Good Bye to 2008

Year 2008 has been full of action for our family. We did an India trip in spring where Saumya bonded with her cousins and all the extended family. We got to saw a side of her that was never displayed before. In India, I got a chance to visit the pink city, Jaipur. Thanks to my husband who made another of my dreams come true.
In June, I started blogging and made so many lovely friends. Reading each and every blog has helped me widen my perspective. And every time a reader left a comment, I got motivated to write more. Thank you for being a part of my life and also for sharing your writings with me.
Right at the start of summers I got to buy the car of my dreams, My Beetle, and I am loving every moment I am getting to drive it. A big thanks to my love for making this happen.
Before summers could end we got our permanent residency papers approved.
In Fall, our daughter Saumya took a big step and started her formal education in school which follows Maria Montessori's Follow the Child theory.

Now when the year was just about to end, a very dear blogger friend of mine Mithe, has bestowed me with an award!! She is a thoughtful writer and I find her words very very soothing. Follow the link to her blog and you will be hooked.
This award holds a special place in my heart because she made it herself. A big thank you for the lovely honour!! This is a perfect end to a great year I had!

The British are here!

Our family had exciting few weeks and the reasons are many fold. We just celebrated Saumya's birthday and she was so ready to be addressed as a "Four year old". You can imagine a little girl asking everyday , is it my birthday today? Though She was sad the very next day for it being over! But to keep her spirits up, her grandparents are here from India to be with her during Christmas holidays!! They were last here when she was born, so for her, this is their first trip! Now you must be wondering what's with the title of this post! Well it seems when you have kids, everyone gets to know your current affairs. Not that we have anything to hide ,umm, well you get the drift. Someone at the school parking lot asked me today "Hey I heard Saumya's grandparents are coming. How nice but whose parents, yours or the husband's?"
Oh , my husband's.
"Your in laws are coming???"
I suppose so.
"Oh honey, I am sorry!"

And this happened twice this week! Not the same exact words but the same idea! This might sound way too cliche if I say "I get along well with them" but I really do! I won;t say its a path filled with rose petals and I love to indulge that way but it's not the time for me run with jitters! If I have to describe my inlaw parents, I would say, mum is a peach and dad is a grapefruit. Oooh that didn't sound like I meant it to! Mamma is loving and helpful and she is very soft at heart. She is cozy like a warm blanket too and yes sometimes can get too warm!! Dad is good at motivating people and won't overlook your positives but the same goes for your shortcomings too!! Dad is bitter, tangy and sweet, just like eating a sour orange with salt on it. You don't know which bite you are going to only like and which ones you will simply love and want more and more. Yes, that's how he is.

But really, its nothing like everyone is making me feel it is! My parents did a wonderful job raising me, well, of course but as a person I was only appreciated after I got married, by my in laws. Everything I did, they received it with open arms. And I will be thankful for the most precious gift they gave me, My husband, their son.

Health Call

Saumya and her grandma having a chat over the phone.

Saumya: Namastey Dadima! Kaise ho aap? (Hello grandma, how are you?)

Dadima: Namastey beta, khoob bade ho jao, khush raho, bahut pyaar. Main Bilkul theek hoon. Aaj ek b'day party per gayee thee. (Hello child! God bless you, lots of love. I am fine, went to a b'day party today.)

Saumya: Kya khaya aapne wahan? (what did you eat there?)

Dadima: Oh, maine bahut khaya Puri, aloo sabzi, palak paneer, kheer, cake, rice, raita. Bahut sara kha liya maine. (Oh, I ate a lot, Infact I ate too much)

Saumya: Itna sara kyon khaya, pehli hi moti ho aur bhi moti ho jaogi. Unhealthy ho jayegi aapki body. (Why ate so much? You are fat already and will become even more. Your body will be very unhealthy.)

Dadima: Oh!! Ab kya karun? (Now what should I do?)

Saumya: Exercise kero! (Do exercise)

Dadima: Mujhey to nahi ata exercise kerna! ( I don't know how to do it.)

Saumya: Walk kerni aati hai na? Wo kero. ( I am sure you know how to walk, do that!!)

Dadima: OK!!

Saumya: Jab main India aoangi to sikhaungi exercise kerna. Dadu ko bhi keho walk kerney ke liye. Bahut unhealthy ho rahe ho aap log! (When I come to India I will teach you how to exercise. Tell grandpa to walk as well. You guys are becoming way too unhealthy!)

Dadima: ahem......um...ok.

Saumya: Ab main phone rakhti hoon. ( And here I end the call)

and we heard both grandparents going in fits of laughter at the other end of the line. I am sure they didn't take any lesson the little soul was parting and must have gained a few pounds with the extreme happiness drawn out from the conversation.

image courtsey: http://tell.fll.purdue.edu

Fun with Gum

Val has gum.
Val has fun with the gum.

The pup has fun with the gum.
Val tugs on the gum.

The pup runs and runs.
Yip, yip!
Val runs and runs.
Zip, zip!

Gum is on the jug.
Gum is on the cup.
Val is mad at the pup.

The pup ran up.
The pup is in the tub.
Gum is on the tub.

The pup rubs gum on the rug.
Val will nab the pup.

Val nabs the pup.
Val cuts the gum

The pup had fun with the gum.

My soon to be 4 year old read the whole thing, with no help, Zip Zip!!. I am so proud of her and so very delighted to see that twinkle in her eyes. Yip, Yip!!
A big thanks to the hardworking and dedicated teachers at her school. Hip Hip!!



image courtsey: http://www.wilmingtonvermont.us

Love Thing

Saumya : Daddy, do you want to eat a cookie?

Daddy : Sure!

Saumya: Which cookie do you want? This, this or this?

Daddy : I want this cookie! (Pointing to Saumya)

Saumya: I am not a cookie!! (Irked and loud)

Daddy : Looking dreamily at her with a smile on his face.

Saumya: You know I am not even food!!!! (Hands in air, making a strong point. She was very serious) Main koi khane ki cheez nahi hoon!! (Hindi for I am not something that can be eaten)

Daddy : Oh, to aap kya kerney ki cheez ho? (Hindi for "So what are you for?")

Saumya : Main to pyaar kerney ki cheez hoon!!! (Hindi for I am a thing to love)