so colorful and tasteful and BEAUTIFUL! Keep up the amazing work!
What a wonderful way to teach creative writing to your children and so realistic. How fun for all. I enjoyed reading your blog today.
Very cute! My matryoshkas don’t get out and about much at all :). The book we were talking about Friday is indeed called The Littlest Matryoshka by Corrine Demas Bliss.
Darling and FUN story! I love it! Your children are so lucky to have such a creative and fun mom!