400 Years Ago...

This morning, we actually got out on time to start our adventures in Colonial America. We even got to Jamestown before it opened! It was nice to visit the reenactment again after three and a half years. We even recognized some of the interpreters, obviously historians who have dedicated their lives to educating others in the most entertaining way possible. Victor seemed to enjoy trying on the 17th century armor and climbing aboard the replicas of the ships that carried the colonists to this land four hundred years ago. Kismet had a great time, too, until she tried to catch some sleep and was awakened every fifteen minutes by a musket demonstration. By the time we were done, we were all ready for a nice nap.

We awoke refreshed and ready for dinner a few hours later, and met our friend Vicki for dinner at Kyoto, a Japanese teppanyaki restaurant. This was Victor's first taste of teppan, and he loved it! He was the only one at the table who could catch the veggies and shrimp in his mouth when the chef flipped them at us. On the other hand, Kismet, who has been visiting teppan restaurants with us since she was just a few weeks old, suddenly decided to be afraid of fire. Since we couldn't get her to turn away from the flames, Kala took her out to watch the fish in the pond until that portion of the show was done. While we were in the lobby, the hostess commented on how cute Kismet is, and that she had seen us yesterday at Peking and noticed her beautiful eyes and smile even then. I guess we're not the only ones mesmerized by her!

After dinner, Vicki took some time to tell Victor her story of immigrating from Russia as a teenager without a penny, and making her way through school at the College of William and Mary by fundraising and inspirational speaking. He listened attentively and asked her questions about college life, and she gave him honest answers and sound advice about making one's own dreams come true.

Vicki is getting married on Saturday, and we look forward to seeing our "little sister" make yet another of her dreams come true. She certainly deserves every happiness.