mom of all trades...in the business of being mom since 2005

The' yellow belt' road to happiness

2012-02-13T22:29:00.001+05:30

Happiness (for a 6 year old ) = a meter of yellow cloth obtained after 4 hours of intense physical exertions.
Sunday was a landmark day in Nachikaet's"martial artistic" life. He has been been given "official membership" into the the fascinating world of martial arts. It is his first "real achievement"... all the more sweeter as it is quite literally the fruit of his sweat and labour.
What really made this day special for me, was to see my son (who used to come running asking to be taken to a hospital, because he had scraped his knee,) slog on hour after hour determined to get that belt.
While a good number of kids were all but ready to give up; crying and howling, my little man carried on until the last punch was delivered.
Congratulations my little one
for believing that you could do it ..even though amma told you that you weren't ready yet.
for having the courage to say no, when amma asked you if you wanted to stop and go home, after you nearly collapsed after the 50th count of middle punches

and most of all congratulations on getting your " dream" belt..amma is so very proud of you.

Here is a snap of him beaming at the camara with his coveted yellow belt which by the way, has replaced
all alien creatures and pre historic species as our new bed fellow!!!

By us for us

2012-01-27T20:15:00.002+05:30

When Smita Banerjee , (on behalf of Hewlett Packard Write and Read initiative), mailed me asking if I would like to review a collection of short stories for children, I jumped at the opportunity.
The names associated with the book had given me a fair idea that I was in for a treat. Further, I saw it as an opportunity to read it with my 6 year old son, and view the book from his perspective (it is a book meant for kids after all!!!)
I received a lovely brightly coloured illustrated book called “By us for us”. What sets this book apart is that it is a collection of short stories, written by children for children. All the 29 storied featured in this book have been handpicked by the acclaimed lyricist/poet Prasoon Joshi, and is published by Katha in collaboration with Hewlett Packard India.

Each of the 29 stories bears testament to the unique insight that only children can have. I truly felt I was seeing our world in a whole new light - through the eyes of a child. The book engulfs the reader, in a plethora of emotions in the simple uncomplicated language of children. Each of the “little authors” manage to convey a socially relevant message through their thought provoking stories - little Kaizan who begs near the traffic signals of Chandni Chowk, who makes us feel grateful for all of life’s privileges we so take for granted…
A little boy who stumbles upon a treasure called “sharing”..
A tree who shows us what it feels like when we so casually cut it in half ..
A suit case who opens our eyes to the layers of corruption camouflaged cleverly in the powerful world of politics, through its memoirs on how it became a “celebrity”..
A stray cat who was adopted by a family and soon became “reigning queen” , introduces us to the joys of caring for a pet. a stray one at that!!
Four toothbrushes who have an adventure of their” toothbrushy” lives when they tamper with a time machine, showcases childish imagination at its best.

It is this sort of creative writing at its best that make this book a must read for kids (and adults!!!)
My 6 year old thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every one of these stories and
the fact that it was written by children, made it even more enjoyable and its given him that “little push” to give writing stories a shot..what more can a mother expect out of a book? It is definitely a keeper!!!

Please check out their space for more information
http://www.hpwriteandread.com/

A" soon to be" mom in law!!!

2012-01-22T22:21:00.002+05:30

If things go the way they are going currently, I am in danger of becoming a "soon to be" mom in law..courtesy my ever obliging and proactive 6 year old. Here is what I am talking about.
We were returning from Karate class the other day, when suddenly it struck me that Nachikaet was unusually silent..deep in thought. This is an excerpt from our conversation..

Amma:  Kanna, what happened, why are you so quiet..are you feeling sick? (sadly, that's one of the few reasons he keeps quiet!!!)

Nachikaet: Amma I'm thinking of getting married!!!

Amma: You're what????     ( managed not to shriek and pretended as if I had not heard)

Nachikaet:   You know like you and achan..

Amma : Oh that's nice, and who is the lucky girl? ( perfectly calm, as if he had told me that he wanted a new toy)

Nachikaet: There are two three I'm thinking of...can't decide..you can marry only one person right?

Amma: Yes kanna ( god give me the strength!!!)

He sighs.. accepting the sad but bitter truth - monogamy!!!!
Suddenly he brightened up and gave a wide toothless grin
Amma , I know each class i'll marry a different girl...
I nodded..not knowing what else to say!!!

Enter the Nachikaet!!!!

2012-01-05T19:49:00.001+05:30

My husband is an ardent fan of movies related to martial arts. As a result Nachikaet knows his Tony Jaa's and Jet Lee's from his Jackie Chan's and Bruce Lee's. So when our apartment began conducting karate classes for kids in the club house, both father and son decided that it was time to "enter the Nachikaet"

He has started classes along with 15 other "black-belts-in-the-making"..all eager to try their freshly learnt moves on each other!!

It is so heartening to see the little ones so eager to learn the new moves being taught, each without the slightest sliver of doubt that they are "god's gift to the world of martial arts"
Here is wishing the little group many more lovely hours of middle punches and upper punches...

Here is a picture of my little samurai in action

A fiery start to the new year!!!

2012-01-01T14:33:00.001+05:30

This "event" really set me on fire. My "mommy-alert" button hit the panic mode and I quite literally let off my steam!!!
The saga unfolded in the underwater world, Sentosa island in Singapore, where I had gone for a vacation with my husband and 6 year old son Nachikaet. One of my pet phobias is the "fear of anything which remotely resembles a snake" So you can imagine my plight, when my son casually announced that he wanted to take a photo with a python draped around his neck (one of the attractions being offered in the underwater world)

To say that my mind was on fire is to put matters mildly. To add fuel to the "fire", my husband was all smiles beaming proudly at his "macho" son. The theatrical display of navarasas* which coursed through my face, would have put a seasoned kathakali* artist to shame!!!

I had by this time, managed to attract quite a decent number of interested audience- ranging from giggly pigtailed girls to wonder mommies who looked as if they had just stepped out of the salon, balancing a perfectly behaved baby on one hip and typing furiously on their I-phones!!!

My son and husband were by this time ready to disown me and get on with more important things ...like getting a python draped around their necks!!

The rather tragic end of this epic drama was that I was left howling and screaming and trying to explain to a concerned security guard that I didn't need to go the first aid station; while my son went and got himself the coveted picture!!! Here is a copy of the controversial picture..it sure fired up my day!!!!

*navarasas..refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasa_(aesthetics)

* kathakali refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathakali

This post is written for the indiblogger and KFC sponsered contest "Sets you on fire"

God's in his heaven - all's right with the world!!!

2011-12-22T13:52:00.002+05:30

There is always some thing magical about the ' end of the year' couple of weeks that lulls me into a comforting feeling that Robert Browning so aptly put in his "Pippa's song" ...even though spring sounds like a distant dream at this point!!!! Its that time when the old year gracefully takes the last bow, giving us another chance to start afresh, another chance to be the best person we can be every single day.
Here is wishing every one a lovely year ahead and may every thing be right in your world!!!
...logging off for the year 2011!!!
Happy new year!!!!!!

Pippa's Song by Robert Browning

THE year 's at the spring,
And day 's at the morn;
Morning 's at seven;
The hill-side 's dew-pearl'd;
The lark 's on the wing;
The snail 's on the thorn;
God 's in His heaven—
All 's right with the world!

Juju- my own custom made "fairy god mother"

2011-12-03T21:05:00.003+05:30

Marrion Garrety was so right when she said that "A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost"

Juju my younger sister gifted me an amazon kindle yesterday. To say I was shell shocked is to put matters mildly.

A little thank you note for the person who knows me inside out and still loves me unconditionally just because I'm "Anu chechi"

Thank you Juju for being there for me when I needed you and even when I did not..

Thank you Juju for spending sleepless nights because I was sad...

Thank you Juju for being ready to battle with people who hurt me..

Thank you Juju for loving Kannan much as Keshav..

and thank you for being the person that you are....I love you...

ps. Keshav is my nephew and Kannan is my son

For matrimonial purposes only!!!!

2011-11-06T22:32:00.000+05:30

For the past 6 months, I have been receiving phone calls from what can be defined as the "mother of all wrong numbers". The callers range from dignified old gentlemen to over anxious mammas, all for a single reason...for matrimonial purposes only!!! So countless are the times I have rushed to pick up the phone with the dishes on the stove getting burnt beyond repair, being rudely woken up by the persistent ringing in the middle of a heavenly siesta, only to be treated to detailed descriptions of prospective brides and grooms.

By the time I manage to convince the caller that they have called the wrong number, in my broken kannada, (I can understand when its spoken but can't speak the language to save my life) I would have gleaned enough information about the caller's family to qualify as his official genealogist!!!
My house is as of today the "official head office" of "Krishna matrimonials" and I'm seriously contemplating
running a matrimonial agency as an alternate career option..I seem to have a natural flair for "attracting customers" ..We seem to be a match made in heaven.

Anya collections- own a slice of the world

2011-11-03T14:20:00.002+05:30

Anya collections is an online clothing and accessories store for women, stared in 2011 by the very talented Rajni Menon, who is based in the US. Anya collections is a unique store where the products are inspired by the culture, colour , fabrics and art of different parts of the world. The word Anya in sanskrit language means "foreign" -browse through their online catalogue to get a whiff of the hand crafted exotic products on display.

What makes this store special is that, each collection has an underlying theme, which is primarily inspired by a distant and exotic locale. Their first collection draws its beautiful lines and gorgeous colours from the vibrant and colourful regions of north india.

Their collections currently include tunics, blouses and accessories for women. All the products displayed in the catalogue can be ordered online. The store is also planning to come up with customised wardrobe solutions for its clientele

Check out their webspace http://www.anyacollections.com/ and get a taste of some global inspired fashion
Find anya collections on facebook at . http://www.facebook.com/#!/AnyaCollections

Thanks uncle elephant

2011-10-21T22:27:00.000+05:30

Today, Nachikaet gifted me one of the most wonderful gifts he could ever give me. He started to read for pleasure!!!! Although he has always enjoyed being read to ever since he was very little, he rarely read by himself untill forced, cajoled, bribed etc depending on my mood.
Uncle elephant changed all that. Its a book he has always enjoyed reading. I asked him to read the first page for me; after promises for an action packed "kannan 10" story at bed time and a chocolate, he reluctantly started to read, but when he did not stop even after the second page I kept quiet. I watched with sheer delight as my son laughed at uncle elephants's antics, was on the verge of tears asking me never to go on a voyage on a ship without him (the little elephant's parents get lost in the sea) and wanted to know if he had "uncles" whom he could go and live with just in case his parents were lost!!!
I loved the fact that that he was seeing the book( which I had read to him a dozen times before) in a whole new light; when he was reading it himself..that is the power of imagination.
Welcome to the wonderful world of books my love.

"Dolce far niente"--The sweetness of doing nothing

2011-09-19T21:01:00.002+05:30

In the movie Eat Pray Love, when the protagonist goes on a trip to Italy to rediscover herself, something that she learnt there struck a chord with me. The Italians take the art of doing nothing very seriously.They call it Dolce far niente- the sweetness of doing nothing
In our fast paced life where there is "no time' for savouring the "sweetness of doing nothing" an ode to one of life's most precious commodities...a little "me" time

Seize the moment, savour its sweetness..revel in its purity
It lets you be; like a mother rocking a child
..the demanding mistress .. turned into a docile dame.

Lose yourself in her gentle whisper
Leisure time is a fickle lover-
she slips away before you know.
Enjoy her for what she is..she never was and never will be fully yours.

The only thing you can hold on to are beautiful memories..
..to keep you company till she floats in again.

So be sure to treat yourself to a little "me time" every now and then and watch your spirit soar!!!

Random thoughts...

2011-09-04T21:25:00.000+05:30

Tapestry of life

Colours of a myriad colours...which one will fill the tapestry of life?

Threads of different hues....forming neat stiches of events,some even some undone;

-all form part of the tapestry of life.

The needle of life passes through ...forming the image bit by bit.

Light and shade interwine..much like our mood on a given day;

... the shade brings out the light, as grief sometimes makes us count our blessings.

The tapestry of life hangs on the wall of the mind;

With each passing day we see it in a new light .

Baking up a storm!!!

2011-08-28T22:40:00.000+05:30

I have always been nervous about baking. Although my mother has been baking lovely goodies ever since I was a kid, I have never really tried to bake anything. I was always under the impression that it was something of a rocket science...the measuring, the sifting , getting the batter to be "just so", ....until last week . I had the good fortune of attending a baking workshop which changed my perceptions about baking forever.

It was a one day workshop..called "sugar rush saturdays" conducted by the very talented Madhuri Kumar of http://www.bakenomics.wordpress.com/. It was a day filled with girlie chatter, delicious aromas, sticky fingers, boosted confidence and of course, lovely baked goodies. Madhuri taught me that baking, like everything else in life is an art which requires equal amount of dedication and passion....but most importantly the willingness to take the plunge. I was amazed to discover that I actually enjoyed the whole process of baking. Another highlight of the day was a very sweet friend that I made -Rashmi who was just as nervous as me about baking!!!!

So here is hoping that this would be the beginning of a very long and hopefully illustrious relationship with my brand new Morphy Richards OTG

Here is a picture of the 'first time bakers' proudly displaying their baked goodies!!!

The sisterhood of waiting mothers (Friendship day special)

2011-08-09T20:57:00.000+05:30

"If you're alone, I'll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I'll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I'll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I'll be your smile... But anytime you need a friend, I'll just be me."- unknown

Sometimes we find friends in the most unlikely places. We met quite by chance , five bewildered women all sending out their kids into "the big world" of kindergarten. After the teachers had dragged in our howling kids, we were among the few parents who chose to stay behind till our wards came out. On that day..3 years ago, unknown to us, started the sisterhood of waiting mothers!!! Those '15 minutes before the school bell rang 'chat sessions soon became 'chicken soup for our mommy souls'. We were becoming an integral part of each others lives. There was never a dearth of topics to discuss. We traded everything from class notes to moral support in times of need. Every birthday was celebrated and gifts given with child like glee. We have become more than "just friends" in these 3 years ...we are as they say "soul sisters"

Each of us bring to the relationship our own unique charms.. Roopa, super efficient and organised is

the one to go to in case of a problem...(the lady has a solution for all of life's problems!!!!) next is the ever smiling Munmum who can cheer us up at any time . Brimming with positivity this lady teaches us how to smile our way through life.. Shyla, soft spoken and patient ..never too busy to listen to our woes and always ready to help... I hope I contribute too in some small way, to make a difference in their lives.

Happy friendship day girls...heres to many more years of companionship!!!1

Children of a lesser god?

2011-07-29T21:21:00.000+05:30

Recently I received an SMS forward from a friend which brought tears to my eyes.

Dairy of a foetus

15th June: I get attached to my mom

17th June: I'm a tissue now!!!

30th June: Mom said to dad" You're going to be a father!!!"

Mom and dad are very happy.

15th July: my food is what my mom eats

15th sept: I can feel my heart beat

14 Oct: I have little hands,legs, head and a stomach!!!

13th Nov: today I was in an ultrascan. Wow!!! I am a girl!!!

14th Nov: my mom and dad are going to kill me!!!!

WHY???

Is it because i am a girl???

People love to have a mother,a wife and a girl friend??? Then why not a daughter?

This message set me thinking that in this age and times when women are doing everything from ruling a country to travelling to the moon...heading a corporate empire to providing a livelihood for their family , this prejudice against a female child makes me do something to bring about a change...even if its as small as blogging about it

As Gandhiji so famously said"You must be the change you want to see in the world" . Let us do something in our own little way, instead of just welling up with tears after reading something like this...and then forgetting about it!!!!

It all ends here!!!!

2011-07-25T19:30:00.001+05:30

Yesterday, Nachikaet saw his first 3D movie ..ironically the last of the Harry Potter series!!! Alas all good things must come to an end, and so Harry Potter bids us adieu. Nachikaet was enthralled with the special effects and though my husband and I had to explain Harry's each and every move in detailed whispers , his pure unadulterated excitement made it worth while. .and when he asked in his loudest voice "who is that uncle/aunt?,for the fifth time in 2 minutes ,all I wanted to do was slink into one of the dungeons in Hogwarts with the suppressed giggles of people resonating in my ears!!!! "Amma, Harry Potter doesn't fight at all.(all he does his point his wand).he has no powers ..how come he is a super hero?"..my son wanted to know, after Voldermort was killed..

Harry potter..the boy whose only claim to fame was that "he lived". Harry Potter who shows us that the magic is really within us...he has no extraordinary powers except for the fact that he never gives up no matter how hopeless the situation may be!!! So here is hoping that Nachikaet will meet the 'Harry Potter' in him in the not- so- distant future(one can always hope right??)

The F word

2011-07-18T13:01:00.001+05:30

Finance and budgeting -for most of us, these words manage to produce a few butterflies in the stomach . Give your child a head start in managing money with these simple tips.

Introduce her to the concept of taking responsibility for money. Give her a piggy bank to 'save up' the money that you give her, and allow her to buy something with it when it when it fills up.
Along with responsibility comes freedom. Let her decide how she wants to use the money(as long as it is not something which she cannot afford)
Introduce her to the various ways of managing money. for instance you could give her two piggy banks -one for "immediate" or "current" needs and another for long term needs ..that could be like a fixed deposit. She can decide how to allocate the money that you give her between her two "accounts" So the "current account" takes care of those chocolates and small trinkets, while the "fixed deposit" can be used for bigger buys like that expensive doll or dress.
Have realistic expectations when you hand out the money. For example, you cannot expect the child to buy the daily lunch from the canteen with her pocket money but if she feels like having something "special" then she has to dip into his pocket money.
If she regularly demands more pocket money don't give into to her demand(unless its reasonable). this will teach her to operate within a 'budget' and make good choices.

Happy 51st post!!!!

2011-07-16T23:05:00.001+05:30

I've completed 50 posts yipee!!!! I started blogging in August 2009 and while you may think ..its about time too; the fact is that, I can only write about those things which I feel deeply about. Through this blog I attempt to capture the spirit, of the wonderful journey called motherhood that I have embarked on. It is filled with a plethora of emotions and experiences and at every turn there is a surprise ..some pleasant some unpleasant , but each one inspiring me, teaching me, prodding me , to be the best "me" I can be each day.
Only then can I ever hope to be a better mother!!!! I dream of helping my son have a happy, contented and fun filled childhood.. for "the childhood shows the man as morning shows the day"(John Milton, Paradise Regained)

So here is to many more good posts!!!!

A letter to my son

2011-07-15T20:09:00.001+05:30

Dearest Kanna,
Next month you turn six.I am writing this little note for you to read, when you are old enough to understand what I have written..may be its in a years time maybe ten..the time really doesn't matter...
I want you to understand and hopefully remember, the lovely relationship we had for these past 6 years. Isn't it ironic that we humans can remember very little of the first few years of our life when we our most loved and cherished!!!!

We will never be as close to each other as we have been these last six years...we've had a lot of lovely moments together. Now as you enter a new phase of life I can see your baby features melt into some thing more mature..but every bit as adorable. You are growing into a sensitive and loving person and for that I''m thankful to god....for there is only so much a mother can do; the rest of it she just has to keep her fingers crossed!!!
Your occasional temper tantrums still continue to worry me ...well I guess we'll have to just work harder on that one.
I know we may opt for different paths in our journey together, but I promise to let you choose your own path.(though I will be following at a safe distance..I'm still your mother!!!!) I also know that having to let go of your hand from my safe clasp, will be more difficult for me than for you..but I promise to try my best, for your sake.
What are my dreams for you? My dream is that you be able to
" think deeply, speak gently
love much, laugh often

work hard , give freely

pay promptly and be kind"

My dream is to see you grow into a happy, healthy contented person..happy at "just being Nachikaet"..exactly as your are on your sixth birthday!!!!

I feel truly blessed to have you in my life...may god bless you always.

For amma, you will always be that little bundle of unimaginable joy that the doctor placed in my arms..six years ago.

Love and love always,

Amma

Love in the times of homework

2011-07-13T22:03:00.001+05:30

Nachikaet is a free spirited soul (which is a sugarcoated way of saying that he cannot sit still for more than 10 seconds at a time) so you can imagine what it is like to sit and make him do homework (although, how he manages to get stars for his writing and impress the teachers is still a mystery to me!!!)
Last week he was even more fidgety than usual ...refusing to write neatly, throwing his erasers, breaking his pencil's sharpened points, deliberately giving me wrong spellings..the works. After controlling myself for ten minutes, I blew my top giving him a few pinches and comparing him to his "intelligent" classmates(yes, i stooped down to comparisons!!!)
He looked at me with tears streaming down his pencil- lead stained face and said "..still I love you amma" .
It was the "still" that did me in. What he was trying to tell me was that, in spite of all my imperfections(which adds up to quite a big list) he loved me unconditionally..and here I was, hurting him physically , wounding his dignity and labelling him... just because he couldn't memorise a few spellings.I must admit, at that moment, I felt deeply ashamed of myself. The pinch marks on his hands will fade away in a couple of days I'm hoping his wounded spirit will heal quickly too...Sorry my love...amma is truly sorry!!!!

A slice of childhood

2011-07-10T23:03:00.000+05:30

Whenever I think of ammumma(my granny) , the first images that come to my mind are the balmy kerala nights when we used to lie down side by side, and she would tell stories..it would be the same story every night.. but the sound of her voice and the familiar fragrance of sandal wood talcum powder(with which she doused herself after her bath) and the comfortable warmth seeping in from my toes, tucked safely in the soft folds of her Saree lulled me to sleep. Most nights after the story, she would sing lullabies ..songs she had grown up with... songs scented with fragrant sandalwood sachets of memories.
My favourite one was "omama thingal kidavo.."* The soothing sound of ammumma singing in her slightly out of tune voice, is one of my most cherished childhood memories...On some nights, when I put my son to bed; singing this evergreen lullaby I close my eyes and I can almost feel ammumma's plump fingers softly stroking my hair...
Here is a picture of ammumma with Nachikaet taken some years ago when she visited us. We speak almost daily on the phone!!!!

*Omana Thingal Kidavo is said to be composed by Irayaman Thampi for putting the young Swathi Thirunal to sleep You can hear the lullaby here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPOLSSOfUGY

The pencil is mightier than the sword!!!!

2011-07-06T20:03:00.001+05:30

After repeatedly reminding his father about his dwindling stock of "once in a while goodies' (biscuits, chocolates etc) Nachikaet decided to take matters into his own hands (literally)!!!
This is what my husband found in his lap top bag

It says"Anoop Anoop I want some biscuits please when this biscuit gets over..please Anoop"

It even has a diagram showing the "generous" father handing over the goodies to a grateful son..with the mother looking on with a benevolent smile!!!

well a picture is sure worth a 1000 words!!!!

The world according to Ben 10

2011-07-04T19:51:00.000+05:30

By his fourth birthday, Nachikaet had graduated from 'dinosaur mania' to' Ben 10 mania'. It is really amazing how a small boy with magical watch,pardon me...omnitrix has managed to capture the imagination of kids across the globe. (For the uninitiated..Ben ten can turn into 10 different alien forms,each with special powers to protect the universe from evil outer space aliens) . Thanks to indulgent uncles, grandparents and friends amused by nachikaet's obsession with this character, he is the proud owner of all available alien forms.

At least two of them are our constant bedfellows( my husband and i have sadly resigned to waking up in the morning looking straight into a eerily grinning 'spidermonkey' or a spirit like apparition..aptly named 'ghost freak"
Then there are the lecture sessions where Nachikaet painstakingly dissects the features and skills of these alien forms and in which we are expected to participate enthusiastically..he has given up on me fortunately..muttering something about girls under his breath..well how the wounded feminist in me will deal with that is a whole different story altogether!!!
As of now Ben 10 has taken over our little world !!!!

A magical weekend

2011-06-29T21:10:00.001+05:30

Last sunday my husband turned 34. While 34 is not a milestone year in most people's calender I decided to throw him a surprise birthday party..complete with a humongous cake, decorations, lunch and a bunch of his 'long lost' college friends(he hadn't seen most of them for the past 10 years, so that justifies' long lost')

Well, deciding that was the only easy part in this whole exercise . What followed was a week of lying, scheming, hushed whispers, deleting the call log on the cell phone and more lying!!!!
what amazed me was the enthusiastic response of the "long lost" friends. Each one of them had to spend almost half of a precious sunday just to reach my place (I happen to conveniently stay at opposite side of the city) The big day had all the makings of a masala bollywood movie. It started off early in the morning with the case of my missing wallet with all credit cards safely tucked inside. After a desperate one hour of frantic calls and memory jogging we got it back from an honest shopkeeper..may god bless him!!!

Then it was the turn of the chair and table rental guy to do his bit by switching off his cell phone at the eleveth hour;when finally after swallowing my ego and being mentally prepared to serve the guests food off the floor,
he made grand entry complete with free table runners for good measure!!
The look on my husband's face made up for all the running around I had done. This birthday was extra special as he had never had a birthday party ..even as a kid.
The conclusion of the story is that my carefully planned birthday party turned into a reunion of sorts for all the guests and the hostess was the only one who didn't know any of the guests and had to be introduced to each and every one of them by a beaming birthday boy!!!!

Happy birthday Anoop..you deserve every bit of your special day!!!!

A cupful of happiness

2011-06-17T19:51:00.003+05:30

What makes you happy? something that makes you forget everything else for the moment and just compels you to enjoy and savour the moment for what it is..

I am constantly surprised at the small packages which gives me my 'happiness dose' for the day.

Happiness is

                 ...a steaming cup of cardamom tea in my favourite mug in the middle of the day.

                 . ....watching my husband blissfully tucking into the biriyani I made.

...holding a card which says "Nachikaet luvs moter (mother) and not wanting to correct

any of the spellings.

..... getting my favourite magazines delivered with the morning newspaper.

..... getting a foot massage.

What made you happy today?

Preserving summer

2011-05-15T14:21:00.001+05:30

Its the last few weeks of summer holidays and here are a few bottled sundrenched memories to come back to and savour when summer seems a distant dream.....

flowers at my feet

crocs and racket..ingredients for a lovely summer evening

berries on plantain leaf

nestled in love

a splash of yellow

Mr green thumbs

For amma

2011-05-09T11:55:00.001+05:30

This mother's day, a little note to amma to let her know what my sister and I have never found the "time" to tell her

Thank you amma

Today we two
are going to tell you,
somethings which ought to be told
which are worth their weight in gold.

Thank you amma for being there;
always showing us how much you care.
Thank you amma for dolling us up like queens;
through our childhood and through our teens.

Thank you amma for teaching us to pray;
it has always helped us to find the right way.
Thank you amma for the countless lovely meals;
we can't make it like you even if we turn cartwheels.

Thank you amma for the bond between Juju* and me;
its so much easier to face life when "I" becomes "we".
Thank you amma for never giving up on us;
through all our tantrums and fuss.

Thank you amma for making us whowe are..'cause;
how a daughter is, her mother was.

Here is wishing you a wonderful mother's day!!!!

* ps: Juju is what we call my sister Amritha at home

Here is a picture of us with achan and amma

Leaving Kindergarten... memoirs of a five and a half year old of his "youth"

2011-03-25T19:32:00.001+05:30

Today is a very special day in my academic life ..I have officially graduated from kindergarten. So I decided to pen down my thoughts on those "golden days". Like any hero worth his salt (they always start off fighting with the heroine right? ) I started off, completely hating to go to school. It was my worse night mare come true, having to leave the safe confines of my home and venture off to an alien land filled with rules and teachers. My first year at school was filled with adventure ranging from attempted heroic escapades( I was caught sneaking out of the gate by the security and brought back kicking and screaming to the class room) to being the only child posing for a class photo with my school bag on my shoulders!!!( my pre nursery teacher still remembers me as the child who refused to enter the class room and stood at the door with the school bag on his shoulders for the better part of the year) I refused to be parted with my bag even while being taken to the bath room!!!
well, by the end of the first year, somewhere along the way i fell hopelessly in love with my class teacher ..Rekha Ma'am. Every word she uttered became the gospel truth for me,much to the irritation of my mother(who until then had been the reigning queen in my life). In spite of all this I still hated going to school. It was only after I started L.K.G, that I began to be initiated into the beautiful world of friends. It was wonderful to be able to have little folks like me (who hated school too) to play with. The highlight of the year was the annual day where I was Michael Jackson(so what if there were 29 other Michael Jackson's all yelling "Just beat it!!!)
All of a sudden I became a "senior" in our little world, and we "big boys" used to look scornfully at "little" kids clinging to their mother and crying. Slowly I began to look forward to going to school- to play with friends, share snacks, ask my teacher a thousand questions, do craft projects(though I still can't bear copy writing!!!)
Now I feel I have come a full circle...I have already started missing kindergarten. I shall never forget those wonder years which has taught me to savour life in all its colours.

PS: I thank my mom for letting me air my thoughts on her blog...

Sibling Revelry!!!!

2011-02-06T20:35:00.001+05:30

This morning I chatted for more than 30 minutes with a friend from college days whom I've not seen for over 6 years. For all this time he had known me, he was under the impression that my younger sister and I were twins!!!( my sis and I did our MBA together -same year same college so i guess it justifies it) Anyway after 6 years he wanted to know whether we had married twin brothers and whether we were finally living separate lives....So sweet of him!!! well, the point is it got me thinking as to what a big part my sister has in my life.
Now even though both of us are so far apart physically, we share a special bond that only sisters can share.... so this is for you Juju and a special thanks to my friend for inspiring me to write this post
My sister is 2 years younger to me and for the first few years of my life I was insanely jealous of her for usurping my position in the family!!!!
                                        Sister of my heart
                                       When we first met, my life turned upside down;
                                         I was the reigning queen, with a tiara and gown.
                                         When you first said "Anu chechi", my heart did a flip;
                                         I was the"big sis" with a stiff upper lip.
                                         When you first fought with your tiny fists;
                                         I lost, and my ego was forced to call it quits.
                                         When you first had your own pals;
                                         I had to act busy with various phone calls.
                                         When you first cried 'cause I hurt you;
                                         I felt the pain inside too.
                                         Now when we first part;
                                         my life once more turns upside down.

                          Now when you are ready to spread your wings;
                           may god bless you with all the best of things.
                          Anytime, any place you need something big or small;

I'm there ..you just need to make a call .

Here is a picture of us with our grand parents.

A "normal" child

2011-02-04T11:42:00.000+05:30

Last week at a parents teachers meeting, a lady sitting next to me was telling me how she was worried to death that her 5 year old daughter has not shown any signs of being a" maths whiz kid" even after a month of rigorous abacus classes . The poor lady was spending sleepless nights trying to convince herself that this was"normal". While i sympathise with her wholeheartedly ( i believe that to each parent his/her own..after all its their child!!!!) it set me thinking as to what would be the things which i would worry about in the case of my son(although only illness has the power to give me sleepless nights..i can sleep through a storm ;duly certified by my husband)
I would worry if my 5 year old son(as of now)

did not give me bear hugs and slurpy kisses after coming home from school
did not pester me to play with my maid's child as he pesters me to play with my neighbour's child
did not believe that "Ben 10" and "chotabheem" can do "anything"
did not daydream
did not have friends
did not think his amma and achan knows answers to "everything" (hopefully this phase will last for some more months..its such a ego booster!!!!)
did not feel like"having something to eat" throughout the day
did not know how to "live in the moment"

and most of all..
did not feel happy "just being nachikaet"!!!
Lets hope i can worry about the same things when he brings me(god forbid) a C minus maths report card!!!!

God of plastic creatures(We have not yet graduated to a complete plastic free life!!!)

2011-01-29T21:50:00.001+05:30

Nachikaet has always been fascinated by animals ever since I can remember. He has always found them more interesting than humans (speaks volumes about the humans in his life). We have quite a large “zoo” at home and all kind of creatures ranging from farm animals to prehistoric creatures dwell in perfect harmony. The amazing part is that he has never “outgrown” these animals like he has with all his other toys. He takes them out at least once a week to assure himself that all his well in his “little kingdom” . Its heartening to see him line them up in military order and conduct a guard of honour.

For all their worth in plastic these little creatures sure have given one little boy many hours of pure joy and fun .Here is a picture of our apartment cleared of all furniture for the “drill”

Toothy Tales

2011-01-17T11:53:00.000+05:30

Last month Nachikaet lost not one but two teeth!!! Having being brought up on a steady diet of stories (and a mother with an over active imagination) my son was anxiously waiting for the tooth to come out and the tooth fairy to do her bit. We had even got out a bottle and decorated it for holding the first tooth which would come out. But it was not to be. The first time, I was brushing Nachikaet’s teeth (being extra careful not to touch the wobbly tooth) when suddenly he grinned at me and I noticed a gaping hole in his mouth . Then began the frantic hunt for the “touring tooth “. Nachikaet couldn’t decide whether he had spit out the tooth or swallowed it. After frantic calls to an amused doctor we finally decided that the tooth must have slipped down the sink. It was a very proud boy that went to school that day showing off his toothless grin to anybody who would care to listen.
The second time we were very vigilant. The moment the second tooth started shaking we beefed up security. Every morning we could examine the tooth throughly and see if it was ready to be pulled off.

Then one day after school Nachikaet came running , words tumbling out in excitement . He had news about the second tooth..it had fallen off during a game of run and catch and the the little tykes who had never touched a “real” tooth before went wild with excitement. The precious thing was taken and washed in the class room sink and after detailed examinations was safely tucked away in my son’s pocket. How it got lost is an entirely different story altogether!!!!

So the bottle still waits ..maybe next time!!!!

Here is a picture of Nachikaet grinning toothlessly for the camera!!!

Hush Little Baby!!!

2010-12-02T19:50:00.000+05:30

Keshav's first gift was from his dad; who was in London when he made his grand appearance into our lives. I don't think his proud dad realised, when he bought that teddy bear from the duty free shop in the airport, that he was buying a piece of history!!!(I am a drama queen!!)
"Hush"(that was what the teddy was christened..refer to how Hush got his name at the bottom of the post)
became an inseparable part of Keshav's life. It sometimes became hard to remember that it was "only a toy".
What does one call something
      -  that gets the most hugs and kisses from the baby of the house
      - is the only one who can turn torrents of tears into dimpled smiles
      - can coax him to eat his meals
and can make the baby reach out to him in a toy shop full of attractive toys.(.to name a few of Hush's accomplishments)
Well, i can think of only one name ...a perfect friend!!!
Here is wishing my nephew a life filled with lovely companions,who make his life richer and fuller with their friendship and may they be able to live up to to the reputation of his "first friend"

PS: How Hush got his name
"Hush little baby" was Nachikaet's favourite bed time lullaby when he was smaller. When my nephew was born i passed on the book to my sister and it soon made it to the top 5 bed time lullaby's of my nephew ..and the name stuck!!!

Here is a snap of Keshav with Nachikaet holding Keshav's precious "Hush"

scrap-o-mania!!!

2010-11-24T20:39:00.001+05:30

I've recently added to my list of addictions..scrapbooking being the latest in the list. I have been scrapbooking for quite sometime now. This is my initial foray into digital scrapbooking. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words so for once i'll let my picture hog the lime light. Let me know your comments!!! Click on the picture for clearer view.

A first helping of “reunion” for the soul!!!

2010-11-08T13:21:00.002+05:30

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Last August, we spent a wonderful weekend at a seaside resort where my father’s side of the family got together for what can be termed as our first official family “reunion” It was a lovely experience for Nachikaet. It was one of those rare occasions when all the people in the resort were related to him!!! The amazing part was that all of us took time out to spend a couple of days with each other (the family has a lot of NRI population). What really surprised me is how i could pick up threads and continue as if i had spent all my days with them. I guess that’s what family means. Aunts, uncles who appear in every childhood memory of mine ..nephews and nieces who have grown up so fast it made me wonder whether I’m stepping into “old age”…cousins whom I’ve grown up with; now with delightful kids of their own ..i couldn’t get enough of them in two days. I want Nachikaet to grow up as I have, knowing what it is to be part of this huge circle of love. Hopefully we can make this an annual ritual where every body goes away with a warm feeling inside.. a true reunion of hearts….Love you Family!!!!

Here is a picture of all of us at the resort.

A mother remembers…

2010-08-21T21:04:00.000+05:30

Yesterday Nachikaet turned 5. When I think of my life, in my mind its always- life before Nachikaet and life after I had him. Looking at his old photographs I was reminded of the “golden era’ when Nachikaet used to think I was the most wonderful thing that ever happened to him!!! Those were the days… Here is an ode those precious memories…

Two little hands…..reaching out for a hug,

Two little feet leaving mud on the rug.

Two little eyes..full of wonder at the world around us,

Two little teeth..gnawing at a shiny red bus.

Two little tears …. rolling down when amma is cross,

Two little fists…showing that ‘I’m the boss.”

Two little words.. “amma” “acha” that makes our heart melt,

And one little boy…who makes our world go round!!!

Here is a snap of the two more influential people in my life..my mom and my son!!!!

In the “eye” of the storm

2010-07-29T17:09:00.000+05:30

Last week our peaceful abode was attacked by a sinister being. It came up so quietly that all of us were caught unawares. (hey..what’s life without a little drama!!!!)

Last week started off on a happy note with a visit from my parents. Nachikaet was over the moon –telling anyone who would care to listen that his grand parents were coming!

Dad was the first to be caught .His eyes were swollen and a bloody red color. The ophthalmologist confirmed our fears..it was an attack of viral conjunctivitis. Then started the evacuation process as conjunctivitis is highly contagious. Dad was quarantined in our guest bed room with the door opened only to pass in the food plate. Amma beefed up security by making us wash our hands and eyes till we screamed for mercy. The next to be hit was my” lady Friday ‘ Ammini .Here is a picture of her in defense gear.

Well to cut the story short both the “victims” are in the receding stages of the infection with dad being allowed an occasional jaunt out of his quarantine. Wishing them both a speedy recovery and as for the rest of us we’re still fighting – an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Memoirs of a brand new( well..almost!!!) Aunt

2010-04-27T23:52:00.000+05:30

Last May marked a very important event in my life. I became an aunt.. a real aunt!!! My little sister had a baby boy. I was at this point in the “been there done that’ zone; with Nachikaet having turned four I was sure I would be calm and composed when my nephew made his appearance. I was not prepared for the wave of emotions that hit me when the nurse brought out the little bundle and deposited it into my beaming mother’s arm(I was too scared to hold him ) .I knew from that instant, that this little man had a place in my heart right beside Nachikaet. We are yet to be fully acquainted, yet when he smiles at me from the other side of the world ( he is currently in the US ) I know he will always be part of my world where ever he may be. I sit before ‘skype’ and stare in silent wonder at my “little sister’ turning out a perfect “tiramisu cake” with the baby perched on one hip!!! I send a silent prayer to god to bless both mother and child and as for me I have only one message for my nephew.. at any point in life if your mother is unavailable for assistance….call me!!!!
ps: isn't he just adorable!!!!

The end of an era

2010-04-07T11:46:00.001+05:30

Last week marked the end of a “golden era’ in our lives. Nachikaet graduated from lower kindergarten!!! A whole year has gone by and my painfully shy weepy toddler has transformed into the “resident class hero”. His beloved 'Amrita Maam' gave us quite a detailed account of his “heroic escapades”- the latest being unscrewing the faucet in the tiny kiddies basin with his trusted accomplice and flooding the class room!!! She has strictly warned us not to tamper with his “lively imagination” (as she puts it) and even given us some hope that he could be a “Hussain in the making’!!! But in spite of all these “negligibles “ the silver lining is that he has started to enjoy school life ( which just goes to show nothing is impossible!!!) When other parents show me the prizes their wards have won for different competitions and their neatly coloured pictures;

I just hold him close and whisper ‘ you’ve done a great job this year- you’ve enjoyed school, the colouring and the handwriting can wait!!!!”
Ps: This was how nachikaet celebrated the start of the summer holidays

Kindred spirit

2010-02-24T11:49:00.001+05:30

Last week I was placing my order for books at the online library I subscribe to( yes, I just have to click on the required books and they home deliver it the next day!!!!, How cool is that!!!) when my husband asked me which was my favorite book till date was. I have been reading ever since I can remember and still read at least one book a week. My husband’s question was a very valid one, it made me stop and think about a hobby which had become a habit I could not live without. Then I thought of books which had really struck a cord within me, and the one which really stands out is the “Anne of Green gables” series by L.M. Montgomery. I was introduced to it in class 7. The story is set in Prince Edward Island in Canada and tells the story of an orphan girl “Anne. Fiery and independent, the red headed ‘Anne” is an eternal optimist seeing beauty everywhere and in every body around her..well at least most of the time.

She breaks into sudden “spells of insanity” completely lost in “the land of dreams” where“the land is tender with golden green baby leaves..where there is an emerald mist on the woods and where the valleys are full of fairy lights at dawn”. I understand her completely for I have these “sudden spells” too!!..only I didn’t know I was a “kindred spirit” till I read the book. When ever I feel like the world around me is losing its charm and I am bogged down by “mundane activities” I return to its pages and rediscover the joy of enjoying simple pleasures

…the look on my son’s face as he spots me among a crowd of parents at 12.30 pm when school finishes for the day
..enjoying a cup of hot horlicks while watching my daily dose of “yeh rishta kya kehlata hai” at 9:30 pm..after my little house is quiet after the activities of the day..

If you know what I’m talking about, then hey you are a “kindred spirit” too!!..Welcome aboard!!!!

save our tigers..there are just 1411 left!!!!

2010-02-12T17:24:00.000+05:30

our national animal, the majestic tiger is in danger of facing extinction.
Imagine showing our grand children or greatgrandchildren(one can always hope to live upto 100 right..with a sane mind!!! )pictures of tiger in a book much like we see dinosaurs today!!! Unfortunately that is the truth. Its time to put an end to this cruelty.
The question is what can we do sitting in our comfortable homes and swanky offices? Lots of things..just log on to www.saveourtigers.com. Telecom giant aircel has teamed up with WWF- india to start this initiative. Lets pledge our support in any small way we can. Lets hope what 'chak de india' did for our national game, www.saveourtigers.com will do for our national animal!!!

Make time for the most neglected person in your life…yourself!!!

2010-01-28T10:40:00.001+05:30

Most of us hear this advice doled out to us by well wishers or at least as an article in a glossy magazine. Though we would love to do all that is mentioned there, we postpone taking time out without a second thought. Every holiday is meticulously planned for. Take the kids the dentist, clean out the kitchen cabinets, take husband’s suit to the cleaners.. the list is end less. In this blurry of activities, most of us end up being fagged out and irritated at the very people we are doing all this for.. our family
Taking out some time in a day is not impossible as it seems if we really try. The first step is to let go of the guilt most of us face in doing something for ourselves. Think of the time spent as an investment which will make us happier and calmer, resulting in a better spouse, daughter or parent.
Make time to look after our body
•by exercising at least 5 times a week
•by going for regular medical check ups
•by getting enough sleep

Make time to rejuvenate our spirit
• by carving out some time to pursue hobbies
•by meeting up with friends
•by simply doing what makes us happy at that moment..(even if its weeping over the 200th episode of a soap serial!!!!)

So this New Year lets rejuvenate ourselves and be ready with the juicer to make lemonade when life throws us the proverbial lemon.

Quotable Quotes

2010-01-18T09:58:00.000+05:30

Nachikaet and his ‘achiya” (grand father for the uninitiated) are thick friends. They have formed a mutual admiration society to which “third party entry” is strictly restricted. A conversation I had with nachikaet last week gave me fresh insights into the functioning of this “society”. As a prelude to the upcoming republic day I decided that it was time to awaken the patriotic spirit in my son and told him about the struggle for freedom, the national anthem etc. The next day while getting ready for school, I casually asked him who the father of the nation is. Beaming with pride he replied “ achiya”

Drawing Dilemmas

2010-01-07T11:24:00.000+05:30

Nachikaet has been drawing ever since I can remember..(so what if its only a couple of years it adds to the effect, right?) What I mean is he is a broad minded little artist.. he will not confine himself to mere pen and paper. The whole house is his canvas. There is not a square inch left on my walls (and recently the built in wardrobes) that does not bear testament to the Picasso in him. Luckily for him his father is a firm believer in the “its only paint” concept.. after all nobody stopped Raja Ravi Varma from doodling on the walls of his palace!!!!Recently a friend pointed out to me that he draws quite well for a four year old. That was when I really looked at his creations without being blinded by the “monster mother” in me . The child could draw. I had a talk with him on what he wanted to do about it. It turned out that he wanted to learn to draw animals. Thus began the quest for a drawing teacher. Nachikaet starts his drawing class today and for once I’m letting him have the last word!!!!
PS: we have reached an agreement about his wall art. I got him The “Doodle Pro” board by Fisher Price and he is happy doodling on it..for the moment!!! I highly recommend it for harassed mothers like me!!!!

Breath of life

2009-12-29T12:57:00.000+05:30

Last week changed my life.(yes.. I am a drama queen!!!!) It happened when I began to give importance to the most taken for granted aspect in my life- my breathing. I attended a three day workshop conducted by the “Art of living” foundation. It was an eye opener for me to make certain changes in the way I was living and thinking. When I learnt how to become fully aware of my breathing, and started doing it consciously; a wonderful thing happened. I slowly learnt how to immerse myself fully in what I am doing at the moment. For the first time in my life I was able to give my full attention to the present and it was a wonderful feeling. Another thing I will cherish forever is the way I learnt to enjoy daily meals; savor each mouthful , be aware of its texture, its taste, the sensations it produces in my mouth. I try to do it at least one time a day.. even if its just a handful of raisins popped in when I am waiting for my son at school. Try it its addictive.

Annual day. with the king of my heart!!!

2009-12-20T21:50:00.000+05:30

This morning marked a sort of land mark in Nachikaet’s social life.. his first stage performance. It was a fantastic debut (well I am his mom guys, what did you expect!!!!)

His class performed to a medley of songs by the late “king of pop”. What amazed me was that the class teacher had managed to transform a group of boisterous four-year olds into dancers, belting out classic Michael Jackson steps, leaving the audience asking for more.

It set me thinking about the efforts teachers put into molding our kids thoughts and actions. Teachers, especially in the nursery levels, are an under paid lot doing a largely thankless job. My son and I decided this afternoon to use these Christmas holidays to make a card together, list out all the things he has learnt from her this year and thank her..all in his own words ( I, being the scribe). Here is a picture of him beaming at the camera in his “beat it’ costume. He sure is the king of my heart!!!!

Power of praise..try it with your child

2009-12-13T15:58:00.000+05:30

Last week I was waiting for my turn at a doctor’s clinic, when I chanced upon an article in a magazine. It made me think about a topic I had never associated with parenting..praise. The article speaks about how praise, if used in the right way, plays a vital role in boosting your child’s confidence levels. As human beings,we all have an inborn need to feel loved and appreciated. As parents we some times forget that children define themselves based on what their parents or peers think about them. They are more likely to turn out into what they constantly visualize themselves to be. I found the ways suggested by the magazine, to weave praise into our daily lives, very practical and doable. Here are a couple of them. Instead of saying vague things let him know what exactly you are appreciating. So if he helps you lay the table, instead of saying’ you are the sweetest child in the world’; try “that was very helpful of you, mama felt very happy when you helped” This will help the child understand why he is being praised. In most cases appreciation works better if done privately, rather than in front of everyone. This will avoid situations where the child will feel embarrassed or spark sibling rivalry. Another thing most parents need to be aware of is what they speak of, behind the child’s back. Put off discussing negative behavior till you are sure the child cannot over hear. So try tapping the potent power of praise. You will be surprised by the results.. I was!!!

Sneaky ways to introduce healthy snacks for kids

2009-12-06T18:42:00.000+05:30

For most of us mothers, unhealthy snacking among kids is a reality we face on a daily basis. Fuelled by a daily dose of advertisements and peer pressure, all kinds of processed food find their way into their daily diet. My son was also introduced to this kind of snacking when he started preschool; so it was like “Amma, Nikhil has got chips for break time I want ‘just like that only chips for snacks’.. you get the picture. There were nights when I would lay awake wondering which of the “forbidden foods” he would be introduced to the next day!!! Finally it dawned on me that “if you can’t beat ‘em join em!!!”. That’s when I began to look out for alternative home made substitutes. It is a slow process but the results are worth the effort. My son enjoys these two substitutes most times.

When he wants something crunchy like potato chips, I entice him with chatpata puffed rice chat –sauté puffed rice in a little oil until crisp (don’t over fry), keep aside. Sauté shredded carrot, boiled sweet corn kernels (I use saffal frozen corn), thinly sliced yellow and red capsicum for color... basically any colorful veggies in bite sized pieces in a little oil; add a little chat masala, salt and lemon juice. Mix with the puffed rice and serve hot.

Whole wheat crackers topped with flavored cheese spread with a topping of your choice and zapped in the microwave is another option.

When he wanted ice cream every day I tried out a recipe I read in a magazine and it was very successful. Mix pureed fruit pulp into yogurt, add honey and freeze and scoop out servings into a bowl using an ice cream scoop (to retain some level of authenticity!!)

Please send me any sneaky snacking recipe which you may have tried out!!!!

Let us join hands in this noble endeavor!!!!

Unlikely Hero

2009-12-03T19:57:00.000+05:30

If any one were to ask my son, about his favorite superheroes (yes he has a list of them)

they would be very surprised. Of course there is the ‘chota Bheem” “spiderman” “BenTen” array; but among them, one stands out for the mere reason that my “superior adult mind’ would never have put him in this category. He is my son’s auto driver or auto uncle as he is fondly known as. It all came to light when a well meaning guest asked nachikaet what he wanted to be when he grew up. pat came the reply..”auto uncle’ . The guest and I were equally bewildered. To him, the way his auto uncle maneuvers around traffic to get him to school on time, screams at people who dares to delay their daily jaunts, allows him to drive the auto on by lanes is nothing short of heroic. It set me thinking that if we allow ourselves to look at world around us, through our children’s’ eyes once in a while, I’m sure we can see a hero in the most unlikely places. My son made me realize that the world we live in has so much to teach us if only we choose to open our eyes and ears to its marvels

An ‘after school energizer’ smoothie for kids

2009-12-01T11:15:00.000+05:30

Last week my friend’s 8 year old came home exhausted from school at 4pm ..what with sports , extra curricular and projects children nowadays are seriously loaded with work. With a quick “hi’ to me he flung his bag down and yelled”Amma no snacks today gimme energizer” My friend gave me a triumphant smile and sailed to the kitchen. This is what she whipped up:

1 .Banana (med sized ) ripe – sliced 2
2 Cottage cheese(panner) ½ cup
3 Milk 1and ¼ cup
4 Dry fruits of your choice ..i used 1tsp almond powder(almonds roasted without oil and ground in a dry mixie jar to a fine powder ..can be stored for 2 weeks) and 1tbsp lion dates syrup)
You can use whole dates, presoaked almonds, figs,apricots..what ever your child fancies.( 3-4 nos)
5 Seasonal fruit of choice ½ cup
6 Ice cubes, large ½ cup
7 sugar/honey (optional)

Method
Wrap the banana slices in a foil and freeze them over night or for a couple of hours.

Mix the frozen bananas with the milk, fruits, dry fruits and cottage cheese. Blend till the consistency is smooth, adding more milk if required. Add ice cover and blend again.
Refrigerate this mixture if using later or serve immediately. You can garnish it with strawberry or slivered almonds or chocolate shavings(grated chocolate)

This is a thick shake. It provides energy and hydration when children are not in a mood to eat normal meals. Nachikaet loves this shake. I’ve invented a name for it and he thinks it’s a magic potion which will grow muscles. It is a sight to see him run to the mirror immediately after drinking to see if his biceps have “grown”.. will post the picture soon

a delicious lunch box recipe

2009-11-28T18:33:00.000+05:30

Apple and carrot sandwich
This is one of my son’s favorite lunch box meal. I chanced upon it in one of my mom’s Tarla Dalal cook book collection. At first it seemed like an unusual combination but my doubts vanished when it got rave reviews from my son’s expanding English vocabulary
(He used up the two words he knows to express delight .. ‘wow’ and ‘too good”). This makes a tasty, nutritious and filling lunch box meal on those time strapped mornings

Ingredients
Bread – 9 slices
Apple spread
1 small apple grated
1tbsp cheese spread
Salt and pepper to taste
Carrot spread
¾ cup grated carrot
2tbsp cheese spread
salt and pepper

method
1.Lightly warm the bread slices
2.Apply apple spread on one slice of bread. Sandwich with another slice
3.Apply carrot spread on the slice and sandwich with a third slice of bread
4.Repeat to make two more sandwiches
5.Remove the crusts and and cut into triangles
6.Can be served warm or cold..tastes good either way.

Dinosaur mania

2009-11-23T20:27:00.000+05:30

It all started when my son stumbled upon a copy of child’s first library series in my in-laws’ place. It had been a gift given to my husband and occupied a place of pride in a locked glass cabinet. I let him choose a book and he chose a book of dinosaurs, mesmerized by a giant “T-rex” on the cover. That was the beginning..he was completely hooked. The dinosaur book replaced all the time tested favorite reads. It was bedtime stories , before school stories, lunchtime stories all rolled into one!!! Soon we were having conversations that would put any self respecting paleontologist to shame. So it was apatosaurus with an 80 bone tail, and stegosaurus with bony plates and maiasauras with materanal instincts that ruled our little world . The icing on the cake goes to…well his b’day cake which was(no marks for guessing!!) a menacing looking T Rex…the last thing those cute frilly frocks piggy tailed girls who attended it might have expected..still it was a great cake..take a look. The mania rages on...

Back with a bang!!!!

2009-11-23T18:57:00.000+05:30

I’m back in "blogosphere' after a brief hibernation; the reasons for which are just too long and boring to waste my time (or for that matter anybody’s time) detailing it. So its back to business from today. Happy blogging!!!

Doc-of-all-trades

2009-08-26T17:58:00.000+05:30

When some body asked me 6 people I cannot do without..my son's pediatrician featured no 5. It really set me thinking on just how much this person featured in our day to day lives!! It must be a little frustrating to deal with a 'hovering near paranoia'
kind of mom. Every sniff and sniffle has to be analysed and explained to me in detail.. God save him if Nachikaet has fever..you get the point.

Well this doctor's day i decided to tell him just how much he means to us!!

So I became ghost writer for Nachikaet and gave him this little note along with a bunch of flowers

" Doctor uncle- I just wanted you to know,
I'll never find another like you even if I look high or low
You make my 'growing up pains' vanish
With sweet medicines and even sweeter words as garnish
The thought that you are just a phone call away
Makes me count my blessings everyday
A passing angel told me to listen to every line you say
'Cause God whispers through you ways to make me fit an fine everyday "

Janmashtami special-My custom made Makhan Chor

2009-08-14T19:46:00.000+05:30

I must admit, Janmashtami according to Malayalam calendar comes next month. Still, keeping in with the spirit of Janmashtami nationwide we decided to amuse my son. (God knows we need cheering up- what with the recession and now the swine flu doing the rounds.). Krishna to me symbolizes... the little boy who never really grew up. He portrays in my opinion, eternal hope and courage in the face of adversities. Krishna is my son’s favorite action hero. He never tires of hearing how Krishna defeated the various demons Kansa sent to kill him. He can even repeat the exact order in which the demons were sent-Poothana, Trinavartha... you get the picture. So we dolled up Nachikaet in all the ‘Krishna ware’ complete with a flute and a cardboard crown. We read all his favorite Krishna stories and made sweets which he felt appropriate for the occasion. (He feels semiya payasam is “appropriate’ for all occasions).

One of the highlights of the day was that we had a really nice talk about how he will always be my ‘little Krishna’ and he being the “little chivalrous man’ that he is, promised me that I’m Devaki, Yashoda and super mom all rolled into one!! Talk about ego boost!!

The icing on the cake goes to my maid (who cannot speak any other language except Malayalam to save her life) when she yelled something which sounded like ‘maku joru’-turns out that keeping in with the flavor of the day she yelled ‘makhan chor’ having discovered my son in the forbidden area of the fridge-the chocolate section!!

Best friends for 70 years-and still going strong

2009-08-12T21:42:00.000+05:30

In this age when we change “friends” every year or drift away from old ones, this story is like a refreshing breath of fresh air.

They first met each other when they were 10 years old. One from an orthodox Brahmin household and the other from a family of ‘zamindars’ and freedom fighters. They were as different as chalk and cheese. One was a demure, timid and painfully shy Brahmin girl coming out of the protective circle of home for the first time in her life, to go to school; while the other was a tomboy, climbing mango trees and player for the school throw ball team.

Well, to cut a rather long story short; friendship struck. Since the fateful day the tomboy rescued the timid maiden from the clutches of some bullies, they have been inseparable. They have been a constant presence in each other’s lives through good and bad times. Weddings, births of children, deaths, illness, and domestic problems saw the two of them seek each other out for support. Theirs was a self sufficient world with neither the need nor inclination to invite anybody else into their charmed circle. Last heard the tomboy was on her way for the bedridden shy maiden’s 84th birthday celebrations.

How do I know this? Well the tomboy is my grandmother and she still goes for sleepovers at her friends place. Wonder what they gossip about though!!

2009-08-10T20:45:00.000+05:30

Turtle Tales
“Amma, I want to be Tommy the turtle” yelled my son last week, fetching us many a curious stare from fellow pedestrians. Turned out that there was a fancy dress competition happening at his school with the theme “aqua world”. Just in time to coincide with his birthday party preparations and guests staying over for the weekend. The next day morning saw me in “Ram’s costume” (the only costume rental store in our area). The place was already bustling with what seemed to be half the population of parents of kindergarten block!!! After much pushing and jostling I managed to come face to face with my “messiah of the day’- the owner.

Me: Do you have a turtle costume?
Owner: Blank stare
Me: Repeat the above question
Owner: What that is
Me: Show turtle like waddling action with hands
Owner: Giggles
Me: At wits end

Fortunately, a kannada speaking parent kindly translated and the owner with a relieved look dashed in and came out with what looked like a teddy bear body suit with a cap with a turtle head sticking out. The next 10 minutes was spent in assuring me that it’s the best costume I can get. In light of my current “packed schedule”, I quickly paid the advance and booked it. Feeling very happy with myself I sauntered to the school to pick up my son when I got a rude shock. There was a circular with the details of the fancy dress with the menacing words printed in bold’ HIRED COSTUMES WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED’.

Seething with anger I half dragged my bewildered son back home. Later that afternoon, something in me snapped when I heard my son describing in detail his fancy dress ambitions to his grand mother over the phone. I did some serious soul searching – “Can’t you spend a little time to see a smile on your child’s face?” bellowed the mommy in me…”yes, oh yes” I sobbed. With my new found enthusiasm I scoured the net for ideas. I must say I found some really good ones. One trip to the market and a 15 minute lecture session on ‘good parenting’ to my husband later, I was armed with the raw materials and an assistant. Sunday morning was spent in unleashing the creative demons in me with 2 assistants (my son and husband) at my beck and call. Finally it was over. The fruit of my sweat and blood, lots of the former and a drop of the latter when I pricked my hand on a needle. But the look on my son’s face when he wore the costume -that’s something that I’ll cherish for a long time. Do check him out.

God's whisper-Life lessons from my 'soon to be' 4 year old son

2009-08-09T12:30:00.000+05:30

Every day within me, a miracle is being formed
It’s like hosting a party, of which I was not informed
Every minute I make a discovery;
And feel, like the only person it’s happened to worry.
You and I are two hearts and a soul.
The feeling of you inside somehow makes me feel whole.
Life will not always be a bed of roses,
But daddy and I will try to sweeten the bitter doses.
A passing angel told me to listen,
‘Cause God whispers through you nine to a dozen.

This was penned by me when I was 7 months pregnant with my son- Nachikaet. He turns 4 this August and little did I imagine the life lessons God would whisper to me through him.

Lesson 1 : Don’t sweat the ‘small stuff’:
My son and I were heading out of the house one day, when my brand new ‘kurta’ caught on a nail and ripped off. I was beginning to fume when my son calmly said, “Amma, it is only a dress, don’t be sad. I’ll buy you a new one with my piggy bank money”. Now, whenever I feel I’m about to explode over some little thing, I think of my son and his piggy bank. I now try to focus more on the solution to the problem than the problem itself.

Lesson 2:Plan for some ‘me time’ everyday:
I once asked my son, why is that he never gives up his evening play time - even to go out shopping. He replied “ Amma, at school I have to make teacher happy, at home I have to make you happy. This is to make Nachikaet happy.” That day I learnt an important lesson. I have to consciously keep some time aside for the most important person in my life -myself. This way I am recharged to take on other roles in life, be it wife, mother or employee.

Lesson 3: Learn to let go:
One day my son was upset when he came home from school. He had fought with his best friend. He swore never to speak to her again. Next morning I casually mentioned the topic to him and he said, “That was yesterday Amma, today is a new day”. I realized that life is too short for me to waste it with grudges and ‘what ifs’. Each morning brings with it a chance to begin afresh. I now try to see each day as a clean slate to fill with positive thoughts.

Lesson 4: It’s alright if you are not ‘perfect’
At my son’s annual sports day, I was upset that I didn’t win the parents competition. The fact that my son’s best friend’s mom had won the competition did not make matters any better. I was depressed thinking that somehow I had let my son down. That was when he gave me a pleasant surprise by saying “Its ok Amma, I love you anyway”. Knowing that he loved me and accepted me for the person I am regardless of my failure gave me a boost of confidence that I have not had in a long time. It made me realize that if kids have the knowledge that they are accepted and loved unconditionally, it gives them the confidence that they need to believe in themselves.

Lesson 5: Enjoy ‘Now’
Last month, my son’s ‘shloka competition’ was going on in school and he was the next to go on stage. Backstage, I was a nervous wreck, visualizing all the things that could go wrong, while my son was calmly devouring a chocolate. When I asked him how he could be so calm, he said with his mouth full of chocolate “Amma, that’s only five minutes later, why worry now”. It’s been rightly written that the present is called so because it is a present from God. I decided to enjoy the moment for what it is without fretting about the past or worrying about the future. I think that is one of the secrets to living life to the fullest.

My son has made me realize that nobody is too young for me to learn from and that I will never be too old to learn from others. Each day God whispers to me, all that I need to know, to live my life to the fullest...It is up to me to keep my ears open!!!

Disclaimer: Do not be under the impression that my son is a reincarnation of some great saint or philosopher; he is just a hyper active, fussy, naughty, normal 4 year old and I love him for that.