A new pre-schooler in town!

If I could keep you little,

I'd keep you close to me.

But then I'd miss you growing

into who you're meant to be!

                            By Marianne Richmond

Vir, this was another big week at our house. You started regular pre-school on Monday! You will be going Monday through Thursday from 9am till 1pm.

We'd been talking about it for days and you were super excited, excited for your backpack, excited to be a ladybug and excited to have new friends.

And it showed pretty well, last Monday, when we just couldn't contain our excitement!

I walked you to your classroom yesterday and met Mrs. Haq. Her words were "Feels like Vir has been in the class for an year. He is settling in so well and he's the youngest of all!"

How lovely, Vir! I saw you pick your name tag and check-in all by yourself. You found your name tag, there's no picture on it only letters. Yes, you can read your name! :-)

Next, you went to put your backpack in your cubby. You did it all independently and then walked straight to the rug to sit in circle. You sat at the spot assigned to you (the map of Philippines). Mrs. Haq and I were very proud!

I was all smiles seeing this. You were focused and happy. You didn't even notice when I left.

When I shared this with Kabir in the evening, he said "What a good big boy!" We are all so proud of you!

You have been coming back and sharing little things from your day. It's very sweet. Like you said  the other day, "I made a good choice today but I didn't put the marble in the jar"

Me: Why did you not put the marble in the jar?

You: because I didn't want to!

Yet another day, you shared "I had music today "

Great first week, Vir! I am SO excited for you! 

Enjoy your time at school. Make new friends, learn new things, have new adventures and love it all. You are very independent, so I hope and feel that the Montessori program would be a wonderful program for you.

As you take these big steps forward, always know and remember that we are here for you and you're still our baby. 

Always, always, always be your sweet self.

We all love you SO much! Kisses all the way!

Mama

Nani sent you a letter the first day of your school. Here goes:

Hey  Little ( Big )  Boy  !!             You have been surprising us from day one  . We believed that you are born weak but you proved that you are strong , brave , big & what not . You are so fast that you can't wait doing all that your big brother does . Mommy got tricycle for you thinking that you will practice to paddle . No ! That  was not to happen . You are far ahead of this . You began with driving your Tesla  & then took to biking  Kabir's  bicycle . It was yesterday only you were going to Mommy  & Me sessions going to school just for an hour or so & that too two days a week . And Today you made it to Ladybug class --- staying in school for full five hours  all five days a week . I can't recall when did you grow this big ! You are already known so well in your class -- be it your Teachers Or Friends  they all know you & love you a lot . Am sure you too are going to have wonderful time in school  surprising us every single day with your new stories .

            Here I send you hundred kisses & a warm tight hug  wishing you all the very Best for Always !

          Much  Love
  Friends For Ever
      Nani

Kindergarten begins for K!

A baby who was born almost five and a half years ago, nurtured and nourished in his home, pre-schooled by the tender care of his teachers has ventured outside the cocoon today.

Ready to learn and see the world differently, ready to explore new things, a new environment, a totally new set of teachers and children. 

Kabir, you are brave. You didn't want the normal from day one, you didn't want to go to the school where your friends were going. At age 5, you knew what you wanted and you made it there all on your own. It's incredible!

I am excited for your journey. My hope is it will be fruitful and you will earn many gifts of knowledge that you will keep with you for the rest of your life. 

Kabir, I wish you the best. May the sky be your limit, may you reach for the stars and may your life speak for itself.

So much had gone in the planning for this big day. I had checklists and all the prep was done much in advance. Yesterday I was cuddling you like there's no tomorrow, my sweet little boy, my pre-schooler was going to be a kindergartner the next day. I was all emotional inside and you knew it and enjoyed all the love that you were getting.

Today morning, you had a late start at school and a short day after that. You woke up, had breakfast, played, got ready and it was time to leave for school but before that, I made sure, we got some pictures! :)

Daddy and I both went to drop you off. When we reached school, you were greeted by your principal Shereen and Dr. G, to whom you gave fist bumps and introduced yourself.

While we waited for your classroom teachers to be ready for you, we met some other teachers; your librarian, your Spanish teacher and your Art teacher.

Soon, we were told that your classroom teachers were ready and we along with the other parents and children walked to your classroom. Guess what we spotted right outside your classroom, your picture with your favorite book's cover! :) What a sweet surprise! :-)

When we walked in the classroom, we met Mrs. Coffin and Ms. Navarro; your two teachers. You gave them both high fives. You looked around the room and tried to spot your cubby. When you saw it, you were so excited, you said "it's like a locker". You put your back pack in your cubby and then you and I walked around to check out the rest of the classroom. Soon, Daddy and I gave you hugs and told you we'll see you soon. A couple of minutes after, I came back to take a picture of your in your new space and I couldn't see you anywhere. I went all around and found you sitting and playing with trucks and trains, with a friend. You didn't even realize I was there! I smiled, took some pictures and left without disturbing you.

Two hours later, we were back to pick you up. We were waiting in the carpool, when you came with 

Ms. Navarro. 

You said bye to her and then came and sat in the car. You told us, you had the best day as you played the whole time. I asked if you had circle time and you said it was supposed to be circle time but you had oval time!

Tomorrow, you go for half-a-day and then from Thursday, the full day starts! You are excitedly waiting for the full day.

I love you Kabir, SO excited for you! I look forward to hearing your stories each day. 

Bear hug,

Mama

P.S. Here's a very loving note that came from Nani this morning. Something you and I will want to read as years go by. Stay blessed, my love. The love Nani shares with you and Vir is very special.

"Dearest Kabir 

     Time flies fast . It seems to be  just a little while before  you started  going to  Village Green School . Have you grown wings overnight ? Today  you are all set to go to The Big School . I can visualize you carrying your new school bag , waving bye to Vir & Lupe , excited to sit in your car seat & driving to your new school with Mommy & Daddy . I am blowing you kisses from here & sending love & best wishes . Am confident that you will be a good learner & performer . School is fun , make learning an enjoyable experience . Think big & make your dreams a reality . Arise , awake & achieve ! 
   May you get the best of best !! 

Lots of love , hugs & kisses 

Your friend 
Nani "

Happy 92!

My dear Mama,

Happy Birthday! You would have turned 92 today.

I think of you each day and my sweetest treasures are my memories of you, some pictures I have of you and your recipes, which I use on a very frequent basis. My most cherished possession is a recipe written in your hand-writing.

This very well could be a recipe Tippi Mama gave you as I remember her making dhokla at our place when she visited one summer. This is super special to me since it is written by you.

Mama, I hope that you are peaceful because there's nothing more I want for you.

Thank you for all your teachings and for all your love. I cherish my time spent with you and could not have asked for a better grandmother who was also my best friend.

Love you so much! A big, big birthday hug and lots of kisses. If only I could walk by you and plant kisses on your cheeks right now.

Miss you so much.

Please watch over me.
Your Gudiya.

Father's day

Father's day that we just passed on June 19th was a blessing.

We spent it in the company of Dilbagh uncle and Ammi. Dilbagh uncle; a grandfather to me, a great grandfather to Kabir & Vir and an inspiration to many.

Thank you, uncle for all your blessings and love over all these years. I remember you used to say to me "yeh gudiya hai ya chidiya hai?" Love you so much and wish you the best of health and happiness always.

I look forward to repeating this year after year with you and hope to get better UNO games between you, Kabir and Ammi. Hopefully Kabir will stop cheating soon. :)

We missed Tarun but will celebrate again when he is back from India. A hero and a great dad to Kabir and Vir. They look up-to him. Whenever something handy needs to be done, their individual reaction is "My dad can do it". (Tarun is really not that handy but he can put a light bulb! :)) The reaction is still the same nonetheless. It is uncanny how similar they both are to him. The confidence (or over confidence) and fearlessness is unbelievably the same. God bless the trio!

And my dear Daddy, I LOVE you with all my heart and always miss you. Thank you for being a friend first and a father second. Be good. Big hug, Didu!

Last Day

This past Wednesday was the last day of school before summer break but for Kabir, it was the last day of pre-school.

How and when did this happen? Where was I? I remember very vividly when Kabir started at Village Green and now in a blink of an eye, it was time for him to part ways.

Wednesday morning, I walked Kabir to his class.

He had written cards for his teachers and his friends and packed friendship bracelets for them, the night before.

We had a beautiful card giving ceremony, hugs were exchanged.

Then the kids huddled together, smiling and laughing. Kabir looked so happy. I smiled too but my heart was tearing up inside, knowing it was his last day with his friends; in his classroom; with his teachers. Last day as a Ladybug. I felt the pain all day and I still do as I write this today.

Excited for Kabir to start the new phase yet sad that the pre-school years went by way to quickly.

Kabir made such great friends at school and cherishes each and every one of his friendships.  The pictures of Kabir and Grace dancing, Sophia and Kabir hugging, a group hug by Taylor, Rania and Alexa, on his last day melt my heart.

Kabir's time at his very first school has surely ended but there are so many memories that were created here, so many associations made, all of which, we will hold very close to our heart.

I sincerely hope Kabir and his friends will continue to stay in touch through the summer and beyond.

Next school year, Vir will take Kabir's place in the ladybug class. I couldn't be more excited for him!

Love these munchkins to bits! God bless them.

Peru!

Last Sunday, Tarun and I got back from a week long hiking trip in Peru. A week long trip, just Tarun and me, where were the kids, you may ask?!? In wonderful care of my mom and their nanny. I was nervous, leaving them for this long, but they did very well. We were amazed and proud.

Every morning, I would call and we would speak at length and they would ask me, where we were, where we were staying and Vir would say "Are you still in the mountains?" It was so sweet, I missed them! In the evening, I would share pictures from our day. One day, while taking to Kabir, I said, I missed him, to which he replied, "Then why did you go on the trip?" I was tongue tied. We were excited to get back, it was a great break. Kids were up and waiting when we got home, Vir even said to me "I was waiting for you!". Lots of hugs, cuddles and stories after, we called it a night. Kabir slept holding my arm, it was very sweet!

Now, the trip. Tarun and I went with no expectations except to hike to our hearts content and visit Machu Picchu and we came back with an incredible experience.

We toured with 16 other travelers, 2 wonderful leaders and an exceptional local guide. We knew no one and when the trip ended, we were all in tears.

The trip was active, very active, so much so, that by 2nd day, Tarun felt we should have taken a spa vacation! Someone wanted to sleep in but had to get up at 5:00 am or closer. Each day, after breakfast at the hotel, we packed our snacks and hiked all day, lunch was usually a picnic and dinner was fine dining. It really was a boot camp with a fancy dinners and nice hotels!

We started in Cusco, walking the city the first day and getting comfortable with the 11,000+ ft high altitude, visiting the churches, the temples and learning about the Incan empire.

We hiked Tambomachay, the highest point in Cusco at close to 13,000 ft. elevation. Tarun wasn't comfortable with the high altitude so the first few days were rough for him. Luckily, Tambomachay was the highest elevation on the trip so it was all good after.

The surprise of the day was hiking with the the llamas!

After the hike, we reached our lunch spot for picnic, where the locals played music for us!

After lunch, we hiked to Saksaywaman; the stonehenge of Andes.

It rained while we were at Saksaywaman, so when we reached Cusco, there was a rainbow...a double rainbow!

Next two days, we hiked through the sacred valley, visiting Pisac and Ollantaytambo.  The hike was steep and intense, including some high steps (300 in number) to climb up and 700 tiny, narrow steps to climb down. Our leaders said this was a test run for Inca Trail the following day.

The start to the sacred valley was with a surprise; a visit to the farm to feed the llamas, alpacas and vicunas and meet local artisans!

Later, we passed the beautiful terraces while hiking to the top of a temple.

The terraces were an incredible sight; the Incans used them for farming.

In Pisac, we visited the Salt Flats, which were nothing like I had imagined.

These two days our hotel Sol y Luna was a beautiful lodge with a ranch.

And it began..the climb of the 300 steps!

and the 700 narrow and short steps we climbed down!

Lunch spot!

Before lunch, there was yet another surprise, a priest was on site to do a prayer for the whole group. It was rather touching.

So much of this, reminded me of India.

After lunch, we visited the weaving village, which was so special and a very unique experience. We met the family of one of our porters and his community. The women and the young kids weave and spin.

Everyone was really sweet, the kids; the excitement was oozing out of them, what was everyone doing with their phones? Phones could take pictures?! They could take their own pictures?! They had just learned something new and found themselves a toy! :-)

Some were shy and some wanted to learn counting and some wanted to talk and make friends.  No matter what, the place was full of smiles, full of joy! While, at the village, I smiled so much that my jaw hurt, it was such a happy place!

I was missing Kabir and Vir so much that when Jose; our local guide shared the story of the village with the group, I sneaked out to spend time with the children. They wanted to talk, to share, to play. They were so happy to get themselves clicked and see their pictures. :-)

Later, they performed a dance for everyone and made everyone dance with them. It was such a joyful time!

The women displayed all they had weaved if anyone wanted to buy. I saw friendship bands and thought how perfect it would be for Kabir to give to his friends as he graduates pre-school. I also picked a long tape, which I hope to get converted into a camera strap.

Ruth and Bob, who were traveling with us shared a book about Llamas with the kids and gave them pencils as presents. I thought that was really sweet.

Next morning, we started very early to catch the train to Inca Trail and hiked up the 6 mile "Km. 104".

It was a long, strenuous and steep hike, combined with climbing a straight rock wall up to Sun Gate, which provided our first view of Machu Picchu!

Everyone was thrilled to reach the Sun Gate! This called for determination and we had a couple of people who were scared of heights or had vertigo, it was so impressive and such an inspiration to see them hike the trail. Once they made it to Sun Gate, it was a moment of joy for everyone!

I felt lucky all the previous days, hiking through the less traveled paths , visiting the salt flats and the weaving village and thinking this was special and Machu Picchu might just feel over-rated after this, but once we got our first view, I was wowed!

Next day, our last day, we spent exploring the lost city!

It was time to say good byes. The whole group with Jose; our local guide!

With Isabel and Quinnen, our wonderful tour leaders!

Early morning walk exploring the sanctuary that Inkattera in Aguas Calienties was, I captured some more nature.

This was an incredible trip, I loved Peru, I loved its people and the connections we made. It seems to be calling me back or may it is the simplicity of life, that I miss. There was definitely a lot that was learned; from the place, from its people and I will try not to lose it.