The Tsaturyans: A Jumble of a Post (Kind of Like My Life)

I am typing this post from my parents-in-laws' computer, since I spilled water on mine and am waiting for it to be fixed. Who knew that a simple spill would result in $600 worth of damage? This incident also further confirmed to me that I am the klutziest person alive. Not too long ago I closed the garage door while our trunk was open, and opening it later (not knowing what I had done) caused a good amount of damage to both doors. This happened shortly after Sevak had taken the car in to get a dent repaired (wonder whose fault that was?). And here's one final "blonde moment:" I had an encounter with a woman at the library in which she remarked that I had my baby and asked if I was still doing Zumba, etc...it took me forever to figure out who she was. Am I losing it? Some postpartum brain fuzziness, perhaps?

Good thing I have Sevak to manage my life for me. On top of promptly arranging repairs for my computer damage, he fixed the internet for me when he got home at 9:30 last night (it hadn't been working all day). He also called the tire place this morning and took our car in, because the front tire was completely flat (I hope it was from something other than my hitting one too many curbs...). I don't know what I'd do without my husband.

It goes without saying that I just don't feel on top of things anymore. It's too bad that my mood/sense of accomplishment is so connected to the state of my house. I think that's why I try to be away from home so often. :) I am sitting in a room that literally looks as if it was hit by a tornado. The kids are constantly using the couch cushions as building materials for their "houses." The other day I was trying to tidy up and they kept saying, "don't mess up my house!" I should have told them the same thing! :) They also have little piles of random stuff + scotch tape lying around. Scotch tape is one of their favorite toys.

A "house" made out of library books (avert your eyes, bibliophiles) and tape

I've decided to just give in to their self-directed tape projects because it means I don't have to entertain them. It also means I have scotch tape stuck to my socks, pants, and cushions, but oh well.

Here's another creation--a robot--which was assembled with the help of scotch tape:

That was a project I proposed, but the other day Rose came up with one of her own:

I don't know if you can see on her blueprint, but she came up with the idea of attaching a pop-up animal to a toilet paper tube

Finished products:

Simon's tube--in the middle--is a cat, too...can't you tell? He also drew another picture which I didn't photograph, but Simon said, "it's a peanut who has eyes and hair...it's kind of like an octopus." Love that creativity.

Simon is definitely learning and growing every day. I am happy to say that he has been very successful with using the potty lately. For the past few days he has been dry and has been very good about telling me when he needs to go (or not telling me at all and just going...as I often find evidence left in the toilet). Here's a funny potty-related story: Last week we went to IKEA and Simon had a little accident, but I forgot to bring in his change of clothes. Oddly enough, I had a pair of Rose's shorts in my bag, so I asked if he could wear those. His eyes lit up and he was totally game for that plan. Rose, however, was not so keen on the idea. She said they were "girly" but I explained that we didn't really have another option. Then she explained that she didn't like "his bottom." She eventually relented and Simon got to prance around in her heart-patterned short-shorts. They were pretty much covered by his long shirt and you couldn't really see the hearts without looking close, but good thing Sevak wasn't there. :) He tends to worry when Simon chooses pink balloons or ladybug toys, but I know it's completely out of love for his big sister. He definitely does boy stuff that can't possibly come from anywhere other than his biology.

Rose has also been learning and growing. She goes to swim lessons every day, and has made great progress. A couple of weeks ago I finally had her wear goggles to the pool and that resulted in a big boost of confidence. She literally started seeing things in a new way. She loves to look under the water and show me how long she can hold her breath. She even swam a little by herself last night!

Rose says things that just crack me up. We were at my friend's house the other day, and her daughter Savannah asked why Jasmine's name was Jasmine. I explained that we just liked that name. I jokingly asked, "why are you Savannah, and why is your brother Rocky?" Rose chimed in and said "Savannah is a place where you go on a safari to see animals in Africa, and Rocky is rock-and-roll music." Ha! We also watched a DVD on horses recently, and there was a part where the narrator talked about a mother who just birthed a foal. Rose heard the word "birth" and immediately associated it with Simon's teacher at church, Sister Bertha.

I love seeing my kids make connections. We were reading a number book yesterday and Simon pointed to the number 8 and said "B!" They are kind of reminiscent of one another! He is also perceptive about pictures in books. For example, there was a picture of some kids sitting at a table, but one chair was empty. He pointed to it and asked, "why no one sitting here?" He is getting to be very verbal, but I love it how he still confuses his subject and object pronouns ("her is so cute") or how he confuses his conjugations (you am a yucky eyeball).

I also love it when my kids are kind to each other and others. They can both be very stubborn (after all, they are my children), but they often teach me lessons in forgiveness and humility. Rose often comes up to me after a bout of naughtiness and hugs me, saying, "I'm sorry I ______." Last night she was acting very grumpy. I think it had to do with Simon pushing her and her holding a grudge. I pointed out that she was being very moody, so she suggested that we draw each other pictures to "make each other happy." I said that was a great idea, so she drew me some rainbows as an example of what I was supposed to draw her. Then she drew me some rainbows to keep, and I drew her some rainbows (per her example). :) Then we gave each other hugs and reveled in the happiness that resulted from our drawing exchange.

These little moments really put things into perspective. The messes, the computer damage, the car repairs...who cares? These kids are far more valuable than anything else you could think of.

To finish, here are some pics from a recent trip to Great America. Sevak got a new job in Santa Clara--I'll have to write about that in another post. Anyway, we drove down with him and he dropped us off at the park. I was nervous to embark on the adventure alone with three kids, but it was really fun!

On our way..."wish me luck," I told Sevak

Luckily I took my breastfeeding pit stop near a little patch of trees, because the kids find great entertainment in collecting twigs and things from nature.