Vian: Amma, the roomba is not cleaning anything. Yoshi: Let me check. She finds lego pieces and strings blocking the Roomba wheels. Yoshi: Thank you, Vian. You’re right it wasn’t picking up anything. Me: Vian, did you just tattle on Roomba to your mother?

Sempi is a big fan of Leonardo Da Vinci. Ever since we got back from Italy he’s been talking about the various inventions of Leonardo. Earlier today he was playing in the park after school. Apparently, he fell down from the monkey bars trying to do something brave. Yoshi took him to the ER and the doctors announced he has a small fracture and put his arm in a sling....

When we were in Italy, we visited the Ufizzi museum and saw a lot of old world statues. There was one statue of a warrior holding a shield in his hand. I told the kids that it is Captain Italy who happens to be the cousin of Captain America. Obviously, neither of them believed me and Sempi groaned at my lame joke. Recently Vian started potty training. He’s proud of wearing his underwear and strikes a pose every now and then....

Vian and I are playing legos. I accidentally drop a lego piece from the table, we both bend down to get it and bonk our heads. Me: I am sorry, Vian.Vian: (rubbing his head) No appa, I am sorry. Me: I guess we’re both sorry. :)Vian: No appa. I AM SAD, SO I AM SORRY (loudly). Me: Ok. Ok you’re sorry.

Vian is 3 years old which is the minimum age required in this family to be eligible for big boy underwear. So naturally, we started potty training him this week. He’s come a long way since Monday and it is going very well. He does get frustrated by the inconvenience of having to stop playing just to empty his bladder. This morning he declared “I need to wear diapers or else I’m not going to eat anymore**!...