Anurag bought fall pass to 'Museum of Life+Science' located in Durham. So far my most favorite museum for children! There are outdoor and indoor exhibits and really neat stuff for kids. We covered the outdoor exhibits last Sunday.'Dinosaur Trail' and Ëxplore the wild' are really great but Avi found "Catch the wind" most fun and spent an hour navigating his sail boat back and forth. Neev played drums and wind chimes outside,climbed the rope net, and was fascinated by poison dart frogs inside Bayer CropScience Insectarium located in the Magic Wings Butterfly House. Those frogs were so colorful - yellow, blue and geen. A tiny red one was so beautiful, you could never tell it was not as innocent as it looked. I had never seen such giant millipedes up-close before either. My opinion about certain bugs is still Ëwww" but in some cases it did change to "cool". Inside the Butterfly House we saw the different stages of life cycle of a butterfly - great experience for Avi (even though he could not stop saying Ï already know all about it":)) specially because it is part of his science curriculum in school. While we admired the beautiful colors and patterns of their wings, one butterfly came and sat on top of Avi's baseball cap. We took it off for him and showed it to him. He was so excited and held the cap entire time inside the house like a pet (showing it off and saying that butterfly loves him because he knows all about it :)). Anurag and Avi studied some carnivorous plants and Avi even spotted a dead fly inside one. After the lunch break at 'Sprouts' we explored farmland. The highlight of the day was 'Mist Fountain'. I realized that you don't have to be a kid to enjoy it. Super Super fun!! Can't wait to go again.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Kicking off Kindergarten at Marbles Museum, Raleigh
We kicked off Neev's Kindergarten at Marbles Museum just like we did for Avi two years ago. Neev will graduate from high school in 2025 and we took his picture with placard in his hands saying çlass of 2025 :) So cute ! He enjoyed playing in Ambulance pretending to be a paramedic and then a patient. Avi LOVED playing hockey on the second floor for almost an hour and then shot some hoops. We had yum luch at Roly-Poly and ended our day with a 3D show 'Under the sea' in IMAX. Great day !
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Neev's graduation from pre-K
At the end of the invitation for Neev's Pre-K graduation ceremony it read - don't forget the tissues, hopefully there won't be a dry eye in the room . Was that a helpful tip or what ?
My youngest graduated today from Pre-K . Looking charming as ever in his white shirt and maroon bow tie, he proudly received his folded certificate tied with a ribbon. Ms. Sonia and Ms. Sandy cheered along with others. There were hugs, hand-shakes, high-fives and good-byes. I watched my baby with already wet and crumpled tissue in my grip. Just when the weight of it was feeling unbearable, he ran to me and threw his arms around my neck, burying his face into my nape , murmuring, 'I love you Mama'. In that moment my world which was getting shaded by his growing self , suddenly brightened up. He became my needy,clingy little boy again. Or may be he could see how much I needed for him to be needy - still !
He will start kindergarten in fall, to embark on an independent journey , to learn, to have new experiences and to face the interesting world as it unfolds in front of him. I am glad I have entire summer for transition ( yes , I need it more than Neev !)
My youngest graduated today from Pre-K . Looking charming as ever in his white shirt and maroon bow tie, he proudly received his folded certificate tied with a ribbon. Ms. Sonia and Ms. Sandy cheered along with others. There were hugs, hand-shakes, high-fives and good-byes. I watched my baby with already wet and crumpled tissue in my grip. Just when the weight of it was feeling unbearable, he ran to me and threw his arms around my neck, burying his face into my nape , murmuring, 'I love you Mama'. In that moment my world which was getting shaded by his growing self , suddenly brightened up. He became my needy,clingy little boy again. Or may be he could see how much I needed for him to be needy - still !
He will start kindergarten in fall, to embark on an independent journey , to learn, to have new experiences and to face the interesting world as it unfolds in front of him. I am glad I have entire summer for transition ( yes , I need it more than Neev !)
Summer 2012 : Myrtle Beach, Guru Purnima, Grandfather Mountain!
No long vacations this year (are they ever long, really?) ! Spent couple of days at Myrtle beach in June and it was a real treat to meet Anurag's sweet cousin and her family there ! Water is always fun, even though my tolerance for sun soaking is going down. Avi and Neev got along really well with their cousins and enjoyed digging up and filling their sand castle wall. A short but rejuvenating trip !
In July we had the privilege to meet Guru Ji (Sri Sri RaviShankar Ji) for the first time who came to inaugurate the International Center for Meditation and well being in Boone, NC on occassion of Guru Purnima. Walking with him, next to him was divine . The center is set in the majestic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Boone, North Carolina. In that unrivaled landscape, spiritual energy wraps your heart and mind and you feel far away from the cares of the world. The center was packed with His followers from all over the world wanting a piece of celestial bliss. If Ashram is the spiritual heaven , the way to reach there is nothing short of a journey to heaven. The sight of flowers, farms and small homes set in the abundance of natural beauty infuses a sense of calm with each breath, as if preparing you for what's to follow.
We stayed in the heart of Boone at Best Western Inn , only 30 minutes away from the ashram.
Our hotel was situated very high from the ground and our room overlooked the mountains. Avi and Neev enjoyed their stay as much as going out, by swimming in the pool and playing air hockey and other arcade games in there.
We went for gem mining in Boone and were quite satisfied with our precious finds. I still have to look for a pretty box or something to display them.
The next day we went to Grandfather Mountain . It felt like a mile above sea level (about 6000 feet) we entered a different world. Nature's wonders never cease ! No matter how many times or how many places you have been to, nature always manages to mesmerize you, each time with a different expression. The views may be ancient, the experiences are always brand new. We made a trip across the Mile High Swinging Bridge (When the wind blows, the Bridge 'sings' in the same way as harmonica, that's why its also called Singing Bridge by some ) and witnessed the most exhilarating views of Blue Ridge Mountains. That was the highlight for me ! Avi on the other hand was excited to hear someone point at a big house far away in the mountains and referring to it as one of Michael Jordon's residences. :). Despite my fragile nerves on that altitude and a tight hold on Neev, he managed to pull a Tae-kwon-do move - thank goodness we lived to tell the story !
We also stopped at Sphinx and Split Rocks to climb them. It certainly wasn't as easy as it looked. The next stop was Nature Museum and gift shop. We watched a movie about the mountains there and looked at various exhibits displaying big precious stone rocks, lots of other gems, birds of NC and a very interesting exhibit of tree tumor called burl. I had never heard or seen it before.When we came outside, Avi and Neev got to participate in a very interesting nature walk in woods, collect some dirt and mud in a tray and then suck the bugs out of it through a bug vacuum. and seeing it in a bug viewer camera. They just loved catching rolly -polly , lady-bugs, spiders and millipedes and looking at their magnified views. After a picnic lunch we went to the famous fudge shop for dessert and then to Animal Habitats to see some Black Bears, Seals and Bald Eagle.
We had another lovely day in the mountains visiting Moses Cone Manor National Park in Blowing Rock, NC. Its a 3,500 acre estate that was once owned by Moses and Bertha Cone. We went inside Parkway Craft Center and admired its unique treasures and beautifully handmade items. Its located inside what Cones called home once upon a time. There is a 16 acre trout lake, 22 acre bass lake and over 25 miles of carriage trails. It turned out to be a very beautiful breezy day, just the right one to go for hiking. Our walk was short but enough to make us realize once again what's important and it was to see our two beautiful boys walking with little backpacks on their shoulders, hand in hand under a bridge and turning every once a way to see if we are behind them !!
That's what vacations are for, however much short , to value and regard your blessings !!!
In July we had the privilege to meet Guru Ji (Sri Sri RaviShankar Ji) for the first time who came to inaugurate the International Center for Meditation and well being in Boone, NC on occassion of Guru Purnima. Walking with him, next to him was divine . The center is set in the majestic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Boone, North Carolina. In that unrivaled landscape, spiritual energy wraps your heart and mind and you feel far away from the cares of the world. The center was packed with His followers from all over the world wanting a piece of celestial bliss. If Ashram is the spiritual heaven , the way to reach there is nothing short of a journey to heaven. The sight of flowers, farms and small homes set in the abundance of natural beauty infuses a sense of calm with each breath, as if preparing you for what's to follow.
We stayed in the heart of Boone at Best Western Inn , only 30 minutes away from the ashram.
Our hotel was situated very high from the ground and our room overlooked the mountains. Avi and Neev enjoyed their stay as much as going out, by swimming in the pool and playing air hockey and other arcade games in there.
We went for gem mining in Boone and were quite satisfied with our precious finds. I still have to look for a pretty box or something to display them.
The next day we went to Grandfather Mountain . It felt like a mile above sea level (about 6000 feet) we entered a different world. Nature's wonders never cease ! No matter how many times or how many places you have been to, nature always manages to mesmerize you, each time with a different expression. The views may be ancient, the experiences are always brand new. We made a trip across the Mile High Swinging Bridge (When the wind blows, the Bridge 'sings' in the same way as harmonica, that's why its also called Singing Bridge by some ) and witnessed the most exhilarating views of Blue Ridge Mountains. That was the highlight for me ! Avi on the other hand was excited to hear someone point at a big house far away in the mountains and referring to it as one of Michael Jordon's residences. :). Despite my fragile nerves on that altitude and a tight hold on Neev, he managed to pull a Tae-kwon-do move - thank goodness we lived to tell the story !
We also stopped at Sphinx and Split Rocks to climb them. It certainly wasn't as easy as it looked. The next stop was Nature Museum and gift shop. We watched a movie about the mountains there and looked at various exhibits displaying big precious stone rocks, lots of other gems, birds of NC and a very interesting exhibit of tree tumor called burl. I had never heard or seen it before.When we came outside, Avi and Neev got to participate in a very interesting nature walk in woods, collect some dirt and mud in a tray and then suck the bugs out of it through a bug vacuum. and seeing it in a bug viewer camera. They just loved catching rolly -polly , lady-bugs, spiders and millipedes and looking at their magnified views. After a picnic lunch we went to the famous fudge shop for dessert and then to Animal Habitats to see some Black Bears, Seals and Bald Eagle.
We had another lovely day in the mountains visiting Moses Cone Manor National Park in Blowing Rock, NC. Its a 3,500 acre estate that was once owned by Moses and Bertha Cone. We went inside Parkway Craft Center and admired its unique treasures and beautifully handmade items. Its located inside what Cones called home once upon a time. There is a 16 acre trout lake, 22 acre bass lake and over 25 miles of carriage trails. It turned out to be a very beautiful breezy day, just the right one to go for hiking. Our walk was short but enough to make us realize once again what's important and it was to see our two beautiful boys walking with little backpacks on their shoulders, hand in hand under a bridge and turning every once a way to see if we are behind them !!
That's what vacations are for, however much short , to value and regard your blessings !!!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Feeling grateful today
A lot of friends from Facebook post notes about Cancer and other diseases with the footnote íf you have lost someone to Cancer/this disease, share it'. Of-course, I respect people's sentiments about losing someone. Like everyone I have lost people, to untimely deaths and to horrible pain. I acknowledge and feel the power of healing through condolences, kind messages but I don't see the point of sharing a note. At the end of a crappy day (or a wonderful one), what helps me is to read a blog like I am sharing here. Nothing and nothing compares to the helpless feeling of losing control on your body. I read about soldiers losing limbs, people dying young and worst of all people waiting and praying to die because its so painful to live. There is so much which can go wrong with our body and if we have that working for us today, everything else can be handled. I feel grateful for my health , my family's health today and as long as I have that blessing, I feel like I can conquer anything.
Excerpts from this brave girl's blog (and I find wisdom in these words even if the Cancer is replaced by whatever problems one is going through in life - physical or emotional ) -
Today I’ve decided that my challenge will be to develop a new brand of acceptance. You can’t fight your way out of every problem. The solution is not to charge full speed ahead. Sometimes you are poisoned in order to be cured.
Sometimes you need to accept and surrender to the fact that, at least for the time being, you can’t change your reality as quickly as you’d like to.
Acceptance is not giving up — far from it. But like a prisoner in handcuffs, you only waste precious energy by trying to wriggle your way free.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/life-interrupted-fighting-cancer-and-myself/?smid=fb-share
Excerpts from this brave girl's blog (and I find wisdom in these words even if the Cancer is replaced by whatever problems one is going through in life - physical or emotional ) -
Today I’ve decided that my challenge will be to develop a new brand of acceptance. You can’t fight your way out of every problem. The solution is not to charge full speed ahead. Sometimes you are poisoned in order to be cured.
Sometimes you need to accept and surrender to the fact that, at least for the time being, you can’t change your reality as quickly as you’d like to.
Acceptance is not giving up — far from it. But like a prisoner in handcuffs, you only waste precious energy by trying to wriggle your way free.
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/21/life-interrupted-fighting-cancer-and-myself/?smid=fb-share
Monday, June 18, 2012
Neev turns five !
My little boy turned 5 earlier this week and celebrated with a brunch in his favorite restaurant followed by a day at Frankie's. Neev at 5 is a delightful, good hearted, charming and most loving boy who keeps our lives full with his humor. Speaking of humor, I have to record a few recent hearty laughs from my Aunt's visit last week -
On our way home from school in the car-
Neev - Shanta Nani, you are my best,best, best grandma !
Shanta Nani - Aw........, sweetheart thank you so much , that is the sweetest thing I've heard.
Neev (after a moment's pause) - I just made that up.
During a discussion on homeopathy and medicine , Neev comes and interrupts us-
Neev - What are you guys talking about ?
Me - Well, we are talking about what we can do if someone has stomach ache.
Neev - That's simple, you can go poo-poo !
On the way to our Beach vacation, we buy some fast food and I pop some bites into Anurag's mouth while he drives.
Neev - Why are you feeding Daddy?
Me - Well, that's something wives do !
Neev - I hope I get a wife who can feed me, take me for ice- cream and to Jump Zone all the times !
On our way home from school in the car-
Neev - Shanta Nani, you are my best,best, best grandma !
Shanta Nani - Aw........, sweetheart thank you so much , that is the sweetest thing I've heard.
Neev (after a moment's pause) - I just made that up.
During a discussion on homeopathy and medicine , Neev comes and interrupts us-
Neev - What are you guys talking about ?
Me - Well, we are talking about what we can do if someone has stomach ache.
Neev - That's simple, you can go poo-poo !
On the way to our Beach vacation, we buy some fast food and I pop some bites into Anurag's mouth while he drives.
Neev - Why are you feeding Daddy?
Me - Well, that's something wives do !
Neev - I hope I get a wife who can feed me, take me for ice- cream and to Jump Zone all the times !
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