River Rasa , October 27, 2006

One of the happy moments of having twins, October 24, 2006

It was incredible ! I was chatting with my high school friend Farzaneh on line and heard River LAUGHING. Both of the boys were in their walkers, playing and that's how I had a few minutes to chat with my friend. I went to see what was so funny to make River laugh like that and  saw him looking into our bedroom! Relic had pushed the bedroom door and gone into, close to the towels rack and pulling the towels !

I know it is the beginning of new troubles but I can't say how sweet it was seeing Relic discovering a new thing and seeing River being proud of his brother. They are going to help each other making trouble for us, but they can also help each other learning and enjoying their lives better.

For sure it was one of the happiest moments of having twins for me!

Hard to find parking spot, October 24, 2006

Here is River Rasa after eating .... , October, 2006

Here is Relic Rastak after eating .... , October, 2006

A busy week, October 19, 2006

It was a lot going on this week :

River got two teeth!

Relic got one tooth!

Relic started moving with his walker. It is very sweet to see how he is excited about his ability to go around. He does know how to change direction.

I got a cold and then the boys caught from me. They both are coughing badly. I took Relic to see his doctor today. He said there is nothing to worry about because he looks very happy as he was smiling all the time in the examine room.

Leoral came to see us today and had very cute clothes for the boys as a gift. I can't wait to put them on the boys.

A loving gift for my children, October 17, 2006

Today I got an email from one of the best friends that I have ever had. I always know what a wonderful person Charlie is, but still I become surprised everyday by how loving he is.

I did cry when I read the email, not because it made me sad, but because it was really touching. I hope one day my boys can read :

Dear Bita,

I have finally made up my mind about what books to get for the boys, only the problem remains, I do not know which books for which boy... 

Here is what I am doing:  When I was about three I remember the sales lady who came to our house with a sample book and a special folder that looked like a book but folded out to show TWELVE books!  My mother bought this set of books for me and for my brothers, only one of whom was born.  I am pretty sure I did not know how to read at that time, but my learning must have begun the day the books arrived. 

Eleven of the twelve books were secreted away somewhere and each Christmas and birthday I got a new book for the next six years or so.  The first book was read to me and my oldest brother by our loving mother.  Mom read with enthusiasm, I remember. 

The books remained at my parents home when I grew up and moved away.

About 35 years ago my parents changed their lifestyle and gave to us, their four boys, much of their personal posessions.  My oldest brother, who never read a book for pleasure in his whole life, got the books.  Go figure.  And my sister in law will not part with them because she thinks they are some kind of priceless antiques. 

Well, I have found this same set of books on Ebay.  And this set appears to be in better condition than mine was.  After all, this set belonged to a little girl.  I used my books not only to read, but as paving for my toy cars, and as bridges, and houses and building blocks in general.  My sister-in-law is hording about a ten-dollar set of old books.

I am going to win this bidding if I have to mortgage my house, lol.  I am prepared to pay $100 for the books, although it looks as if I will get them for less than $50 right now. 

When the boys grow up, surely one of them will be more attached to these books than the other one. 

Actually, I don't really care about the disposal of my childhood books.  They are truly old and shabby, and their value has been completely extracted and stored in my head.  My sister in law can have the pile of paper. 

I hope this single gift to two boys will not be a problem, actually I shared mine with my three brothers as we grew up.  I remember reading from the lower numbers of the set to my youngest brother.  I also remember all four of us piled on the couch and floor around my mother as she read to all of us at once. 

Last of all, I should tell you that the content of these books is excellent, the best of world literature for children.  And this particular edition, the first edition by the way, precedes 'politically correctness' and so is a true piece of history in itself. 

I loved the books as a boy, and I love your boys today, so I hope that I have chosen an appropriate gift for them.

My best love to you, Michael, and the boys,
Charlie

Nothing could explain my feeling better than the email itself.

I wish Charlie and his wife all the best.