Scooby, Pickles, Guitar, Fishes..oh my

I like how they put up Book Fairs in schools in the US. Back in my school days in India there was never a concept of Book Fairs in school. There used to be book fairs maybe once or twice a year held in some corner of the city. My parents used to hunt for these types of fairs to take us kids to.
Even in the school libraries, there used to be a period in a week( in 1 week just 30 mins ) called "Library" where we can go sit in the library and browse through the magazines. By the time I figured out a good book to read the school bell would ring. :(
Munchkin loves book fairs. He made a huge wish list and gave it to us. I told him that I was going to give him $25 and he could get howmuchever books he needed provided it doesn't exceed that amount. Imagine my surprise when he asks me "So is the $25 just for books? Or does it include taxes too?" uhhh....I was stunned to silence. When I found my voice I told him it doesn't cover taxes. haha.

Scooby is the latest DVD thats making the rounds at our home. I like Scooby Doo :) I remember munchkin watching "Thomas the Train" and getting really annoyed at the narrators boring voice.
We left violin and learning guitar now. And munchkin loves lemon pickles..which I am totally lovin. I have been trying to make him enjoy spicy Indian food but its a work in progress.
And..We are getting a fish tank for our home :)

March into 2015

I am a bad blogger. IT's been ages since my last post.

When there is a whole of things to write about and you are in a loss for words, stick to bullets. :) They are life savers.

Munchkin at 7..going on 8..

• a serious Wild Kratts Fan. Life's ambitions in his own words - "become a wildlife explorer". His backup plan(you thought there wasn't??!) - Become a zoologist
• Going into the Star wars phase - Does the Jedi moves 
• Started learning violin and gave his first recital ("Mary had a little lamb") but then made up his mind that violin sounds sad. He is learning Guitar now and seems happy about it
• Loves to read. His favorite at the moment - Geronimo Stilton
• I heart - painting, playing in dirt, tennis, soccer, dinosaurs, Scooby-Doo, Harry Potter movies, and Cars..and more cars!!
• Pet Peeves - chick flicks that his sister makes him watch (and that always cracks me up..haha), Legos (never got into it for some reason), playing tag, chapter books with no pictures :) 

Losing Milk teeth

Munchkin has lost his 2 top teeth and now has an adorable lisp :)

5 years an 6 months ol

Munchkin is 5 years an 6 months old...A Kindergartner!!!
Where did the time go? No, Seriously! How did the time fly by?
My kutty(little) baby is no more a kutty baby...but a kutty boy. He is developing a personality of his own and I love watching him grow. Its funny that there are some traits he is carrying forward..like..
He still refuses to eat once he feels he is full( no matter if it is his favorite food/snack)
He is still not into sweets(except Khaju katli). He likes cookies/cakes/candy's though.
He is still shy.He takes some time to warm up to people.
He is still a very keen observer.
He loves music. He still sleeps to me singing "chinna paapa"( a tamil song).

And, he still giggles. Isn't it cute?

bedtime questions

One of those moments that I had to put down....
**
Bedtime stories have passed on from me to my mom.The moment munchkin is ready for bed he takes the phone and dials up my mom for his bedtime story.The other day munchkin agreed to take a nap in the afternoon(he is slowly leaving his afternoon naps).When I took him to bed,he said he wanted a story from paati.I said "paati would be sleeping now."
munchkin to me : Is she taking a nap?
Me: "No,but it is bedtime for her. When we wake up,they go to sleep inn India.It is their night time."

Munchkin: "are they nocturnal animals?"

Me: laugh out loud!!

Spring is just round the corner..

I think its a fabulous time of the year though I feel that ever turn of the season.I can see flower buds popping up on the branches of the trees behind my homne and I am pretty excited.
Also excited about our vacation starting tomorrow.Munchkin has been telling everyone that he is going off on an adventure.We have brought some toys and I am going to pack it and take it along with us for munchkin's birthday.A birthday is never complete without atleast one present waiting for you when you wake up.Happy vacation to us..!!

The month that was...

Long time...
Long story....But to cut things short I am going to fall back on my listings mode.
* Our family took turns getting sick.First it was munchkin, then me and then Linux.Just when we thout the circle was complete Munchkin fell sick again but thankfully the order didn't repeat.
* Munchkin had his Valentine's Day party at school.Gave goodies and got back goodies which were mostly candies and it almost felt like Halloween again.
* We had snow almost every week until the last week of Feb.
* Munchkin has made it a rule that we eat as a family on weekends ("just like the Panda bears do") It feels nice sitting down together around the table and eating our lunch.We are still not able to do dinner together.

I had a lot of things on my mind when I started writing this post but for the life of me cant remember any more.March is a special month for us - It has Munchkin's birthdate. We have planned on a surprise Disney World visit. Sunny skies, Here we come!!!

Spiderman to the rescue

Our water heater started leaking all of a sudden.I had gone to the basement to do the laundry when i found half our basement was flooded with water.Then started endless hours trying to soak up the water using big blankets and wringing it out.Linux looked up the emergency contact number and was calling up the plumber when i heard munchkin using his toy phone and talking animatedly.
His conversation went like this:
"Hello !Is this spiderman?Hey how are you pal?Our water heater needs fixing..can you come straight away?And hey can you pick up Iron man on the way here?"

Our Favorites - 1

!

...And the award for munchkin's most favorite book goes to "The Little Engine That Could".Its become the most read book in our home.Munchkin just cannot get enough of the book.The title is self explanatory.The story starts with an engine carrying toys, games and goodies to god boys and girls when all of a sudden it breaks down.The toys then ask the help of other engines to carry them over the mountain and they are snorted upon and refused.Then comes the little blue engine that agrees to pull the load even its too little to carry all of them.It keeps chugging "i-think-i-can" and takes the toys, games and the goodies to the waiting boys and girls.I guess the winning factor in this book are the trains, atleast for munchkin.The book is about trains and the concept is simple for a preschooler, they identify with the boys and girls who are waiting for the toys.And no kid can have enough toys.So thats our favorite book for the past 3 months , still going strong

Dear munchkin

Today is the 31st of December 2010.You had a great year starting in India.I dont think you remember your stay there but you had truck loads of fun.You had this wide eyed stare whenever you saw a cow or a buffalo pass by our streets and would ask to be taken to the roadside to look at them marching down.You loved going on shopping trips with thatha and always came home holding a new toy.I had a great time with you in India.Watching through your eyes, I came to realise the joy in simple things around us and how we always overlook them.Once we were back you were stuck like a glue to papa.We celebrated your birthday party with friends and you chose the "Thomas the tank engine" theme once again, 2 years in a row.
You started preschool this year.You write the alphabets and numbers quite well and starting to spell words.We had a visit from perippa and vasu akka(uncle and his daughter) in summer and you had an awesome time visiting the Zoo. You have been learning to swim and starting to learn soccer.Your first two swim classes were torture to me.You cried the whole 45 minutes of the class and used to say "mamma hold me".I was so apprehensive of whether you would ever lose your fear for water but you did a real U-Turn starting from your 3rd class.You took to the water like a fish and you now look forward to you swim classes.
Lots of happenings, halloween, christmas, easter, your graduation, road trips, and so much more.
That was 2010 for you and heres wishing lot more joy, cheer, smiles your way in the newyear.
love you munchkin...mamma

cars, trucks and a big robot

These were munchkins christmas gifts.Ever since december started he has been asking "is it christmas today mama?" and so when we said tomorrow is christmas he was literally jumping up and down.He was so wound up that linux and me had to tell him that unless he slept santa isnt going to stop over at our home.
Today morning munchkin opened his gifts.We had brought him some more of the "Cars" characters, a haul truck and a robot.He has been exploring how the robot works from early morning.He loves his gifts but it didnt take much time for him to ask "so, is santa going to come again today?", "What gifts will i get today?".

Munchkins Christmas party

Munchkin had his christmas party at school today.It was more of a heritage party as their school had asked us to bring a dish that was unique to our heritage.The party was to start at 3:00 with santa coming in and giving out the gifts.Munchkin had made a list for santa and one among them was Cars(not just cars, the film 'Cars' cars).So we had brought a radiator springs geotrack set and given it to his teacher last week.Munchkin was all excited about santa giving him a present and he couldnt wait for his name to get called.He loved his gift, proof the picture where he cant tear the gift wrapper any faster.

Migrating

I have a lot to say, both in person and the virtual world.The idea behind this blog was to have a chronology of munchkin's moments and i want it stay that way.I have started another blog where i ramble.As i said i have a lot to ramble.My other blog is coherentthoughtsofaramblingmind.blogspot.com
I am so happy that i have 4 followers and you are the reason i continue to blog.Do stop in to my new blog.

Curled up with a good book

Thats my idea of bliss!Not kidding...seriously.Atleast one of my ideas of bliss.There is nothing like getting into a brand new world filled with characters that make you laugh, cry, long, despair, cherish, love, hate and all this just by a play of words.That my friend is the essence of a good book where you feel like you are one in their world.I have become more of a fantasy, paranormal reader.They are my favorite genres off late along with romance(ofcourse!).I like science fiction too but once you read Assimov's works the others somehow dont reach you.I have been reading C.L. Wilsons Tairen series for the past three days and i love it.Fantasy and romance , the book is great.So thats where i am - curled up with a good back and i am loving it!

Vegetarianism

"I am a Vegetarian" - That sentence brings in a lot of reactions.Sometimes "Oh really?How does that work for you?" to "Uhh!!" and sometimes to an even bizzare "So do you eat fish?".Wikipedia says "Vegetarianism is the practice of following a plant-based diet including fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, nuts, and seeds, mushrooms, with or without dairy products and eggs."Now there are people who argue as to how eggs fall under a vegetarian diet but lets skip that.
What i wanted to say was why am i a vegetarian.I am SouthIndian and fall into a caste(i hate using that word but as any Indian we are forced to) who are orthodox,strict vegetarians and so on.I was brought up to think eating meat is unholy.My family and my extended family a group of people who cringe at people eating meat even in movies.My paternal grandma even makes this puking sound.Go figure!So thats my background as is my husband's.
At this point of life, i can say that i am a vegetarian not because i am forced to.Not even because my religion demands it.And not because i am against animal cruelty.But in a way i am against animal cruelty.Why the paradox?Let me explain - I am against animal cruelty.I hate that but its not that i dont use leather handbags.Its not like i dont use products tested on animals because i do.Most of the products today are and the few which are not tested on animals are freaking expensive.So there!I am against animal cruelty but somethings fall out of my control.Anyways, I digress.So why am i a vegetarian??
Because it is healthy. And much closer to the truth - Because i am used to it!I dont make the faces my family makes nor do i make puking gestures but the sight of people butchering meat does get to me!I walk the aisles of the supermarket and when i come to the meat section i see live crabs ready in the tank and something tugs heavily.I cant help it.I have nothing against people eating meat but its not my cup of tea(pun intended!).
Linux and me are bring up our son a vegetarian but in future if he chooses to eat meat its his decision.Each to his own.

Note: The above post is just my view and not meant to affect the sentiments of anyone.

Moments like this....

Munchkin wanted to go to the park badly.He had been asking about it the whole day .We told him we could go in the evening but somehow we couldn’t make it(Linux had some deadline he had to meet).
Munchkin was badly upset and started to cry and I was feeling bad too.I tried telling him we could go the next day but he didn’t understand why we couldn’t go right then.He was sitting by the window in a chair, looking pensive with big tears rolling down his cheeks when suddenly he yelled “Mommy, come and look!There are 2 kittens outside trying to go under the fence.One grey and one black.”Munchkin was so excited that he forgot all about his park trip.He.was in the moment.Watching him made me thinking why we adults fail to look at the brighter side of things.We tend to get weighed down when we are faced with hurdles.We are so focused on milestones that we forget the moments, the present.There is no time more important than the present, this moment.
Moments matter, not Milestones.

Listings

Random listings this time.Its so much easier than writing paragraphs.Thats how lazy I am today.I really wanted to blog regularly and everytime I write a post I keep telling that to myself.But somewhere along the day I forget!So well, listings this time..
•We joined a recreational club 2 weeks back.Linux and me are planning on learning to swim and munchkin is signing up for swimming and soccer classes.
•I had a wakeup call from my doctor saying its time I did something about my weight gain.I have been working out for the past 1 month and I like it.
•I love the workout videos for the simple reason that I can do it at the comfort of my home , anytime.
•Munchkin had gone pumpkin picking with his school.He brought home the two cutest pumpkins I have seen my entire life.
•I am missing amma and appa a lot.Though I speak to them atleast twice a day I wish I could see them.
•We watched Endhiran!!( a tamil movie).It was an event by itself,let me tell you why.It was the first movie we went to see as a family after munchkins birth, it was also the first tamil movie I saw with linux in a theatre :-)
•Its difficult to change oneself.I have always had the difficulty of letting go.Its very hard for me to let go but I know I am made of sterner stuff.I really have to learn not to hold on to things too tightly.

Munchkins world

Blogging after a very long time…Munchkn is now 3 yrs and 5 mths.He is going to preschool starting this month.It hits me hard everytime I say his age out loud.My baby is growing up ! I don’t know how to put it in words but there is this elated feeling inside me with a touch of melancholy…I guess its just a mom thing.Somehow my life changed after pregnancy.My life which was so valuable.I know I will give it up in a moment if it means I can save my baby but there is this part that also hopes for a long life – not to see my dreams come true but to watch munchkin realize his dreams.
So what is munchkin doing these days?
Munchkin holds intelligent conversations now..oh yeah,he reasons out everything.He dosent take anything without sound reasoning.I hope he keeps doing it as he grows old because there are times and people who do things because it’s the norm or because tradition demands it.(Now I don’t have anything against traditions and beliefs as long as there is a valuable reason behind it)
He has started writing alphabets and can spell 3 letter words but he gets muddled between the ‘c’ sound and ‘k’ sound..Just the other day we were working on spellings and he spelt the word ‘cat’.When asked to spell ‘key’ he said ‘cey’.I immediately corrected him saying its spelt with a ‘k’ sound .Munchking gives me a mom-you-are-silly stare and says ‘but mama, its Key just like Cat..so why would you tell me to use K instead of C..I tried to think of an explanation without putting it as lame as ‘English is a funny language,that way’ but failed to.I am now seriously looking for an explanation for the time he asks me why we pronounce the words ‘cut’ and ‘put’ in a different way.Sigh!!
Munchkin is still very much into Dinosaurs and trains.A new found love of his is building blocks and colouring books.He loves playing Leggo .He has been learning to swim and I am glad he lost his fear of water.His favorite color as of yesterday is yellow and he loves the swing.Thats where he runs to the minute we hit the park.So much to write about munchkin.His world is becoming bigger with endless possibilities.A lot of discoveries, a lot more of laughter and friends , some accidents made alright with kisses and cookies, an urge to explore, innocence and smiles – that’s munchkins world

Munchkins graduation

Today was munchkins graduation day.He will be going to preschool come september.The color code for his graduation was blue shorts and white T-shirt and he looked so cute.They had been practicing for a long time now and munchkin keeps singing the songs all throughout the day.His class was the first to go and it was so cute watching the boys and girls come and stand in a line.We had a great time watching them not perform.It took 3 songs for them to warm up and even then there were just three kids who sang and danced but it was so cute watching them.Kids never fail to put a smile on our faces.

Zen Meditation

I am attending Zen meditation classes.For a long time now i have been wanting to learn meditation.I had learnt yoga and meditation some 6 years back.Though i still practice yoga i am out of touch with meditation.I tried doing it at home with calm surroundings but i wasnt able to do it for more than 5 minutes.I learnt about Zen meditation and wanted to give it a try and i love it.Zen is a form of buddhist meditation developed in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.The foundation of Zen is meditation.Through meditation, Zen practioners gradually transform their deepest mental habits. Step by step, breath by breath, the mind frees itself from its illusions and passes through its artificial barriers.
I attend a 1.5 hour class where we practice sitting meditation for the first 30 minute period.Then we practice walking meditation for 15 minutes and then go back to another 30 minutes of sitting meditation.The experience is unique.I feel so much happier and lighter after a session.Now i just hope i am able to continue my classes.