What is good enough?

The day she watched the movie "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" with us, she was keen on becoming a runner. She even made us buy her running shoes the very next day. Since then, all she wanted to do was run. She ran with Papa dear, with me, with her Grandpa, inside the house, in the balcony, in the park, and just anywhere she could.

Today was the day when she had to run her very first race; little, but very crucial, because it was her first, even if it was a little one organized as a part of the "Ganapati festival" events in our society. She woke up fine, had milk, had toast, and was all ready to race in her favorite running shoes, showing them off and running just everywhere. I kept cheering her and told her the dos and the donts of the race.

"Do not push, do not look at anyone else, run as fast as you can, and don't stop until you reach the finish line."

She started off fine, did not push, did not look at anyone else, ran as fast as she could, and reached the finish line (not first though). The kid behind her bumped into her by mistake, and there she was, face down, on the ground. My mind went blank. All I could see and hear was her tears (and the little bump on her forehead).

More than her, it was I who felt bad. I felt bad about how her first race ended. Nothing big. Kids run. They fall. They get hurt. They cry. Everything is perfectly normal. But I, as a Mommy, felt bad for San. Had she not fallen, I would have been good. It was a perfectly normal Mommy thing.

Holding her bandaged elbow and rubbing the bump on her head, San said, "I don't like running, Mommy."

"But you stood third, San! That is good enough for your first race." I tried to make her feel better.

"But Mommy, explain me how standing third in your first race is good enough? Tell me, Mommy, tell me!" San asked.

I have a big task ahead of me!

Daddy's girl or Mommy's?

"So, is she a Daddy's girl or Mommy's pet?" I've been asked this question a number of times, and I always have to think before I answer. Why? Because I always have no clue. Unless they say, "Aww, look at her! Has to be a Daddy's girl, right?" "Absolutely!", I say.

Kids are funny, unpredictable. San too is. In the morning, she is all Mommy's. Mommy owns all the morning hugs, kisses, and the stories of her good and bad dreams. Mommy pampers and gets pampered. Even in the daytime, Mommy rules, until she scolds San on some petty things and San screams "I want Papa!" And if Papa dear is around at that time, Mommy's time is done!

Milk time, homework time, playtime, story time, pasta time, massage time, timeout time, Mommy-not-well time, Mommy-gone-crazy time, Mommy-doesn't-wanna-cook time - they are all owned by Daddy!

Did Daddy win already?? Nope. :D
Ask San and she'll say, "I'm Daddy's girl.... AND Mommy's girl too!"

I want to be you, Mommy!

How do you feel when your kids tell you that they want to be 'you' or like you when they grow up? Obviously, proud! So, when you're sitting down and wondering what a thankless job being a Mommy is, talk to your kids and they'll produce an instant list of things that you do all day and how happy they are to have you around and as a Mommy! :-)

I dunno whether I've mentioned this incident any of the previous posts, so I'd talk about it. One fine day, I was chopping veggies for dinner when San came to me and asked me if she could help.

"Mommy, can I help you chop the veggies?"
"It's okay, San. You go play."
"No, but I wanna learn how to chop veggies, so that I can grow up and become like you."
"Like me? Wow! Why do you want to be like me, San?"
"So that I can cook food for everyone like you do. I want to be just like you."

Any Mom would love to hear this! :-)

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After wanting to become a chef, a doctor, an astronaut, and a runner, San now wants to become a cop. Why? I have no clue at all! :-)

"Can girls become policemen, Mommy?"
"Yes, San."
"I want to become a policeman when I grow up."
"Okay. But you'll need to study a lot and undergo some tough training to become one."
"So, to become a Mommy after growing up, did you have to study that much?"

Innocent questions and thoughts! What would you reply to this?

The Food Express

San is growing naughtier and more vocal with each passing day! Questions and stories and anecdotes and fairy tales and friends! She's got so much to talk about and ask. :-D And with her grandparents around these days, she's got more freedom of speech and expression! ;-)

San's newest interest is FOOD. She watches all food channels with me and always wants to help me out in the kitchen, although, most of the time, I shoo her out of the kitchen telling her that kitchen is not her workplace (I know I know, I shouldn't be doing that!) So one sunny day, she tells me that she wants to cook and she'll do it without using the gas stove and the knife. Sandwich is what she wanted to make for Mommy. I let her do it this time. And what I got is this lovely little surprise!

She didn't like the fact that I took the picture by uncovering the contents of the sandwich but that's what I wanted you all to see - the very cutely chopped tomato. <3 <3 She used one of those plastic knives that accompany the birthday cakes. I guess I should let her in the kitchen more often now! :-)

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Her school starts on Monday next week. Same school, same classmates, same van and a new class, a new teacher, a new bag, new books, notebooks, lunchbox, water bottle, uniform etc. New sessions are fun, aren't they? :-)