Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Proud Mama

Last evening I read, "Papa, Please get the moon for me" to Junior. As I was about to close the book, Junior pointed to the last page of the book and said "Edu, Sloth book nalli ide" ( * This is present in Sloth book") and what was she referring to .... well to Eric Carle's signature :)

Indeed Eric is the author of Slowly Slowly Slowly said the sloth, her current favourite book.

Proud Mama can't stop grinning :)

Monday, August 23, 2010

A very close encounter with nature ... and more

Past few weekends have been packed .... what with us exploring new territories, it has been exciting and tiring at the same time.

Two weeks back, after lot of discussions, disagreements / agreements we decided to go hiking. Now, this IS a brave decision considering we have 2 toddlers in the family to be entertained and not to forget the just turned 6 year old baby. (oh .. by the way, she has given me strict orders to not address her a "baby". Baby should be replaced by "Sweetie", "Putta" whatever ... but no more baby) Anyways, the place chosen was Uvas Canyon.... about an hour's drive from our house. We decided to pack lunch and had lovely visions of eating out in the open, beside a creek, enjoying the quietness of the place and soaking the lovely views.
We decided to start early .. around 10:00am (what ??? that is not early ??? well ... summer break, saturday morning ... waking up at a decent hour after a late night movie is hard ... and not to forget the hubby's P1 bug that needs attention first thing in the morning) Surprisingly, we got ready of time and drove to the place. The roads leading to the hiking trails were narrow and we finally reached the place and collected the map ... set the toddlers on their strollers and put on sun screen lotion, hats and set out to hike as true professionals. The place was indeed beautiful and quiet .... not many cars were parked. (only 1 more apart from 2 of ours). BP and my dad pushed the strollers ... the path was steep and rough. It was indeed hard to push the strollers (which contained water bottles, food, snacks, juice, swim wear, towels and extra set of clothes) We had hiked a little when, Junior decided to try hiking instead of being tied to the stroller. So I walked along with her short distance while BP and my dad followed us closely behind. My mom and Cantaloupe were walking along with me ... while my sister and BIL were slightly behind us. All of a sudden, Junior decided enough hiking and started back towards her dad (about 20 steps behind) and stopped in between, expecting me come get her. It was indeed steep for a 2 year old to balance and I was right behind her. Just then Cantaloupe came up to me and said as a matter of fact "Amma ... Junior pakka Haavu ide" (Amma, there is a snake beside Junior. Cantaloupe continued hiking after having stated the obvious ... but hearing out those words scared the hell out of me. I looked closely and saw a snake about 2 in of distance from Junior's feet ... just one more step and she would land on the snake. I screamed "Snake" and BP who had caught up with us immediately picked Junior up in a flash second. Had I not mentioned, he might have stepped on the snake too. It was very much alive ... it had perhaps eaten few mins before and had a bulged tummy.
The hike was never the same for me.... I was imagining all sorts of reptiles and could not enjoy much of the hike. We got down in one of the water falls and the kids did have some fun ... but I couldn't think beyond the snake. We spotted the same snake on our hike back too (it had moved further away) and warned fellow hikers about it.
There were picnic tables set up and we had lunch .. hiked some more and decided to drive back. On our way back, we also visited Mount Madonna ... a quiet place with a small temple and lovely views. Got back home in the evening and awesome chai (courtesy BP) and went out for dinner. I hugged and kissed my girls for No particular reason for the next 3 days ....


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Last weekend, we went to the Circus show in town. We didn't buy the tickets online (thanks UTBT for the tip) and bought them in person. This was my first experience of a circus show ... as was it for the girls and BP. Cantaloupe enjoyed the show for the most part ... but was put off when I refused to buy her Lemonade. (that was about 15 -20 mins before the end of show). So after the show, when my dad asked if she enjoyed the show, she said "Sort of OK" ... to which my dad asked her "Why so?", who had obviously heard her claps and cheers the entire time of the show. She answered "Because mommy did not buy me Lemonade" :)
Junior and my little nephew watched the initial minutes of the show startled by the color and music ... but later, almost the entire time was spent munching on raisins, bread, pop corn, cotton candy, cookies, chips and the likes.
I wouldn't say the show is must see ... but for first timers it was certainly worth the money we spent and an enjoyable experience overall.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Current Books my 2 years old loves

Slowly Slowly Said the Sloth - By Eric Carle (Thanks UTBT !!!)
Way Up in The Arctic - By Jennifer Ward (finding the hidden numbers was instant hit with both the girls)


We read both these books atleast 3 times a day ....

Some positives:
* My baby is aware of new animals (ok ... not just my baby ... me too ... honest confession: I was not aware of Tapir, Peccary, Coati )
* She knows about animals in the Arctic (and I learnt about Lemming)

We have read other books ... but the above 2 require special mention.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Cute moments

Junior waves Hi to our neighbor's 4 years old son (who blushes) and says: Hey Camel !!
(*the little boy's name is Cayden*)

ps: Junior genuinely thought his name was Camel and NO, we have never made fun of his name in our house.

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My mom explains to Cantaloupe that "Chowla*" will be held in Dec this year. (being planned for my nephew)
Cantaloupe (*curiously*) : I do not want to attend this event
My mom(*surprised*): Why??
Cantaloupe: I don't want my hair chopped ... you said in Chowla they cut hair cut, I don't want a hair cut.
My mom: ROFL

ps: * an event where the boy's hair is cut for the first time
 

My circle of life with BP, Cantaloupe and Junior and much more | Desenvolvido por EMPORIUM DIGITAL