School, yeah!

Another summer vacation came to an end. Another session in schools has begun. Another new school. Another first day, first week. It passed happily. San is more than excited after having had a big dose of the vacation this year!

She's going to Kindergarten (yeah, she already did that while she was in India) She's a September-born and doesn't qualify for the first grade. We did get a handful of advice on ways to skip a grade, now or in future, and get her back on track. A lot of parents do that. But, why? I feel after having finished junior and senior kindergarten in India and battled the monster called homework (yeah, I've written so much about it!), she's fine with experiencing Kindergarten all over again here, and it's so much different. Homework will always be there, at times more, at times less. As she goes up the grade ladder, it's gonna get busier and harder anyway. I'm glad she's getting to have some more fun in Kindergarten before she gets into the serious school mode.

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The other day, I asked San (yet again) what she wants to be when she grows up. She said that she's gonna be a doctor and treat me. After having said that, she went silent for a while. I asked her what happened. She said, "Mommy, when I grow up, you are gonna be at God's home. How will I treat you then?" I told her that I'll ask God to wait some more so that I can spend more time with her. She was okay with it and again went silent. Then she asked me, "When people go to God's home, don't they return?" I said yes and no. With tears welled up in her eyes, she said, "Mommy, I always want you to be with me, and not go anywhere. Always and always, no matter what happens."

Sigh!

Some Summer Fun

Summer's on, and so are the holidays. Lots of time, lots of things to do, and yet, nothing much to do! That's how it is with San.

Last weekend, we finally enjoyed our much awaited camping trip - our very first camping trip! Thankfully, the rain and thunderstorm forecast could not spoil the spirit of it. It was fun. The very interesting lecture on alligators, watching a baby alligator gobble up a turtle, the two-hour long hike (which had San quite bored), the sounds of birds that is music during the hike, setting up the tent (the most important part of a camping trip), the outdoor cooking (not to forget the roasted marshmallows), the bugs that bug, the sight of a start-studded sky, the endlessly tall trees, sounds of the night, the post-dinner games and chit-chat, the early morning sights and sounds and smell, the outdoor breakfast, the wind-up, the clean-up... all of it was a great experience. Some great time away from the routine, the gadgets, and the monotony.

  

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San's swimming classes are on, finally, and she's loving it! After a long, long gap, she's gotten into the pool, and she's being a fish. :) It's fun to watch her learn, although, she's mostly hunting for toads and centipedes in the pool during her class, thanks to the frequent showers!

And yesterday, on Father's Day, Papa dear and San enjoyed some daddy-dotty time in the pool after long!

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Our birdhouse is finally up and very busy all through the day. Sparrows, blackbirds, crows, pigeons... we have them all! And that means more cleaning work for us. The birdseed peels and bird poop make a real mess! But then, we love to watch the birds!

From crayons to sketches

Last week was a trouble week. Tummy troubles for San, stress-related troubles for Papa dear, and for me, handling the two of them was a handful.

When you see your child vomit all through the night, throwing up food, white stuff, yellow stuff, it does feel scary. After some research on Google and a word with the doc, we were okay to find out that a stomach bug was the culprit, who already made its way out of San through all that stuff. What followed was a series of bland food, soups, and lemon water for three days. She's back to her happy self now, happily eating and coloring.

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Talking about coloring, I would proudly like to mention that she did a portrait of me! And how did she get that idea? I did one for her on Sunday morning (sad that I didn't take a picture of it). She was quite happy with it (after she'd made some changes to it). :p She started off with a portrait of her grandparents, then mine, and then her Maasi's (Maasi is a term for Mommy's sisters).

Mommy

Richa Maasi

Anyone up for theirs? ;-)

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It's a long, long wait till the school starts! And it's difficult to keep San busy cuz' she gets 'bored' soon. And that has been THE word on her list since a couple of months now. 

We started painting our newly-bought birdhouse today (and that's a good project to keep her busy)! :)

Being a tomboy

My girl is officially a tomboy! Why? Because everyone says so.

San loves her polos, her baggy tees with sleeves rolled up, her boots, her hair gone wild, her shorts, her trousers, and everything that is not girly. She fights for blue because pink is for girls. She likes to play ball with boys and roll in grass and mud than play Ring-around-a-Rosie with other girls. She asks me "what if I were a boy" questions. When she dances, you know that she is good for hip-hop and b-boying, not ballet and salsa. Reminds me of my time when I used to be like that, so not like the girls, and still, I wish she were more girly!

She's made a couple of friends here, all girls. I asked her how she finds her new friends. "They're nice, Mommy, but I haven't made any boy friends yet. I had so many boy friends in India. Why aren't there any boys here?" she said. Sigh! :D

But anyway, what's the big deal about being a tomboy? Nothing. It's cool! :)