Chance Shot

Anush had placed the honey noodles like this. I thought it was nice composition.

And i cant believe we are only one month away from Aditi's second birthday. Here is a pic for that.

She has learnt to say Namaste, counts well till twelve, tries to repeat any word in any language used, has specific tastes in clothes!

Siddhi

The Artnavy and the N family set out to Chunchi falls. It got a bit difficult to lug the younger kids all the way and did not seem worth the effort since the fall was not a spectacular one.

But we found a small gurgling stream  and the children splashed and washed about and we generally had a ball.

We then headed to Mekedatu. The calm Arkavati and the rough Cauvery join here. We were thoroughly mesmerised by the power of the Kaveri in the gorgeous gorge and the lovely rock formations there. Specially how the water had polished the stones to a shine and the perfect holes and arches that the water had created over time.

And the coracle ride was finally done.

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Went to ISKON Higher Taste finally and Loved the food. Wish they had some of the dishes one associates with Krishna like poha- jaggery and so on as well

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Anushka wanted me to make Honey fried noodles ( darsaan) and I did.

It was a success and she wanted to carry it to school today as well!

Art on Janmashtami

First time that Anush has used Pencil shavings I realised.

The Krishna is inspired by Ghee Happy.

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Was in Chennai and got to meet Uma of Adya fame and that was indeed refreshing. 

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In an unpleasant development, we found that some gold had been stolen from us as well by the cook. Most of it has been recovered by a very earnest police officer.

And Aditi got her first peek ( hopefully last) into the police station!! She kept on pointing to thaatha( Gandhi) and wanted to see his large photo from time to time.

All kinds of people

Happy Janmashtami, Krishna Jyaanthi.

Anush was game to dress up as usual and Aditi was not, as expected.

We went to Cmani and returned early and were at Blore for the rest of the festive day.

This time Anush rolled the entire batch of coconut cheedais ( right extreme, below pic)and pretty well too. Amma ( with my able help!) made yummy appams and she made awesome kai murrukus (without my help)!

Here is Anush as Krishna. Though Aditi would make a fab one she just REFUSES to wear a feather or play act. 

Since white footprints were not visible last time, we used blue ": The colour of Krishna" Aditi at first understood Kolam as " Cholam" ( corn) and was disappointed not to find corn!

Anush sang Achutam Kesavam and then I revisited a beautiful film song with the kids- Kanha bole naa....

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Anushka's old school teacher called to wish her a belated bday as did an ex neighbour who has moved to Hbad. People can be really Nice!

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Our evening roti bai/ cook ( for over a year now) was caught stealing jewellery at our friend's place. People can also be really shocking!

Chalo Dilli

Was in Delhi yesterday on work. And passed by the Consulates, Rail museum, India Gate, Akshar Dhaam, the JN stadium all on the way to and from the airport.

Ate  a Rajasthani meal at a restaurant called Suruchi. Not bad.

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Nowadays Aditi follows when I say I am going to XYZ on tour and says" Aditi XYZ" as though she would like to join me as well.

She had her vaccine today and did not cry at all!

Bhag Lal

Took Anush and her cousins for the Flower Show.

Felt that the flowers in natural set up ( both in the park and the show) were far prettier than the marriage -arrangement- like Bahai Temple and the very amateur Konark wheel.

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We were at Chintamani for Independence Day and Anush and Aditi had fun at my MIL's school celebrations. Aditi also enjoyed the play park there. Will update pics from my MIL's cell sometime in the future.

Anushka is six!

This day, six years ago, I became a mother for the first time. It has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my existence. Thanks Anushka for making my life more beautiful in every sense of the term.

Here are the various aspects of her bday party which took place last Friday. We had a sea theme birthday only because it seemed easy and pretty and I had managed to find her a blue frock!

FOOD: Shell & Star biscuits , Goldfish, Pasta salad, Honey twists, Veggie Fish/ Starfish cutlets, Candies, Chocolates, Juice, Two tier marine Cake

GAMES: Fishing with feet, Catch fish, Short Treasure hunt, Ocean quiz, Burst the Bubbles, Shell strings, Sea collage

DECOR: Lots of shells, blue and green paper and balloons, fish related toys of Aditi, food fish and mock edible sea ( marshmellow and rusk crumbs)

GIFTS: Fish sticker books among other stuff

Some friends whom you might know who made it were Abha ( Mamma Mia), JLT, S from ST, Mindfulmeanderings, Chox and the avid blog reader S. No pics of them for obvious reasons.

Mera Cythle

Kids do start early nowadays. Aditi is indeed fond of her "cythle"

While on it, I love the baby lisp she has- Anush never had any.

For instance, Aditi always uses tta instead of ka- so Anushka is Anushtta and Akka is Atta!!

They celebrated Raksha Bandhan in her playschool and her high point was the laddoooooooooo she got back home.

Star of the Day

Anush's Tamil Star Birthday is today, her sixth one. She received a cross word book from her grandparents .

We also gave her a copy of the book that she 'wrote' and illustrated almost a year ago, soon after hr fifth birthday. I am glad, we atleast got it printed in time for her birthday.

Dear Anush
You are our little star and the guiding light for your sister. May you always smile and shine!
And you know what...?
Amma

Mela on the Menu

My SIL from Boston has never visited an exhibition on her trips to des in the last decade!! Priority has only been family/ friends.

This time we finally mananged to take her and she got herself a beautiful Sanjhi paper cutwork piece among other things and spent some exclusive one on one time with Anush who adores her.

Red Day on a Cycle, a Keyboard recital, a PTA and Dastkaar

Hectic weekend and so satisfying except that Aditi seems to be having another bout of allergy/cough- poor thing! That did not stop her from inaugurating her new cycle. ( Anush's first that is)




Aditi celebrated red day in school or rather we did with great enthu. Pomegranates, strawberries and apples were duly packed for snack by the participative sister.




Anush had her first formal recital at the keyboard- she performed well enough as per me and very well as per her teacher. Three blind mice was perfect but Oh Susannah was almost there.





Anushka's PTA at her new big school was wonderful. Touchwood.




Made it to Dastkaar and I think I must quit going there for a couple of years till something really new gets presented.

Gyaan Bhandaar

Posting these superfab links here - stuff that bloggers who I have huge regard for have reccomended:

http://mommylabs.gorgeouskarma.com/

http://www.jodogyan.org/home

Am sure you will love them too.

Dastkar Mela

It is already a year since the previous one! Dastkar is back in Blore. Am not sure I will be able to make it this time though. Will you?

Drive me crazy

The other day I saw a man driving his car in peak traffic with his lesser than 2 yr old baby on his lap!

Did he not care for himself or the baby? What about the others on the road?

Then I began wondering why he was doing such a thing? Maybe a single dad? Maybe an emergency? What do you think?

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And yes, we know little kids like to 'drive '- Aditi does too. But only when the car is completely stationary.

City Slickers & Stories

Went to Chintamani again this weekend for more family time there.

We were stopped in a few places by protestors ( seri-culture min price related) and let go after some detours and some waiting. So a journey that would have been under two hours stretched to 3 hours but enriched us all the same.

The girls were real sports and enjoyed the lovely farms and hamlets we got to see.

More importantly Anush got a feel of bandhs, their motivation and so on.

These things make you thank God for all the many blessings you have. Touch wood.

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Missed the Kathalaya story telling sessions on Sunday, part of the Kathotsava 2011.

I heard positive feedback about the Ola and Geeta Ramanujan from a trusted friend.