The Thinker!

Whenever L turns silent, especially on a car ride either she would be sleeping or "thinking". She is a thinker otherwise also. Thinks a lot, and at times laughs aloud in loneliness. When I enquire she usually roll out some old stories from the past and giggle aloud...

The other day, she was silent in the back seat for a long time and suddenly said... "Pappa, I was just thinking.." in very serious tone.

Book of the Week :: Pizza in His Pocket

All those stories of children suffering around the globe is leaving me heartbroken. Those are the moments I personally realize that I have lost count on the umpteen blessings in my life. The photo of a mom and a baby frozen down to death in Syria and the news about 40 kids died from cold weather in a Refugee camp at Muzaffer Nagar  have really shaken me. That was the reason I picked the book Pizza in His Pocket: Learning to be Thankful to Allah as the book of the week. To tell my daughter how blessed we're in words that she would comprehend!

Look who is on a Pony!

The Broadcaster

How embarrassing it is to learn that there is nothing happens in our home without being broadcasted to the school!! L's teacher though puts it as "she is very expressive", I sometimes find it hard to imagine up to what extend she would be sharing about her "home" in the school.

Some of them that her teacher shared with us are:

On the Stage

Liya had her second open stage program at Christmas Carnival conducted by the school. See some pictures.

Note: We do not celebrate Christmas because according to our scriptures the birth date of Jesus (PBUH) is neither mentioned nor has any significance on any such dates. We let her participate in the program for some reason. I respect everyone's religious freedom.  Kindly refrain from judging "haram.." etc. 

At Mysore Palace & Brindavan Gardens

The Palace of Mysore (Amba Vilas Palace) is the official residence of the Wodeyars - the former royal family of Mysore, which ruled the state of Mysore for over seven centuries. 

At Mysore Zoo

Mysore is one of the popular tourist locations in India, known for its rich heritage and historical importance.

Exploring the zoo

Book of the week :: Catch the Bus

The Berenstain-Bears catch the bus is one of Liya's favorite books. She learned about the book from her previous school, last year during their story time around the theme "vehicles". Since then she was bugging me to buy one for herself. I could not find it in any local stores and she didn't have much info about the book other than the name. As usual, I searched in online book stores, listed all the books named "catch the bus" until she identified the cover page of the book she was talking eagerly about. Since then the antics of Berenstain bears have become a part of our life. For nearly a year, we have read the book so many times, nevertheless, it continues to be one of the "top reading" book in our reading list.

The school bus!

This is suppose to be a school bus! Liya's drawings at 4!

Wordless Wednesday :: Being Creative

L created this using her stone necklace, cotton and a color pencil... 

This is Humpty Dumpty, says she! 

The making of a hat!

Book of The Week :: Is Camel a Mammal by Dr. Seuss

We have shared a good amount of toddler books here. Now that we are back nearly after a year, we will be specifically looking at preschooler's books. In Sha Allah (if god wills)!

Before we move on to the book of the week, let me tell you, we have been reading a lot over past year, as well. L is growing into a book addict day by day and so ours is still a No TV home. Book are brilliantly replacing TV at our home. We are piling up our little library with various books. L's topics of interest, likes, dislikes about books etc are very evident now. Any suggestion on good preschooler's books will be highly appreciated.

Wordless Wednesday :: Indian Style Stuffed whole chicken

Courtesy:

Shabs cuisine for recipe 

My friend Ajee for inspiration 

Meow Meow on Children's Day!

When I went to pick L from school in the afternoon a kitty called me "Momma"... Here are the pics of that kitty.

Much to Do before 5!

We did not do the bucket list for the year 4. That was a great loss.  Now, I am compiling our TO DOs for the coming year so that we will have a plan on the go. In Sha Allah!

Talking about death!!

Have you ever been questioned by your preschooler about death? Have you ever been in a situation where you find yourself searching for answers?

It happened nearly 4 months ago. Since Liya is now familiar with many of our extended family members and relatives she is inquisitive on researching more. She was learning from J about "who is whose parents" and their conversation went on. She asked who is my momma and my pappa and who is J's momma and his pappa. He answered gently.

Eid-ul-Adha trip to Kerala

Long day ride in a volvo bus

The Reconciler

Just after we landed in Bangalore, J was looking for new SIM card for both of our phones. Unfortunately, you can not use the SIM cards across states in India, without roaming charges. So, every time you move across the country, you are more likely to get a new number!

Of course I wanted a fancy number. He has been behind many vendors and did not come across any good numbers. Finally, he got two SIM cards. Both the numbers were same except for a single digit.

Somehow, I did not like the number. I did not feel that the numbers are easy to remember. It's not easy to get a fancy number in a country where 1.2 plus billion people live... lol!

I was whining on having to go with such "not so fancy" number. L was watching all these discussions and finally jumped into my lap and said..

"Momma, look his number is having 8 and yours too having. So, it's a good number.."

I had to just stop whining and laugh aloud!

Finally, the Reconciler won, I am living with the same number!

We hit 4!

Yes, we have entered fabulous four! Just can't believe!!! It's been four years since our little bundle of joy came to our life. Never in my life I thought that four years is a short time. But, today I did!

Last year, though it's been one of the wonderful years of our parenthood with tremendous changes in L, so many changes in our life, I am sad that I was not able to record them. So, looking back to L's past year, let me recall some best milestones.

GoodBye Hyderabad, Good Morning Bangalore!

At last the much awaited day is right here. One of those busy days, packing, cleaning, loading, standing  and running a lot! But it was worth it. Liya loved the whole thing end to end.

All set to go!

Last Day @ Globe Toter's - our current school!

Finally, we're moving this weekend and so today is L's last day at current school (Globe toters). She had a wonderful experience at the school and surely we're gonna miss every bit of it. She was sad to realize that mostly she won't be seeing her dearest teachers and lovely friends anymore. Through the week she was insisting me that to take her early to school and she wanted to be the first one to reach. I was not knowing the intention behind it until I had a chat with one of her class teachers Ms. J today. Ms. J told me that through the week she was not letting anybody sit with Ms. J and she was sitting next to her all the day. Liya loved Ms. J and Ms. S (her class teachers) so much. Many times, she counts both of them as a part of our family. It was heartbreaking to see her almost falling into tears when I handed over her to the teacher today morning. We had prepared cards for the school, teachers and didi (the caretaker) and packet of chocolates for the lovely little bugs. 

At Golconda fort - Hyderabad, India

Golconda is a mud fort founded by the Kakatiya Kings during the 13th century and attained glory under the Qutub Shahi dynasty. Read about Golconda fort here. 

The fort hiker!

Things to do when Pappa is away!

Pappa is away for nearly a week, Momma and girl are left back in Hyderabad, busy planning the move. It's for the first time Liya is away from Pappa for this long. She misses him  so much, no we both do.

Liya suggested that we girls will party hard when he is away. Pink Party! We ate so much of ice creams, biriyanis and Pizzas. Yay!

We had Yummy Berry- Berry treat at Hazel, L's favorite ice cream shop.

Auto-rickshaw rides to school

As the first step of our move  we sold our car. I wish we could move our vehicles across states, without hassles!

Hardly another 2-3 weeks in Hyderabad (In Sha Allah), so I am taking L in auto-rickshaw to school everyday. She has rarely travelled in a rickshaw and so enjoying the rides to fullest. In her words "two girls rocking in Hyderabad and having so much of fun".

Yet Another....

It's been a long gap.. I really can't believe that nearly an year has passed by, without being blogged about Liya's life. So much has happened in L's life, yet I haven't found some time to record those memorable events. Poor Mom!

Technically, life in India was suppose to be much easier for me in many ways. Unlike in the US, I had a maid to do household chores and a cook who takes care of cooking lunch and dinner. However, practically, it was the opposite. Ever since I enrolled into a work integrated MS degree, I have been drowning in the flood of work, books, assignments, lectures, exams and most importantly handling my little girl in the midst of all these... I hope I will be able to get back to blogging shortly. In sha Allah!

Happy Independence Day India!!!

Liya's school conducted independence day celebrations yesterday. Kids were asked to come in colorful dress. She got up early in the morning, got ready without any hassles. She was yelling "It is independence day celebration today..."

She got back from school and I asked her: "So, tell me what's independence day?"

"You don't know Momma? It's the day we will wear colorful dress to schools, sing, dance and do activities (around independence day theme)..." :) :) 

To KinderGarden today!

3.5 years, 2 countries, 3 schools, 10 plus teachers, 4 languages....!! Liya's eventful schooling is finally entering the much awaited next stage- K1! For the past one month we have been eagerly waiting for this day, to reunite with her dearest friends and loving teachers...

So here we continue our "No textbooks / slate / pen / homework / punishments / compulsions" pre-schooling!! Wish us good luck!!

A croco eating Momma?

J was out of station for couple of days, leaving Liya and myself back in Hyderabad. In Liya's words "two girls' rocking in Hyderabad"... I found Liya immersed in deep thought and enquired: "What are you thinking my sweetie?"

Liya: "Momma what if a big crocodile comes now and eats you up?"

Myself: "OMG! OMG!!!!"

She continues: "Momma, I won't have anyone to cook food..."

How silly is that!!!!

Project 365 :: Day 14 : A cup cake

... that didn't turn out good!! Lols!

Project 365 :: Day 14 : Reading Malayalam

Yay! We are reading Malayalam books too!!!

Project 365 :: Day 13 :: Weekend Shopping

Sea food stall during weekend shopping...

Project 365: Day 15 : Exploring an Egg puff

Exploring an Egg puff..:)

Project 365 :: Day 12 :: An elephant

An elephant in Little L's big imagination...

3 years and 3 months Updates

She is growing in to a fully independent, adamant yet peace-loving little woman- as always. Over last three months:

• She has become a good negotiator (if something doesn't work out with Momma she would march straight to Pappa with her own set of investigations and justifications.) 
• A good helper (helping momma with every little thing she can do like choosing and dressing on her own, eating on her own, after meals she keeps the plate in the washing area, helps me with household chores like cleaning, folding, washing...)
•  To our amazement, she is developing an eye towards "handling everything at home"... All praises to Lord! Every morning she checks if the dustbin is full, she takes the bin bag out very carefully, and keep outside main door and go back a inserts another fresh bag in the bin. The charming thing is that, one day I found the dustbin all clean early in the morning and thought J must have done that. It was quite surprising to know that he didn't do it. And the "doer" came with a happy face and we were just proud to see her glowing face and gleaming eyes..:) So cute! 
• Very often, both J and I get scolded by her for not "doing things as it suppose to be" sometimes she advices us "Momma you should not do it like that, I 'll show you" or "Pappa, you don't know how to do that".. In such instances, her face turns into a serious mode with frowned eyes and we won't even get a smile for a moment... The bliss of parenthood!!! Thank God!
• She loves her schools, loves Ms A and Ms S. Fond of her cute little friends. 
• She continues to do "role plays" in the second half of the day (after schools and when momma gets busy with work). I really can not think when she started to make imaginary friends, but more than 1.5 years definitely.  I will have to dig my older posts to see. But the interesting thing is that she is never tired of. Sometimes, I go mad when she ask me to advice to Dora/Minnie or to some school friends. Imagine myself advising all those imaginary characters sitting in her play room. Not even dolls but purely imaginary. Sometimes, I am asked to teach them shapes, or clean their pee/poo, or even feed them!! Lol!!
• I am currently pursuing my MS which is work integrated. So, busy is a minor word to describe my day. Little L fully understands that her Momma is not only an employee but a student too. She let's me attend online video classes and very often brings me papers (after she scribble on more that 90% of it), pen, pencil etc to help Momma learn. Sometimes, she check if the pencil I have on my desk is sharp enough to write and if not she would bring sharpener too. Dear Liya, we are blessed to have you as our daughter.  Ma Sha Allah!! (As God willed it. We hope you will continue to be the same terribly responsible girl... IA
• She wants to be bold and strong girl when she grows up. She can try anything if she is said that that will make her bold/strong. For example, when she went for vaccination (there are some special ones in India, which were not given in the US it seems..;)), she was given three pricks on her two thighs. The nurse, J and I were totally stunned to see her calmly laying down and suppressing the pain. After three consecutive pricks the nurse told me "Never in my life I have seen a kid like this.." The motivator was that before stepping to vaccination room we had told her "bold girls won't cry if they get a prick". 

Project 365 :: Day 11 :: 3 years and 3 months today!

Yay! Little L turned three years and three months today. Grown in to a little woman..:)

Project 365 :: Day 10 :: The Kite

It was kite flying day in her school. So, they made this in their class...

Project 365 : Day 9 : Learning Arabic

How about learning another language?  Our new Arabic Alphabet poster...

Project 365 : Day 8 : All tired

Tired of playing..:)

Project 365 : Day 7 : Pickled Gooseberries

Pickled Gooseberries 

Project 365 : Day 6 : Playroom

Setting up L's new playroom...

Project 365 : Day 5

Our much awaited parcels have finally arrived today... :)

Project 365 :: Day 4 : Roasted Plantains

Yummy evening snack today- Home grown plantains roasted with ghee and egg!

Project 365 :: Day 3 : Choosing fabric

Little hand is helping us choose a fabric for our new couch..:)

Project 365 :: Day 2 : The First Star of the year!

2nd Jan 2013- The very first day of school in the new year, L came home with a really BIG star on her right hand. So proud!!

Project 365 :: Day 1

On the first day of the new year, Liya is the proud owner of two flower pots at her mini garden.

Project 365

Inspired by Foz, I am gonna give a try with Project 365. The project is all about "A photo a day, every day for a Year". Well, I won't be able to post it everyday... May be I will club a week's photos and post it or "as in when time permits". Let me see if I am gonna succeed. Challenge!!!

P.S: I am not a creative photographer. But, going around with my phone, I take a lot of pictures everyday. So, mostly I will be sharing moments from life, not really an aesthetic, stunning photo gallery... :)