Sunday, April 02, 2006
April 2006 Update from Bangalore
April 2006 Update from Bangalore
It absolutely cannot possibly be that another month has passed. Had dinner at some pretty new friends' house on the last day of the month, and it felt like we'd met them only last week. It'd actually been four months ago that we first met. I just can't keep track of time. Guess that shows my age. I remember it doesn't seem too long ago that time seemed to drag on as kids, when Christmas would just never come fast enough. Now everything comes TOO fast. I try to remember if I've committed to memory each stage of each of my kids' lives--the look on their faces as we play, laugh, or do whatever we do--and it feels as if all the stages are just zipping by at light speed.
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Went with Maya, Molly, and Charlie to Neev for the "graduation" of the K2s. Got there at 10:15 am to walk around the school and see all the artwork on display. Maya's class had recently worked on Van Gogh, Kandinsky, and Klee, and they had wonderful examples of kids' renditions of those artists displayed. Charlie had a great time going around to all the rooms. Maya showed him her classroom, the rooms Molly's class would be in (pre-K), and the rooms he would be in (toddlers). The teachers are wonderful. Amba is looking forward to having Molly in pre-K (Molly had been in there for a couple weeks last year before we decided she'd be better off in the toddler class, so she and Amba already have some history--they have a bond in that they're both the middle child. Also, I was happy to see that Amba and Preethi [Molly's toddler teacher]both figured out quickly what makes Molly tick, and how to let her think everything is her idea in order to get her to do something).
Maya's class, the K1s, did two musical numbers, including the Elephant Dance, choreographed by Sangeetha, the music and performing arts teacher. Really clever. Then the K2s had their little graduation ceremony replete with caps and gowns. The main kindergarten teacher, Malthy, and art teacher, Neelu, both spoke and were nearly in tears, so emotional were they about the wonderful year they'd had.
Sunday, April 2, 2006
Went to our friends, Sangeetha and Tutu, for their daughter Ghazal's 8th birthday party. Maya, Molly, and Charlie were pretty intrigued with the activities of the "older" kids, enough that they were relatively well behaved. I just have to be quicker to tune in to them when I don't hear anything from Molly or Charlie. I was in the dining room with most of the adults, our kids not to be seen, and then it occurred to me to check on them. They were in the living room playing with some pretty heavy glass or lucite trinkets on the coffee tables. Another instance in recent memory of "no noise is NOT good news": I walked into the kitchen at our house to find water all over the floor--Molly had turned on the tap to the bottled water dispenser and let out about five gallons of water. Charlie and Molly were both standing there, quietly amused and slightly mystified.
It was 11 years ago today that our friends Parth and Cristian introduced Badri and me at a dinner at their place. Hard to believe we've known each other that long now!
Monday, April 3, 2006
Landmark day today. My little baby Charlie started summer school, at 2 years 3 months. Neev has a program where you can send your child for as little or as much (up to 1pm) time as suits the child. Charlie, Maya, and Molly all go at 8:30. Molly and Charlie have free play in the playground until 9:30, while Maya has creative dance, then Charlie and Molly have music until 10:30. I take Charlie home then, Molly stays until 11:30 for boot camp (running, jumping, ball play, cricket, etc.), and Maya stays until 1pm, rounding out her day with fine arts and boot camp.
I stayed hidden away in the school checking on Charlie. I needn't have worried, today anyway. In the car on the way to school he was saying, "I want my backpack and I want to go to school!" He came home and ate like a horse: 2 1/2 dosas and two mangos, then when Molly came home he had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and apple and peanut butter.
While making sure Charlie was doing okay, climbing up and down the ladders and going on various equipment, I watched Molly playing in the sand. I asked Amba (pre-K teacher) if that's what she usually does, and she said, "Yup." So it's a good thing I'm rousting Molly out of bed most days after her nap in the afternoon to run around the park and play.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Brought the kids to summer school and again stayed the first two hours to see how Charlie did. He was fine as wine. Only looked up for me once from the playground. I went down to see him and there was no problem. He and Molly played in the sand side by side (yesterday he did a lot of running around and sliding, but I guess today he wanted the comfort of being by Molly's side). At one point, as I watched from inside the school, I saw him throwing sand at her to get her attention, and when he wasn't getting it, kept throwing higher and higher until he got her in the face. None of the teachers happened to see it, so I went outside and played referee.
They went downstairs to have music time and at 10:30 Amba again brought Charlie to me, as she had yesterday. He gave me more information about his day than I get from Molly. He told me they were listening to music and singing Slippery Fish.
Celine (our former nanny) came by to visit today and I was just taking Molly and Charlie into the splash pool. She's always amazed at how much Charlie has changed since she took care of him (she was our cook when we first arrived in Bangalore, then our nanny, so she's known him for two years now). And what did she say about Molly: "She's so skinny!" You may have seen the sweet pudgy little wrists in the photo I attached to last month's blog. That just shows how "healthily plump" she was two years ago--that someone could call her skinny now. Before my friend, Laura, met Molly, I used to talk to her about Molly's erratic eating behavior. When Laura met Molly for the first time, she looked at me and said, "What the hell are you worried about?!" It's true. It's all relative. All (or at least many) mothers worry that their kid doesn't eat enough or eat right. Just another thing I should be grateful for--my kids, on the spectrum, aren't at this point problem eaters or non-eaters.
Check out Charlie in the pics. Not a kid you imagine, upon returning from two hours of summer school, eating two and a half dosas, followed by two mangos, and an hour later, when Molly comes home, eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and nearly a whole apple. Just a very fast metabolism.
Maya had a great playdate here with Akhil after school. Summer school gets out at 1pm for them, which is great, because during the year they're at school until 3pm. They played in the splash pool, had lunch, played Nemo on the computer until we lost power, dressed up as prince and princess and played Snow White, sat under the table giggling and hugging while I had fruit salad, went back into the pool, sat with me and looked up Joan of Arc and Rosa Parks on the laptop. Akhil will be going to Greenwood High next year, starting first grade. He turns six next month.
On the heavier side, our staff continues to go through many personal problems. Patricia, our cook, is searching for a school for her son, Joshua. I thought she'd found one, for which she needed 15,000 rupees (apx $300 U.S.) for a deposit. But today she told me that that school wouldn't admit Joshua. Because she's a cook and her husband's a driver the school thinks that she wouldn't be able to pay his monthly fees consistently. Sounds like serious discrimination to me. She also looked at a school near her house, only to find out they only admit Coorgis (people from Coorg, or Kodavas). I find that incredible!
And Mala, our housecleaner, asked me today if she could move into our back storage room with her mother. Seems the door to their living space has been eaten by termites and doesn't close well or lock at all. I said I'd ask Badri but let her know that the answer would probably be no (I found out later that our lease prohibits taking on extra renters on the premises, plus her mother is very unstable and that's too much of a risk for us with three small children). I suggested we find a carpenter to make her a new door, but Rita opined that the landlord would probably just kick Mala and her mom out shortly after the new door was installed anyway. I asked Rita and Patricia to go home with Mala and go with her to ask the neighbors who/where the landlord was (I guess they inherited the place from Mala's grandparents). They came back saying that none of the neighbors would give her any landlord or owner information because they want Mala and her mother to move. Very sad situation.
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Our front yard is but a mud wrestling ring--putting the splash pool up at least every alternate day, sometimes more. Today Sarah came over with her four kids and they all had a blast, from Katie the baby, 1 1/2 years, up to Martha, who's 8.
Thursday, April 6, 2006
Went to Maria's (Swedish) in the afternoon. Her daughters are Astrid and Mimmi. Jackie (South African) was also there with her daughter Kimberly. Both Maria and Jackie's husbands work for IBM, and all three of us live in Indiranagar. We've formed our own informal adoptive families playgroup, and there was a lot of camaraderie in comparing notes with things people say to us when we're with our children in public: "Is she yours?" "Is she adopted?" Maya adores little Kimberly (4 years old). Says she's her new best friend.
As is the case with many yards (gardens) in the area, Maria can't get any grass to grow, so has made most of the front yard a sand yard with swing, slide, seesaw. The latest tip: put salt crystals in the sand to keep down the mosquito larva and worms.
Fri.
Molly fever, vomiting
Sat.
Maya had a sleepover at Akhil's. I brought her over to the Acropolis apartments in Koramangala and talked with Akhil's mom, Devika, for a while. She's very interesting--born to a German mother and Indian father. We have similar fair coloring, and it's pretty wild to hear native Hindi coming out of her mouth on occasion.
Back in Indiranagar, Badri and I took an evening stroller ride then had ice cream with Molly and Charlie. Tonight Molly was up a lot of the night writhing in pain with stomach cramps. I was really worried about the possibility of appendicitis, but then read in our pediatrician recommended health book that when vomiting precedes stomach pain, it's usually not appendicitis. Generally vomiting follows stomach pain when it's appendicitis.
Sunday, April 9, 2006
Badri went to Akhil's house with Charlie to swim and have lunch with Maya at Akhil's.
Called Dr. Chinnappa, our pediatrician, and brought in Molly to Manipal Hospital to see him. He requested a urine sample and said to give crocin (like tylenol) and cyclopam for stomach pain.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Went to Dental Lavelle on Lavelle Road to have my teeth x-rayed and cleaned. The hygienist reminded me of our friend, Sriram, so I asked him (Maresh) if he was Tamilian. Sure enough. He went on to tell me about Friday being the Tamilian new year. Coincidentally, it's also Good Friday. Then he and his assistant were chatting away while cleaning my teeth. When there was a break, I asked if they were speaking tamil or hindi. Nope--Kannada (the local Karnataka language). Total bill: 450rs, about $10, for the x-rays (I had a credit from my last cleaning, because my credit card had been processed twice and I'd been double billed).
The passing of Rajkumar, Karnataka's greatest actor
When I came out to the car, Philomen the driver told me that there would be a strike because Rajkumar had died. I'd heard the hygienist and assistant "chatter chatter Raj Kumar chatter chatter" in Kannada, the local Karnataka (state in which Bangalore lies) language. I hadn't realized what had happened until Philomen told me. I spoke with Rita at home, and she told me that because Rajkumar died, all the shops would be closing, pulling their metal doors down. Anybody who keeps their business open runs the risk of having their shop vandalized, because the Kannadigas (those who speak Kannada) love Rajkumar so much that it would show a great sign of disrespect if they were to remain open for bjusiness. The people of Karnataka adored Rajkumar.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Rajkumar is described as a kind-hearted and peace loving person, so it's strange that there's a citywide bandh (a hindi word meaning 'closed') where a large part of the community declares a general strike. It wouldn't be so odd if the bandh were only a way of showing respect, but people yesterday wanted to go home before they ran the risk of encountering trouble. There was a car burned over by Ulsoor. Buses stopped running because of the fear that stones would be thrown. Today there's limited buses running, and Rita won't be coming to work.
Badri says it's a crazy way for people to vent their anger and frustration. He also theorized that Tamilians might run into more trouble because, in 2000, Rajkumar was kidnapped by the bandit, Veerapan, and held for 109 days then released unharmed. Veerapan was a legendary Tamil bandit in India who sometimes kidnapped prominent people to make demands. He had a price of $1 million on his head for killing 124 people and poaching ivory, elephants and sandalwood. He evaded arrest for 20 years before he was killed by police in 2004.
Schools are closed today, as are offices, either out of respect for Rajkumar or fear of what the crowds in the streets may do. Badri is home, and also has tomorrow, Friday, off. Tomorrow is the Tamil New Year's Day, as well as Good Friday (marking the anniversary of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ). The Tamil New Year is an occasion for celebration for Tamilians all over the world. Greetings of “Puthandu Vazthukal”, (Happy New Year), are exchanged on this day, which is supposedly the day when Lord Brahma (The Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) started creation. April 14 also happens to be the Bengali New Year Day. Malayalees from Kerala, India celebrate "Vishu", commemorating the beginning of the astronomical New Year in the Malayalam Calendar.
The headlines today in the local Asian Age newspaper read "Rajkumar dies, city shuts." The article goes on to say "Rajkumar's sudden death sparked a spate of violence, arson and attacks on public property in and around the city by his fans in an emotional frenzy. As the news of his demise spread through the city, chaos reigned on several streets, with thousands of Rajkumar's fans going berserk raising slogans, wielding batons and attacking signboards, street lights and moving vehicles."
We haven't left the house today. Put the pool up in the front yard, and have seen about three or four motorcycles go by all day--that's it. Badri's colleague called from the office (he lives within a five minute walk to the office) to say that we shouldn't venture out today, even for a walk. And tomorrow, more of the same, he supposes.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Badri worked today to make up for the bandh on Thursday and holiday on Friday. I have no recollection what I did with the kids today. All I know is that we were too exhausted to do anything but stay in and rent a very bad movie tonight. Can't even remember the name. It's only a few days later that we remembered it's our 2nd year anniversary of arriving in Bangalore.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Received a lovely Easter package from Mom yesterday with goodies for the kids. Maya spent hours wielding the glitter roll-on and painting anyone who was willing. All three of the kids had their arms, faces, and legs covered in glitter yesterday. This morning we dyed Easter eggs and the kids had a ball. We have pictures of Charlie with his hand completely dyed pink. Works as well on hands as on eggs.
Went to the Taj West End to swim in the pool on Easter Sunday morning. Met up with Kirsty, Andrew, and their kids there. Had a great time in the kiddie and regular pool, then at noon walked a few meters over to the Mynt restaurant for the brunch. Marylouise had booked a table on the lawn, which was perfect. We had a perfect vantage point from which to watch the kids on the bouncy castle, swings, fishing pool, and tattoo and bracelet making table.
We hadn't been to the brunch there in ages, probably nearly a year. I remember going last year around the time when our good friend, Nicola, was leaving India with her daughter Jasmine, and her mom was in town visiting. Aarti, Dipak and their kids were also there that day. We weren't seated on the lawn and it was a nearly impossible task to keep an eye on our three children, then 1, 2, and 4 years old. The pool is so close by and I was so worried that Molly would wander over there without us seeing her. It was such a stressful Sunday brunch last year that we didn't come again until today. Today we couldn't tear ourselves away until about 3 in the afternoon. Molly and Charlie conked out in the "taxi car" as they call it, and we let them sleep on the couches in the living room for their nap, hoping it wouldn't last too long and they wouldn't then stay up until midnight.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Badri was coming to bed at 1 in the morning and luckily heard Charlie calling from his room, saying he wanted to throw up. He walked into the little guy's room just in time to get his shoulder covered with the contents of Charlie's stomach. I woke from a deep sleep to see Badri hovering over me with Charlie in his arms. He threw up a couple more times and then seemed fine, with no fever. Badri pulled in the collapsible chair to sleep on in our room, and Charlie and I slept in a "T" shape, with his feet near my belly and his head near the side of the bed. Poor kid.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hosted a smashing playgroup at our house today. Kept all three kids home from summer school--as much as they love summer school at Neev, they were all happy to stay home--and about a dozen moms and their kids showed up. Charlie was a little fussy at the beginning of playgroup, but still with no fever, and ended up having fun.
In the afternoon, Maya and Molly napped so late that we missed 4:30 dance class.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
We decided to celebrate our 2nd anniversary in Bangalore by going out to the recently-opened restaurant "Beach" on 100 Ft. Road with the kids. We heard rave reviews from friends (Kirsty and Andrew) who brought their two boys there and had a great lunch while the boys happily played in the sand with their sand toys. The place really plays up the ocean theme, with a sandy area around several tables, an area filled with water to look like a beach, a bit of a fish pond, etc. We should have cancelled the plans as soon as I saw that Molly wasn't having her afternoon nap. Late afternoon/evening plans usually go awry when Molly's missed her nap. And, sure enough, the evening ended on a sour note about 8:30 when she couldn't have her way.
The day was great up until that point. Kids had a great day at school and I brought Charlie to Maya and Molly's dance class. He loved it! Danced around with them a bit until I told him we had to run a few errands. Maya's very excited--the teacher told me today that she was put in the front row because she's such a good dancer and the other kids will be able to follow along with her if she's in front. It's so cute to see her and Molly dancing side by side. There are a lot of hip swinging movements (the school is called "Swingers" and has mostly American dance tunes) and Maya's there swinging her svelte hips side-by-side with Molly moving her ample little bottom. Maya said Molly did much better today, following along better to the routine. We signed up at this place because I spoke with Anu, the mother of one of Molly's best buddies at Neev, Celine, and she told me about the class. It's 4:30-5:30 Mon-Fri for 20 days. As long as the girls are having fun, we'll continue.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Tomorrow's the last day of summer school. Charlie's having a grand old time, the teachers said, with no problems adjusting. Let's hope it's this smooth in June when he's not side by side with Molly. It'll be just two and a half hours in the morning, so I think he'll have a great time. Yesterday one of my favorite pre-K teachers (that Molly would have had in June) told me that she'd be moving to Hyderabad for her husband's new job with GE. Alas, 'tis the story. As Kavita put it, women often follow their husband's dreams. This came up when I asked her who the teachers would be in the three kids' classes, and she explained that she can't guarantee the teachers that are slated to teach the class will be there come June, or for the whole academic year.
She's talking to the right person--I moved to San Diego, then to India. Both moves I've been very happy with, for the most part.
Brought Charlie to dance class again and he had great fun just waiting out in the office area with some of the other parents and me most of the hour. I thought Molly wasn't going to make it through class--she nearly fell asleep in the car on the way to class--but she managed to survive and came out happy. Another day for her with no nap. She really isn't ready to give them up yet at 3 1/2 years old. I spoke with one woman there whose son hasn't napped since he was 1 1/2 years old, and I thank my lucky stars that my kids didn't stop that early.
Friday, April 21, 2006
I must say it's nice to have reached a point with Rita, our nanny, where she and the kids are comfortable enough with each other that she can put them to bed. Badri and I left the house at 6:45pm and headed to Windsor Manor (a Sheraton hotel) to attend what we thought was an art opening. I'd received two reminder calls during the week from the Renaissance gallery. Got there to find out there was no such opening, but there were beautiful paintings up in the WelcomArt gallery of many of the Hindu avatars (gods).
Had a drink in the Dublin, an Irish pub at the Windsor, and met the Bulgarian band who was playing there that night. They're in India for a six month stint and were unlucky enough to be staying within a block of Rajkumar's home where all hell broke loose when he died last week. They experienced remnants of tear gas that was used to disperse the crowds of worshipers and hell-raisers, as did my friend Nina who also lives in the Sadashivnagar neighborhood.
After the Windsor, headed over to Sunny's on Vittal Mallya Road, a restaurant that specializes in continental fare. You can place an order for French baguettes and brie cheese, and get a heckuva great filet mignon, too. The total bill came to about $60 and that included a decent bottle of wine (local Grover's La Reserva), a bottle of water, and two entrees (prawns for Badri and steak for me). To any of my friends who may be worried about me being in India (I've actually only heard through the grapevine that one of my high school friends is concerned about me being here), one look at this place tells you that, for better or worse, being in Bangalore isn't much different from being in most happening American cities. Very hip, upscale decor without being cold and impersonal. A very mixed clientele: expats and Indians alike. Impossible to ignore the cracked window at the front of the restaurant. I asked the waiter, and sure enough, it was damaged by the crowd that followed Rajkumar's body as it was carried to the burial ground.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Whole family went to a fun birthday party today in Koramangala at Kirsty's for her son, Angus, turning four. Now that I think of it, I think there were about seven or eight families at the party, and only one of them didn't have kids at Neev, our kids' school. One Indian family, one Mexican/German, another Swedish, another German/Sri Lankan, two Australian families, and one Czech family, and us.
After some good quiet/nap time, Badri and I brought the girls to dance class (usually not held on Saturdays, but today was a makeup day for one of the two days class was called off because of Rajkumar's death). While they were in class we dropped in at Thar, a nice antique shop close to the dance studio, to see if we could pick up some Indian mementos to bring back to friends in the U.S.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Went to Marylouise's house in the afternoon for a swim/play/dinner date. She and her husband Inder have a great apartment (flat) in Embassy Woods on Cunningham Road. The prize winning room is their daughter, Hannah's (Maya's classmate): her room has French doors leading out to a garden, complete with real grass. Boy, I'd pitch a tent there in a heart beat. They're on the 3rd floor, so they don't seem to have many mosquitos either.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Met up with Kirsty and her kids at Fun Corner at Eva Mall. Maya and Molly had fun. Charlie was so cranky when we got there that I sent him home with Rita. An option I wouldn't have, of course, in the U.S. I think Charlie's basically a cool weather person, and this heat might have him bent a little out of shape. 95 degrees F (35 C) and feeling mighty toasty. Probably about 70% humidity.
Charlie and I popped over to the Leela Palace to see the photo exhibit while Maya and Molly were at dance class in the afternoon. I really wish I'd entered some photos. Gotta find my 35mm camera and start taking more candids.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Huge turnout at Fiona's playgroup today. Could it have been because she's pretty centrally located at the Elgin? or could it be that word got out that there's a pool at her place and everybody's melting? Whatever the case may be, there were at least a dozen families there. All the kids had a great time swimming and splashing around. Talked to Ilsa, a fairly new expat who is hiring Vani, our old cook. Ilsa lives much closer to Vani's place up in Malleswaram and she'll work fewer hours than she did at our place--which all works out nicely since Vani's little girl is about 9 months old now.
Another in the "out of the mouths of babes" department: Maya asked me tonight why Santa brings fewer presents for Mommy and Appa than he brings for the children. What prompted the question? Charlie pulled a cheapo walkman out of the closet that we'd bought for Maya--plays a few songs, one of them being "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" for some odd reason. I think we bought it at the Singapore airport on the way back from Bali.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Had a last minute swim playdate at Marylouise's in Embassy Woods apartments on Cunningham Rd. Originally I was just going over there to help with preparations for the Pink Elephant Sale (fundraiser for Overseas Women's Club), but then she suggested I bring 1, 2 or 3 kids along to play with Hannah and Maura. I brought all three kids and we had a nice swim, although Charlie does more trepidatious walking around the perimeter of the pool than swimming these days. I guess all kids/people go through periods of water fear. I think Charlie's in a bit of one at the moment.
After the swim was over, Maya asked if Hannah could go to our house for a playdate, so my three plus Hannah piled in the car with Rita, the nanny, and went to our house, while Marylouise and I got some work done. Charmaine and Dewi were also there organizing for the sale. Unfortunately I just found out that Dewi, from the Netherlands, will be leaving India in a couple months. Really great person. Will be sad to see her go. In fact, her husband is in the Netherlands right now for a month for his job (just got a promotion) while she's here on her own with the two girls (about 2 and 4 years old) and another one on the way (she's due in about six weeks).
Speaking of due, while at Embassy Woods dropped by with Marylouise to visit Marion and her new baby, Josephine. I love her choice of names: her first child is Benedict. Marion's mom, Chris, is in town for a few weeks for the baby's arrival. Josephine was born about three weeks ago. Marion is the director of Reuters here in Bangalore. Lucky her--six months paid maternity leave. How many women would kill for that? especially in the U.S. She's hilarious and told her [now] very humorous story about the delivery at Columbia Asia Hospital.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Had a fun playdate at Maria's, my Swedish friend. Jackie, from South Africa, and Lolis, from Mexico, were also there with their kids. Lolis's little girl is 3 or 4 (at Maya and Molly's school) and is fluent in English, Spanish, and German (her dad, Charles, is German). What a gift to give a kid.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Sarah came over with Martha, Sammy, Daniel, and Katie, and we filled the splash pool. Had a fun time in the water then enjoyed dosas. It'd been a few weeks since we got together with them.
Badri and I went to run a couple errands over on Brigade Road in the mid-afternoon (met with a caterer for a BBQ for next week and Badri wanted me to have a new phone). When we finished with that we decided to stop for a cold beer. On the way to the beer, we noticed that "Return of the Pink Panther" was playing at the Rex cinema on Brigade at around 7pm. We figured we'd debate going to the movie over a beer. Called home and everything seemed under control there with Rita and Patricia both there, so decided to go to the movie, which turned out to be pretty entertaining. It was nice to have a six hour getaway together. We usually manage to have a short date on Tuesday nights when we go for a walk, and occasionally go out for lunch or dinner, but six hours at a stretch--that was nice.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Went to a BBQ at Sachin and Sameera's house, on the top floor at the Diamond District apartments on Airport Road. We met them back in January at a mutual friend's dinner party (Amita and Nageen), then ran into them again at the Jethro Tull concert a couple months ago. They have twin daughters about to turn 5 years old, and Maya had a great time playing with them (Natasha and Nikita). Molly and Charlie had fun swinging in the hammock. Charlie happily performed his rendition of "Slippery Fish", the best part of which is when he puts both hands to his cheeks and says, "Omigod! I have been eaten by a big white shark..." Thankfully, both Badri and I have captured it on video on separate occasions.
Summer school: Molly and Charlie in Neev sandbox
Charlie with his Belgian buddy, Dorsan
What is she thinking?
Charlie with his heart bindi (on forehead)
Maya, Molly, and Charlie on first day of Neev summer school
Australian friend Kirsty with new baby Chloe
Naomi and her mom, Theresa
Molly and our good friend Marylouise
Pooltime with the Decosta's
I just LOOOOOVE chocolate!
Punker Charlie
Dying Easter eggs (Thanks for sending the kid, Mom!)
It absolutely cannot possibly be that another month has passed. Had dinner at some pretty new friends' house on the last day of the month, and it felt like we'd met them only last week. It'd actually been four months ago that we first met. I just can't keep track of time. Guess that shows my age. I remember it doesn't seem too long ago that time seemed to drag on as kids, when Christmas would just never come fast enough. Now everything comes TOO fast. I try to remember if I've committed to memory each stage of each of my kids' lives--the look on their faces as we play, laugh, or do whatever we do--and it feels as if all the stages are just zipping by at light speed.
Saturday, April 1, 2006
Went with Maya, Molly, and Charlie to Neev for the "graduation" of the K2s. Got there at 10:15 am to walk around the school and see all the artwork on display. Maya's class had recently worked on Van Gogh, Kandinsky, and Klee, and they had wonderful examples of kids' renditions of those artists displayed. Charlie had a great time going around to all the rooms. Maya showed him her classroom, the rooms Molly's class would be in (pre-K), and the rooms he would be in (toddlers). The teachers are wonderful. Amba is looking forward to having Molly in pre-K (Molly had been in there for a couple weeks last year before we decided she'd be better off in the toddler class, so she and Amba already have some history--they have a bond in that they're both the middle child. Also, I was happy to see that Amba and Preethi [Molly's toddler teacher]both figured out quickly what makes Molly tick, and how to let her think everything is her idea in order to get her to do something).
Maya's class, the K1s, did two musical numbers, including the Elephant Dance, choreographed by Sangeetha, the music and performing arts teacher. Really clever. Then the K2s had their little graduation ceremony replete with caps and gowns. The main kindergarten teacher, Malthy, and art teacher, Neelu, both spoke and were nearly in tears, so emotional were they about the wonderful year they'd had.
Sunday, April 2, 2006
Went to our friends, Sangeetha and Tutu, for their daughter Ghazal's 8th birthday party. Maya, Molly, and Charlie were pretty intrigued with the activities of the "older" kids, enough that they were relatively well behaved. I just have to be quicker to tune in to them when I don't hear anything from Molly or Charlie. I was in the dining room with most of the adults, our kids not to be seen, and then it occurred to me to check on them. They were in the living room playing with some pretty heavy glass or lucite trinkets on the coffee tables. Another instance in recent memory of "no noise is NOT good news": I walked into the kitchen at our house to find water all over the floor--Molly had turned on the tap to the bottled water dispenser and let out about five gallons of water. Charlie and Molly were both standing there, quietly amused and slightly mystified.
It was 11 years ago today that our friends Parth and Cristian introduced Badri and me at a dinner at their place. Hard to believe we've known each other that long now!
Monday, April 3, 2006
Landmark day today. My little baby Charlie started summer school, at 2 years 3 months. Neev has a program where you can send your child for as little or as much (up to 1pm) time as suits the child. Charlie, Maya, and Molly all go at 8:30. Molly and Charlie have free play in the playground until 9:30, while Maya has creative dance, then Charlie and Molly have music until 10:30. I take Charlie home then, Molly stays until 11:30 for boot camp (running, jumping, ball play, cricket, etc.), and Maya stays until 1pm, rounding out her day with fine arts and boot camp.
I stayed hidden away in the school checking on Charlie. I needn't have worried, today anyway. In the car on the way to school he was saying, "I want my backpack and I want to go to school!" He came home and ate like a horse: 2 1/2 dosas and two mangos, then when Molly came home he had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and apple and peanut butter.
While making sure Charlie was doing okay, climbing up and down the ladders and going on various equipment, I watched Molly playing in the sand. I asked Amba (pre-K teacher) if that's what she usually does, and she said, "Yup." So it's a good thing I'm rousting Molly out of bed most days after her nap in the afternoon to run around the park and play.
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Brought the kids to summer school and again stayed the first two hours to see how Charlie did. He was fine as wine. Only looked up for me once from the playground. I went down to see him and there was no problem. He and Molly played in the sand side by side (yesterday he did a lot of running around and sliding, but I guess today he wanted the comfort of being by Molly's side). At one point, as I watched from inside the school, I saw him throwing sand at her to get her attention, and when he wasn't getting it, kept throwing higher and higher until he got her in the face. None of the teachers happened to see it, so I went outside and played referee.
They went downstairs to have music time and at 10:30 Amba again brought Charlie to me, as she had yesterday. He gave me more information about his day than I get from Molly. He told me they were listening to music and singing Slippery Fish.
Celine (our former nanny) came by to visit today and I was just taking Molly and Charlie into the splash pool. She's always amazed at how much Charlie has changed since she took care of him (she was our cook when we first arrived in Bangalore, then our nanny, so she's known him for two years now). And what did she say about Molly: "She's so skinny!" You may have seen the sweet pudgy little wrists in the photo I attached to last month's blog. That just shows how "healthily plump" she was two years ago--that someone could call her skinny now. Before my friend, Laura, met Molly, I used to talk to her about Molly's erratic eating behavior. When Laura met Molly for the first time, she looked at me and said, "What the hell are you worried about?!" It's true. It's all relative. All (or at least many) mothers worry that their kid doesn't eat enough or eat right. Just another thing I should be grateful for--my kids, on the spectrum, aren't at this point problem eaters or non-eaters.
Check out Charlie in the pics. Not a kid you imagine, upon returning from two hours of summer school, eating two and a half dosas, followed by two mangos, and an hour later, when Molly comes home, eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and nearly a whole apple. Just a very fast metabolism.
Maya had a great playdate here with Akhil after school. Summer school gets out at 1pm for them, which is great, because during the year they're at school until 3pm. They played in the splash pool, had lunch, played Nemo on the computer until we lost power, dressed up as prince and princess and played Snow White, sat under the table giggling and hugging while I had fruit salad, went back into the pool, sat with me and looked up Joan of Arc and Rosa Parks on the laptop. Akhil will be going to Greenwood High next year, starting first grade. He turns six next month.
On the heavier side, our staff continues to go through many personal problems. Patricia, our cook, is searching for a school for her son, Joshua. I thought she'd found one, for which she needed 15,000 rupees (apx $300 U.S.) for a deposit. But today she told me that that school wouldn't admit Joshua. Because she's a cook and her husband's a driver the school thinks that she wouldn't be able to pay his monthly fees consistently. Sounds like serious discrimination to me. She also looked at a school near her house, only to find out they only admit Coorgis (people from Coorg, or Kodavas). I find that incredible!
And Mala, our housecleaner, asked me today if she could move into our back storage room with her mother. Seems the door to their living space has been eaten by termites and doesn't close well or lock at all. I said I'd ask Badri but let her know that the answer would probably be no (I found out later that our lease prohibits taking on extra renters on the premises, plus her mother is very unstable and that's too much of a risk for us with three small children). I suggested we find a carpenter to make her a new door, but Rita opined that the landlord would probably just kick Mala and her mom out shortly after the new door was installed anyway. I asked Rita and Patricia to go home with Mala and go with her to ask the neighbors who/where the landlord was (I guess they inherited the place from Mala's grandparents). They came back saying that none of the neighbors would give her any landlord or owner information because they want Mala and her mother to move. Very sad situation.
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
Our front yard is but a mud wrestling ring--putting the splash pool up at least every alternate day, sometimes more. Today Sarah came over with her four kids and they all had a blast, from Katie the baby, 1 1/2 years, up to Martha, who's 8.
Thursday, April 6, 2006
Went to Maria's (Swedish) in the afternoon. Her daughters are Astrid and Mimmi. Jackie (South African) was also there with her daughter Kimberly. Both Maria and Jackie's husbands work for IBM, and all three of us live in Indiranagar. We've formed our own informal adoptive families playgroup, and there was a lot of camaraderie in comparing notes with things people say to us when we're with our children in public: "Is she yours?" "Is she adopted?" Maya adores little Kimberly (4 years old). Says she's her new best friend.
As is the case with many yards (gardens) in the area, Maria can't get any grass to grow, so has made most of the front yard a sand yard with swing, slide, seesaw. The latest tip: put salt crystals in the sand to keep down the mosquito larva and worms.
Fri.
Molly fever, vomiting
Sat.
Maya had a sleepover at Akhil's. I brought her over to the Acropolis apartments in Koramangala and talked with Akhil's mom, Devika, for a while. She's very interesting--born to a German mother and Indian father. We have similar fair coloring, and it's pretty wild to hear native Hindi coming out of her mouth on occasion.
Back in Indiranagar, Badri and I took an evening stroller ride then had ice cream with Molly and Charlie. Tonight Molly was up a lot of the night writhing in pain with stomach cramps. I was really worried about the possibility of appendicitis, but then read in our pediatrician recommended health book that when vomiting precedes stomach pain, it's usually not appendicitis. Generally vomiting follows stomach pain when it's appendicitis.
Sunday, April 9, 2006
Badri went to Akhil's house with Charlie to swim and have lunch with Maya at Akhil's.
Called Dr. Chinnappa, our pediatrician, and brought in Molly to Manipal Hospital to see him. He requested a urine sample and said to give crocin (like tylenol) and cyclopam for stomach pain.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Went to Dental Lavelle on Lavelle Road to have my teeth x-rayed and cleaned. The hygienist reminded me of our friend, Sriram, so I asked him (Maresh) if he was Tamilian. Sure enough. He went on to tell me about Friday being the Tamilian new year. Coincidentally, it's also Good Friday. Then he and his assistant were chatting away while cleaning my teeth. When there was a break, I asked if they were speaking tamil or hindi. Nope--Kannada (the local Karnataka language). Total bill: 450rs, about $10, for the x-rays (I had a credit from my last cleaning, because my credit card had been processed twice and I'd been double billed).
The passing of Rajkumar, Karnataka's greatest actor
When I came out to the car, Philomen the driver told me that there would be a strike because Rajkumar had died. I'd heard the hygienist and assistant "chatter chatter Raj Kumar chatter chatter" in Kannada, the local Karnataka (state in which Bangalore lies) language. I hadn't realized what had happened until Philomen told me. I spoke with Rita at home, and she told me that because Rajkumar died, all the shops would be closing, pulling their metal doors down. Anybody who keeps their business open runs the risk of having their shop vandalized, because the Kannadigas (those who speak Kannada) love Rajkumar so much that it would show a great sign of disrespect if they were to remain open for bjusiness. The people of Karnataka adored Rajkumar.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Rajkumar is described as a kind-hearted and peace loving person, so it's strange that there's a citywide bandh (a hindi word meaning 'closed') where a large part of the community declares a general strike. It wouldn't be so odd if the bandh were only a way of showing respect, but people yesterday wanted to go home before they ran the risk of encountering trouble. There was a car burned over by Ulsoor. Buses stopped running because of the fear that stones would be thrown. Today there's limited buses running, and Rita won't be coming to work.
Badri says it's a crazy way for people to vent their anger and frustration. He also theorized that Tamilians might run into more trouble because, in 2000, Rajkumar was kidnapped by the bandit, Veerapan, and held for 109 days then released unharmed. Veerapan was a legendary Tamil bandit in India who sometimes kidnapped prominent people to make demands. He had a price of $1 million on his head for killing 124 people and poaching ivory, elephants and sandalwood. He evaded arrest for 20 years before he was killed by police in 2004.
Schools are closed today, as are offices, either out of respect for Rajkumar or fear of what the crowds in the streets may do. Badri is home, and also has tomorrow, Friday, off. Tomorrow is the Tamil New Year's Day, as well as Good Friday (marking the anniversary of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ). The Tamil New Year is an occasion for celebration for Tamilians all over the world. Greetings of “Puthandu Vazthukal”, (Happy New Year), are exchanged on this day, which is supposedly the day when Lord Brahma (The Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) started creation. April 14 also happens to be the Bengali New Year Day. Malayalees from Kerala, India celebrate "Vishu", commemorating the beginning of the astronomical New Year in the Malayalam Calendar.
The headlines today in the local Asian Age newspaper read "Rajkumar dies, city shuts." The article goes on to say "Rajkumar's sudden death sparked a spate of violence, arson and attacks on public property in and around the city by his fans in an emotional frenzy. As the news of his demise spread through the city, chaos reigned on several streets, with thousands of Rajkumar's fans going berserk raising slogans, wielding batons and attacking signboards, street lights and moving vehicles."
We haven't left the house today. Put the pool up in the front yard, and have seen about three or four motorcycles go by all day--that's it. Badri's colleague called from the office (he lives within a five minute walk to the office) to say that we shouldn't venture out today, even for a walk. And tomorrow, more of the same, he supposes.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Badri worked today to make up for the bandh on Thursday and holiday on Friday. I have no recollection what I did with the kids today. All I know is that we were too exhausted to do anything but stay in and rent a very bad movie tonight. Can't even remember the name. It's only a few days later that we remembered it's our 2nd year anniversary of arriving in Bangalore.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Received a lovely Easter package from Mom yesterday with goodies for the kids. Maya spent hours wielding the glitter roll-on and painting anyone who was willing. All three of the kids had their arms, faces, and legs covered in glitter yesterday. This morning we dyed Easter eggs and the kids had a ball. We have pictures of Charlie with his hand completely dyed pink. Works as well on hands as on eggs.
Went to the Taj West End to swim in the pool on Easter Sunday morning. Met up with Kirsty, Andrew, and their kids there. Had a great time in the kiddie and regular pool, then at noon walked a few meters over to the Mynt restaurant for the brunch. Marylouise had booked a table on the lawn, which was perfect. We had a perfect vantage point from which to watch the kids on the bouncy castle, swings, fishing pool, and tattoo and bracelet making table.
We hadn't been to the brunch there in ages, probably nearly a year. I remember going last year around the time when our good friend, Nicola, was leaving India with her daughter Jasmine, and her mom was in town visiting. Aarti, Dipak and their kids were also there that day. We weren't seated on the lawn and it was a nearly impossible task to keep an eye on our three children, then 1, 2, and 4 years old. The pool is so close by and I was so worried that Molly would wander over there without us seeing her. It was such a stressful Sunday brunch last year that we didn't come again until today. Today we couldn't tear ourselves away until about 3 in the afternoon. Molly and Charlie conked out in the "taxi car" as they call it, and we let them sleep on the couches in the living room for their nap, hoping it wouldn't last too long and they wouldn't then stay up until midnight.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Badri was coming to bed at 1 in the morning and luckily heard Charlie calling from his room, saying he wanted to throw up. He walked into the little guy's room just in time to get his shoulder covered with the contents of Charlie's stomach. I woke from a deep sleep to see Badri hovering over me with Charlie in his arms. He threw up a couple more times and then seemed fine, with no fever. Badri pulled in the collapsible chair to sleep on in our room, and Charlie and I slept in a "T" shape, with his feet near my belly and his head near the side of the bed. Poor kid.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Hosted a smashing playgroup at our house today. Kept all three kids home from summer school--as much as they love summer school at Neev, they were all happy to stay home--and about a dozen moms and their kids showed up. Charlie was a little fussy at the beginning of playgroup, but still with no fever, and ended up having fun.
In the afternoon, Maya and Molly napped so late that we missed 4:30 dance class.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
We decided to celebrate our 2nd anniversary in Bangalore by going out to the recently-opened restaurant "Beach" on 100 Ft. Road with the kids. We heard rave reviews from friends (Kirsty and Andrew) who brought their two boys there and had a great lunch while the boys happily played in the sand with their sand toys. The place really plays up the ocean theme, with a sandy area around several tables, an area filled with water to look like a beach, a bit of a fish pond, etc. We should have cancelled the plans as soon as I saw that Molly wasn't having her afternoon nap. Late afternoon/evening plans usually go awry when Molly's missed her nap. And, sure enough, the evening ended on a sour note about 8:30 when she couldn't have her way.
The day was great up until that point. Kids had a great day at school and I brought Charlie to Maya and Molly's dance class. He loved it! Danced around with them a bit until I told him we had to run a few errands. Maya's very excited--the teacher told me today that she was put in the front row because she's such a good dancer and the other kids will be able to follow along with her if she's in front. It's so cute to see her and Molly dancing side by side. There are a lot of hip swinging movements (the school is called "Swingers" and has mostly American dance tunes) and Maya's there swinging her svelte hips side-by-side with Molly moving her ample little bottom. Maya said Molly did much better today, following along better to the routine. We signed up at this place because I spoke with Anu, the mother of one of Molly's best buddies at Neev, Celine, and she told me about the class. It's 4:30-5:30 Mon-Fri for 20 days. As long as the girls are having fun, we'll continue.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Tomorrow's the last day of summer school. Charlie's having a grand old time, the teachers said, with no problems adjusting. Let's hope it's this smooth in June when he's not side by side with Molly. It'll be just two and a half hours in the morning, so I think he'll have a great time. Yesterday one of my favorite pre-K teachers (that Molly would have had in June) told me that she'd be moving to Hyderabad for her husband's new job with GE. Alas, 'tis the story. As Kavita put it, women often follow their husband's dreams. This came up when I asked her who the teachers would be in the three kids' classes, and she explained that she can't guarantee the teachers that are slated to teach the class will be there come June, or for the whole academic year.
She's talking to the right person--I moved to San Diego, then to India. Both moves I've been very happy with, for the most part.
Brought Charlie to dance class again and he had great fun just waiting out in the office area with some of the other parents and me most of the hour. I thought Molly wasn't going to make it through class--she nearly fell asleep in the car on the way to class--but she managed to survive and came out happy. Another day for her with no nap. She really isn't ready to give them up yet at 3 1/2 years old. I spoke with one woman there whose son hasn't napped since he was 1 1/2 years old, and I thank my lucky stars that my kids didn't stop that early.
Friday, April 21, 2006
I must say it's nice to have reached a point with Rita, our nanny, where she and the kids are comfortable enough with each other that she can put them to bed. Badri and I left the house at 6:45pm and headed to Windsor Manor (a Sheraton hotel) to attend what we thought was an art opening. I'd received two reminder calls during the week from the Renaissance gallery. Got there to find out there was no such opening, but there were beautiful paintings up in the WelcomArt gallery of many of the Hindu avatars (gods).
Had a drink in the Dublin, an Irish pub at the Windsor, and met the Bulgarian band who was playing there that night. They're in India for a six month stint and were unlucky enough to be staying within a block of Rajkumar's home where all hell broke loose when he died last week. They experienced remnants of tear gas that was used to disperse the crowds of worshipers and hell-raisers, as did my friend Nina who also lives in the Sadashivnagar neighborhood.
After the Windsor, headed over to Sunny's on Vittal Mallya Road, a restaurant that specializes in continental fare. You can place an order for French baguettes and brie cheese, and get a heckuva great filet mignon, too. The total bill came to about $60 and that included a decent bottle of wine (local Grover's La Reserva), a bottle of water, and two entrees (prawns for Badri and steak for me). To any of my friends who may be worried about me being in India (I've actually only heard through the grapevine that one of my high school friends is concerned about me being here), one look at this place tells you that, for better or worse, being in Bangalore isn't much different from being in most happening American cities. Very hip, upscale decor without being cold and impersonal. A very mixed clientele: expats and Indians alike. Impossible to ignore the cracked window at the front of the restaurant. I asked the waiter, and sure enough, it was damaged by the crowd that followed Rajkumar's body as it was carried to the burial ground.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Whole family went to a fun birthday party today in Koramangala at Kirsty's for her son, Angus, turning four. Now that I think of it, I think there were about seven or eight families at the party, and only one of them didn't have kids at Neev, our kids' school. One Indian family, one Mexican/German, another Swedish, another German/Sri Lankan, two Australian families, and one Czech family, and us.
After some good quiet/nap time, Badri and I brought the girls to dance class (usually not held on Saturdays, but today was a makeup day for one of the two days class was called off because of Rajkumar's death). While they were in class we dropped in at Thar, a nice antique shop close to the dance studio, to see if we could pick up some Indian mementos to bring back to friends in the U.S.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Went to Marylouise's house in the afternoon for a swim/play/dinner date. She and her husband Inder have a great apartment (flat) in Embassy Woods on Cunningham Road. The prize winning room is their daughter, Hannah's (Maya's classmate): her room has French doors leading out to a garden, complete with real grass. Boy, I'd pitch a tent there in a heart beat. They're on the 3rd floor, so they don't seem to have many mosquitos either.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Met up with Kirsty and her kids at Fun Corner at Eva Mall. Maya and Molly had fun. Charlie was so cranky when we got there that I sent him home with Rita. An option I wouldn't have, of course, in the U.S. I think Charlie's basically a cool weather person, and this heat might have him bent a little out of shape. 95 degrees F (35 C) and feeling mighty toasty. Probably about 70% humidity.
Charlie and I popped over to the Leela Palace to see the photo exhibit while Maya and Molly were at dance class in the afternoon. I really wish I'd entered some photos. Gotta find my 35mm camera and start taking more candids.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Huge turnout at Fiona's playgroup today. Could it have been because she's pretty centrally located at the Elgin? or could it be that word got out that there's a pool at her place and everybody's melting? Whatever the case may be, there were at least a dozen families there. All the kids had a great time swimming and splashing around. Talked to Ilsa, a fairly new expat who is hiring Vani, our old cook. Ilsa lives much closer to Vani's place up in Malleswaram and she'll work fewer hours than she did at our place--which all works out nicely since Vani's little girl is about 9 months old now.
Another in the "out of the mouths of babes" department: Maya asked me tonight why Santa brings fewer presents for Mommy and Appa than he brings for the children. What prompted the question? Charlie pulled a cheapo walkman out of the closet that we'd bought for Maya--plays a few songs, one of them being "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" for some odd reason. I think we bought it at the Singapore airport on the way back from Bali.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Had a last minute swim playdate at Marylouise's in Embassy Woods apartments on Cunningham Rd. Originally I was just going over there to help with preparations for the Pink Elephant Sale (fundraiser for Overseas Women's Club), but then she suggested I bring 1, 2 or 3 kids along to play with Hannah and Maura. I brought all three kids and we had a nice swim, although Charlie does more trepidatious walking around the perimeter of the pool than swimming these days. I guess all kids/people go through periods of water fear. I think Charlie's in a bit of one at the moment.
After the swim was over, Maya asked if Hannah could go to our house for a playdate, so my three plus Hannah piled in the car with Rita, the nanny, and went to our house, while Marylouise and I got some work done. Charmaine and Dewi were also there organizing for the sale. Unfortunately I just found out that Dewi, from the Netherlands, will be leaving India in a couple months. Really great person. Will be sad to see her go. In fact, her husband is in the Netherlands right now for a month for his job (just got a promotion) while she's here on her own with the two girls (about 2 and 4 years old) and another one on the way (she's due in about six weeks).
Speaking of due, while at Embassy Woods dropped by with Marylouise to visit Marion and her new baby, Josephine. I love her choice of names: her first child is Benedict. Marion's mom, Chris, is in town for a few weeks for the baby's arrival. Josephine was born about three weeks ago. Marion is the director of Reuters here in Bangalore. Lucky her--six months paid maternity leave. How many women would kill for that? especially in the U.S. She's hilarious and told her [now] very humorous story about the delivery at Columbia Asia Hospital.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Had a fun playdate at Maria's, my Swedish friend. Jackie, from South Africa, and Lolis, from Mexico, were also there with their kids. Lolis's little girl is 3 or 4 (at Maya and Molly's school) and is fluent in English, Spanish, and German (her dad, Charles, is German). What a gift to give a kid.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Sarah came over with Martha, Sammy, Daniel, and Katie, and we filled the splash pool. Had a fun time in the water then enjoyed dosas. It'd been a few weeks since we got together with them.
Badri and I went to run a couple errands over on Brigade Road in the mid-afternoon (met with a caterer for a BBQ for next week and Badri wanted me to have a new phone). When we finished with that we decided to stop for a cold beer. On the way to the beer, we noticed that "Return of the Pink Panther" was playing at the Rex cinema on Brigade at around 7pm. We figured we'd debate going to the movie over a beer. Called home and everything seemed under control there with Rita and Patricia both there, so decided to go to the movie, which turned out to be pretty entertaining. It was nice to have a six hour getaway together. We usually manage to have a short date on Tuesday nights when we go for a walk, and occasionally go out for lunch or dinner, but six hours at a stretch--that was nice.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Went to a BBQ at Sachin and Sameera's house, on the top floor at the Diamond District apartments on Airport Road. We met them back in January at a mutual friend's dinner party (Amita and Nageen), then ran into them again at the Jethro Tull concert a couple months ago. They have twin daughters about to turn 5 years old, and Maya had a great time playing with them (Natasha and Nikita). Molly and Charlie had fun swinging in the hammock. Charlie happily performed his rendition of "Slippery Fish", the best part of which is when he puts both hands to his cheeks and says, "Omigod! I have been eaten by a big white shark..." Thankfully, both Badri and I have captured it on video on separate occasions.
Summer school: Molly and Charlie in Neev sandbox
Charlie with his Belgian buddy, Dorsan
What is she thinking?
Charlie with his heart bindi (on forehead)
Maya, Molly, and Charlie on first day of Neev summer school
Australian friend Kirsty with new baby Chloe
Naomi and her mom, Theresa
Molly and our good friend Marylouise
Pooltime with the Decosta's
I just LOOOOOVE chocolate!
Punker Charlie
Dying Easter eggs (Thanks for sending the kid, Mom!)
