Hair and there

Discovered this old snap of Anushka. Can't help wondering if she would look cuter with a short haircut? Madam will n0t hear of it though.

The Fire dragon and do nots

Last night the fire alarm went off in the building. We all heard it but did not quite understand what it was. ( ignorance is NOT bliss)

Then I got Navy to rush down with the kids. He was waiting at the steps for me and my grandma to come ( mistake number 2)

I requested my grandma to come along and she started quizzing me. I could not lift her bodily and so I tried answering and explaining( took about 3 minutes to get her out.)

In the time I spent explaining to her, I took a couple of diapers (yes!) and some jewelry that was at home. ( wrong priorities)

Unlike us, who at least tried ( sloppily), not a soul had bothered to come down and gather at the safe area! We did not know which was the exact designated safe area. ( I found out today)

And no it was NOT a mock drill. But it did turn out to be a false alarm- some child had set it off. The watchman discovered that and informed us.

What if there had been a real fire? How prepared is your family in case of an emergency?

This book seems like an intersting way to explain to little ones.
We spoke to my grandma and Anushka on what their response should be in such a situation, ( move safe but fast/ use only steps not the lift ) while emphasising the need not to be afraid/ panic.

We always assume these things will not happen to us, right? For instance, how many of us pay attention to the earnest air hostess's announcements?

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From the fire to the frying pan.

Anushka enjoys one doughnut a week ( she was amused when i told her it is a sweet wada) and so far it has been from French Loaf and a far second in Daily bread. She likes only the sugar one.

Yesterday my father on one of his long daily walks, went to Malleswaram and discovered The Donut Baker and got his grand daughter the very yummy maple doughnut. And then we realised it has so many branches!!

Kids stuff for Adults

All of you who are going to the Korean kids play today enjoy yourselves. Mister Muthu has been favourably mentioned twice in the July issue's letters to Chandamama! Highlighting this post at ST again since only one person seems to have read it so far...

On to Fear factor

Here is my take on the brilliantly done tag from Sandhya:

I have no fear of death, new things/ places, heights, cockroaches, speed, travel/ sleep/ stay at night/ alone…..so I must be fairly brave. BUT....

1. I am afraid of/ repelled by creepy crawlies. Except cockroaches.
2. I am scared of failure/ embarrassing myself. Even though I am usually well planned, prepared, etc. Now when I see this in Anushka, I am trying to help her and myself.
3. I am scared of hurting anyone even inadvertently. Possibly why I do not drive on our ‘rule loving’ country’s roads
4. I am scared of losing loved ones. I always pray that I go before they do.
5. I am scared of losing things. So I do not wear expensive jewelry.
   

"Am I afraid of high notes? Of course I am afraid. What sane man is not?" said Luciano Pavarotti. So I am not scared to admit I still suffer from performance anxiety at work. Even if I am really well prepared. Even if I have been to the same office and had the same boss for 9 years now.

Bhayam, Bhay, Fear is important. It helps us do better, to grow, to plan , to anticipate. But beyond a point it thwarts.

There was this movie in Tamil- Tenali- rather nice one in Kamal’s comic-pathos genre. Tenaliki ellam bhayam- meaning Tenali is afraid of everything…..Most of it stems from a troubled childhood.

The Bird Who Was Afraid to Clean the Crocodile's Teeth helped me emphasise to Anushka that appearances can be deceptive.

The Eagle Who Didn't Want to Wear His Glasses Anymore was a good way to let Anush know that being different is okay, especially now since she wants to confirm even in terms of eating junk ( so far she was not into it)

I am going to be a Big Sister reassured her about her role and place at home was getting bigger and not lesser due to the new addition.

Curious George helped explain why a visit to the hospital/ doc is alright and even fun and helpful

A couple of the Berenstein bears, Jungle Book, Dora, Winnie, all have helped her appreciate the need to be independent and that it opens new vistas / adventures if one is so.

Here is a fantastic resource ( but by no means exhaustive) for helping younger kids cope with fear , some direct and some subtle.

So yes, we are fighting our demons and hope to grow up together into more courageous individuals.

Five stars and seventy and ten

It was Anush's fifth star bday and my FIL's seventieth bday. A good excuse to have an elaborate family get together which turned out to be so much fun !!

On Saturday, Anush and I had been to Monkey Maze, a good place for activities and of course with a net maze/ obstacle course. Anush enjoyed herself though I felt the maze is more suited to an even younger age group. The lady who runs the place seemed enterprising and they offer some nice activities. Might check those out sometime. While on activities, Anushka is writing very well and enjoys abacus.

Jump Bunch conducted a complementary session which was okay. And also when anyway you do similar things at home it does not remain that special. Not as cool as gymbabes / Tumble tots in Chennai.

Took a family portrait " Amreeki " style at a studio- my ILs with their son and two daughters and all our kids- 14 of us in one frame. Priceless. Though I would have liked an outdoor natural one as well like the one here of the grand kids...

Missed the Strand sale but they are back in December and I hear from my neighbour that she gets good discounts even otherwise!! Missed the plays at Bal Bhavan but am sure if they were good they will soon come back to town

And yes, our cute bonda- Aditi turned 10 months on Sunday.

Pl go here to Saffron Tree for my review of a series that we LOVE on friendship.

Chennai and back home

Unwittingly we still say Chennai is home and Navy had even gone to the queue for Chennai at the Mumbai airport. It is indeed good that my work takes me to Chennai weekly once and this is likely to increase ( to my dread -overnighters away from the kids)!

Was in Chennai yesterday and passed through Velachery- a huge Krishna Sweets and a Sangeetha as well as a couple of clothes outlets called Sketch and Born Babies were the new sights I noticed. Why would anyone term it Born Babies I don't get it...?

And yes for my old friends back in Chennai, there is a book release by Amma's Tales in Chennai at Vanilla place and some cool stuff at Dakshin Chitra as well. Did any of you do the Nalanda Way Art Attam ... shows this time?

Why can't Grand sweets and some good off beat handicraft place like Chamiers, a nice bakery, a good parlour, even a dentist open shop at the Chennai airport? You will have a captive, SEC A audience which anyway likes to frequent your place!

On to my current home town-
There are some interesting kids' plays in Blore in the near future- Bal Bhavan on Sunday has Khilona doing three and on Tuesday there is a Korean puppet tale. As if that is not enough, there is a Strand sale as well.

But none of this for me on the weekend. Will let you know how it turned out on Monday. Happy Weekend.

Enjoy these 'endooring' images by an old favourite and a new one introduced by Patty.

Lakdi ki

This prized pony is falling apart. A couple of eleven year olds who visited us sat on it!!

I get mad when adults sit in the swing in the play park meant for kids. They could possibly do it if the swing is sturdy enough and also ONLY if there is no kid waiting to use it.

I usually give them a piece of my mind...

Home again!

The incredibly generous and arty Patricia is showcasing some corners of our Bangalore home with a sprinkling of our Chennai home pics as well. Thanks Patricia.

Do check it out and leave your comments.

You won't belive it...

Aditi is turning into a little devil. We stayed at a lodge in Lpuram and I had taken Anush to the common loo.

When I returned what did I see...OMG!

She had opened and clambered into the table cabinet ALL by herself
Navy was half awake, very tired and had been "watching" her.

Thank God she had not got hurt, was my first recation.

After seeing her completely happy and moving around in that little space, I clicked away. Here is my favourite shot of Her Highness...

Do click on the side bar for a new episode of Mister Muthu.

Neem Peepal Banyan

Coconut, mango, banana....tamarind .... as the Karadi rhyme goes.

We saw these and a lot more at Lakshmipuram, a small village in Andhra. It was extra special since it was Aditi's first trip to her paternal grandpa's native place with fields, tanks and a temple. Great fun was had by both kids.

Also managed a quick dash to visit to wish Cubby and Abha.

Mishti!!

Anush's final contribution to Artsy Craftsy July. She got a bit impatient as you can see but overall it is still really cute, isnt it? All you need is an empty mishti dahi cup and an enthusiastic kid.

Cheat Err

I let Anushka believe that I had put my fingers into the water and let the fish lick them. Anush followed suit ( or so she thought) and also enjoyed feeding the fish!

I tell her to eat papaya and brinjal -stuff I would never eat even if I was starving
I tell her to go easy on sweets though I have no control
I goad Aditi to have plain milk though I never did or do unless it has some coffee in it

Do you cheat/ have double standards as a parent ? Once in a while? Have the kids caught you in the act?

Wah re Warli !

Here is a picture of the Warli wall hanging I have had for seven years now, since the time we bought our first house in Chennai

Here is a Tulika book - Dancing on Walls (by Shamin Padamsee of Bondapalli fame currently and illustrations by Uma Krishnaswamy !!) that we enjoyed and gifted around with illustrations in the Warli style. I recollect Anush immediately associated the book with the wall hanging!

And the above is our most recent work - activity from ToyKraft- the kit includes some paint, a brush and 3 terracotta items- 2 cups and a plate. The best thing is an interesting booklet on the art form. Very engaging and satisfying for any parent- child duo to undertake.

Anush did the background entirely.
I did the figure outlines.
She painted them in.
And both had a lot of fun!

and thereby hangs a tale...

Last week we had been to The Egg factory. If you like eggs, it is eggcellent food. Great service. Eggciting Ambience. Has veggie options as well for those who do not like eggs. And the place does not smell of eggs at all! We were wondering if a large number of otherwise vegetarians ( some even no garlic like me) in India, eat eggs nowdays...
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Read Jeffery Archer's latest and while it is not his best, it still makes for entertaining reading.
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Here are some submissions for this month's Artsy Craftsy from the amazing Shruti:

1. A discarded Glass bottle transforms into a Vase ( use acrylic colours)

2. A watch box turns into a kitschy piggy bank

3. Broken Abacus to a bead necklace ( large holes- easy for kids to thread)

All the above are completely doable and mostly done by an almost 5 yr old.

A taste of France in India

My SIL and family have come down from the US, after a vacation in France. We all got together at Chintamani for the weekend. Lots of talk, games, bonding and food happened.

For the first time got to taste this awesome cookie called crepe (Crèpes dentelles ) but very crisp and light! Go here to know more. I had only eaten the soft pancake like crepe till now.

The extremely thin, melt in the mouth crèpes rolls reminded me of pootharekulu ( available at the Blore airport Pullareddy brand at the Naturo stall). The crepes are served with dessert as an accompaniemetn to ice cream and mousses or simply presented over coffee or Champagne or can be eaten just like that as we did!

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Pic of a MU ball in my apartment that the kids play with

Cheers to Spain! Was completely mesmerised by the entertainment gala before the match. And yes, guess it will be election polls for Paul next?

Out on a limb?

Awesome to see little feet trying to tiptoe and stand! Tiring to get things out of her way. Rewarding to see her pleasure.

Locomotion and Independence- absolutely interrelated !

Zara Zara....

We made a kite, which did not quite fly. But there was no dearth of excitement and exuberance that the kite flyer displayed. May the simple joys continue for ever

Went to Zara B'lore and though it is nice, the experience is just not the same as Chennai- here it is quiet, no live band, no crowd, rather fine dining types.

Magic Pot is among the best kids' activity books I know in India, for the 3-6 age group. Anush is displaying a keen interest in writing.

A fishy matter

I had mentioned the Madhubani sand art kit for kids.
This is one of those.
A bit tough for Anush to do unsupervised.
A lot tougher to do it under Anush's supervision, as Navy realised.

Dilli se aayi...

My cousin from Delhi is here and oh what fun Anush is having. We went for a movie, I hate Love stories, and actually enjoyed it. We also indulged in another sin ( waffles and ice cream) at Corner house, where else.

I have seen my cousin grown from a baby like Aditi to a spirited kid and now an adult!! Here is a pic of her as a baby- do you think there is a family resemblance?

This pic is from a recent family do ( Navy's side ) at Pai. Great fun as always due to the company but the food at Pai confort is avoidable is what I felt.

It is a woman thing!

Have you heard of Aurat by Kaifi Azmi? It is so inspiring and I feel optimistic that there must be many such men out there, if this one held such sentiments so long ago.

On a similar tone, is this tag from IHM - I was not tagged by anyone on it. But I loved it and am taking it up....feel free to do so yourself.

1. I retained my maiden name post marriage.
2. My hair has often been shorter than my male colleagues
3. I have/still travel alone a lot at night , outstation, out of the country, new cities, etc. I have lived in a hostel by myself . I do not like being escorted because I can take care of myself.
4. I have worn sleeveless/ shorts without waxing. ( no longer do that though)
5. I have never owned high heels ( but well I do not need them). I hardly wear jewelry.
6. I do not enjoy office gossip ( but in my office I think the men enjoy it more)
7. I enjoy a good appetite-could eat as much as a teenage boy, even in my lean and slim days
8. I do not like pink as much as I favour blues and browns
9. I have no problem with cockroaches ( though I raise a hue and cry about frogs/ lizards)
10. I take pride in planning our travel , shifting, packing etc. I am the expert navigator that Navy can rely on- on the road and in life!!

Some of the manly(?) things I am proud to say I try NOT to do in public- burp/ fart/ scratch / dig in public...

Some of the girlie(?) things I enjoy - clothes/ books shopping, saris, romantic movies, filmi news, cookery shows, home decor, cooking, kids

Gifted!

Anush declared that she wanted to dress up in a paavadai chattai for school it being her parents’ wedding anniversary. She also insisted on sharing nuts ( peanuts) with her classmates. We coaxed her to take cashews instead. She seems to have told her teacher” This is my way of sharing happiness on my parents’ Kalyanam day!!” Kala tikka.

Anush and I also got into Shruti’s hall of fame with our puzzle block India map for June’s Artsy Craftsy!! Thanks Shruti, though we thought the corn to be our cooler entry:-)

South Indies Infantry road was where we went for dinner last night.

The good- I loved the takeaway gift- a small bharani pickle jar with ginger pickle in it. The food was excellent in terms of the choice and the starters were great. The ambiance was lovely. Aditi behaved really well at the restaurant though we had a just miss instance with a ceramic plate.

The bad- the main course was a bit too gravy/ spicy for our taste. The dessert was a complete let down.

The ugly- Also if one person at the table orders a set menu thali, the entire table has to have set meals!!

On the other hand we had a wonderful Rajasthani- Gujrati meal from Chowka, Tippasandra, home delivered, on my parent’s wedding anniversary last week. This was really tasty though the portions are so huge it makes it a bit too much of a good thing