Winter beauty

So snow has finally arrived since winter has set upon us. It’s cold yet beautiful everywhere.  Nature and its seasons really amazes me. In New England we are blessed with 4 clear seasons and each season is so beautiful. I really cannot complain about it anymore. It sure has its shortcomings like any other season but this too shall pass like it does every year. This peace and quiet around is amazing!

Girls are very happy with winter and its snow. Despite getting their first cough and cold bout they maintain cheerful faces and run around. We have to really learn from such cherubic angels to live in the present and not complain. They are the fuel to our engines, truly such a pleasure to watch them grow and care for them.  We put up or first Christmas tree and Alex (after Alexander the Great!) our little elf arrived home this year. Life’s simple pleasures I must say.

As this turns out to be a busy December at work and is keeping me on my toes, my cooking adventure has also been going very well. I reached another personal milestone. A target I put for myself to cook and learn that I hadn’t tried before. Something very satisfying about cooking I love and enjoy. I put a lot of thought into methods and ingredients and it’s close to heart.

Girls are growing up as usual and talking a lot. Its simply amazing to see the kind of things they say and do now. One moment they teach me how to cook and another time they need to be held and embraced. Truly, girls are girls. They are Daddy’s girls and Mommy’s girls! Only those who have them know how blessed they are!

Thanksgiving and its been 2 years...

Thanksgiving at DE and PA was so much fun, Friends, pujas, dance parties sums up our 5 day trip.

As a friend purchased new home we were able to attend and as one big family and spend some good time. Even squeezed in a birthday party and attended my first even Sai Baba vratham Puja which I never did before in anyone’s house.  And then hanging out was a lot of fun. Kids did great; they had a lot of fun playing with friends.  Now we are busy planning NYE.

It was MIL’s 2^nd anniversary which we performed here. Went as planned and scheduled.

I should get back to more blogging amid all the fun….

Hiatus

Been away from this space for a while now, why? Well, for no apparent reason. Days and weekends have been nice and full! From lake house trips in Fall to NH with kids and the gang to sleepovers to birthday parties (almost every weekend!) to kids very first performance on stage at a social event and the umpteen practice sessions that I conducted for a dozen crazy 3-4 year olds in the basement for the event, to our first Diwali in our new home! It’s been awesome! And then my regular drives to and fro work and home are getting more and more scenic by the day, getting to appreciate the nature – fall at its peak and then the quiet winter setting in, amid some beautiful sunsets I have never seen before – it’s like the sky is strewn with these pink, orange and grey streaks! I look into the sky and there is this weird sadness that sinks in and then it reminds me of this amazing lady who has left me and my family with some amazing memories, my grandmother….and its back to our crazy routine with the kids who are growing up too fast and always bringing excitement and joys and reminding me of simple pleasures and be thankkful and grateful for what I have!

LOST!

That is what I have been feeling since over a week – just lost; when you lose a family member who is the backbone of the family for years and has an aura around her. A lady I was so proud of and derived my strength and heritage from, and someone who possessed so much radiance and warmth that it was beyond comparison. How am I to overcome such loss? Helpless is what I feel as my Ajji was found with a stroke and she was laid to rest few days back. A lot of emotions and memories, lots to talk about, I am unable to even pen down this loss right now. Absolutely not come to terms with it and at this point not even sure if I ever will. All I want ..............is this little lady with salt/pepper hair lying down with me on the sheet spread over the cool floor, on a hot summer afternoon, smelling of amrutanjan, fighting her sleep, narrating Ramayana and I would stop her at the part when payasam was being served to King Dashratha before the sons were born and I would get distracted and ask her to make some for me and that she would, a small portion just enough for me which I would lap like a puppy and then lie down again for her to continue the story until I napped.

Apples and Blueberry picking :-)

Aha!

The fact that we exactly get back what you give is such a simple logic yet so profound. If you disrespect someone disrespect or apathy is all you will get. You shower genuine love and concern that is what you will get. Yes kids let you take a step back and revise all your basics that way, don't they?. The person who gives attention and talks lovingly they will respond and reciprocate and develop bonding. Take a step back and think what have you given before you expect something or anything - isn't it?

Snoooze!

Snoozing the alarm 3 days in a row! Whattay week! :)

Thank God it's a short week!

Whattay week!

It’s been a crazy absolutely CRAZY but the fun type crazy week. Not sure where I should even begin. FOOD + FRIENDS = FUN I guess. Something we always do every long weekend with our friends from other states but we stayed local this time. In summary we had planned sleepovers with the local gang for the first time.  Friday we had a Karaoke night in the neighborhood at a friend’s. Then Saturday fruit picking – blueberries and apples and hayride at the Farm and we had 3 more families come stay over. It was like a wedding party home. Chaos and fun, I cooked a lot, cleaned a lot, exhausting late nights and sleep deprived but fun. We then shifted base to another friends Sunday night after Saturday night at our place. Due to inclement weather had to skip the whole picnic by the lake plan. Headed home Monday to host our friends from CA staying over for this week.  A short week and luckily quiet one at work (calm before the busy 4 weeks actually), so have been snoozing the alarm for an hour before I wake up. Plus kids have started a new class with new teachers and they think it’s a temporary thing and ask me when they go back to the old class when I drop them off.  They miss the old class without them knowing it.

Growing up I spent a lot of time at my Grandparents and somewhere looking at my Grandmom hosting people, cooking last minute for surprise visitors just became part of our life. In fact it was every single day. My grandparents were social butterflies and never cringed that they had to make extra coffee or tea or tiffins or meals or if someone stayed over their comb goes missing or the sugar dabba kept in the wrong place, it’s just too PETTY. There is always time after the guests leave to maintain your house the way you want or a way to get around things if it’s more mid to long term arrangement. But respecting and providing warmth and gracefully managing the situation comes with experience and am so thankful for the wonderful family I have been born into who have taught me that and also showed me the pleasure of GIVING in whatever way you can. While my Grandmom always said we should have be able to save for the rainy days. She also insisted on quality and quantity of food. Not a single day passed without giving some leftovers to the maid. She worried if there were no leftovers and I can see how it has rubbed on to me, makes me terribly uncomfortable. When you have so many people over minor wastages are part and parcel of hosting. I made a lot of Pudina Pulao for example and per my count it was more than enough for people I counted but not a morsel was left although it was apparently really good but I feel so guilty till today L  

I really hope these small things rub onto the girls. Plus I am learning so much from experience. Gaining new skills, I have never had to wait or share anything in my life being an only child. Everything was organized and kept the way I wanted where it should be. I have come a long way :) This weekend I would try to cook something for example and all kids would run around, playing very loudly, asking for so many things, my friends would need so many things from the kitchen or fridge etc or a towel - so many distractions so many things going on after only 2-3 hours of sleep for 2 days in a row I did not lose my cool or take it out on visitors or P.  Of course P is an important part in everything and pitches in both he and I dont see it as a “help” from a husband but an obvious instinct and responsibility from a family member of the house– since we do everything by ourselves unlike back home no one to makes our rotis, nor cleans the house, nor cut vegetables – we do everything from scratch and have fewer dependencies that way the perk is that we do everything as a family for our family and share the chores.

I hope the trend continues and the visitors keep coming. Until then catch up on some sleep for this weekend ;).

Pondering...

It’s been 3 years since my maternal Grandfather has passed away.  It’s one of those things I can’t express but just feeling the void. Memories of my childhood just come flooding, him teaching me shlokas, and poems and songs. My Grandfather was very kid friendly like my mother, loved children especially baby girls and played and sang to me so nicely. It feels so distant and so far away now, like another life.

Its Janmashatami tomorrow and it gets even worse.  Every single Janmashtami we have fasted in the evening and had large scale poojas in Kothi since I know and have memory and all of us sat together on the floor for simple and umpteen varieties of dishes. The Arghya recital and offering which is an important ceremony for Madhwas for Janmashtami my Grandfather used to perform.

All those days will never come back and so will this very present which will get buried in the past. And still people find enough time to hurt, insult, and gossip and what not to fellow beings.

This birthday I was thinking of how I have come full circle. I am back to being my old self in so many ways and being the REAL me; there are so many things I have to be grateful and thankful for. For all those lovely people and experiences in my life to the unpleasant ones who have taught me the hard way to value my ‘real’ relationships even more. My 2 girls who constantly help me become a better person. From the food I eat, to the things I say and I wished I had said – “its ok Amma, it happens” they tell me in the cutest of voices. I see divinity everyday in my house since these 2 angels entered my life! I am so glad I have daughters I feel truly blessed.

Ha! Finally

So many updates don’t even know where to start :)

Typical crazy summer weekends, just the way it should be - OUTDOORS!

I had a pretty quiet birthday otherwise, being a weekday and pretty busy weeks at work in general. The girls made my day by meaningfully wishing me Happy Birthday and giving some big hugs and kisses, later during the evening cutting cake and eating it with me. Simple pleasures I say! They cutely tried guessing my age starting 6 then 10 AG jumped to 50! :) I had lunch with girls at work we just got take out from favorite Sichuan place. Dan Dan noodles my favorite ;)

I had wanted a beach trip weekend after the birthday and that we did. My favorite beach – Crane beach! Kids had fun and we walked miles that day and collected shells and had a very relaxing day. Met a few friends there but absolutely loved the beach walk and kids didn't want to leave. Also went to Canobie Lake Park that same weekend. It was our first time and didn’t know what to expect but kids had a ball with the kiddie rides and then automatically so does the Mommy! They went on most rides independently which surprised me as we havent taken them to too many parks except one in PA whjch wasvery basic/small. Over all a fun and busy weekend post birthday.

Being our new home and all this time the Varalakshmi vratham was a different experience all together fun and hectic is all I can say. Having so many desis around has its perks mostly. What was supposed to be a visit from 9 ladies and them me visiting 3 or 4 houses became a good long night – almost had dinner at 10pm or so and hit the sack phew! Kids had a ball dressed in Indian clothes and P drove us around – our Pilot making frequent stops. I don’t think in India also I would have had pooja in this scale, actually am pretty sure the way festivities at home are declining in India we are doing a much better job here for all you know ;) lol  Girls also had great fun in general at home too ringing the bell and non-stop arthi time with pooja thali :)

Post that we went to Old silver beach at Falmouth on Saturday – was a total disappointment – it didn’t even come close to Crane or like Wingersheak! But after that long day we stayed over at a friend’s place watched Chennai Express even got a cut a yummy cake for the 8^th Anniv and it was over all a good weekend.

We continue to have busy weekends with some birthday party or potluck invites, but Fall is setting in as we are this close to Labor day weekend. Summer feels too short. P has done such a great job with gardening on the deck. That was totally his Project and he has done well. Sad that it will have to stop with the cold weather pretty soon, but I think our first year harvest he did a great job and I have to now use them to fullest in my cooking.

Over all been one of the busiest month/planning cycle at work too many things popped up, a lot of analysis work and to think next 2 months are going to be even busy with upcoming trainings and go-lives etc – phew! Totally looking forward to it, challenging but busier I get – the more I like it!

Week 32 Update :)

Had a good long day at Southwick zoo last to last Saturday. Kids had fun. Couple of things that even got us excited was the Deer park we could directly interact with the deer, a white peacock and a gigantic tortoise  - well there is a child in all of us :-) 

Sunday we ended up going to the Ashland temple and hence it got a little tiring, we typically always like to stay home at least 1 day over the weekend but summer is always flooded with gatherings and birthdays I guess. 

Made lot of discoveries with regards to my kids and some really deep stuff ...was discussing with a colleague and its pretty exciting to have such meaningful discussions. To stop take a step back re-emphasize on priorities and not get sucked into petty things. Totally relation to fundamental reason of "why we have kids" I hope to pen down and post it sometime when I am ready to share. 

There is also lot of new friends in neighborhoods we are making and with so many Indians its fun and as we start interacting more in the coming year with kids growing up it will nice to build some good friends for the kids in such nice neighborhoods. I am glad we made a decision to buy a home and neighborhood was a criteria. 

Other than that has been a particularly tiring week busy at work and just got some mini projects to complete next month before we get into a bigger project at work so pretty busy and long days ahead  :-) 

Realized AL got a big insect sting/bite and it became a mini-infection to which she has to take some medication. She is fine otherwise but with inflammation and pain in that area she is a little sensitive and moody. 

When the girls were about to turn 3 I tried potty training and they didn't seem interested I left it to them after that. After 2 weeks they decided to ditch  the diapers themselves. AG was first and AL slowly and cautiously tried it on and off. Now past few weeks they are doing ok although accidents happen and it happened yesterday after a long time. They take it seriously but I tell them it's no big deal. After all every child is different and there is no rush. I am quite proud of myself not trying to compare them to one another or to others and offer them a diaper if they are not ready. But it's perfectly ok to have an accident when you learn... 

Past weekend we ended up staying home, a movie and some badminton after a long time, while the kids played and Dad was off playing Volleyball :) Simple pleasures!

Updates

Its been so long and there are so many updates, but in brief:

Had a great July 4th with friends in PA. Went to Dutch wonderland and kids had a ball. Over all it was a nice, short summer getaway for us, home away from home, friends, food, kids just what you look forward to.

Then a birthday party, bhajan/kirtan and pot luck lunch this last weekend.

Summer weekends are more hectic than weekdays :-) its like weekdays its a good break sticking to routine :-) Plus a lot of enjoyable cooking and cleaning...

Its been pretty good long sultry, humid weather and loving it.

The highlight of the updates from my last post is but of course I bid adieu to my Rabbit. I missed it so much but welcoming the much needed change Honda Pilot. Been eyeing it for over 6 months and our visit to the dealer last day of Qtr 2 for test drive just paid off. Loving the ride, shiny black Pilot. Except for the parking part which I could pretty much do blindfolded with the Rabbit, Pilot is great, more space better ride etc. Kids love Mommy's big car too and a BMW sedan is kinda jealous about it :-) We certainly new mini-van was a no-no although I test drove it etc,

Miss the rabbit and couldnt help remembering about the time I got it when we found out I was preggers and kids were so young, drop offs and pick ups at that nearyby daycare etc etc memories....

Movie time

Got to watch "yeh jawani hai diwani". Reminded me of 'bachna e haseeno' nothing new, have to leave your brains aside and just focus on relaxing and gear for the weekdays ahead kinda movie. Of course appreciate the good looks and bodies these 20 somethings have and then some good moves and music. Entertainment package I guess for the weekend.

I have no idea why to some - the moment you leave India and go outside the country for your career or a change in lifestyle, you are automatically a selfish person who cannot maintain any familial relationships.BS!. Just as many people stay close to family physically and yet absolutely do not maintain relations so also people who are physically away can as well maintain much better relations. This is just a movie and that's how you have to see it I guess but cant help but wonder at times. But hey I am hindi movie buff, this movie is worth a watch and is good for some banter ;) I guess....

Phew Phews! :-)

Its taking us this long to get over 2 back to back birthday parties on Saturday :-) Plus the two places were 50 miles apart and I had one of the girls taking an overdoze of cup cakes - correction over doze of cream on the cup cakes and cakes which I had no control over. Over all a fun but tirng weekend that we had to carry forward the load for next couple of weekdays too ;) AG after eating cream from 3 cup cakes and 2 cakes at 2am on Sunday morning had a nice colourful throw up and trust me as a mom I knew that was coming. But sometimes we have to let go. She fell asleep and was on track after that much needed throw up. I couldnt digest seeing her eat that sugar how could her small little belly? Not to mention all cakes and cup cakes we savored were from Konditor Meister. By the end of it I could not take it anymore. They are undoubtedly the best, but how much of these cakes can you handle all in 1 day ;)

Oh and..

What I forgot to mention in my previous post was how we got through thier first very adult like blood test for kids for their annual check up. Last year it was ajust a prick in the finger and somehow I assumed thats what it will be this time. But I was surprised that they extracted as much as they would for adults. I wasnt with the kids inside, their dad took them one by one while I ushered them out and didnt get to see  the actual blood extraction only the final output in tubes. No tears no fuss, stickers and all worked out fine I guess they are growing up. I was very proud of them. Needless to say we have to be thanful for the wonderful nurse we got who did it so smoothly.

Fly Fly weekend

Whattay weekend. 2 birthday parties and 1 baby shower amongst usual weekend chores and grocery shopping etc. Plus we squeezed in a visit to Butterfly place nearby, so over all a good-busy weekend. But we had to give up one birthday party as we couldnt fit it in and we got double booked. Just catching up with breath etc..

Butterfly place was much smaller than expected and was an interesting short visit. Being an instragram addict that I have become clicked a bunch of pics..Saw some really neat colorful butterflies and some chinese quails too. Was a short and quick entertainment for the kids and us.

Sunday night finishing up some pending work to begin the week ahead...

...

Woke up Saturday morning paranoid and painful memories of a dream.. It happens to me when I have disturbed sleep, like wake up and try to sleep again early morning after being wide awake and there you are up with some silly or random or freaky dream and freaky this time it was. Stuck in Chicago and the dad and AG go for a walk and she is missing and we are not able to find her. I hated it, absolutely hated it and hated myself for such a bad dream. I couldnt get over it - phew! some of these dreams seem so real and absolutely freak you out and heart starts pounding and all that. Its one of the fears after being a parent makes you so weak in your knees its your beautiful daughters.

The root cause of this was a discussion with colleagues about letting go when your kids grow up. An older aged colleague was talking about her daughter giving birth and the whole experience and another daughter who recently joined college and will be away from home for the first time etc. I was in tears that some day it will be me. A big fat lump in my throat. I was telling her indeed it passes by so soon. Once in a while we have sleep deprivation and smaller complaints about naughtiness I pass on, through this blog and to my parents but I take great pride in it. Fact is I enjoy it. All this lack of sleep phase, fussing over them... I love it. Though people often ask questions like "how are you managing? must be tough with kids/twins, I hope they dont trouble you or inconvenience your routine etc etc" It makes me wonder how can it be?. It was our choice to have kids and we love every bit of our routine and them....

Saturday took the girls to my friends' place for lunch hoping P would get some much needed sleep but he started some work around the house of putting shelves etc in the garage and then it continued on Sunday. Sunday we just stayed home. And I watched couple of movies while kids napped. Kai po che the ending part was due to be completed so I completed that and then saw Jab tak hai jaan. I exactly knew what type of movie I was watching with the latter, no surprises there, some 80's type over done tale.

 After the long weekend the weeks ahead seem rather long to think about it.

And then they turned 3!!!

So A&A's big day arrived. They had decided on the cake colors and shape and characters they wanted this time and they were more sure about it. At 2 they suggested what type of cake they wanted but it kind of kept changing every time I would ask them. I even had AG arrange napkins counting every kid who would be coming home for lunch and to celebrate their birthday. It was awesome to watch her. AL wanted to be responsible to give return gifts, I didnt find her one time so I gave it instead, she turned up out of nowhere and got upset and she took it back and she then handed it over again. She is the official "giver" in our family now (AG is the hoarder - joy of twins!) :-)

So the cake was from Konditor Meister as it has been for the previous 2 years, its almost a tradition now. So Saturday was their birthday per Hindu calendar so we went to the temple, picked up cakes for next day and picked up grocery also. It was a long tiring day on Saturday as weather was lousy wet and cold (I know and its supposed to be summer?) so we got pretty tired since all 3 places were in different directions. We invited about 4 other families for lunch next day, it was a simple get-together. Initially we thought we would order food. But since there were only 11 adults and 7 kids I decided to cook myself a simple meal which turned out to be yummy - thank goodness. I was a tad bit nervous since I wanted everything to go well when its to do with kids. I made: Rajma/kali daal and Raita with Peas Pulao and Pau Bhaji. For starters we baked samosas we got from outside and paneer tikka as well. Dessert was Rasamlai which was also from outside. I cooked everything the same day morning and it went well.

It was Dora and Diego themed, so we got lots of streamers, balloons those big sized Dora Diego balloons, cups, plates etc as well and filled the hallway with decorations and Dora/Diego Happy Birthday banners and balloons of course. At lunch I got a lot of compliments for the yummy food which I gladly accepted ;) My friends mom visiting from India thought my Pau bhaji was really yum, and a friend loved my Rajma/kali daal so that's nice. Girls were getting a bit tired so we cut the cake in the afternoon after lunch and we all enjoyed the cake. Evening everyone left and then one family was supposed to stay over but their son wasnt feeling too well so they left. Over all it was a simple and fun day! Due to wet and rainy weather we couldn't do some outdoor activities planed with the kids like zoo, farm etc which hopefully we can do coming weekends sometime. We distributed cake to all our new neighborhood friends and at work and now back to routine but hey its a short week!.

Girls I tell ya!

AL:

"Mumma I am tired" - yaaawwn

"I have a headache, two two headaches"

Later I ask is your headache gone? you had two - two of them?

"No, now its only, 1"

AG:

When doing a puzzle and pointing to state of Georgia. AG asks "Is that where George is from?"

(Curious George she means).

Think twice before you judge another MOM

Recently I stumbled upon some forward that reminded a mom, no matter what "you are a good mom". Some moms do it one way others do it another way, it still makes you a GOOD MOM.  Remember being perfect is impossible and its a myth. It was nicely written and should have saved it perhaps. Its happened only once to my face my kids and I were criticized by another mom, I swallowed it, as it wasnt the right time to respond and on hindsight it's a good thing I could have said such nasty things but how would I be different then?. But I was mad, as a mom I know best what my kids need and each child is precious and different. But I think sometimes until you have 2 kids people will not realize how much more different and more effort it is to raise twins and 2 very different children from the same parents. And I have had a lot of my friends acknowledge it to me now who did not realize it earlier. As a MOM compassion and empathy for other moms should be nurtured. 

:-)

Had a pretty good weekend. Met my best friend SJ after like 7 1/2 years, last I met her was at our wedding. So many things have happened in our lives since then. She couldnt bring her 6 month old baby boy with her but she came to see me just for a day. She left the sonny boy at NY at her sister's for the first time as she is concluding her 3 month journey and heading back to Australia. It was truly awesome to see her and spend time with her and the girls grew fond of her quite easily. This all one needs true and sincere friends around you. It was like it hasnt been 7 1/2 years at all....we've been good friends since like 1994 or so...wow! seems so long now..

This and That...

So kids had fun over the weekend at a birthday party, cake, ice cream and new toys when you visit someone's house. I must say our friend like most people was very accomodating as kids were exploring the toys.

Sunday we stayed home and did usual stuff...

We gave a shot at potty training the girls, we were not too serious and so were they. Earlier this year they seemed quite ready but with new house moving and lots to do we were not ready for them. Now finally when we are ready they seem to be taking it as a joke. Anyway I did not pressurize them we will probbaly wait and try later seriously. Most people say the later you try the better it is in a way as you wont have prolonged period of accidents and messes, plus each kid is different and I have 2 very different kids of the same age so its that much more challenging in a way...

I got out of 2 work trips, next week I was supposed to goto WI and August end to Germany. I managed to get out of both. Thank goodness, hoping for a no-flight year this year!

Next week kids are gonna turn 3 -unbeilvable! Has it been that long? Hmm yes it has...

Last 2 days the weather colled down again, OMG where is spring?

Stuff!

Reached another personal milestone in cooking this week. Mighty pleased with myself.

My excercise routine has gone to the dogs for 1 month now, so need to do something about that...

Getting through the warranty punch list with our builder which is always not easy, in terms of completion times not happening as anticipated. Hopefully the wrap it up soon. They need to fix some grout in the tiles for the master bath...

Quotes

Read this somewhere

"The biggest mistake most human beings make:
Listening half
Understanding quarter
Telling double"

kinda true right?

And then "a lot of problems would disappear if people talked to each other instead of about each other..."

Happens all the time especially if the mediator is living upto the quotation above.. :-)
....

More the merrier..

So this weekend we have had more people over. 2 of my colleagues and 1 family of which lives in our community came down with their families for lunch, we had a nice time. It was a potluck. Girls got their nap and back to another playdate plus dinner another family came over from South of Boston, a bit of a drive now, had a good time again. Their 1 year old baby girl was adorable. Couldnt help but rewind how soon my girls are growing up. Today, Sunday it is routine stuff. I finally did something which was on my to-do a list - which is a recipe and am happy with myself for that. The allergies are continuing in the household for now. P had it, I have a bad throat etc.

My colleague who also came for lunch yesterday has her sister's family visit her for over a month or so, I like her mature, friendly and we are chai buddies at work meaning we take our chai breaks together after lunch. Somehow in conversations she mentioned that she invited her sister's family over and she has a naughty and restless 7 year old boy, although she lives by herself and has no kids and is particular about how her house should be neat and everything has a "space" just like we all like to be in an ideal state, the fact that guests and especially kids are around you should be prepared for some level of changes otherwise don't have people over and be vocal and blunt about it. I was surprised and thought such a small thing but very nicely said. I have in my lifetime even met people with kids who behave so irrationally with other people's kids when they are noisy, messy I was actually disgusted. Every kid is different and every kid is precious and she even though not a mother understood that, bravo! nice to be associated with people who are sensible...

It was refreshing to also catch up with my other friend in the evening. Our lives our similar and parallel with 2 kids, full time jobs, houses to maintain by ourselves, we cook a lot and wouldnt trade any of it for anything else and we are very like-minded in a lot of things...

Loooong week!

It feels like a rather long week, not because of kids but mainly cos I am a bit under the weather. Sore throat and a bit stuffy, body ache and lack of sleep is making it a long tough week. Impact of changing weather conditions.   :-)

Dentist!

So today finally took the girls for their first Dental appointment. It was a quick check up, to ensure nothing is really bad out there and the girls also listen, hear and understand that they need to brush twice a day from an outsider to re-emphasize oral hygiene. The Dentist was so good she made it so easy with toys and books around, they got balloons, foody bags, got their picture taken with the Doctor. They counted how many teeth they had, followed instructions to open their mouth wide - super cute! Over all was fun and easy! I was very nervous as it was the first time..

Oh! and a very young distracted driver came and bumped into my car from behind. It was on a regular internal road just when we had almost reached the dentist's office and traffic had slowed down and she missed that, I was with AG who was surprised, it was just a basic jerk as speeds were  so low Thank goodness! I was agitated though as I was with AG and didnt like her experiencing it one bit. Luckily nothing happened to my car although I still will get it examined, exchanged insurance details anyway as per protocol...moral of the story "accidents happen sometimes mumma" :-)

Bad cold etc

AL has a bad cold since Friday. I didnt feel like sending her to daycare wiht her stuffy nose so stayed home with her today. She is a darling! Looks like its allergies as her eyes were watering and same time P also felt he was coming down with allergies and he eventually did. It has struck me also and I have a sore throat.

I sent AG as she really wanted to go and show off her new shoes to school teachers she was all excited about it. It was funny how we had to convince her last night she cannot sleep with her shoes on or holding them in her hand, she finally agreed to leave it under the bed and wear it in the morning and which she religiously did sharp at 6:30am :-) Thought how we could have cross checked such stories with my Mother-in-law had she been there to relate her nature with P when he was as young as her, there are so many anecdotes I cant keep up with and make notes about them...

One of our good friend's had a baby boy last Friday, their second born and we really liked the name of the baby, it was one of my shortlisted names also if we were to have a boy. They were craving for a girl second time at least as they had a boy already but alas! Its raining boys almost 3-4 families in our friends circles have had boys or are expecting a boy. Its a phase some months all you hear is boys then its all girls.. :-)

Interestingly a colleague of mine was commenting the other day how lucky we are to have 2 daughters. Initially everyone thinks there is no difference between a girl and a boy and to some extent some people secretly only want to have a boy but when you are retired you realize how valuable daughters are and the companionship they offer. I was a bit surprised as he has no kids and even still he voted for daughters anyday. Thats pretty cool anyway.

Holi 2013

After maybe 13 years enjoyed our first Holi celebration last Saturday. Due to weather typically in New England they celebrate it few weeks after. So the whole community got together about 20-30 families, all Indians and celebrated in the community park. It was a huge potluck gathering with music, food and colors. We met a lot of new people from the neighborhood, kids of all ages was a lot of fun. Seriously! Loved this whole community bonding here! They are starting more activities for summer.

A&A played a little and didn't want to get messy. It was only dry colors and no water colors involved. But still this was their first holi and they keep talking about it :)

PANEER!

We are not a huge fan of frozen meals. Somehow never got to liking it. In fact peas are the only vegetables I use frozen cos I am forced to as we dont get fresh 'peas'. Frozen parathas are our last absolute last back up at home. I cook fresh food everyday which is a challenge here in the US as you have to stock your grocery in advance unlike India where you will fnd it round the corner at a store. But I go the extra mile and make sure we use fresh veges except peas. I am sure it works well for some women and I respect that, never worked for us...

P really wanted to try Haldiram's paneer tikka and I wasnt so sure. I loveeeeee paneer so didnt want to take a chance of disliking a paneer dish BUT it was awesome. Totally recommend it hopefully they maintain the taste.

Cooking routine

I am a fairly decent cook but for some reason Tea and making rotis were two things I never attempted since I started cooking in 2005 after wedding. I have made very complicated and time consuming recipes so I am not sure why I avoided these two.

I am a tea drinker I love my typical desi chai. I started using the tea bags although didnt give the same taste. Finally in 2-3 years started making tea, properly boiled with mil and sugar etc. I can finally claim I make decent tea for some time now.

Recently I started my roti making project. Its been a month and I have made great progress. I have used up for the first time a 5 kg bag of chapati atta in almost a little over a month. I started making the typical south Indian version of chapatti, the thick ones with many folds. Then graduated to basic roti. The main reason has been gas stove and tava. Past 7 years one the electric stove not sure why I never was motivated to make rotis. I have a goal and hope I get there in 2-3 months.

I am really content with the past cooking routine. Especially with rotis since unlike working women in India you do not have any help here (not that I am complaining I feel the kitchen hands or maids make you lazy, bossy and create depdendency on them!). So right from making the dough and cutting vegetables, loading, unloading dishwasher, cleaning the house, folding heaps of laundry etc is a lot of work and time. 

Although its a lot of cooking at once at night as I cook lunch next day to take to work, since mornings are unpredictable with the twins, feeding breakfast getting them all ready to goto school the whole routine can be smooth to a lot fo work depending on how they feel altough its getting better due to less cold etc with the weather improving, you never know ;), so I dont want to take a chance hence I cook lunch in advance and refrigerate it. That way it helps me prioritize and focus only on the girls in the morning.

Respect

Past 2 weeks the response from the forces has been amazing. The way the whole operation was conducted to catch the suspect. The way the Mayor the Governor conducted themselves, reassuring to the public. Its been truly amazing to watch. American citizens are lucky to have such discipline, rigor, respect from the Government and services and in return you get more respect and awe from citizens in such tough situations. Politics is the same everywhere, but quality of politicians differs. Somewhere there is a tinge of sadness and little bit of jealousy when I see this, I feel I wish back home in India we could have similar people working with passion and care. I wish I could be a little more confident that wrong doers will not go scott free but be punished and pay for the wrong things they do. I know things are improving and I have faith like million others in India in the system and the ever increasing population of the youth in India.

Past week on the freeway there were Thank you notes to the public for the patience and co-operation. It was very comforting. Then whenever I see some cops around it reminds you of the young policeman who was unnecessarily killed at MIT by suspects. Maybe I have been smitten by the media bug the way they portray things, I also agree that it was unfair that the Iraq bombings did not get media attention, but I am appreciating the fact that they bring in that respect and awe to the system and show you the value of "lost lives" in ones' country.

past week..

So its been a rollercoaster week. Media and events have left us pretty disturbed. So Friday was so action packed out here. To think about a city very close to where we lived for the last 7 years before we moved here was under lock-down to find a suspect from the bombings on the loose. Glad they found him although it seems to be like the event may not be part of a bigger plot, just the how people acquire the means and support to get this done is scary. We were all shaken up obviously. I stayed home with kids as it was Friday and friends called me and advised me to just stay home as did my company text message. Daycares were open on this side as we are almost 30 miles away although play grounds outdoor areas was closed. Plus I had to goto the plant almost 40 miles away and didnt want to be so far away from the kids. It was eerie with hardly anyone on the roads even in our community.

Then the crime in Delhi. I think people have expressed a lot of grief, anger and honest thoughts and opinions on this. Some of them were very strong well written articles that were so impressive. Hopefully some reforms will be in place so such incidents do not occur. Some other articles on deep rooted cultural norms due to patriarchal society were addressed and I was very impressed. Some of them are pretty true and were nice reads...

After all this really wanted to have a simple weekend and that we did and its back to our usual weekday routine.

Kitchen

Its been a few months since I started my kitchen hunt for the girls. I had to wait until we moved ot the new place. Growing up the girly-girl that I was, I loved pretend play with my kitchen set, I had a plastic kitchen set but it was all utensils only and then graduated to some steel ones and I loved them. Anyway now you get the kitchen itself alongside all the kitchen ware. I saw a KidKraft kitchen at a friend's place and fell in love with it. Her son loved playing with it and she was very open minded and not stuck up that boys should not play with kitchen sets etc. Anyway I finally ordered it and it came and we fixed it. Its this lovely silver kitchen that I almost wish I had growing up. ;) This has been out of stock forever now. And finally I ordered it even though it was a back order but luckily received it within 2-3 weeks since I placed it and I didnt have to wait or look for another one...

Here is a picture of it. It has a fridge, freezer, phone, microwave, 4 burner stove, oven, dishwasher, sink and paper towel roll. Phew! the 3 girls in the house love it :-) I still have to buy them some play pots and pans etc  to get their kitchen function.

AG

Saw some M&Ms in my car trunk that I had hidden and I had to promptly give her (and obviously her sister) a few to avoid tantrums soon as we enter home so I could peacefully cook, she gobbled some and then was extra nice to me.

Its that simple...

Mighty, Mighty Boston!

Its very sad again one of those many incidents you have to swallow and digest even though you cannot comprehed. You will get some reasons and people behind this but it will not be convincing - there isnt one. Its unacceptable and inhuman. Its been very sad to listen to NPR and hear stories of runners and even professional dancers or kids in the crowd  losing their legs... Not sure which is worse to be left handicapped or lose your life....

A friend ran a marathon and they had to stop him midway, while another was very close at work where this happend. And everyone we know is safe. Someone mentioned on the radio they really chose a wrong city which is surrounded by so many good hospitals that saved so many lives. Amid all this its really admirable how well the emergency protocols were followed, by Police, Medical staff, Government.... Truly amazing!

AG was singing this to herself the other day, and marching in the room, stomping her feet, she loves this song ...

Every where that we go, Every where that we go,

People always ask us, People always ask us,

Who we are, Who we are,

So we tell them, so we tell them.

We're from Boston, We're from Boston,

Mighty, Mighty Boston!

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

So we had more company this past weekend. 3 families came over for lunch on Saturday and kids had a blast and got tired. We had some good company and I insisted they stay for dinner, I had cooked a simple lunch for all then for dinner I made daddojanam as we had late lunch and we were kind of full and ordered couple of pizzas just in case. It was nice catching up and weasther was good too. We got tired to at night.

Next day, Sunday had my colleagues over for lunch they insisted we get take out so we did from Udupi, weekends is Buffet so they one of my colleagues picked up lunch for us and we sat home and relaxed, ate, chatted. Then we had our neighbors who stopped by to say hello late in the evening. By then I was done, had fun but was tired as I had a long day both days.

Monday took the day off as daycare was closed being Patriot's day. Did shopping, and A&A got a pretend play kitchen that P installed. In general kids played all day and napped very late, so late that they continued through the night quota of sleep skipping dinner, one of those rare tiring days for them ...

Since we moved in I have been inviting lot of people over and its been very nice catching up, we already had a few groups covered, and we have few more lunches and dinner invites to go but will hold off till next month and space them out.

Phew! Phew! days..

Last 2-3 days have been a bit overwhelming more like evenings have been tiring. AG has contributed a little bit to it by refusing to eat dinner and she wants to only eat Bourbon biscuits, cup cakes and chocolates and then milk and then we should rock her to sleep - yep that's her ideal dream dinner/night - everything else "No Thanks!" - this sweet gene of hers is drowning me LOL, where does she get it from - oh wait its her maternal gene? (and we have staunch chocolate and sweet lovers on both sides of my family) - a certain someone has been addicted to Lindt Milk chocolate with Hazelnuts - so addicted that she hides in the pantry and eats it so AG doesn't see it - yep its her mom . AL is slowly progressing too, she didn't quite like sweet and chocolates as much more like she didn't care and now she is advancing although she still doesn't enjoy that sugary icing (even I don't) but AG clearly likes even the sugary sweet!

　

Anyway the point being that the two-threee hours before their dad gets home - where in I cook for them, feed them, cook for us, pack us lunch for next day and then we sit down to eat dinner between 5pm to 8pm has been crazy past few days. And the main thing impacting the equation being AG not eating. Phew! some days effortlessly are smooth days and some days you put in so much more effort and yet its ends up being crazy busy. And then my caffeine impact. I usually have my tea around 2pm and I happened to take it bit later at work around 3 due to meetings etc and it impacted my sleep a tad bit. So there you go :-)

Guests etc

Was a nice and busy weekend. Both days had guests, kids, did a lot of cooking. BTW which in general I am doing a lot. I missed my kitchen time last few months and I  dived right into it. I never cook as a duty I actually enjoy it and I was blessed with that basic common sense and that cooking gene which helps me make my own recipes. I never needed DH or anyone to help me with any critical analysis.

 

So we caught up with friends after a long time and they were sharing some really bad experiences in recent India trips, their parents / pensioners constantly being humiliated and having treated disrespectfully whether its at the bank or auto driver or nurse at hospital - no compassion no patience no manners or courtesy. I was in tears listening to some of the incidents. Thinking about 70 year olds being spoken to like that by made me feel so bad ...I hope its one off incidents.

Disclaimer: It can happen anywhere just because I dont live in India people may make it seem like I have no right to criticize about somethings in India and take it personal. Its not just about India its about something that really bothers you and does not seem right be it in India or US or Paris or Timbaktu the focus is on the problem. But just cos you are outside India you are forced to say only nice things and not talk or discuss any issues, that's a mindset issue people have. Its just some of those practical issues and experiences one likes to talk about.

Quote

Saw this nice quote:

"Before you start to judge me, step into my shoes and walk the life I am living and if you get as far as I am, just maybe you will see how strong I really am"

This is truly for  all those people who gossip, criticize, unappreciative, disrespectful, talk behind your back, or talk in front of you so you can hear, or to compare you to others, whatever their motive, whatever their age, whatever their sex, they exist every where in every family, society and work place.

Smell the roses!

Having daughters it makes me realize that girls are Dad’s darlings they share this special rapport and relationship with their dads when they are little and yet treat their moms as best friends. How they do it? Only they know. 

Thank God for life's small pleasures and emotions. 

Speak up but be nice!

This morning when dropping off the girls to daycare. We were chatting and I was humming in between our conversations. AL tells me:

"Excuse me Mumma, please do not sing, we dont sing in the car" and continues talking about some color of the front door for one of the houses she saw.

:-)

We've been taken at 2 years 9 months!

AG declared she likes her Dad better  - I knew this was coming :-)

AL affirmed she likes us both -"amma-nanna, nanna-amma" she says

Then after few days AG affirms - "amma I want to be like Nanna" and to that AL says "I want to be like amma"

I knew it!

I knew it!

I knew it! LOL

There is a reason pre-school begins at 2.9 ...magical number is it?

This and That ...

Its been a long fortnight. So many things happen in our household in any given 24 hours time frame that it keeps everyone on their toes never a dull moment. That's the kinda crazy bunch we are. So my parents left and we got into our own routine somewhat for the first week, well barely. We had brain washed the kids so much that they were comfortable and distracted enough at the airport as we bid my parents good bye. In fact AL liked some designer suitcases so much for next 2 days she would try to strike a deal that she would stop crying if I take her to the airport and get the lovely colorful suitcases. She is one smarty pants is all I can say. Between her and the other one who can love and get high with sugar I survive on loads of witty responses and get overloaded with cuteness, a perfect blend in fact

We luckily had friends visit us come stay with us weekend after the my parents left, 2 families with a kid each and both had baby boys about the same age +/- 6 months. It was so good to have them around. It snowed and we couldn't do much outdoors in fact our trip to downtown Boston was a disaster. I got infected with Laryngitis, AL got a bad cold and they all left Sunday it was so great to see them, we took Monday off and relaxed with kids and recovered from cold and sinus and sleep deprivation etc. But it was awesome to have them over.

So the week after we tried to get into routine again and AG got some cold and cough this time. I got my voice back finally after the crazy virus attacked my vocal chords. It wasnt that bad as it sounds actually but we all coped a round of cold and coughs and AG is getting through hers now. This weekend we just stayed home watched some TV and the usual.

Yesterday went to see a friend who had a baby boy. Last 4-5 of our friends who have had babies have had boys, its like market is flooded with boys lol makes my girls all the more precious ha ha. Anyway went to the maternity ward after almost 2 years 10 months to greet my friend and her tiny baby.Some memories came flooding back. Especially since I wasn't a late bloomer as a Mommy - the moment I got pregnant my motherly instincts kicked in, I didn't have to wait until after delivery etc or even until delivery for that matter like my DH. Adorable and just too cute cannot get over the experience of holding a newborn. I cannot get over such a big blessings our kids are to us parents and its awesome as we women get to experience it, we should feel blessed.

Spring is slowly setting in (apparently?) and the noise from the snow plough is distracting me. Au Revoir until next time.

Phew!

So the long weekend came and went as much fun as the first 2 days was when it was time for everyone to leave we were majorly sleep deprived and exhausted. The previous week was so busy at work and home that it kind of got crazy. Friday we got the kids Akshara Abhyasa done as it was Sarawathi Puja. I had this in mind for past 1 year and glad we did basic small puja and sort of completed planned ceremonies in simple and timely manner. This week has been a recovery week from merry making. Mom was down sick for 2 days, I have a sore throat, P got some allergies. Now there is some more snow expected this Sunday. So winter has been so full-on this time. There are million things to take care of, paper work, punch list with builder that consist of small fixes to be done around the house. Until we have next set of guests in 2 weeks from today lots and lots of things to do.

It’s almost the end of Feb – it feels very long at times since we moved in, considering there have been so many chores and things to do around the house and yet so short when I think that it’s time for parents to leave. It’s been a good rollercoaster, 9 months of their stay.  They have been a huge support past few months emotionally and physically, much more than I could ask for. If they couldn’t physically help me in anyway or disagreed with me they still stood by me and supported emotionally.   I feel blessed and lucky. I could go on and on ...

bring it on...

Accomplished quite a bit last two weekends.  The pile that is to go to the clothing bin is ready.  While P added additional racks in all our closets in the bedrooms and some lovely and exciting additions to the basement. I am now able to reorganize all the clothes etc. He did a great job by bringing flexible wire racks and an excellent good job fixing it with the drill, accurate measurements and such. Although major organization is needed in the basement I love the facilities ;) Plus I have had a very nice exercise routine since the New Year started at least I am proud of, hoping it continues…

Can’t believe few more weeks and parents will head back to India. I have been spoilt rotten. Did not enter the kitchen 95% of the time for almost the whole 9 months. I guess there were so many other things to take care of my mother nicely let me just focus on those things. That is how a mother daughter relationship is.  Investing love and time and not expecting anything in return and genuinely interested in your good – comes only from my parents and no one can match that. Not even close! I will miss them terribly, no idea how the girls will fare as they spend so much time with my Mom.  I am so scared thinking especially about AG who is stuck to her.  

So the snow storm Nemo came and went. As a new home buyer very glad we had this big storm and our home took the test of inclement weather conditions. Almost 3ft snow and remembered Canada when I was in Toronto briefly working there and there was one such storm in early March and I had to take 2 buses and subway to get to work and back while staying over a friends’ – Dear GOD! Is all I can say…The community guys did amazing job with the cleanup I must say over all Westford city clean up was impressive.  Sunday went to Waltham to grab some grocery and the inner roads were pretty bad. We somehow made it through back to the main road after we finished our tasks.

So its magha masam and as planned our homams and puja completed. No shor sharaba just us a quiet early morning session. The real shor sharaba arrives this long weekend when the gang comes back to visit us …sleepless nights and merry making kids and adults LOL Did I not mention that the new house is already hosting a lot of folks? We are 75% close to our set up target and remaining add-ons will be done at leisure …

da! da! daycare!

A huge roller coaster fortnight it's been:

1.       Busy social life – umpteen birthday parties to pick from and we drove to PA to be at a friend’s daughter’s 3^rd birthday and it was too much fun. They went full out with DJ and bartender etc and AG went beserk dancing nonstop for 3 hours I am NOT kidding – 3 hours nonstop even I couldn’t cope up with her. Well the downside is of such short outing – no guesses food department – girls were on liquid diet for the weekend we were there for 2 days.

2.       So we had introductory sessions in daycare and kids did well, they were so distracted with the toys though they didn’t notice anyone else around – friends or teachers– sessions were just 1-2 hours, mom and I sat with them in the class and let them explore. So far no issues love the daycare, the teachers, the people, the facilities, the curriculum, the menu…

3.       Right after the party weekend we were to start their daycare, AL had a mild cold and I was not upto it so extended their start day to 1/28, yep go with the flow. So the week was spent at home by the girls and what a freezing week it’s been, amazingly low temperatures. I had to shop a little bit for their clothes wasn’t as successful as it was just too cold. Managed some necessities and most importantly got them snow pants which are mostly out of stock by this time of the year.

4.       So daycare began yesterday and they are doing OK. Very poor in the food department and my heart aches as a mother that we have to let go of our babies for them to grow up and learn and unlearn some things. But I know it’s for the best. They are happy with new class, kids toys, activities etc They just had one episode of crying when they got separated for an activity where in AL was taken outside to play AG wasn’t as she was to go in a different group.  But I let them know its too early to separate them and they need each other until they completely get into a routine and get into schedule.

Today is Day 2 and Dad dropped them off and I am to pick them up. I spoke to their teacher once and they are fine playing, not eating but playing! Crossing my fingers and toes they eat something.  Yep! All I want is them to eat and drink some milk on their own.  Next month or so more social gatherings, more visitors and lots more things to do for the house. Some of them are exciting things like kids beds will arrive this week and other boring stuff to deal with like dishwasher review we are under going right now. More gyan on appliances later, cant get kids out of my mind for now…

Women and so called Power

In my limited experience of 30 odd years I have seen somehow more women in day to day life absolutely irritate me when they cannot deal with this so called "power and position" they acquire. I am no feminist nor a misogynist - very neutral and will call spade a spade. Its probably very few  but still somehow more women than men, I encountered who cannot deal with this newly acquired money, title and power and they walk with tiaras on their head. I met one such recently yet again.

 Women who claim to be "Master of everything" (couldnt use mistress for lack of grace in that word!) but fail miserably when it is to deal with basic human emotions and feelings. So 2 days back went to talk to the leasing head at our apartment community from which we have moved out to talk about some basic charges that were to be paid. This lady sitting in her chair,in her newly acquired position as "Manager" was so curt and cross. I just wanted to walk out of that place. We dealt with her as an Associate. Not that she was excellent before but much worse now. I have in the past walked away and out of people who behave like this. I do not see the need for me to stand and take crap from person who I just met. Plus  trying to instigate me to bring out the worst.  

But I just went on in this case, patiently. I was losing it but tried to communicate with her. It wasnt fruitful, I concluded and walked out finally, but made me feel very sad for her. This lady was doing her duty - yes! Was she cordial - yes! You could check all those things she is supposed to do in the list. But lack of warmth and compassion failed her miserably. I hope she is healed of all that pride and that heavy tiara she has to wear each morning. Its good to take pride in your work but to display authority and your position is another. Something I wanted to crib about ;)

Mundan done!

Yes I have bald twins now officially. The first year we had to wait for AG's small empty bubble-like blister on her head which took a year to vanish since birth as Doc had advised. Then having to wait for 1 year to pass after MIL passed away and we decided to keep it simple got it done at Super cuts in Burlington. Everything went smooth, girls were annoyed a little got distracted with lollipops stocked there  Ideally we wanted to get it done in Tirupati end of 2011 but circumstances changed and I didnt want to delay it any further. So the ladies at Super cuts were to the point did the job well I wanted it done together so in 20 minutes all done in 30 bucks for 2!

Girls are taking it ok. They love their hair and always asked for long her. They seemed to understand my concept that after this they shall have nice long her somehow. They do avoid mirrors for now and its just been a few hours since. Not that they stared into mirrors anyway but the salon has mirrors all over and they seemed to look away. Pretty smart I think. AG really needed this as she had really frizzy-curly baby hair.

At home I mentioned they have Caillou's hair style but they really dont need any reassurance :-)

This and That...

So settling down is taking us quite a long time as anticipated and planned. We are fine with day to day stuff, closets somewhat organized, pantry etc. But still consolidation, reorganizing etc will continue for a while until I am completely happy with the way things are. We are very particular I guess and 7 years in one place we got back some stuff which we have to eliminate by reviewing carefully  :-)

Just went to the temple and mall for the weekend. Got myself a pair of much needed basic blue jeans. Unplanned shopping in Zara. We are shop-oholics P and me should really stay away from malls for sometime, although I have better self control LOL. So Kids insisted they will carry the bags and AG left the bag on the ground when she wanted some water, we missed it and left the bag in the mall. Only to come home and realize and then call the mall lost and found and the Zara store and a good samaritan and returned the bag so went again on Sunday to pick it up. Lucky me got my pair of jeans back. Although it was inexpensive but still.

AL talks fast and has clear speech. Right from start she was more verbal. AG as mentioned is more baby talk when she comes to her speech, she talks, she expresses but lacks clarity in her pronunciations so most of the times only I can understand/interpret her plus her lovely husky voice impacts the pitch ;) So AL's cutest Grammatical errors ago like this:

I "camed" back Amma

Its all "brokened" - Aadu "broked" it

Playing with my fingers, and folding it like they are sleeping one by one she "waked up" my fingers.

And she says "chicken" for "kitchen" always mixes it up :-)

AG and AL are obsessed with the Spanish cousins - you know who? ;) so we get "Hola!" and "Come on, lets go amigos" - this is what AG told me yesterday. And here I am insisting they talk in Konkani to me, we will probably be talking in Spanish now LOL ;)

Westford Daycare Reviews

So its that time again. We were moving and I had to make a decision on daycares pretty soon so kids get into pre-school and a good one.

1. My first one was to Goddard School on Concord Road. Over all I have mostly heard very good things about Goddard in general. This was a relatively newer branch but the owners were very warm and hospitable and greeted me well. They were personally involved in running the place and seemed to care. Reviewed everything all the basics on routine etc so I will not focus on all that main stuff that we would ask and be informed as a default. I loved the feel and atmosphere of heh place. Happy kids, busy, smiling, plus it was around 10am so kids had settled in. Everyone greeted me etc. The Director walked me through room to room. I absoultely loved this place. The downside to me was they did not offer lunch plus they were most expensive of the lot for me. $2800 almost if I  remember correctly for 2 for pre-school. Personally I wanted kids to be offered food by the school as 1. it helps mingle and make friends at meal time and they learn to be independent and learn some discipline around food and eating habits. 2 Plus as a working mom its just easier for me if I dont have to plan their snacks and lunch - one less thing in routine I can dedicate it somewhere. That's my personal preference anyway. So thats why I give it 4 stars.

2. The next place I went to Acorn Child Care - First look I new I wasnt sending my kids here. Although kids were ready to nap and some even napped hence was rather quiet. Over all was very badly organized place, dingy, dirty carpeted. Very disinterested owner and Director was just ok but gave me no incentive to join the place other than the price probably working out around $2000 or around that ball park for 2 kids. Plus it was in some strip mall kinda place and had two levels and there was some laundromat next door or some such. Over all a big NO for me in present circumstances

3. Next I went to Kindercare Westford  - kids were sleeping here too post lunch. I have been to enough Kindercare and Knowledge beginnings classes and I was sort of already mentally prepared for this place that I would like it and would be in my budget. So layout and everythign else was fine and known to me. One incentive was the pre -school was a new clas starting Jan and hence all kids would be same as age as A &A downside was teachers were currently teaching smaller classes and will move to pre-school, although they claimed teachers had experience with pre-schoolers I wasnt sure especially as a good friend said form pre school curriculum isnt that great. They did offer food, monthly it would probbaly be about $2300 ish for both. Any classes needed to be paid extra like phonics etc, so that would add more bucks on top of fees.

4. Next I went to Child care center Inc - Again hardly spent any time in there. Staff was good, they seemd to be involved and had a good diet plan for kids etc, again kids were asleep and the dingy carpet thing didnt appeal to me. Cost I dont even remember now maybe around the same mark as Kindercare. I just didnt like the feel of the place.

5. NGCC - I somehow always felt this will be an expensive place from the outside but was curious on what they had to offer. Kids were waking up by the time I went there. They had a lot of place inside and outside. I liked their curriculum. They gave pretty decent meals and like all places catered to vegetrian meals for kids. I saw kids being potty trained when I went in. They would probably be somewhat slightly young for the class room but kids are outgrowing and moving out so new ones come and go. Works out to be around $2,500 for 2 kids.Plus I had couple of colleagues vouch for it and a colleague's friend works for NGCC and had all good things to say for it. Plus I got that feel good factor.

All schools had ratio 2 teachers to 18 unfortunately. Also since I had taken the day off and had to squeeze in all daycares in 1 day - I had to go when kids were sleeping which is an absolutely wrong time to go as one knows. Also there were couple more daycares I wanted to go visit but didnt have the energy and felt I will be happy with NGCC for now. Roudenbush - well they are primarily not a daycare to begin with so I was not motivated to go see the place. Maybe its good too.  Kids League is mostly after school for older kids. TLE - I would have probably liked this one too, but thought it was a little off path for us from work to home.

All in all I was stuck between Kindercare and NGCC and went with NGCC. Hopefully it all works out fine and kids like it here. The previous daycare was a total stop gap kinda place and they were really young so convenient wise worked out very well for us. Over all they went only 6 months at a stretch and part time few weeks here and there. All I cared was an affectionate teacher which they found in Zoila and loved her and she loved them. When they changed classes and we decided on the home I decided they will directly go to a new school instead of changing classes again in Learning Zone at Waltham Plus I did not like the new class and attitudes there. We will miss Zoila and the proximity to. I am looking forward to this new daycare. BTW we do have an Indian lady who offered to baby sit our girls within the community but I am not a fan of home daycare in general so didnt opt for it.