Aa- Ba-Ca

Went to Aditi's school for observation and was enchanted.

That she is into numbers I knew, but she is far more patient ( than at home) with very little need for instruction. Organized and meticulous too.


Best of all, she spells words herself - from radish  to mesh and van to hat.

Love her calm and composed teacher.... glad we chose this school for Adi.

Today she wanted me to come for observation again!!

Nostalgia Trip

Went for Salaam Rabi at NGMA, the play was more satirical and nicely done but suited to adults than kids.

On Saturday we revived ties with a couple we met last at their wedding 13 yrs ago!! Now with twins the same age as Anushka, we really got along well despite the break.

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Went To Chintamani this Sunday. Header pic is proof.

Saturday Do

Sounds very promising! A friend alerted me about this.

We anyway loved the venue on our previous visit.

In association with National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore Little Theatre will be performing Salaam Robi (in a Storytelling Theatre format) to celebrate Tagore’s work for and with children. 

When: 27th July (Saturday) | 11 AM onwards

Where: NGMA, Bengaluru, Manikyavelu Mansion

49, Palace Road, Bangalore, KA, 560052

Phone: 080-234 2338

Second Nature

Have been at my current job for 12 yrs .......

It is so much a part of me that I forgot to mark the anniversary on July 3rd!!

But I did celebrate unknowingly with a nice lunch  and an upside down pineapple cake that day!

Doggy dosa

The artist ( should I say copier) in me had gone into deep slumber

Suddenly revived by my demanding three yr old.

Starry Eight

Today is Anush's eighth star bday. She found it pretty amusing that the stars say she is eight though she is not officially so yet.

 Pic from a buddy's bday- space and stars theme

In keeping with her curiosity levels, her grandma also mentioned that once in 60 years a person's star and English bday coincide.

Happy Star Birthday baby! Completely my good fortune to have you as my kid.
 Am sure Situ paati is blessing you where ever she is.

Chance meetings

How nice is it when you can catch up with your spouse very unexpectedly in the city which you called home once...

Navy's meet got stretched and I was here in Chennai at the same time

The rain gods danced but we still managed to meet at a new branch of an old haunt, Little Italy.


Here is to more such magic....

Time Out Chennai

Went to Bay 146 in Savera Chennai last evening.





Why should a happy night mean LOUD music.


Food was good though spicy.

I wondered if I was getting old....

Alphabet Dress up- The Book

Written by : Nalini Sorensen
Illustrated & Designed by : Shraddha Pimputkar
Ages- 3 and up

Today's kids think they need to take costumes on hire to enact a role. 

Here is a refreshing look at the world of pretend play:

Playing dress-up is magical,

It 's really so much fun

You just need to imagine

And you could be anyone

A new age alphabet book, the book works for reinforcing the alphabet and the sounds, as an introduction to professions and as an aid to imagination - while playing dress- up! What is more, there is a card game with the book that will help kids have fun and reinforce the written word.

The rhyme is delightful and never forced.

The illustrations are colorful  and uncluttered starting with A (Astronaut) to Z (Zoo keeper).

Look out for the small picture cues of other works that begin with the same letter ( eg. Y on a yak on the Yoga Instructor's T- shirt)
There are no gender stereotypes since the girl and the boy don various roles in turn.

Some of the professions are familiar and some new and imaginative, but all are treated with equal respect. The book works as a subtle reminder of how all of us have an important role to play.

Fairy and queen did not sit very well for me, as they are not professions but of course they give ample opportunity for dress up and pretend play. More nods to blue collar/ manual labour in the form of a farmer/ fisherman and perhaps quiz master would have made the book perfect for me.

The book appealed so much to my 7 year old that she went on to pretend to be an explorer ( ably assisted by  an atlas, a backpack, a little sister and a lot of imagination) The fun went on for an hour or more!!

The book launch was accompanied by an event calling for kids to dress up ( not as in fancy/ party wear or store bought costumes)  but using simple home props to come up with a look to suit a profession.

The three ladies behind the book are associated with Cuddle Foundation and part of the sale proceeds will go towards the care of cancer affected kids. Kudos to the book with more than one cause!

Star Starter

One of the easiest and most loved starters I know. It is always a hit.


Wish Blore had pineapple peelers like the vendors in Mumbai though!!

Classical Sangeet for tots

I was mighty taken up with the instrument petting session in DC

In Chennai and here, the music teachers I have come across, take kids only post 7 yrs for teaching classical vocal. Of course they have their reasons. But my feel iss that exposure ( and not in the form on lengthy kutcheris) can be provided to kids so inclined.


Here is something closer home which I heard about, wish they were in Blore as well.
All you Mumbaikar moms, make use of this!!


Little Ustaads (6 months – 5 Yrs)
Little Ustaads allows children and parents to discover and appreciate the world of Indian Classical music through rhythmic tunes, rich vocals, mini instruments and vibrant visuals. Each 45 minute structured session will expose the children to different raags, taals, sargam as well teach children about various Indian instruments and provide a fun jamming time!

Little Ustaads Gurus (4.5 Yrs - 7 yrs)

Little Ustaads Gurus, a Hindustani Classical Music program for 4 1/2 -7 year olds. Taking from the rhythmic tunes, rich vocals, mini instruments and vibrant visuals found in the Little Ustaads curriculum, Gurus is a program meant for older children that challenges them to dig deeper into the world of Classical Music and Vocals. Children would be “taught” the basics in Hindustani Classical, albeit with a twist.

Up the Urban Ladder

We really needed add-on book storage in the girls' room.

This step case from Urban Ladder beckoned and the best part is that we can add on another piece on to it when we need to- which maybe pretty soon!

Snow in Bangalore

We visited Snow City with very limited expectations and were happy with the cleanliness of the warm gear and the place itself.

Well organised but could not spend over 40 minutes due to the kids feeling too cold.

There is an ice block wall to climb and a couple of slides that are fun, there is music if you wish to dance in the snow. There is no ice skating or the like. The snow fall is more like a cold drizzle than snow flakes and the snow itself is more like crushed ice. The staff are pleasant and  efficient.

Good enough to take kids once for the experience if they have never seen snow.

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Had  a hectic weekend with two dos for our newly wed cousins, hosted at our place and at my SIL's .
 
Also managed to resume the AV sessions though the venue is now changed and many of the kids are new

WOW- extra terrestrials

Saw The Extra Terrestrials show on the weekend. Absolutely mesmerizing, but for the laser man and the magician/ illusionist who were not that awe inspiring.

This was the first time we visited Phoenix Mall.
We liked some of the activities there ( climbing, zorbing, bungee swing like thing).
But the traffic is daunting to put it mildly. Possibly a trip for some early Sat or Sunday morning.

Come Saturday

This Saturday from Art's Tales:

We are missing AHA given the intimidating traffic due to rains , wish some theatre and some Kutcheris happened this side of town as well.

Dawn to Dusk

The Madhubani kettle in the header pic and in multiple angles below, is by a close family friend - Preksha.

DO encourage her with orders for similar or other works of art.

Adittys

At 10.30 pm, Aditi asked if we were going row boating when I guided Navy to take the road towards Ulsoor lake.

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She wanted us to dress up fancy on our 'wedding' day. 
We celebrated 14 yrs of marriage. 
Missed getting Situ Paati's blessing but other than that, I would not want to change anything about our life.

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We watched Extra Terrestrials and the four of us enjoyed the show. Fab acts!
 In between Aditi quipped" How can they do this amma? How is it possible"
" Because they are experts Adi"
" Like Anushka? They are as good as Anush??!!"
Sister Worship Act at extreme!

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We had great fun at Navy's cousin's wedding. Aditi has taken a huge liking towards her youngest cousin and calls him "my baby "

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In other news, found a pic of Aditi, used without my permission, on an anti child abuse site!
Pointed out to them and they immediately took it off line.