family

Happy birthday, mom!

(For those of you who don’t know, my mother came to Cyprus last Friday for just a few days to celebrate her birthday.Â She is back to Moscow today.)

It was one of the shortest visits so far.Â The longest one was when Maxim was born.Â Ma stayed with us for a month or so.Â There were a few two-weeks and 10-days stays.Â There were some 1 week stays.Â Those felt short, but we had enough time to pack all the fun in.Â With 3 days at hand and all the preparations that had to be done for the actual celebration, we still managed to enjoy plenty of time together.

The celebrations were cool too.Â A whole bunch of people, up in the hills with plenty of drinks, food, free time, and good mood – that’s a heck of a combination for great time.Â It’s a bit sad that it’s over, butÂ I’m glad we didn’t spoil a second of it.Â It was all fun.

Happy birthday mom.Â Hope to see you again soon!

Happy Birthday, Olga!

Today is yet another Olga’s birthday. She refuses to celebrate it. Again. Saying that it’s not a holiday and that there’s nothing to celebrate. Oh, well. That only means that all of you guys are out of luck. I’m still having my wife’s birthday and nothing can stop me.

Happy birthday, babe! All the best wishes, and some extra stuff that I won’t post here.

Album location: /photos/2006/2006-03-14_Olga_Birthday

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Today is my brother‘s 21st birthday. Congratulations bro!

You have become an adult by all standards now. Even by those way outrageous American ones. You’ve achived much, but don’t stop yet. There are so many wonderful things in life beyond of where you’re now.

I wish that you have enough energy to climb the highest hill around to see beyond the horizons. And then I wish that you have enough will to travel there (that is beyond the horizons, if you haven’t been listening).

There is a huge world out there with plenty of interesting and amazing stuff going on. There are plenty of interesting people. There is much to learn. There is much to find. There is much to gain.

Now that you’ve become totally adult, I hope you’ll explore the possibilities and push the opportunities even further. Good luck to you and welcome to adults!

P.S.: Being partially childish is a good thing too, by the way.

P.P.S.: Happy Birthday!

More presents

Today, yet more of our friends passed by to congratulate Maxim (and us) on reaching the important milestone – the age of 1 year. Plenty of presents, kisses, and hugs were mixed with lots of food and drinks. The result – excellent time. Kids are fun!

Album location: /photos/2006/2006-02-25_Maxim_birthday

Happy Birthday, Maxim!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, today is Maxim’s birthday, and he is one year old.

It was the most remarkable year of my life. Everything has changed so much. Yet, time is the thing that surprise me the most. This year was by far the longest year of my life. Probably, because it was so packed with emotions, worries, thinking, studying and observing. The longest. By far. But looking back at it, I have this feeling that it passed so fast. Where did all that time go? Confused…

One thing I am certain about though. It was the best year of my life so far. Hopefully it will continue to be this way…

Happy birthday, son! (maybe one day you’ll even read this)

Album location: /photos/2006/2006-02-23_Maxim_1_year_old