This and that...

Not sure why it took me this long for the next post. But its just been a good summer with the parents ofcourse.

Firstly AL recovered, feels much better - Thank Goodness. The girls want to be home with the Gparents all the time and not goto daycare. Very happy for that. But downside is the drop offs are that much harder now. But they still do go most days and stay home a couple of days a week. Its been a pretty warm summer, no complaints. Beach - check. Blue Berry Farms - check. My in-law's family friends home visit - check. Stroll in downtown this weeked - check. Lazed at home doing nothing but watching the Olymics Saturday- check. So a good mix of activities.

Downtown stroll particularly was pretty good and relaxing on Sunday. Weather was awesome. We took a nice long stroll after lunch. I am glad we skipped the Children's Museum - the indoor play areas are good for winters, why get stuck indoors again. Although its a very good place for kids. The girls enjoyed the stroll and AG and AL both walked a lot with us looking around and having fun munching on a few gold fish :-) Simple pleasures I tell ya...!

Friday was Varalakshmi vratham. Its my 8th vratham, wow time flies. This is something practised at my husband's side and I picked it up after marriage from my MIL. Couldnt help but think of her and say a silent prayer for her enthusiasm in various poojas. My first one after marriage was guided by her, since it was the very next next day after our Wedding day in August. The next one being in 2007 when she was in US. In 2011 the girls wore those mini saris and she totally loved it and had so many comments and thoughts to share on the girls. She always appreciated that at the time of poojas and traditional ceremonies I always ensure to appear completely dress appropriately in sari etc. She complimented me that it was beautiful to see 3 of us ladies in sarees which even people in India dont wear any more to perform a pooja even once a year. The wedding year and 2007 we celebrated many festivals together and after that the very last and major pooja she participated which I am glad to be present for was Kailasha Gauri Vratham. Which was quite the coincidenece as we were to leave India to go back to the US and our flights got postponed due to snow storms as if to just attend the pooja. Some things are just meant to be. I was there through out with her in Dec 2010 roughly a year before she passed away. And was the scariest part to watch her not complain but know she is not ok physically but just getting through it with just her will power. Just her will power.

So this year we had a simple one with AL and AG all curious with all pooja items and AG wanted to dress in a sari like me. AL refused to and she was happy splashing and sprinkling stuff around. This is the third consecutiive with my mother around so that's great!

July 27th was my birthday per the Hindu calendar so with the pooja etc didnt do much but good to have the whole family around. The girls are 2 years and 2 months :)