Chinipie n Sugarbun ...my life sweeteners!

Aloha from a hassled mom!

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Mon, 01 Dec 2014 22:52:00 +0000

Yep that's me. Well, how else do i explain my absence from my most favorite and loved activity (apart from actually being hassled by moi kids)? And no, lest you assume, lemme clear am not in Hawaii now. Am very much at home, surrounded by my lovely beauties. Just that we have taken an enchantment to saying our courtesies in all the world languages. So next time, if i take to french or spanish please dont be surprised. We might as well take to japanese for that matter. We are a household full of girls, you see, we do keep things lively!

So, what's been chinipie and sugarbun upto these past two years? Summing it up in short, prepping for their new baby and taking amazing care of their now 14 month old baby sister- CherryPlum! Yep, even my little lovey dovey sugarbun has taken so well to the new role of a big sister now! She is all five and a half, in kimdergarten, superbusy, not so much chirpy but a lot more expressive of her feelings now than she was ever! It took a long time to get her accustomed to the idea that she is not going to be the baby of the house anymore and probably, we overdid this whole thing coz she was actually excited about having a real baby at home. Needless to add, she totally dotes on her baby!

Chinipie, on the other hand, initially a bit hesitant, to don the hat of a big sister a second time, took well tot he whole idea, loooked forward to it and turned out to be a great help( and a huge threat, if i can add). Once she had the cherryplum in he arms, she soon realized now she has all the powers in the world to choose a favourite little sister and any doubts, over there, whom she chooses and on whom she picks?

Cherryplum, the super active, always busy, almost 15 months old is the apple of everyone's eyes. She keeps the dad wrapped around her fingers, has made her older sisters absolute crazy for her and needless to say, makes sure to keep her mom on her toes all the time.

So, here's a big aloha from the hassled mom. Exccuse me, have to get back to my unruly household.

Pushing vs. Encouraging - identifying the fine line

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 03:10:00 +0000

Scenario 1 - Sugar and Chini are enrolled for the swim lessons. While Chini is enthusiastic about it, sugar has been quiet. She becomes clingy as soon as we enter the swim zone and just before the very first lesson throws up. Thankfully, she hadn't entered the pool so it's just outside. Nevertheless, I could tell that she is scared as she was not even letting me take her to the shower room to clean up for the fear of me leaving her again. There was no point of pushing her for the lesson again so after changing, I took her back to the swim area and instead of sitting on the pavilion, We went straight to the lessons area and let her see how each kid , including her oder sister was enjoying. All the while, mom's mind was apprehensive whether she's being pushy and the child is not ready yet. On giving it much thought and talking with other moms and grandmas and teachers, the mom realized that she actually and done the best thing by taking Sugar back to actually watch the other kids. So mom decided to give it one more try with no snacks 2 hours strictly prior to the swim time. And Voila! It worked. Not only does sugar now enjoy the swim lessons but actually looks forward to them.

Inference: sometimes, just a little tweaking and talking, of course, turns out a huge positive encouragement and puts a mom's mind to rest.

Scenario 2 - Sugar and Chini are, finally, signed up for ice-skating lessons. They have been pleading for ages to join these classes. They are all decked up and super-excited. By the end of the first lessons, they have fallen so many number of times, that their spirits ate dampened. Mom talked to them how they had learnt walking as a baby and similar stories to encourage them. Towards the second week, Sugar has all forgotten about the first episode and is as enthusiastic as the last time but Chini develops this fear of hurting her nose or face(though she hd fallen last week on her bottoms every time). She actually had surprisingly one very well, inspite of the fact that those were her very first lessons on the ice. She had actually marched to retrieve the marker successfully thrown about two feet away from her starting point, without even falling once! Still, for some reason, she was afraid the second week and had declared just before the lessons that the only thing she was good at was standing still on the ice and guess what? To momma's horror, that's exactly what she did for full 35 minutes! No amount of cajoling, pampering(the coach carried her in his arms while he skated throughout the rink, in hopes that she would warm up!), taking, encouraging deter her! Horror of horrors, momma had never thought that her Chini would mean and act those words( of staying still) quite literally. The coach finally brought her out for some rest and some one on one time with the mom and said be would be back for her in the after ten minutes. On being asked, she said she had changed her mind and didn't want to learn ice-skating anymore. So, mom should cancel the lessons. Too bad, mom could actually visualize her two hundred dollars flushing down the drain. Nah! Just kidding. Mom tried to work her brains quickly and started thinking of all the peppy things, she could. But No! This time nothing was bound to work. Finally mom said, that as this course was already signed up for, it couldn't be cancelled and at the end, if Chini still didn't like it, she will not sign her up for the next session. But until then, she will have to give it a fair try and follow the coach's instructions. But NO. Mom's little adamant daughter didn't want to give anything to it. Not a try. Nothing. Finally, mom had no choice but to pull the last thread.
No try would mean some consequence.
Give me any consequence, I don't care.
Okay. So are you ready?
Yes!
No try would mean no electronics, no TV, no iPad for entire one week till the next lesson.
That's not fair!
Well, it is what it is. You chose it.

And lo and behold, she walked hand in hand with the coach as soon as he came for her, with a smile. And this time, she did march! Those baby marching steps, without falling, with a smile on her face all the time!

Inference: when you know your child can do it and has done it before, being a little hard on them, is definitely, not pushing.

And as soon as she was done, she came out and asked,

So do I get the iPad now.

The mom would have said yes but then it struck her, that her smart Chini might use it as 'only one trial is enough' and the message would be lost. So she decided to stick with the consequence, and said the next week when she tries and tries through the entire class, then she would get it back.

As soon as, we reached home, her smarty pants daughter said, 'I won't watch any episode or play games on the ipad. But I really need to order a book from the library. So, can I have e ipad for that purpose, at least?'

NO!
But Why?
BecAuse no ipad means NO iPAD!
Okay.

Before you think her reason was just, let me tell you what exactly would have happened had I said yes. She wud hv started with the library thing. Coincidently, at that very time sugar would have wandered close-by. Would have snatched iPad from the older sis and despite all her warnings and protests, would have put on some episode. Which both would have been happily watched.

Been that route already. Have burnt my fingers, many a times. You see. ;)

Your Country My Country Your Culture My Culture

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:37:00 +0000

Images above have been randomly picked from an internet images source.

This post was originally scheduled for 26th January.

Jai Hind repeated Chinipie and Sugarbun after me. But what is a republic day mom. On being told that it's the day when the Constitution of India had come into effect. Like the american Constitution? On an affirmative, she gets excited and goes on to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. After being duly applauded, she goes on Does your country has a Pledge as well?

Sounds shocking, isn't it? The first time I had heard it, I had taken quite a number of days to stand on my two wobbly feet again w/o any fear of fainting. I had thanked God for providing me with super-strong and healthy cardiovascular muscles to have been able to endure such blows to my very Indian Mom Heart. It was the summers of 2012 and the London Olympics had started. An exception had been made and the girls were allowed to stay up until late night to watch he beautiful opening ceremony. They had enjoyed every bit of the nurses dance, the Harry Potter, Mary Poppins, James Bond and the Queen. Later, when the parade had commenced, they had watched in awe as each country's sportspersons had held their flag, their cauldron and were in their traditional attire. After sometime, Chinipie had asked,
"when's our country coming, mumma?"
Without giving it much thought, the mom had said,
"we are on 'G' right now. Since it's alphateically, after H will come I and only then India's team will come."
Without missing a snap, she had said,
"That's your country. When's my country coming? "
As mom was checking that her feet were still planted on earth and that her heart was still where it should have been, albeit a bit broken, she realized that Chinipie was still speaking,
"It should have been in the beginning as America starts with 'A'."
" yes momma. america starts with A." Sugarbun had chimed in.
After having gathered those little pieces of her heart, mom had gathered her wits too and replied,
"Actually the full name isUnited States of America. So you will have to wait until the letter 'U' " and being a mom, she had made them recite theor alphabet.
Seemingly unaware of mom's plight, they had soon jumped up seeing the tricolor on the tv screen,
"Look mumma! That's your country's flag. I really like the yellow saree the girls are wearing. But what's that yellow thing on the boys' head? Yeah! Go India Go! Mommy that's your country! I am so excited"
Though, with a bleeding heart, momma took consolation in the fact that at least the apple of her eyes knew the tricolor flag and were actually cheering for her country, India.

It did take a while to sink in but now momma has learnt to take a pride when her wittle darlings come back from school and insist to know more about 'your country and your culture'. Mommy is proud that she is teaching her kids to keep an open and learning mind and appreciate each nation's culture, regard the differences and most importantly to salute the FLAG of each country. Seeing the US flag on their playroom floor once, she had asked them to pick it up and had gently told them, that we should make sure that we never trample the flag with our feet. Incidentally, there was a guest, who had quipped, "so what. It's not India's flag." Mom had tried to control her temper over such an insensitive remark and made sure her girls would not listen to any such nonsense and learn to be a part of this whole global community, we call the world with all the due respect. After all, there's some truth in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

What would you do? Not all of us are raising our kids in our beloved India. How do you think we should raise responsible, respectful and yet not confused children?

I do need some help here coz I face scenarios when I have guests at home who quite insensibly remark on the number of Indian flags at my home vs the American. It takes me to muster all self-control not to remind them that I have never seen any Indian flag at their home and gently diverge the topic from there. I am really proud the way I am raising my kids. They speak, though not very fluently, and undstand Hindi. They know much about the Indian national symbols as well as the American ones. So when people remark that my kids have an American accent, I all but smile, rather than saying, "they don't. We are the ones with accent." Or " what wud u think ur kids are going to speak when they grow up." There are times, when i stop myself from asking such people, " really? and what do you think your culture is? or what culture you are raising your kid in?" Have you ever faced such situations? How do you handle those?

A letter to tooth fairy

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 04:51:00 +0000

A letter to tooth fairy

Feb 7th, 2013, 10:30 a.m. to be precise, has to go down in history. For this is the day, my lil chinipie lost her first baby tooth. That very first tooth, upon slight sighting of which, at the baby-age of five and a half months, the mom had called almost everybody in her family n frens list with the very exciting news (yeah.. She was a young, new, and first-time mom). Chinipie is now five (and three-quarters) years old and has lost her first baby tooth and is super-excited about it. She even plans to show that tiny gap in her lower teeth line for the 'show-n-tell' at school tomorrow. She had drafted a very lovely letter to tooth fairy just before she went to bed. The tooth fairy a.k.a the dad was duly called and informed to get a gift and a chocolate to be kept under the pillow, albeit secretly.

We were not at all prepared for this milestone, you see. The said tooth has been (supposedly) wiggling for past one and a half year. Past two weeks, the whole family has been going crazy taking turns catching and dealing with the stomach bug and with the frequent trips to the 'john' we frankly hadn't bothered putting our hands in her mouth. This morning, chini being the latest stomach-bug-infected person had stayed home and was given a popsicle while mom had busied herself with all the buggy laundry (yes. mom is a freak. Let's not talk about her.) . So, with a load in washer, another in dryer, mom was busy folding the previous ones, when Chinipie came rushing with a minuscule thing in her hand, "see momma! See . See". As hateful a task, mom thinks folding laundry is, she just wanted to get done with it and at that point, didn't really wanted to get up again to go to another room to see anything. A bored mom looked up at her with a face saying 'I really can't see anything'. Chini said, " my first tooth. It came out. See!!" And then momma did see. That little tiny speck if red on her lower gum and that super-duper tiny tooth with another dot of red in her palm. That's when momma started jumping. " oh my God! Chini! Yes! It did come out."

" i can't believe it mumma"

" i know. neither can I"

" i am so excited. Now tooth fairy will get me a toy!"

" ahem yes" apparently, in her excitement, momma had forgotten that part.

The letter

Dear tooth fairy

I was eating popsicle then I touched my tooth. I touched my gum, and I took the tooth out of my mouth. (Tooth is in a cotton ball.) Love:

P.s. Notice the tiny tooth she has made on the top?

That's the tooth fairy with her tooth. Pretty, isn't it?

While Chinipie had been chirping excitedly, the whole day how she cannot believe this actually happened, the mom felt that little pang of sadness of losing those part of her little-baby. Apparently, her Chini has grown up so quickly an those little baby-teeth will soon be all gone. And gone will be her sweet little baby chini too. I know I am a hopeless case of emotional bundle.

Let's part with Chinipie's favorite tooth joke

Q: What is the best time to go to a dentist?

A: Tooth-hurty (2:30)

:) :)

Excerpts from 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:51:00 +0000

All summers, Chinipie had written her stories and added some nice drawings to enhance her story. Once during our bedtime story reading, she had asked me, " mom what's an author? wt's an illustrator?"

On being told the meaning and the difference, she had said, "so i do that.. does that mean i am one of those?"

After getting an affirmative response, the very next day when her lil sis was trying to get her attention while she was trying to write something, she had said, "sugar plz don't disturb me.. I am authoring a book and then I have to illustrate it too.. I do not have time to play with u today." Sugar, obviously, didnt understand a bit. All she knew was that her big sis was shooing her away and that was enough to enrage her. Mommy, on the other hand, just wondered on her child's radiant personality!

Soon after, there was an introductory picnic for the incoming kindergarteners, where the teachers were shaking hands with each child and introducing herself. Something like. "Hi. I am Ms.W and I am the assistant teacher." Following the similar lines, To my utter amazement, very confidently, Chinipie had introduced herself as, "Hi. I am Chinipie. I m an author and an illustrator."

******

After her dropping the guitar from the second floor, Mommy was trying to explain to Chinipie why this was wrong, and, at the same time, the concept of gravity(wonder why?) when she gave an excuse that the whole guitar-falling-episode was unintentional and she was just experimenting trying to sway and hang it from the lobby but the guitar fell too fast before she could catch it. Patiently, I tried to reason with her, asking has she wondered why doesn't she stay up in the air when she jumps.

Immediately, she quips... Coz i am not a fairy!!!

******
This one was very soon after my car accident.

Are you not going to exercise downstairs?
No
You are not even going to run on the treadmill?
No
You Are not even going to do any yoga?

No honey. Not today.

Why?

Coz remember mommy had A car accident. Mommy's still hurting from that.

So what? you can still exercise.

No beta, mommy feels tht she might start hurting even more if she exercises today. She doesn't want to take chances.

For a while, it looked like she has taken it well, when she said, "why should I care? Anyways, you will become fat!"

A few months later, mommy had started going to the Y for the aquatherapy or pilate classes, which seemingly benefitted her. Those being summertime, the kids were very much at home, so they used to go to babysitting facility within the premises. They had made a few friends there and had actually started looking forward to it. Once or twice, Mommy would have to skip it owing to other commitments. "Mommy, we are not going to the Y today?"

"No beta. We have to go some place for lunch. So we will have to skip the Y or else we will be late."

"Anyways, you will not learn anything new today, I guess"

Now, this was a relief. Coz mommy had mentally braced herself to hear those dreaded words from her. About learning new, I know comes from the fact that I used to ask both my girls what did they do at babysitting while I was away. In turn, they used to ask me what I did and I used to show them a new move or pose each time. As I used to show them only one fitness move at a time, probably, she thought that I learnt something new each day.

******

Adios 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 03:44:00 +0000

And welcome 2013...this post, albeit delayed by 23 days.. U still are being looked forward to with lots of hopes, promises and resolutions. U are the year, when we all will grow stronger as a family working together to achieve our goals, spreading joy as we go along. U are the year, when we are trying to manage our anger bouts with love and calm. U are the year, when we are trying to resolve our conflicts by talking them out rather than pouts. U are the year, when we are learning to take initiative rather than waiting for someone to offer(e.g. playdates). U are the year, when we are working towards speaking upfront rather than talking around in circles. U are the year, when we started with lots of gratitude, most importantly, having each other, together, as a family. U are the year, when we are making positive attempts to say the magic words of 'sorry' and 'please' and 'thank-you' to each other, for we realise that respecting each other feelings and emotions is very much important (After all it's so eay for taking each other for granted, and hurt in the process). Most importantly, U are the year, when we are giving each other loads of hugs and kisses to each other, coz they are, for sure, the most encouraging, loving, and caring gifts we can give to each other! With these and many such positivities, 2013, we are certain, you are going to be awesome!

2012- for most part, you have been great too! You were the year, when we, finally, learned to say NO, instead of giving in or being a pushover (a major achievement for mom herself as now she can set an example of assertiveness and stance to her kids). You were the year when we learnt to stop showing our vulnerability (as a family) to others. You were the year when we struggled and later, succeeded to become independent in many ways. You were the year, when we experimented with lots of new sports and haven't lost hopes, even though many a times, they didn't turn out as we had expected. You were the year, when we successfully cut our screen time to a bare minimum and realized that there's so much else we can do, otherwise. You were the year when we learnt to treasure each other and cherish every little thing we do for each other, as a family. Yes 2012, despite all odds, you were good. And this is how, we had bid farewell to you..

As all the new year eve parties go, we, along with a few friends, had waited for the clock to strike midnight. Looking at the screen, doing the final countdwn, watching the times square ball-drop, cheering and wishing each other a very happy new year, when sugarbun decided, enough is enough, happy or not, new or not, year or whatever, I am out! And there, she plopped on their couch! Her tired z's could be heard distinctly amongst all the chaos. Leaving the company of her friends, chinipie came over, looked at sugarbun with a huge question mark on her face and then looked at the wall clock.
What? It's past twelve o'clock already? Way past my bedtime? Now, I will never get my complete rest and full night sleep! UHAAAANNN!!! I hate new year eve parties!!!

Sweet Sugary Sugarbun!

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 03:44:00 +0000

In summers, me and Sugarbun used to go for a walk after dropping Chinipie for her swim lessons. We, usually turned those walks into fun nature hunts. on one such walk, we had spotted a dotty ladybug, an incy-wincy spider, a stripy bee, a baby bird, a rolly-polly bug and a wiggly worm. Each time, Sugarbun wud say , " Can I name her lizzie?"

On her asking this agin for the sixth time, Unlike each time, instead of saying "sure", I asked her, " how will u know which lizzie is which? U hv named all of them the same? Won't you get confused?"

Without even blinking her eye, sugar said, "that's a rolly poll lizzie and that's a worm lizzie. They r not even the same! silly mumma!!"

*******

You might remember the hatching-egg incident. Similar to that, Other morning, watching me flip over an omellete, sugarbun had observed, "are you making an egg-roti for breakfast today?"

Another time, Watching me clean the toilet bowl, "Why are you making the water blue?" (The cleaning liquid being blue n color)

*******

There was a certain phase, when Sugarbun had ended up with multiple time-outs each day; many days in a row. Now, for time-outs, I use a bench kept near our front door, which is otherwise used to sit down and tie-up the shoes. That particular morning, as the dad was tying his shoes, sitting on that very bench, he started texting/e-mailing on his blackberry.

Oblivious of the fact, seeing him sitting there quietly, a wide-eyed Sugarbun came to me in the kitchen, "Why did you give Papa a time-out? What wrong did HE do?"

*******

Clearly forgetting, that my lovely Sugar is not a sweet little baby anymore, strapped and dozing in her stroller, I recently went with her to a lingerie store.

Waving a thong at me, she said, "this is baby's size.(she calls herself a baby.) let's find size 3T for me!"

Overcoming the shock, I told her that we are not looking anything for her but for momma. Excited, she said, "I will help you!" Now, both my girls, love picking out dresses/shoes/outfits for me to try, which they think would look good on me. Sugarbun, usually picks only blue (her favorite color). So I thought it wouldn't harm but actually would keep her busy.

But just after sometime, shaking her head, and pulling me by my hand, she said, " let's go to a different store and get you some PROPER clothes!"

How do you grow?

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 03:56:00 +0000

Another one from October:

For school, Chinipie had picked out a dress for herself, which she had outgrown. I avoid removing such dresses from her closet, cause sugar will grow into them and my past experience has been that if I take those dresses away, I completely forget about them until sugar has outgrown them too. And they are, usually in a good condition to be worn as a hand-me-down. Now, on this particular day, Chinipie had picked one of her favorites from late spring/early summer. When I told her that the dress is too little for her, she obviously didn't agree and wanted to wear it. Knowing her very well, I asked her to try it on and see for herself, if she would be comfortable in it. (I use this strategy quite often. good way for them to experiment n learn). After struggling to get into it, she gave up and rather sadly, remarked, "I used to wear it when I had turned 5. I am still 5 and that dress doesn't fit me Anymore."

"Coz, beta, you are growing."

"Why?"

"Coz we grow each day."

Why?

"Coz that's how it is. Every day either we grow or our hair or our nails..."

Picking on it, she started adding, "even our hands, our feet, our fingers."

"Yep. You got it. Now let's get ready for school. Mommy picked out a dress for you that still fits you."

"Why? Why does is still fit me? I am not tall enough not to fit in that dress yet?"

Yes.

"One day, I will grow up and even this dress will be small for me?"

"Yes."

Getting all teary-eyed, she says, " But I do not want to grow. When I grow, I will have to go away from you. I will not get anymore huggies and kissies from you. I do not want to miss them!"

"Awww my baby. You do not have to grow up that soon. There's a long time to that. Besides, I will always give you hugs n kisses. You will never outgrow them, for sure! "

Seemingly pacified, she started getting dressed, when she again asked, " momma, do all of us grow each day?"

"Yes beta."

"Even the grown ups?"

"Even papa."

"Even you"

"Yes beta."

" So you grow tall like me each day too?"

"No beta. I don't"

"But the other day, I heard you telling papa that one dress didn't fit you anymore.. That it was too little for you..."

Momma, scratching her head, trying to remember, when she wud have assumed herself growing so tall that her dress wudn't fit.....

"Oh! I know. When you are a grown-up, you don't grow tall anymore. Isn't it?"

"Yes beta."

Decidedly, she adds, "you don't grow tall anymore. You grow fat."

??!!!!??

Of ancient and alien momma

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:48:00 +0000

This happened, sometime in October too, when Chinipie had just started skipping rope successfully and was rather proud of this milestone of hers.

How old were you when you started skipping rope?

I don't remember, honey. (Why did I say that? I could hv said anything. She had no way of cross-checking, after all)

Why? Why don't you remember?

B'coz it was a long time ago.

How long?

Many years ago.

You mean many many years ago?

Yes

It was such a long time ago that you don't remember now?

Yes

It's a very very very very very old story now?

Yes

It's an ancient story?

Huh?

That means you are ancient?

Hain???

Ancient like dinosaurs?

What??

Runs off upstairs to her dad, "Papa, did you know mumma is ancient?"

Dad looks up from his laptop, "Really?"

Ya. She told me that.

????!!!!!?????

Also, in October, once I had avacado face mask on when sugarbun had entered the kitchen.
"Why is your face green? Are you an alien ?"
Runs off to her older sister, " didi ! look we have an alien momma! She came from the other planet in her rocket ship."

And ever since I have been an ancient alien momma.

Birthday -a year later

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:08:00 +0000

This post is from October.

As I have said umpteen times, birthdays in our house cannot be anything but special. Most of my readers would probably remember how my birthday was an event last year. This time, While Sugarbun had been singing, "happy birthday to mamma" for a week before and a week after my birthday, Chinipie kept giving me notes, greeting cards, drawings that day. She also made sure that everyone, I met, that day wishes me "a very happy birthday" which included her teachers, karate masters, friends, friends' moms. Which I would say was a little embarassing and a bit solace, in a way, as the phone ane internet were down that very day! Chinipie had complained about it, " why is the phone not ringing today? why is nobody calling to wish you ?"
I had tried to soothe her down, " this means I get to spend more time, without any disturbance, with you and sugar".
She had seemed to digest it well and later, in the night, The girls and the dad decorated the cake baked by yours truly.

We sang the birthday song again and only later, when I was tucking her in bed, Chinipie says, "you know you look the same"
"when did i look different?"
" I mean you look exactly the same like last year. You haven't grown older or anything."
"well thanks, i guess." Now that was a huge compliment, don't you think?
" God really listens to me, you know."
"He must be dear. You are his child too"
" no really. I prayed to him not to let anyone of us grow because I do not want to grow up and go away from you."

Awww my baby... I wish so too..

Updated: see the four corners of the cake? My curious angels couldn't wait for the cake to be cut!!

My interrogating, observing, absorbing, interesting,definitely entertaining Chinipie

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Chinipie and dad were discussing Odd-even numbers.

Chini - Why are 1,3,5 called odd numbers. are they odd?

Dad - They cannot be divided equally between two. For ex. If I had 4 cookies, how many will you n sugar get?

Chini - Each of us will get two.

Dad - See how you both got the same number of cookies? Now, what if I had 5 ?

Chini - Simple, I get 3 while sugar gets 2..

Every first Friday of the month, chini's and sugar's school organizes a parenting class where they also provide baby-sitting for the kids as the parents attend the sessions. Last Friday was the first time that I attended. That evening, as I was getting the girls ready, chinipie asks me, " why do you have to go to my school in the evening?"

" I have a parenting class"

"why do you need to go to a pare ting class? You are already a mommy."

" in this class, i will learn how to be a better mommy."

" you mean, you will learn how not to scream?"

To make chini's lunch times more interesting, sometimes, I sneak in little notes in her lunch box. She, definitely enjoys them and feels special, but my little chinipie, being as inquisitive as she is, came to me one day and asked, " why did you put a note for me in my lunch box today?"

Before, I could even think of something, she quipped, " because you love me and want to make me feel special."

" yes honey. That's why."

"Then why didn't you put a note in my lunch box, yesterday? You didn't love me yesterday?"

Dad goes to California

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:14:00 +0000

on work, for one entire week, much to mom's chagrin. How could he do this to her? He knew that she loves her beauty sleep and craves for it the entire day. Then why did he have to be so cruel?? You see, ever since sugar had turned one, and, the dad, had decided that he is done clinging to the very edge of the mattress, holding on the the last inch of the bed-sheet, for his dear life(and bones), much to mom's protest, had moved the kids' little beds to their rooms. Now, this room, previously, was pretty much used only as a parents' interior decoration skills display room as much as the other 2 bedrooms in the entire history of a year and a half of buying that 4- bedroom house. The mom, mortified, at the very thought of walking each night to the adjacent room to soothe or nurse or calm her babies on their each cry , which then was every 1 hour or so, had moved their little beds next to her bed. So, all she had to do was reach upto them and pat them back in their cozy little beds. Now, when and how, in the entire course of the night, they would climb up to the huge and high bed of ours, still remains a mystery. The bottom-line is, each morning, on that California-king-sized bed, the dad was inevitably found sleeping, balancing delicately on his left torso, while the kids rotated, turned and well, dozed royally. Amongst all the protests, the hard-hearted, sleep-deprived dad, had then decided to put the other rooms in the house to some huge. Mom, had made a huge deal about this, and had him promise that he would calm them, each night, for every single cry. Whether or not he intended to originally, but the sly mom made sure that the dad sticks to his word. And rest, as they say, is history. Since that fateful morning, dad is, many-a-times, even found sleeping on the floor in the kids' room to make sure that they sleep on their bed, in their room. Well, those days, are long over (hopefully). However, with every cry they utter, with every drop of water they ask for, in those hours of mom geting her zzz's, the dad tends to them.

So, how could she have survived 5 nights with him travelling to the west????
Chinipie had the solution. She came up to the mom and said, remember mom, when he was away for only one night, in the past? How you had slept on the floor in our room? You could do that. I will even clean my toys from there for you.

The world of mommyhood

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:42:00 +0000

is not all rosy as it seems..

I wonder when my kids grew up so much right under my nose. It's hard to imagine that when you look at them and see how they depend on you and trust you for everything from what you feed them to where you take them to where you leave them or do not leave them. How a mom is responsible for everything, for their complete mind, body and spirit development right from the beginning. I wonder if I will ever be able to inculcate the responsibility, independence, respect for time and self-love in them as much as I want. For, I believe, The rest of the virtues will follow these three basic ones all by themselves.

Now, before you start wondering if I have lost my mind and am making no sense above, let me tell you how my morning was. My darling daughters were done with their morning chores while I was busy making breakfast and packing chinipie's lunch. As the sugarbun was going upstairs with all the cheery sunshine, the older one came upto the little one, with her breakfast in one hand and says,"Good Luck with your nahai-nahai(bath)". Now, this little sugar bundle of mine, for some reason, averts getting into the bath tub as much as she can and then later, gives me a tough time coming out of it as well! As expected, all hell broke loose and I had to carry a wiggling, wailing, kicking sugar upstairs and from taking her nightdress off to putting on that last piece of shoe on her, everything was a huge fight. Believe me, you don't even want to know what happened in between. Only later, when she had her jacket and hat on, did she flash me a smile. Don't blame me,if I was in no mood for smiles after those 15 minutes of the heart-wrenching cries. If you are thinking, that I am lucky to have atleast chinipie, who did everything by herself and was out of the door on time, you have not counted the number of times I had to ask her to stop playing and get dressed up. Oh, and not to forget, in the middle of getting ready, she suddenly decided that she has to re-decorate her room and starting pulling the wall stickers off... why?????? Imagine my shock, when I come to their bedroom with a towel-wrapped, wailing sugarbun, I find chini, on top of her bed, with nothing on but her underpants, pulling off one of the stickers! When I asked what she was doing, she coolly replies, " I have to put it there. It's not looking good here"!!!!! Couldn't I see that already??? I guess I should have re-phrased and asked her what she was supposed to do and what she was doing instead.

Well, mommies of two or one like me, I know you are not being completely honest, when you say that your kids never put you in situations like this. For, we all know, that's not the truth. None of us have done such good deeds in past to deserve heavenly kids. So, please don't even attempt to.
All you new moms and the mom-to-be's, heartiest congratulations to you. I know I haven't been in touch with you guys for a while, but I am happy for you. After all, why should I be the only one suffering?? ;))
Just kidding. I would, just say, enjoy your sanity and relish the baby-moon phase as long as it lasts..
And yeah, for the term 'baby-moon' - whatever the wiktionary says, according to me.. it only has one meaning - the initial phase of the baby when you feel that mommy-ing is heavenly. Clearly, I am out of it and with a wicked heart, can't wait for you guys, too.

The year just flew by

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 16:23:00 +0000

.. and I am sorry if I didnt keep you guys posted with more growing-up episodes of my power bundles. But they kept me on my heels, you see. With their endless classes, non-stop chatter and not-to-forget difficult phases, that we so often associate with the childhood, I hardly had time to sit and type. There are numerous posts saved in my backlog, many are just on paper and never made it to the digital world and many more occupied their space in my head before getting lost in the oblivion. And this is what disturbed me and brought me back out of my exile. For, when I had started this blog six years ago, I had promised myself that I would keep a log of every little episode of my little tadpole's life from the size of my finger tip to the full- human. And that's what I intend to do. So, all you fans of my chinipie and sugarbun, watch out for some heart-shaking and many rib-tickling doings of these little angels of my life.

I wouldn't be posting them on the social sites, anymore though. So, save the link and visit it daily or if you prefer, either subscribe(link on the right) in to the site or become a follower(link on the left) of these two messiahs of my sanity.

See you all soon!

The great summer vacations

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:08:00 +0000

So the summer vacations are on and though initially mommy was a little worried thinking about the super long three and a half months period at home, things have been going pretty busy so far. With chinipie's karate and swimming and few other programs thrown in between, all of us get exhausted by the end of the day.

Oh and the major part of my day goes in coaxing them to go for it. I know I might sound like a cruel or a hard mom but it's them who wanted to go in the first place. Chini had been asking me why I don't take her to swimming any more and of course, what she would be doing the entire summer. I found out the best swimming classes and enrolled her. Sugarbun just assumed that she is in too. The morning of the very first swim lessons, both if them came downstairs with their swim costumes on. Looking at sugar's excited face, I had no heart to tell her that those lessons were only for four yr olds and up and decided to play uptil the last moment. Once there, she was just not ready to accept the fact that her big sister went but not her and kept asking me why she can't go. A look at her face and I could tell that shez about to cry. So, I just took the chance and asked the supervisor if she could start and was taken by surprise when he said yes. And before I knew she was gone with an instructor and I was at their office completing the sign-up formalities. The first day was fun as the focus wasî to get the kids used to the water. And the kids were more than eager the next day.

The second day was an eye-opener for them when they were left by themselves in the mid-water. Of course, the teachers were there but not really holding them. And that's when it started. . I don't like swimming! I don't want to go! Chini even asked "why don't they hv any noodles like the last summers?" Then she realized, "it's not the same place, is it? " ummmm... actually it isn't dear! Good that u realized. So then started the daily counseling, "that's how u learn" ."that's how u move ahead. " even tried the luring trick, "oh I thought u really wanted to go to disney cruise. It's essential to know swimming for it." The first thing that came was,"what's a cruise? " So it was explained and the extra specials of all disney characters were added. And guess what it worked for a day, after which she said I don't want to go to disney at all. Uh oh! So an ultimatum was given just swim from one end to the other and we will stop the lessons. You think it worked. Of course not! Every morning, we leave the house whining. Twice, we even came back crying.

As for sugar, for the first week, she just re-iterated whatever her big sister said, though she seemed to enjoy it. Sugar was a little troubled by the chlorine water stinging in her eyes; she used to come back with watery, itchy, and red eyes each day. But that was fixed by swim goggles, and a talk with the teachers, who were not allowing the goggles at the beginners level. On the very first day of the second week, she threw up as soon as I had left her with her instructor. A friend of mine started helping her clean up while another fetched me(I usually go out of sight for a few minutes to avoid an outbreak). As soon as I reached the scene, the staff started yelling at me that I should have brought her on an empty stomach. Which was kinda true as what she had thrown up was pretty much solid, unchewed food. My little sugar actually just gulps all her food. Yeah still! So, my guess is something must have been stuck in her throat that would have made her uncomfortable and the crying would have brought it all out- on the poor instructor albeit! Anyways the staff was rather rude and wad screaming unnecessarily in frint of the poor kid, going to an extent that this has happened again. Now wait a minute, that wasn't true and I told her that and it just changed the scene completely. Immediately, her tone softened, her voice lowered and she offered to clean up if I just took my daughter to wash up in the shower room. So, off we went, amongst the sympathetic looks of the moms in the pavilions. Once cleaned up, sugar wanted to go back to the pool and the same staff member offerrd to take her ( parents are not allowed there). She asked me if she wasn't really sick as if I would hv pushed my teeny girl in the pool if she were. All said and done, she was just doing her job but with 942 kids being coached there every single day, they must be well equipped and trained to handle such situations; then why such a hulla-balloo?

Even with all the associated drama each day, It's finally the last day of the first two-week session of the swim lessons. And I am proud to say that both the girls are floating on their back independently. Chinipie was doing well until her instructor told her that they would all go to the deep end. That's when the fear seeped in. Chini's skill level is at par with her age but it's jumping into the water that she fears the most, especially at the deep end. Sugar still doesn't know what deep means, so she just classifies it as the dark blue water.

For karate, sugar is content watching her big sister for now, who had resisted initially, her reasoning being, I am not allowed to do and say what and when I want. Later she started enjoying, even looking forward, only because her friend joined in. Good for all of us, coz this is the only thing I had decided for my kids, long before they were born. Yes, they have to, have to, have to master at least one form of martial arts. Rest anything, they are free to choose! Call me a cruel mom if you want to!

LL mania continues

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 20:33:00 +0000

Through the spring And comes to an end in the most fabulous way. Yep! This is the very cool trophy chinipie got this year. And what a wonderful season this was! Where, she knew nothing about the game At the beginning of the season, she was completely enthusastic by the season's end. Where she missed hitting the tee at the start, she was hitting the pitched balls towards the end. Where she was complaining initially, tht the boys in her team are fast and that's why she can't get the ball, she was content catching a few balls, giving them a fight. Well, I wish! I can't ever imagine my gentle chini giving anybody a fight(except me, of course!). She, instead, shows her magnanimous heart, when in one such rare hassle for the ball, she accidently gets pushed and hit and when apologized to says, amidst her sobs, "I forgive you". Yes that's my chinipie! A gentle, kind-hearted, forgiving girl! I wish I could learn that from her - forgiveness.

Well, not everything sailed smooth. She did get upset when the ball would just roll by her or when she would miss the catches. And no matter, how much I tried to calm her, she wouldn't be happy with herself. Poor mom tried passing some of her own wisdom, " it's not important whether you get them each time, more important is that you have fun playing the game", to no avail.

And then momma shared her goofiness when she totally misread the schedule and took her for a game a day ahead. Luckily, it turned out that one of the playing teams were chinipie's friend W's and his dad was the coach, who let Her play as a ringer. Not omly did it make chinipie's day but saved the momma from a meltdown later. It turned Out that the two friends were extremely delighted to be in eah other's company and were so busy sharing their feelings that they didn't even notice the ball rolling away in between them. And, very aptly, they were nicknamed 'romeo-juliet'. It just happenned that the very next game were their teams aginst each other but that didn't deter their happiness of seeing each other on the field again. And every single time, they were at the same base, they were seen chatting away happily together. ;)

And then, occasionally( actually only once or twice), she threw tantrums at the field, declaring that she didn't want to play at all. That's when her coach would step in and talk her through it. And that's what she loved most about the game- talking to her coach, who was such a positive encouragement to her. She would always have stories to tell him and sometimes, would talk about him.

"Momma, you know, my coach is getting old."
No dear. He isn't.
"He really is. I heard him saying that on the field the other day."
I am sure, he was using that just as an expression.
" No he wasn't. He really sad so"
Ok. Now who would refute that?!

Well, let's nOt forget sugarbun at all, who was amazing throught the series, cheering for her sister, assisting her with her glove n cap, giving her water, and most of all being so nice and co-operative with momma throughout the game. Even, little sugar loved talked to the coach. Once, she surprised all of us by walking up to him after the game, chirping excitedly, "my dad says I can't go to the t-ball game in my underpaants!!!" Before, I could even absorb what I just heard, to my relief, coach, who I guess knew better how to handle such situations, said,"You never know what's coming, isn't it?"

Let's get busy

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Wed, 30 May 2012 21:27:00 +0000

As we grow, we continue to experiment with our vocabulary, sometimes, to the point of sending momma rolling off to the floor.

The allergies and moustaches

Like sugar who mysteriously grows a moustache anywhere. I got a moustache on my arm. The next day it woud be on her tummy. On asking what is a mustache, she avidly changes the topic.

Recently, she switched to energies(for allergies). She would often be found complaining I got peanut energy to even the minutest dry skin rash/ heat rash on her and sometimes on momma, too.

Sesame Outing

Ever since chinipie's birthday outing at the sesame place, we have fallen in love with the place and as the summer heat rises up, sugarbun is ready to put on her babing suit and go on to enjoy the rides there. Her favourite one is the roller poster.

The Silence

Is usually threatening as it's guaranteed to mean that they are upto something, which would result in more task for the poor momma. During these times,
Barbies gets a hair cut la-snip-its-style. With hair locks being fed into the toy-machine(the picnic bench with a hole in it) and a toy being thrown out as a reward.

Dental Floss is pulled out to the last string and is used either to decorate the whole house from top to bottom or as a collar and chain for the plush puppies or just to tie up anything and everything. On being questioned, comes the smart reply, "I didn't do it. The other one did it. I just found it and used it". Where else would you see the mantra of 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle' more aptly followed?

Toilet rolls are used to make waterfalls and the lakes beneath. If momma objects, we try to roll it back. If she doesn't, we remind her to say, "Do not make the waterfall." Really? So all this is done just to get her attention/reaction??

If that's so true, then what about that one time when the entire brand new roll was flushed in the toilet, resulting in an overflow of the past three days of , uhm let's just say, oranic manure.? Was that to get momma busy or to contribute to the environment?

Spring through our eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Thu, 10 May 2012 01:28:00 +0000

Beautiful pansies in our frontyard

Dancing Daffodils

The Ever Busy Squirrel

And we caught her again!

Pink Truffula Tuft! (courtesy Lorax)

Pretty!

Nandina Berry and the Cherry Blossom

Crocuses

White Trufula-tuft!

Chini's photography

The little log!

White Trufula Tuft Again!

The little red flower!

Wow!!

A lone Leaf!

Sugar's current favorite color!

How we keep busy

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:43:00 +0000

This is how we kept ourselves busy when trapped inside the house(read when momma couldn't take us out). Creativity and Nature at it's best!

Duck

Finger puppet

In action!

Home-made play dough

Rocks with trees (i guess)

Rainbow Rock with a turtle

Stegasaurus

Dora as clicked by chinipie

Shadow photography (momma experimenting)

Another one

Bark of some tree in our frontyard

Little League

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 03:19:00 +0000

That's right! Chinipie had her first official game today! Can't believe my little girl is already playing league games now! The day started with the team coach handing everybody out the team-shirts and hats (light blue color), followed by a parade with all the kids holding the team flag(had each team-members name written on it, pretty cool, isn't it?) and then the individual and the team photo-sessions. Chini was all excited for it as she had liked her team when we had gone for one practice session on the 9th. Additionally, when lined up for the parade, her best friend W. from school was spotted in the other team(his dad n coach had come to say hi to her). She is since hoping to play against him very often. The parade was a short one and she did good sitting with her team later and chatting with her coach, who patiently answered all her questions. Unfortunately, just before the photo session, she was hit by the ball on her pretty little nose and the poor thing had a forced smile in all the pictures. Still, her spirits were high and was ready to play the game two hours later.

For benefit of those, who are trying to make guesses what I am talking about, little league is non-profit Organization holding Local baseball games for the youth, starting with tee-ball for the littlest ones(5yrs old). It's a great way of imbibing team spirit and introducing the sports to young kids. Frankly, even I do not have much knowledge either about the sport or the game and am hoping to learn along with chinipie. It had all started with, we being stuck in the house for so long as I had cancelled their gymnastics classes post-acc. Chini had been really good and understanding all this While but recently started complaining about not going anywhere and on searching online, I came accross this and wasn't even sure, if she could be enrolled(as she is not even five yet). Still, I took a shot at it and exchanged a few e-mails with the league members and when they said, she could, I just went ahead and registered her even if that meant that I had pay the late fees and that I had the onfirmation email just a couple hours before the second(and the last) practice session.

Oh! In case I forget, there was a bake sale on the grounds, for which momma had baked banana and chocolate mini-cupcakes the evening before, but in all the rush to reach the field on time, had forgotten to take them along. Yeah! That's me! Ever so forgetful and always struggling to reach everywhere on time; at the same time, trying to fit in a lot of things in between!

Like between the morning session and the afternoon game was a birthday party. So, we were rushing, stopping and then rushing again. And all points go to chinipie for still performing so good at the game! Of course, her fren W. was there to cheer for her. And credit goes to sugar, too, for co-operating with us with all the running around. So the first game was over and done with!

Post game, we went to TSA to get her a new helmet, bat, glove, and all new baseball gear! And she's all set to swing her bat in the next game!! May be, catch a ball or two, too!!!

Nature in a Basket

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:16:00 +0000

Spring in Pictures

New grass peeking from the ground

Chini collecting crocuses

Sugar feeling the soft grass

Signs of spring - new buds

Closer View

The Crocus

Our finding during our nature walk(I have no idea what these are)

Another view

Came from this tree

Moss

Our Fort!

Spidey web covered with dew(pretty!)

Another one!

And We collected these during our walk to the rainbow's end!!

Belly bean, sunscreen and TV screen!!

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 03:57:00 +0000

Today, was one of those days, which tested me in every sense and challenged me- especially with my neck n shoulder pain. Not to say, by te mid evening, the back also has, ompletely, gone for a toss. Sigh! As if mommyhood by itself was easy, that I had to experience it through this pain.

The day started with my usual perky chinipie waking up, clutching her tummy, complaining of a 'broken bone' in her tummy. Their cuteness multiplied with their innocent faces just make me sail through these times easily. So, momma checked for the broken bones and declared that she was fine enough to brush her teeth and go downstairs for her breakfast. Each chore was done with much grumble and she declared that she cannot go to school tody as she definitely was sick. finally after many-a-futile trips to the bathroom, a huge throw up on the recently-polished-living-room-couch and carpet, lightened her up. And after shedding tears for 'ultee-ing' on the much prohibited areas of the house and being duly consoled by a calm ( even, I surprised myself) momma, she chirpily went to her room, only to return, perkier than ever, dressed in a fancy tutu( which momma saves usually or the parties). Momma's shoulders had already started throbbing with pain after scrubbing the mis-routed meals of her darling child, so she just smiled n requested her to put something similar on the little sister, afraid that she might throw a fit otherwise. A few minutes later, she heard a couple of shouts(read pleas) for help n rushed upstairs to dress up a super-wiggly sugarbun.

Momma's attempt to keep them outside to get the most of the weather went vain as they kept coming back, asking her to join them. Given the pain and the amount of work (which meant cooking) that she had to, she just couldn't. So, they would play inside and after making a complete mess of their room, they came to the playroom where they spilled crayons all over and then proceeded to momma's room. Luckily, the sun was shining bright by then, and momma lured them on the deck - feeding them their lunches there(which ws khichdi n was declared the yummiest lunch ever!). Everything done fr the day, momma decided to let her tired bones absorb a little vitD and she relaxed under the smiling sun- well at least she tried to.

A distint 'arghh' 'yuck' from the washroom along with the sound of running water, disrupted chinipie's story. Yep! Tht's how a mom gets to relax- listening to non-stop chatter, that is(but who's complaining :)). So the elder one returned with the news tht sugar has cream all over her hand and shez trying to wash it off. Now, sugarbun's half day is spent wither washing her hands n feet or brushing her teeth or applying cream on herself, so momma just ignored that it will just mean the usual extra task of wiping off all the water, soap n cream off the powder room's floor n counter. Okay. Maybe, changing sugar's wet dress, too. As if taken aback by momma's non-reaction, chinipie asserted - it's the sunscreen. WHATTT!!?? THEE NEEWW ONE!! Yes, momma. HOW did she ever get it??? And, mumbling things like," you guys make things o ough for me!" and he usual, momma rushed to see sugar's face, hands, dress, bathroom counter n sink all smudged in sunscreen, while the poir thing was trying really very hard to get it off! And the more she tried, the more it got smudged!! And seeing her in plight, I just grabbed the kitchen towels (tht she had unrolled and spread all over the house earlier) and started wiping her off. Finally, getting rid of all the smudge, poor sugar relaxed and that's when I just started laughing uncontrollably and the girls, joined in too.
Sugar, why r u so naughty?
I m nt naughty!!
Then who is?
Momma is!

Ht's when chinipie led me to the couch, where the whole tube of sunscreen was squeezed out. The exact same spot where chini hd puked earlier, during the day! And thus started scrubbing -round 2!

With so much UV protection on them, the girls definitely needed a bath n then came the newer struggles for momma. Invariably, for past couple of months, they give me a tough time first getting them in the bath tub, then the whole process in there in itself, and later coming out. All in all, the toughest part of the evening was over. Once in their pjamas, they had calmed down and put in front of the 'television' while momma took a quick shower n warmed up the dinner fr them. Once dinner was done and over with, chinipie declared tat she felt much better. My tummy likes to watch tee vee. It wasn't hurting while I was watching it!

So, that and not pedialyte or momma's khichdi n lauki is the remedy for the tummy ache!!

Happy Holi

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:44:00 +0000

The weather was perfect, the girls were active, and this is how we celebrated holi(the festival of colors welcoming the spring).

Twig 1 - decorated with flowers made out of tissues dipped in food color.

Twig 2

Twig 3

The end result :)

The left over tissues used for the special holi greeting cards along with blossoms/leaves(chini's idea)

Peacock Rangoli at the doorstep

The message

And the busy hands ;)

Though, at the end of the day, momma was seen dragging her feet, holding her back with one hand and her neck with the other :)

Mom's guilt

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:26:00 +0000

So I was told to take it easy for a while. That meant no cooking for a while. Well, I did follow it - for a while that is. Until today. It so happened that we had the veg curry and a side dish, *(courtesy a friend and DH) but, a very important part of our diet was missing - dahi(yogurt). And another ingredient missing from our dinner plate was roti(bread). We came to know of an aunty who provides home-made rotis to the destitute like us. The dad was told in the morning to get them while coming back from work. Also, he was requested and reminded, at least, a hundred times to come home earlier than usual (not his normal 10 o'clocks). So, the dad cancelled his 6:30 meeting to pick up the rotis and dahi for his darling daughters. As luck would have it, he could reach home not before 8:00.

Of all days when momma rushes after them with the food, the girls chose this day to dutifully sit at the dining table at 6:45 sharp! It broke momma's heart to see her girls hungry- waiting for the dinner to be served. When she didn't have the plate ready. Mentally she calculated the time it would take to make the dough and roll out two breads for her jigar ka tukdas, but then, she remembered the last time when it had sent her head rolling and she toughened herself to save her emotions for later when she gets completely well. And that would happen only if she gave her a chance to recover. And then, it would be a few minutes when dad would be home! So she distracted the kids with their favorite episodes. Meanwhile, the veggies were heated up, the salad was cut, and the water bottles were filled. At 7:15, she checked on the kids again. Looking at their momma, they rushed back to the dining table, seating themselves. While momma wondered at her little marvels, who chose this very day to show such obedience, she wished within, for them to return to their normal bratty self - when she had to scream, at the top of her lungs, to have them seated - unmoving, so that she could shove the meals inside them. Not today, though. "Momma, what did you make? what did u make? And the guilt-struck momma, right then, there would have melted in water, if she wouldn't have seen those two faces - waiting for their dinner. So, she started feeding her little bird-lings - the salad, the veggie and the curry. And hungry as they were, they could have eaten a horse right then! Half-way through, the dad made his royal entry and the chicklings spared the horse and nibbled on the tiny bits of, probably, the yummiest roti they had.

The Lorax

noreply@blogger.com (Chiniiz n Sugarz Mom.. Swati) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 03:36:00 +0000

The Lorax was released yesterday and what a perfect timing.. On the birth snniversary of Dr.Seuss whose books we have fallen in love at the moment. Though, we still had to read what this book/ movie was about, we still went ahead to watch the movie and what a great piece of work done! Despite all my aches and ains, I am glad we went as a family together as it was a much welcome distraction for all of us. If you have read the book already, there's some extra punch added in which makes it all the more entertaining. And this is the movie, which is a must watch in 3D. Really, I mean it! There are so many 3D movies out there, which leaves u wondering why did I pay so much for it. But this is one movie, which just justifies all the extra spent on 3D.. With all it's specal effects and everything.

And what a lovely message- save the trees! My girls just love the cute bar-ba-loots now and can't help repeating,"I am Lorax and I speak or the trees!" The stone left behind by Lorax near once-ler's house with the word "UNLESS" has left a deep imact on them. And this being early spring, the trees are loaded with beautiful blossoms which have been aptly named as the lovely 'trufula-tufts'. though, they got little scared of the mean guy o'hare but loved the real hero of the movie- the granny!

Not to mention, there was a quiz session for me afterwards, "why was there only one seed left?" "why did the mean guy not want to plant it?" " why did onceler stay in dirty place?" " why did he not show his face earlier?" "why did he come out later?" "why did Ted wan to meet onceler?" "why did onceler cut all the trees?" " why did he call all his family?" And so On and so forth. After I exhausted all my answer bank, I got the book frm the nearest library and we read it again and again together. It's our current favourite.
We have talked about importance of trees, the life within trees and other ways to save nature. I am not sure if they understood whole of it, but at least they got the concept.

Lorax floor puzzle

And not to mention, we absolutely love that little guy called Lorax and the tiniest of all barbaloots too!
Have you watched the movie yet? Do u like it? What about the book? Have you read it?