Thursday, August 03, 2006
This month's blog is being reconstructed from memory after a couple months back home in Bangalore, so it will be short on details, but hopefully will include some fun photos.
Thursday, June 1, 2006
The rains started coming today as we were in Methuen's (Massachusetts) Chuck E. Cheese, a place the kids like to go and play on climbing equipment, put tokens in games, and eat pizza. Went with Mary, Max, and Alexander. So we were over a week in Massachusetts with cool, sunny skies before the rains came.
Friday, June 2, 2006
Flew down to Baltimore to spend the weekend with Kamala and Gopal (Amuma and Pata) and their daughters and their families. When we first arrived at Kamala and Gopal's there was no one at home and we weren't sure if maybe they were gone for the weekend. But as we were driving away we passed them on the road, so circled back for a happy reunion.
Kamila and Anil
Kamala and Gopal have always been a big help to us, visiting us in California to help out with Maya before Molly's birth, and then again to help out with M & M when Charlie was about to be born. Tara, Jon, Nikolas, and Kristofer, and Vidya, Jamie, Aarthi, Anand, and Anil came over in the evening for a get-together. Maya's always been a big fan of Aarthi's, who's a few years older than her.
Jon, Tara, and Nikolas
Saturday, June 3, 2006
Took the children to Clarks' Elioak Farm in Ellicott City, a petting zoo. Maya and Molly went on a horse ride, and we all went on a hayride.
Maya on horseback
Molly on horseback
In the evening we went to Tara and Jon's house, which had just been remodeled. They've done a lovely job.
Had dinner at Vidya and Jamie's house and the cousins had hours of fun playing together.
Molly, Charlie, and Vidya's son Anil (I think Charlie and Anil look a bit alike)
Cousins chillin' out in front of the boob tube
Vidya, Jamie, Kelly, Gopal, Kamala
Gopal (aka Dorai chittapa, aka Pata), the great storyteller
Aarthi, Anand, and Anil
Badri and Jamie (twin sons of different mothers)
Sunday, June 4, 2006
Flew back to Boston on Trans Air. It was a short flight, but in that little time I found them to be the best flight attendants on any of the airlines we've flown recently. Very helpful, especially in de-fusing Molly and Charlie's meltdowns.
Monday, June 5, 2006
Went to Erin's for a visit. Brought Maya to Sarah's horseback riding lesson. Maya is dying to start lessons, also.
Had dinner at the Weathervane restaurant in Salem, NH with Mom. I had fried clams and fantail shrimp. Yum!
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Brought the kids to the Museum of Science in Boston. Had a terrific time in the Discovery section doing waterplay, having puppet shows, and doing puzzles.
Molly and Charlie doing waterplay at Museum of Science
Stopped in Kendall Square for coffee on the way home.
Had a barbecue at Mom's, and Lynn Beck Sullivan came down from Kittery, Maine with her daughter, Amelia. Great to see Lynn after so many years!
Thursday, June 8, 2006
Aunt Peggy, Mom's sister, came for a visit from Manchester, NH. The kids had a great time with her, and for days afterwards kept asking for Auntie Piggy.
Molly doing a puzzle with Aunt Peggy
Brought Molly to the doctor's (Dr. Jankelson, Erin Healy's pediatrician) because she'd been particularly lethargic lately. Told doc about her repeated UTIs and low grade fever. She ordered a renal ultrasound.
Went to a different hospital for the ultrasound. Molly was a champ. Slept through most of it, and when she woke up wasn't bothered by it in the least. All looked fine.
Badri and I went out tonight meaning to see a movie, but couldn't find one that looked worth seeing. Ended up driving in to downtown Boston and having dinner at the Union Oyster House http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/Pages/history.html, supposedly the oldest restaurant in America. Put our name on the waiting list and sat at the raw bar for a beer and a few oysters. When our table was ready we sat in one of the very old dining rooms and had one of the veteran food servers wait on us. I think she told me she'd been working there for 30 or 40 years. Very respectable fried clams. Yup, a-gain.
Friday, June 9, 2006
My niece Katie arrived from Hawaii this morning. Actually she'd arrived earlier, but her dad Dean brought her to Mom's house in the early a.m. Great to see Katie for the first time since she came to visit us in San Diego in 2000, and met her son Temana for the very first time at 9 months old.
Nanny, Temana, Molly, and Charlie
Temana and Nanny
I was going to go to Logan Airport by myself in the evening to pick up my sister Patty and her son (my godson) Joey, but it was raining so heavily Badri also came. Flight delayed to 11:50pm. I was struck by how tall Joey had become. At 13 years old, he's almost my height. Great to see Patty, too. Hadn't seen her since January 2004, two and a half years before, when she came out to San Diego after Charlie's birth.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Still raining. Nine days straight, I think. All of us (except Katie--she'd gone to a friend's wedding in Washington, DC) went to the Talking Moose Restaurant (not sure of the exact name, but the kids love the way the fake moose and buffalo heads mounted on the wall talk and move their heads every once in a while).
Patty and Molly
Joey feeding Temana, with a little help from Maya, Molly, and Charlie
Charlie horsing around with Auntie Patty
Charlie, Joey, Maya, Max, and Alexander (Joey has cult hero status with his younger cousins)
Sunday, June 11, 2006
First sign of sun in ten days. Patty, Mary, Joey, and Temana went to Boston to pick up Katie at the airport, and Badri and I took the kids up to Maine. First we went to Long Sands Beach in York where the kids practically went swimming (especially Maya!) fully clothed in long pants and fleece jackets. They were so excited to be in the ocean. Drove out to Nubble Light to see the lighthouse and the kids ran and crawled over the rocks.
York Beach, Maine
Maya flying through the air on the rocks across from Nubble Light (lighthouse) in York
Met my brother Ski at Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine, across from the Weathervane
From Kittery, went to South Berwick, Maine to have dinner at Sandy and Mark Gagnon's house. Sandy made a heavenly dinner. The kids were in their element--running around the huge grassy backyard, rolling down the hills, swinging on the tire swing. Idyllic, really. All the kids ended up in the hot tub, except Molly who took a major nap from about 3 to 6pm.
Monday, June 12, 2006
While Maya slept late at Mom's, I brought Badri, along with Charlie and Molly, to the Express Bus Service in Woburn so he could go to Logan Airport. He has a five day business trip to San Diego. Molly was crying and so sad to see Appa go, so we got donuts at Dunkin Donuts. After her donut she laid down on the wooden bench using her Tums bottle as a pillow. The Tums has been her latest object of attachment. A couple months ago it was a round cinnamon scented soap that Mom had sent with the Easter care package. She holds on to something for a period of time--sometimes a week, sometimes a month--then moves on to a different object. Very interesting case study, that one.
When we returned to Mom's, Mary, Andrew, Max, and Alexander were there with their new Toyota van.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Went to Portsmouth, New Hampshire today with Patty, Katie, Temana, Joey, Maya, Molly, and Charlie. Stopped for coffee at Starbucks, walked around town a bit, sat down by the tugboats on park benches and bought some fried clams and assorted other munchies at the Ferry Landing.
Stopped in Stratham, New Hampshire to bring Katie and Temana to Nita Hager's. Nita is Katie's grandmother (Dean's mother). I know Nita from many years ago--I was best friends with her daughter, Nikki, back in high school (30 years ago!!). This was the first time Nita had met Maya, Molly, and Charlie.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Brought Molly for her VCUG (voiding cytourethrogram) at Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts. This procedure is used to rule out abnormalities in the urethra and bladder (because she'd had multiple urinary tract infections). Before going, Patty gave me lots of great advice on how to make it easier on Molly. Also, there was a support services person, Mallory, who met us when we arrived and had all sorts of fun activities to distract Molly. Also, I appreciated when Mallory made a point of asking for a specific doctor who she felt was best with children and most experienced in the procedure.
Mallory told me that most three year olds are given anesthesia for the VCUG, but the only opening for a VCUG with anes. would be weeks after we had to leave the U.S., so we did it without anes. Molly was a champ--a urinary catheter is inserted into the bladder then the catheter (tube) is used to fill the bladder with a clear liquid (contrast material). X-rays are taken of the belly and viewed on a screen by the radiologist. When the bladder was full, she was asked to pee and pictures were taken of the emptying process. Then the tube was removed.
Molly did so well throughout, but you could tell it was stressful for her--she fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept for two hours. She slept in the car while the rain came pouring down in buckets. While I was with Molly, Patty brought everybody else up to Maine to drop Joey off to go fishing with Pa (Patty's husband's dad).
Drove to Boston for dinner with my friend Erin Healy at Summer Shack. She was right--their fried clams are fantastic. Had a clams appetizer and mahi mahi fish main course. Erin and I have been friends now for over 25 years It's great to get together with a dear friend who knows you completely and gives a 100% honest opinion.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Brought all three children to Dr. Jankelson's (Erin's pediatrician) for a physical and shots. I have to say, Molly got the prize for getting the least hysterical over shots, but then for some reason she had a half an hour meltdown in the car (can't remember why now). She slept it off once we got back to Mom's house.
After Molly woke up we went to Mary's so the kids could play together, and we had dinner. The kids are just completely happy and no problem when they play there. Max and Maya drew a giant dinosaur and hung it on the living room wall.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Picked up Maya at Mary's. She'd had a sleep over with Max and Alexander last night, one of three she had with them on this vacation. Met Julie Wormser and her three year old daughter Lucie at Nara Park in Acton, Massachusetts. The park includes a swimming pond and playground.
Julie Wormser and I were very involved in environmental activism in Boston in the 1990s and together organized rallies to fight Newt Gingrich's Contract "on" America. I'd roped Fred Small in to play folk music at one of the rallies and I believe that's where he and Julie met for the first time. The two are married now. Julie joined The Wilderness Society when I went to Citizen Action in 1996, then she became Northeast regional director. Now she's director of advocacy at the Appalachian Mountain Club. Sometimes I really miss those days.
Mom had a barbecue at her place in the evening. Joey's a terrific 13 year old--great with the kids. Went shopping with him, Molly, and Charlie. As we walked into one store, a guy looked at Molly and me, then asked, "Is she yours? Is she Chinese?" I thought that was hilarious.
Badri flew in from California tonight.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Today Charlie woke up and said, "Where's Auntie Mary? Auntie Mary went swimming with a dolphin and she had to come back to see me." Out of the mouths of babes.
It's been a real highlight--actually it's the only reason I wanted to come to New England to visit--for the kids to spend such quality time with their grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Sure, there have been moments that have been a little trying with us all packed in at Mom's. She's been incredibly tolerant of our big messes and comings and goings. But staying primarily in one place for a month has really given us a chance to both rest and visit, without constant hopping from place to place.
Fried Clams Heaven
I just lied. I also came back to New England for the fried clams. My goal had been to have them six times while here on vacation, and I think I actually had them eight times:
1. Kittery [Maine] Weathervane (twice)
2. Bob's Clam Hut, Kittery, Maine
3. Summer Shack, Boston, Massachusetts
4. Union Oyster House, Boston, Massachusetts
5. Ferry Landing, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
6. Salem [New Hampshire] Weathervane (twice)
I have to say, I was pleased with each and every gustatory experience. I'm very biased towards the Weathervane, because that was where I had one of my first jobs as a kid, and I should definitely be on the frequent eater program there, having eaten there innumerable times in the last 30 years (ouch! so old!). Some say it's all in the batter. But it's also in the texture of the clam. If the shellfish is a little too chewy or rubbery, it's quite disappointing (I must say, some people swear that Bob's beats Weathervane hands down, but I found Bob's to be a little too chewy and too many shells thrown in as a bonus). Also, have to say--you gotta have the bellies. Clam strips are just not the same thing. Sorry.
Went to a fantastic party at friends' Jennifer and Tim Sharkey's house in Waltham, Massachusetts. I've known Jennifer--a fellow Scorpio--for about 15 years. She invited close friends over: Erin Healy, Maile Jones, and Andre and Prajna Dostie (all friends for the last 20-25 years). Tim, the ultimate in big kids, got the sprinkler going, and then made a mud pit in the backyard so the kids could really get down and dirty. Maya had a great time walking Abbie, their six year old collie. Maile has started a new magazine, Real Women Press, www.realwomenpress.com for and about central Massachusetts women. Some great reading. Her daughter and my friend, Anya, also has a column in the magazine.
Molly at Jennifer and Tim's
Kelly and Maya
Maya and Abbie
Charlie, Badri, and Molly
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Another great party--family reunion of sorts--at Ski and Elena's in York
On the way north we stopped at Toys 'r Us in Portsmouth, New Hampshire to pick up a couple things. There's just nothing like this in India. We stocked up on Legos, some Thomas the Train paraphernalia, and even got a train table. Felt a little pressure as we browsed, overwhelmed, through the toys, knowing that we were pressed for time to get to the party. Just not enough minutes in the day.
Many on Mom's side came up from New Hampshire and one, Aunt Mary, from Florida: Aunt Peggy, Uncle Stan, cousins Mike and Shawna and Shawna's husband John; Uncle Dan and Aunt Gail, Aunt Mary Manning, John and Carol Manning and their daughter, Dave and Cathy O'Brien and their daughter Molly. On Dad's side, Aunt Barbara came, as well as Kristin, Jeff, Stephanie and their son Phin. The kids, once again, had a blast in the kiddie pool and on the slip and slide. Lynn Beck Sullivan and Liz Elliott also stopped by with Lynn's daughter, Amelia. Some of us went swimming up at the river, about five minutes walk from the house. An invigorating swim. Still pretty cool. The best of Maine.
Andrew and Joey
Temana
Monday, June 19, 2006
Mom, our family, Mary's family, and Patty, Katie, Temana, and Joey all went out to dinner at the Salem, New Hampshire Weathervane Seafood restaurant. Just one more time this visit for good measure. Had a great big table in the back where we didn't cause too much of a raucous.
Family photo at Ski and Elena's house
Max, Mary, and Alexander
Maya, Joey, Katie, Patty
Patty and Mom
Huggin' cousins: Max, Maya, Alexander, Charlie
Patty, Maya, Kelly, Mary
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Left Mom's at about 5 p.m. for the 9:05 flight out of Boston. Drove the rental car, accompanied by Mary in their new Toyota minivan to help us carry all the boxes to the airport (we traveled with the maximum 10 pieces of luggage, plus had to ship six or seven boxes home through the post office). Mary sent us off with great toys to amuse the kids during the long flight. We would have been lost without the toy airplanes she got for Charlie.
Flight went off without a hitch, and we arrived back in Bangalore at about 6 a.m. on Thursday the 22nd. Of course we all wanted to sleep most of the day, with our body clocks completely confused.
Friday, June 23, 2006
The kids were up in the middle of the night from 1 to 3 am, so definitely no school today either. Spent time at the park, Maya riding her bike with training wheels going wonky, and Molly on her tricycle.
In the evening, brought Molly on a date with me and Badri to see our neighbor Yamini Muthanna dance bharatanatya at Yavanika, State Youth Centre on Nrupathunga Road, next to the Reserve Bank of India. Yamini is also a yoga teacher, and her dancing is beautiful. At 3 1/2, we were really happy with how nicely Molly behaved throughout the performance. When she got tired, she just leaned back in one of our laps.
It's especially fun to see one of your neighbors all decked out, barely recognizable, in the dancer's attire and makeup (see Yamini's picture on this link)
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Nice relaxed day. Again, Maya slept in late, so I brought Molly and Charlie in the double stroller on the loop, and then to the park. They had such a great time playing together until noon when the park closed.
Monday, June 26, 2006
The kids went back to school at Neev today, pretty much recovered from jet lag after four days rest. Charlie's in the toddler class from 8:30-11, Molly's in the pre-kindergarten from 8:30-1, and Maya's in K-2 from 8:30-3. Maya's teachers are Shaista and Malithy, Molly's are Amba and Krishna, and Charlie's are Priti, Nimmy, Kauvery, and a couple others. I think Charlie's is the biggest class with about 38 children.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Maya's class is doing a unit on the family tree, always an interesting assignment for an adoptive family. Miss Malithy had talked to the class about adoption, and I visited Maya's class and read them Over the Moon: An Adoption Tale about a couple who adopts a baby from Central America. It's beautifully illustrated and is a lovely story. The children seemed to enjoy it, and Maya always loves it when I go to her class to read.
