Updates from last week ...

I have been really busy over the last few days. Generally it would be office work that would keep me busy ... this time surprisingly, its not office work. The festive season here starts with Gokulashtami , followed by Ganesha - Gowri festival , Navratri , Halloween, Deepavali, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sankranthi. After Sankrathi, next few months are quiet. I guess, the amount of guests entertained during the "Festive months" necessitates these quiet months.

 We host the Ganesha - Gowri festival in a large scale, inviting about 45 - 50 people home. I have been having low key Navratri all these years... but I get invited to atleast 10 - 12 homes for "Golu" / "Bombe Arthi". While I totally appreciate the effort being put by all these friends in arranging their dolls and also preparing the food, it gets tiring to add another task to the "To Do" list ... especially if it is during weekdays. Already having my plate full with office work, daily chores, kid's homework, projects, dinner activities .. squeezing another hour for Bombe aarti feels like a tiring task.

Here are some important updates from last week:

• Met famous violinists Mysore Nagaraj / Mysore Manjunath. 
• Finally cleaned / polished the silver items I had taken out for the Ganesha festival and stored it safely.
• Learnt and played "Poker" to heart's content. (started playing around 9:30pm and played well past 1:00am :) )
• Watched English Vinglish
• Visited 5 friends for "Bombe Aarthi" ... essentially eating out every single night. (though have to cook, for next day "dabba" )
• Bought the birthday present for my nephew.
• Observed Junior patiently learning to "Weave".  
• Exchanged ideas for Cantaloupe's school party details with her teacher.
• Parents finally got their "Marriage Certificate" :)

Junior Speak

Conversation in the van, while driving Junior to school.

Junior is humming her planets song which she has been taught at school. The song ends with "the last planet used to be Pluto" or something to that effect.
 I never leave an opportunity to cross question (read irritate :) ) Junior when she is in good mood ... she gives the most imaginative answer.

Me: Hey Pluto is a planet right.
Her (J) : No amma ... Pluto used to be considered a planet. It is no longer a planet.
Me: Since when ?
J: Since a long time ago ...
Me: But who decided that?
J: The Astronauts
Me: But they never told me about it.
J: Amma ... the Astronauts are in outer place ... you cannot hear them and they cannot hear you. Thats why they didn't tell you.
Me: Is that true?
J: Yes ... now you know.

How cute is that !!!

Surprise treat

Date: Oct 7th 2012, Sunday
Time: 5:45pm
Venue: Residence

There is a knock on the door. I silence folks around ... I gingerly look out to see the visitor. Assured, it is someone I am expecting, I open the door. I smile and ask "Why are you so late I say?" . She just ignores me and proceeds to come inside the house.

And then everyone shouts "S...U...R...P...R...I...S...E !!!!"

The look on her face said it all. She was shocked, excited and completely blown away... almost to the point of tearing up. If that was her reaction... her son took few steps backward, unsure about the crowd and completely scared by the loud announcement.

The above incident was the beginning of fun filled  surprise baby shower for my sister. It took her few minutes to absorb it all in. She proceeded to walk towards the family room which was decorated in blue. She was amazed by her sister's (mine) art capabilities. (well she never thought I had any art inclination).

For the decos we had:

Diaper Bike : Made from diapers / bibs/ receiving blankets / feeding bottle and baby socks
Melon carving in the shape of bassinet. (Watermelon, cantaloupe and grapes)
Diaper babies : Made from diaper, socks and wash clothes
Hawaiian Punch : Blue in color with floating duckies
Shower droplets from blue flowers hanging from the room
Blue fabric decorations through the room
A message board with lovely poems and messages from guests

It was a chaat party since she has always loved chaats. The guests were gracious to volunteer for different items and I made few myself.
Masala Puri
Paanu Puri
Vegetable Kebabs *
Tomato Soup
Pav Bhaji
Pakodas
Dahi vada
Halbai (sweet)
Idli / Sambar / Chutney
Cake
Chocolate chip cookies

Yep .... we ate all the items above :)

There were over 40 guests ... and played quite a few games... some new .. some old. Overall it appeared that all the guests were at ease and had fun.

An evening well spent ... if I say so myself :)