Neev turns seven!

The youngest one in our family turned seven on May 27th. Thank God he is still thrilled about going to treasure box (in his classroom) on his birthday and picking out a toy of his choice. A birthday crown, cupcakes and favorite sugar cookies with blue icing was the celebration in the classroom. Mommy fixed Mexican Pizza and mashed potatoes (with extra butter) for lunch as requested.  Later that day his music class friends and teacher played and sang 'Happy Birthday' to him. We went out to dinner at Perkins and enjoyed the weekday quieted ambience of the restaurant, ordered fried jumbo shrimp, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, quesadillas, seasoned rice and chicken. Neev ordered lemon meringue pie for his dessert. Anurag, Avi and I had coconut cream pie and apple pie while singing happy birthday to our goofy drama prince :)
The party was on the weekend where our friends joined for dinner and brought yum food and thoughtful presents. The menu was potato wada, dahi wada, dosa, sambhar, chole, gobhi-aalu , naan and kheer. I made triple layered strawberry shortcake for Neev which is his favorite. We played Pictionary, Taboo  and Passing the parcel. Neev drew the door and Mommy guessed it right. Vedantha, a 4 year old friend drew a triangle and his Mommy guessed it right too. Sameer, a 5 year old friend drew a sun and his Mommy also figured it out right. Avi drew something and it was guessed by another mom as an elbow. Moms and kids have great partnership !! Great birthday celebration made possible with great friends is the only way to feel happy about our baby growing up.
Happy birthday Neev !!
 

Wake up call

A few of us may have experienced this world or a similar one plagued by various root problems by either living in it or feeling the heat of it.  A few of us may take a long look at life and feel grateful and blessed. A few of us may make significant contributions and others small ones. A few of us may shed a tear and move on. A few of us may only know it through videos like this. Whatever category of few we fall into, we can make a difference by making a small change, to our lives and theirs. Start with either. Start today.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=152975701407954&set=vb.244356890224&type=3&theater
 

Spring Break

Last week we had to cancel our much awaited trip to Asheville due to rainy weather there, but only to book a last minute quick getaway to Virginia Beach.  Great couple of days with friends !! We packed in variety of things in a short amount of time, play time at the beach both for kids and adults, a power walk on the sand and swim at the pool. All that work out needed to be rewarded with a sumptuous dinner and everyone chose to go Asian way. Thai Arroy proved to be a great decision. Delicious and mild Gang Luong, Kao Pad and Kheow Kao Pad was all that was needed to feel satiated. Our after-dinner walk on Atlantic Avenue ended with ice cream treat and then a late night stroll on Board Walk along side the ocean.  Next day, a trip to First Landing State Park on Cape Henry was a great idea by our friends. Not only did we catch the beautiful view of Chesapeake Bay Beach, the kids also got a quick history lesson from the museum inside the visitor's center about the First permanent Settlers in America. We went hiking for about 5 miles and enjoyed the view of While Hill Lake, salt marsh lands and cypress trees. In between kids (and grown-ups) enjoyed doing push-ups and hanging from the monkey bars. We found a HUGE fallen tree trunk about 7 feet off the ground on its top height , sort of forming a slanting bridge on the trail making for a perfect break because kids enjoyed climbing on it so much. Made for a great picture too! Singing bhajans at the end of the hiking trip and celebrating four decades of a friend's life was the perfect way to end the day.
Avi and Neev were happy to have spent quality time with their friends and make lovely memories. I wish we had more time to stay back but hey, that Ashville trip is still in order :)

Snow days

February has been the month of snow. Couple of weeks ago the schools were closed for entire week and we marked the first snow of the season by sledding in Bond Park, fighting with snow-balls, building snow-man & snow-mountains, watching Frozen and doing tons of baking with our hot cocoa. Kids kept praying for another bout of white wonderland and they were answered. It has been snowing for last two days in Triangle. It came down hard and fast yesterday at noon and within 3 hours we had 4 inches of white powder. Avi and Neev bundled up and played in cul-de-sac with friends, splashed each other, ate freezing rain and made snow-angels. Entertained with home made banana walnut bread by our next door neighbor, the day was all about lazing around, sipping hot beverages and doing lots of cooking , all this while praying for no power outage.There were so many stories on local channel of people stuck in snow, walking miles and miles in the extreme weather, trying to get home, . Everything that's important was around me and I felt grateful to be able to wrap my arms around my family. The night looked beautiful with so much of reflected light that it appeared like dawn. We went to bed praying for everyone who was out stuck out in this weather.

We all slept in. Woke up to the scenery of pretty icicles hanging from basketball net , table and chairs on the deck and bushes & shrubs weighing down from snow. Kids were ready to go out again after waffles, crepes and milk. Ice had formed overnight and though it was pretty, it was slick outside. Avi and Neev marched into it pretending to be robots and Neev punched the icy snow proclaiming himself as Hulk.

After the fun and the hot shower we all settled in blankets when I had my moments of pure joy, just like collecting the white flakes in your palms, feeling their softness and ticking on your face. Yes, that's how it felt when Avi started playing his piano and when Neev started practicing Raag Bhairav. My home was abuzz with music of my children and my heart swelled with love, gratefulness and happiness. These moments don't last forever. I realize that and hope that on days when I am helpless, frustrated and sad, the memory of these feelings will rescue me and lend me strength. I suppose I am no different from any other mom out there whose biggest accomplishment is just that - being a mother !

Avi turns nine !

There could not have been any better way to celebrate Avi's birthday and New Year's eve with friends we love. A night full of games, contests for best dressed people , music and dance - it was an all encompassing fun night. People dressed in the colors of red and black which was the theme of the evening and some of the spirited people put serious efforts into looking bedazzling. That , great food and the cheerful energy was just the perfect mix for a great party ! Thanks to all of our friends for making it special for us and a happy 2014 !