Intro to Consummerism

We have been telling Martin when we go to the store (magazina) to buy some more milk or cheerios for him... And Isra has been taking him grocery shopping too. Today, when he saw me making my coffee he started with his 'Iskash li kosholad' (meaning 'Iskam shokolad') and when I angrily told him 'otkude da ti go izkopaia tozi shokolad!' he very quickly said 'na magazina - mama hodi na magazina i kupi kosholad!'

English

So, English is usually not the language we would speak to Martin. Although it is the language Israel and I talk to each other (most of the time) and it is the language of some of Martin's favorite books and songs. But, until recently, we have not heard Martin talk in English, except when singing or reciting his books by heart. And he would recite qutie long passages, like:
'Soccer shoes - with bottom bumps, take you to the game. You kick the ball and score a goal!!! Fans jump and shout your name!' (and every single page of his book "Shoes Take you Where You Want to Go").
Once he started to go to summer camp he began to make up his own English sentences. One of his first phrases was:
'Very shy! Very shy!' - I can only guess how he picked this up.
Another one was 'You so funny!'. However, he would only use this one when we try to put a serious face to scold him for something wrong he did.
He would also say a lot of 'Excuse me!' but only to his brother - for example, when he plays around Valentin's little gym, Martin would say 'Excuse me, Vale!' when he gets closer, followed by 'Martin skacha. Niama strashno!' ('Martin is jumping! Don't worry!') It is hilarious...
Martin is very good in switching between Bulgarian and Spanish (depending on which of the two languages I talk to him in, or depending on wheather he is talking to his father and abu Mariela or me and baba Penka). However, when I tell him something in English, he would look at me smiling and say 'Yaaa'... Yaa - he knows it is English, but still cannot respond in English - I guess...

Symphony in the Park

Every year in June, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra has the coolest concerts ever - out in the open. People set up a tarp on the lawn very early in the morning, so that when they come at 6-7pm for the concert, they have 'good seats'. This year Niya was the early riser and space-saver. Only that she put it in the exact middle of the lawn and we had to do a lot of off-roading with the stroller - through people's blankets, chairs, feet and trays - to get to our 'seats'. We enjoyed the performance of the Youth Symphony from 6:30 to 8, but just before the real Symphony started playing, they announced that rain was moving into the area. We packed and left and sat for a while in slow traffic with Valentin crying his lungs out in the back and Martin plugging his ears with fingers not to listen to him. As soon as we got home and put them both to sleep, the skies opened and torrents of rain poured down...

Summer Camp

Yesterday was Martin's first day at summer camp. I had had nightmares about this day for two weeks. Martin, however, took it very bravely and only cried for a couple of mintes when his grandma dropped him off. When she picked him in 3 hours he was absolutely fine. He had eaten all his lunch and had a very good day.
Today he did not even cry when Penka dropped him off. Again, I am the one that cannot handle the separation! Mariela's comment: 'Este se te va de la casa pronto!' :)

Nursing Cover

I finally put my new sewing machine into use. Cost of fabric for a nursing cover - $4.50. To buy a new one - $25-$30. Already seeing the benefits of it.

Double Stroller

We finally got the stroller we need. My favorite feature - containing both kids in the same place... well, for at least half an hour.

Lollipops

This is Martin's 3rd Charlotte Symphony Lollipops concert (and first real lollipop). As always, he stayed mezmerized and intently watching the stage for the whole hour.
When The Princess and the Frog piece was being performed by the dancers, Martin's jaw dropped when the big guy dressed as a green frog appeared on the stage. Isra told him: 'Mira, rana verde!' (referring to part of Martin's favorite book 'Oso Pardo'). Martin looked at me pointing to the stage and said: 'Mama, rana verde baila!'