Light Fare!!

Diwali, is one of the most important festival of the Hindu Calender. This year it was celebrated on 17th October 2009.Diwali means a festival of lights and prosperity, victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. It is our Christmas and New Year Rolled into one.

For us, importance and significance of festivals have mutiplied more, due to Aditi. Away from home, it is a big challenge for both of us to teach Aditi about the Indian values and traditions.

This Diwali became a more significant as we thanked Goddess Laxmi and Lord Ganesh for our beautiful first home. Preparation for the festival started a few days in advance by cleaning the house, shopping for the day and making sweets. I am glad that Aditi took part in all the activities wih full fun and thrill.

Aditi and myself enjoyed making of Rangoli (floral patterns on the floor) which is must on Diwali. It was cold outsie, but thankfully not pouring down!!!!!!!!!!! Aditi enjoyed with

the brushes and those strokes were eyectaching, she was not willing to give me the brushes back.

A prayer ceromony was performed in the 17th evening.The house was lit with floating tea lights and electric colourful bulbs. Aditi noticed the changes in the house . her comments were Oh nice!! and see!!!!!!!!!!!

No Diwali is complete without indulgent vegetarian meal and fireworks (as it is a religious day, many also shun alcohol). But I think by that time it got too late for Aditi and she wanted her bed. She kind of enjoyed the fireworks and food. Fireworks here to India is very different. I really miss my Indian style of firework. For my brother crackers were never sufficient and I feel Rahul is also the same when it comes to buying fireworks (typicall man thing!!)

On the whole we enjoyed the day to the fullest, and the day remains really special: I hope it never changes.

DIY Skills !

We did not realise how important is to have DIY skills until we bought our own house in this country. Being born and bought up in India our DIY skills were not great. Infact they are not that great still, but we both are catching with them as when the job demands and it’s not both of us, but our toddler is also learning with us.

It was really surprising to see her one day using the measuring tape on outside walls, while I was hanging the washing out. The way she was using it really amazed me and I had no choice except to grab

those actions in the camera. It did not seem one off but her love for the retractable tape is amazing. Enjoy her photos in action.

She picked up the use of measuring tape when she saw both of us using the tape while we were looking for the furniture and other stuff in the furniture showrooms. This also proves how clever the kids are in imitating their parents and watch out everything so closely.

Her screwdriver skills are noteworthy too. She does pick the tool when required, then play with a screw driver left and right and show us the perfect fit.

It is just so much fun seeing her doing all these and using the tools which is not meant for this age, but I think that is how the kids are, they never play with the toys, but always find things attractive, which are not meant for them!!!

Aditi is aware of the drill and its function. . So when in use, she would get a broom and brush is handy to clean up.

Splashing Around!!!

We had bought a paddling pool a month or two before, but could never get around to setting it up sans the Brit weather. Then finally we had magnificent sunshine, with temperatures soaring to the 20s plus! perfect for the pool time.

It took a while for Papa and Mummy to pump the air in it ( nice work out it was!!!) and to fill it up with buckets of water. Somehow Aditi is not very comfortable in cold water so we had to make

sure the water was luke warm. Intially Aditi never wanted to go inside and just wanted to play from outside, but she was put in the pool forcefully by her dadda (that’s what she calls Rahul) and then would never want to come out of it. Dabbling, paddling, splashing bathing and drinking the same water, throwing water all over and then bubbling around were the sporting events. Eat a big bowl of custard and wished if sleeping was possible.The second long bath was brilliant and refreshing as she was used the pool now.

Then drained the water and tried to fill water again for the third but never happened!!!!!!!!!

Me Likey Ice Cream!

My God it's just delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let it Snow!!!!!!!!!!!

February of this year has been crunchy, slushy and slippery for this part of world! It had been that white heavy stuff fallen after 18 years, which bought this modern developed country to stand still.
I could see that most people had a good fun filled snow day! Why not because sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, and snow is exhilarating. So, shall treat you to more of the same. Day began at 6:00am. I looked outside the window and was really delighted seeing everything covered in white. I just get excited when I see snowfall and somewhere that hidden child wakes up. Well thanks to this country where we manage to see snow as never saw it before. Everywhere was confusion and uncertainty. Would the office be open, should take a bus, call for a cab to go office rather then driving down? Would

the buses be running? Gradually news began to appear on radio and TV announcing schools and Colleges are cancelled, bus services are running on limited routes etc...
For kids it was fun and news to be excited as schools were closed, but for parents was not at all as it was difficult to arrange for a last minute childcare.
An abundance of closures, cancellations and mourning around!!
Well, whatever people have to say and mourn about, we three decided to have fun by making our ever FIRST snow man and driving down on snowy roads. Because when it snows, you have two choices: shovel or make snow angels. We decided making of snowman activity was a necessary activity since it

was our first snow man and the prospect of throwing snow balls was beginning to look exciting. It was Aditi‘s ever first snowfall and first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event to enjoy.
Thanks to Papa who was our proper sculptor and took all those efforts of carving snow into snow man while Aditi and myself watched her standing under an umbrella. Not the best snow man, but manage to give him a shape and some nice features. No doubt our snowman was outstanding one due to the bright lights wrapped around his neck (Mummy’s Idea!!!)

On the whole it was just the day full of fun, excitement and snow!!!

And the baby turns one!!!

Oh yes! Our angel has grown so much in 12 months and we have every sweet bit with it. This has been a great year for both the new parents.

We simply refreshed our memories with her photos, dresses and hospital incidents on this day. It was a very long waiting day in the hospital, but that long wait and patience paid at last..... when midwife handed Aditi into our arms.

Big Day started by taking Aditi to the temple and was blessed by God on 3rd November 2008.

It was a day
We got to see those tiny fingers and tiny toes,
Bright baby eyes, cute baby nose;
Hears baby gurgles and baby sighs,
A Mom and Dad sing lullabies.
Life is changed,
It’s fun to spend glad hours each day,
Taking time for all the good
That came along with Parenthood.
It was the day we got to say, We’re happy you were born,
Our Sweetest joy!!!!
Happy Birthday

The day was just full of fun ,with activities, gifts and phone calls from family and friends. It was more of family affair. The reason for that being one year old won't appreciate a party. Too young to undesrtand to socialise, or even realise much of what's going on. We thought there'll be plenty of occasions in years to come when she can do the whole music, group games and party bag menu.
Her Birthday gift was much needed high chair, sitting on which she really enjoys!!! and those first black pair of walking shoes with pink crystals on them.

A day after her birthday, she took sweets for her friends at Childminder's place, which were rapped colourful, nicely by mummy with the help of Papa.

It was time well spent by taking Aditi out for photo shoot and enjoy eating that yummy Fresh Fruit cake. Believe me it was really yummy!!!!!!!!!! with all those fruits layers on it.

Later in the day Phil and Divina came down to wish her a very happy birthday. It was nice of them to come with those puppets as birthday gift.

In the night we took Aditi to Feast India where she enjoyed her three course meal.

Oh!! our angel you will always be our star and it is just fun seeing you growing, laughing and smiling. Seeing you growing I have started believing in the miracles of God.

Since, you climbed a ladder by turning into a beautiful toddler from a gorgeous baby, we both look forward to your more funful toddler activities.

Mundan Ceremony

Tonsuring/Hair Shaving(Mundan) is an important ceremony in Hindu communities.Also known as Chaula or Choodakarana is performed in the first or third year of a child.

In some communities, it is only for the boys. The first haircut, is believed to get rid of the child of his past life's negativity. Some also believe it helps relieves headache and pains associated with teething. It is also a common thought, it stimulates cells and improves blood circulation, which helps thick and glossy hair.

Apart from the Indian community, Chinese and Mongolians also observe similar traditions. Every family has its own traditions for performing the mundan ceremony. Some perform it at home inviting the barber at home on the lap of the bua. Now-a -days, many choose to take their children to a salon or beauty parlour where special mundan haircuts may be offered, bit modern and stylish!!!!

Aditi’s mundan was done in Thane, India on 9th September 2008 (10 months old). Local barber came home and did that painstaking job of shaving off my girl’s beautiful black silky hair. It was emotional for all, seeing it all happen. Aditi was all hue and cry initially, all over Neha , our niece then the milk bottle calmed her. Panic struck, when she out of control, Dadaji went to fetch a vanilla ice cream, I was giving her mobiles, dad was with the camera and a toy the grand mom was with toy having train noises, Phupha was with camera capturing the best shots, all engaged in the family trying to divert attention. Mom was ready with turmeric paste, the antiseptic. The barber was good and finished well in less than half hour. Aditi got blessed on her smooth head, many times. No doubt she looked gorgeous as always. Neha was then gifted a contemporary bracelet. She was then bathed and wore a new dress gifted by Bua. We got boondi laddoos and ice cream to relish it off for all hard work. It was fun family affair and Aditi just kept touching her head trying to come to terms what suddenly changed.

I am sure, later on, when she grows up she will also have a good laugh reading this and seeing the pictures.