Monday, June 13, 2011

Travel Delays and More Training Pictures

Guess what..storms over the midwest and before you can say Hello, flights are being canceled through O'Hare.  United Airlines could only book me for the next day evening.  Something to do with me having an award ticket, and their systems not being fully integrated with Continental.  Brigitte didn't like having to drive all the way to pick me back from the airport. 

So, I get to spend another day at the beach and the camp.  Svetlana took some more pictures and here they are for your enjoyment. 

Happy birthday to Misha.  He celebrated his 14th birthday yesterday with us and got a surprise cake, made by the local Cake Lady.
























Sunday, June 12, 2011

Busch Gardens and Farewell

After a whole week of exercises on the beach, it was finally a day of fun at the Busch Gardens. Oh, and lest I forget the kids also got some desserts the night before at Cold Stone Creamery when we went to the local market with the whole camp.  A few people looked askance at us, as if wondering if we were part of a religious community.

Back to the Gardens.  The day at Busch Gardens is a regular feature of the annual camp, and the kids talk about it on the days leading to it.  Some want to ride the scariest rides, others want to shop, but all want to enjoy themselves until they drop out of exhaustion. The kids grouped themselves based on age, ride dares, friendships etc.  I got a chance to go on the ride Griffon, the scariest ride with a straight drop from 250 feet that reaches 75 mph.  Nathan wasn't impressed that I kept my eyes closed part of the way.  I got darer as I went on more rides with Nathan and Misha. 

Libby's mom and friends joined us for the day, driving in from Richmond.  Kate and Brigitte stayed behind and we wonder if they went to a spa to rejuvente themselves, or simply enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee without any children running around. They also got us ready for the new apartment that we moved in for the second week of camp.

Enjoy the pictures attached.  They are more of the young ones since we didn't have a camera with us for the bigger kids.  Also, today I am flying back to Omaha.   I will miss the camp experience with the kids, but I look forward to maybe seeing them again next year.  So, this is not a farewell but more of a see you later.

PS:  If you would like to check out pictures / blog from the previous camps, please go to Premier  Figure Skating Club website at















Thursday, June 9, 2011

Work Hard and Eat Well

This post is dedicated to food!  At the Virginia beach Camp, we take care to feed the athletes well and with proper nutrition.  They are burning a lot of calories with their three 2-hour practices and need noursihment to replenish their strength.

The emphases is on protein, fresh vegetables and plenty of fruit.  There are no desserts, nor any soda served.  Milk and lemonde are drinks of choice. Kate, Brigitte, Svetlana, and I think of new menu items every day and then go about buying produce, preparing the meals, and even taking the time to present it well.  Even the picky eaters seem to be eating well.  I guess it must be the peer pressure.

Here are some pictures of appetizers, entrees and sides we served tonight. I guess it was somewhat special since Valentin, the guest coach was eating with us and we served ribeye steak that Alexei grilled on the bar be cue!.


















Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Another set of pictures from training

In this second post, we are publishing some more pictures of the athletes training at the beach and having fun.  You briefly learned about the athletes and the camp in the first post.


 
This is how Alexei loads the kids in the morning for the 1.2 mile run to Valentin's cabin

The kids go on a 30 minute run (about 3.5 miles) on the beach Running on the beach strengthens their muscles and provides anerobic workout.


Lisa running

Misha running

Nathan running



Its not all hard work.  There is play time too.  Maybe the heat got to the boys head.




Here is the entire group cooling off in the ocean with Alexei.





Oops, here comes the waves. 



Sibling Aleesha gets to enjoy the ocean too.



Maksim doesn't want to miss out on the shoveling.  Its so much fun.



Can you see some of the toning results



Here are your authors wishing you good night!