Martin and Sophie received a package from Sevda yesterday filled with a great letter and fantastic treats.  The only bad thing is that they're too small to know how COOL it is to get a package from London.  When the package arrived, Martin ran to find his scissors.  Sophie ran to the silverware drawer, I'm assuming looking for a knife.  I lifted the package above my head and tried not to trample them in an attempt to keep them away from sharp things and open the box at the same time.

I put the box on the floor and Sophie dug in, whipping newspaper out of the box like a tornado.  Martin dove into the gifts, exclaiming "that's mine" and "that is mine too" as each item was uncovered.  I tried to pull a letter out of the box before it became part of the rapidly growing paper pile on the kitchen floor.  Sevda sent us the finest treasures - for Martin a bobby hat, taxi and bus; for Sophie the cutest dress and overalls; for me fancy lotion and currant preserves so that I can make a special soufflé recipe that she sent me earlier in the week.  And a very nice letter, written to the kids, including pictures they would enjoy (especially the one of Sevda holding a monkey who was wearing camouflage pants).

Both of the kids are crazy about the hat.  You can tell because they're fighting over it and want to wear it everywhere.  Here's Martin right after the package arrived:


And this morning as we were preparing to go to the grocery store:


And the view from the back, because it's important to see how carefully he's packed his guys (who he's named Mr. George and Mr. Blinker):


After the initial package-opening buzz wore off, Martin said he wanted to make a movie for Sevda.  I was thrilled, because for the past few months every time I pulled out the camera he would scream "don't take a picture of me" and dive on me like I'd pulled out a hand grenade.  Here is Martin's video comeback, dedicated to his friend Sevda.