Few more things off our summer bucket list

Few more things off our summer bucket list

1. Museum of science :- the kids abolsutely loved this, more Vishak than Varun. Esp attractive were the

• Butterfly exhibit
• The lightning show - was exceptionally good.
• The mini tornado exhibit which the boys loved.

Of course there were a whole lot more which  we will hopefully cover in future visits!


2. Canobie Lake Park :- bit of a disappointment. The day was too hot to begin with and the Cast away island that we so eagerly wanted to go was  little to intimidating for  both of them. May be need to wait until next year ?

3. Boston fountains and Carousel ; Managed to watch the fountains up close and ride the carousel on one of our Boston night drive requests from Vishak.


3. Swimming classes are done for summer , while Vishak has moved from 4 floaties to 3, Varun has gotten over his fear of water. Hopefully we'll continue classes this Fall as well.

Vishak :

• Surprised me by learning to balance on your cycle without the training wheels in 2 days flat!
• Mastered playing Monopoly and can guide me with all the complex rules. Sorry! and Battleship other games that we own, you have shown no interest in them so far!
• Has began reading on his own for quite sometime now. Reads to Varun a whole lot!
• You really like to travel and ask me to take you over the Boston Zakim bridge everyday! ( and other exits which have overpasses!). we have started hunting for other state name plates and have so far noticed

American :
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut - Most common
Florida, Michigan, Georgia, California, Tennessee, Virginia , Kansas, Maryland, Pennsylvania

Canada - Quebec, Ontario

Varun

• Can't believe you'll be starting pre school soon!
• You already know how to write most of your alphabets (self taught!) . Show whole lot of interest in drawing and coloring unlike your brother!
• Incredibly independent and stubborn, you want things your way and will never take help from anybody!

Franklin park zoo..

Wanted to take the kids to the zoo before summer ends..

Vishak has been to the Stone zoo twice . We took when he was around 2 years old  and last year the school took him again as part of KG field trip.

So this time we decided to go to the Franklin Park zoo in Boston..

Did not take the stoller coz varun doesnt sit in stroller these days, but we were able to rent one at the zoo for 7$. Money well spent, it helped us move around a lot faster. We covered most of the exhibits except the butterfly landing. 

Was very close to VArun's nap time and kids were getting restless . Managed to see Zebras, Ostrich, Peacocks (roaming freely) , Lion (majestically sleeping) , Tiger, Giraffes , Gorillas .

Best past was Vishak and Varun getting to feed the birds. They really loved it.

Last year during our India trip took the kids to Guindy park, which they thoroughly enjoyed as well. Looking for lady bugs was the highlight then!

On  a personal note, was sad seeing the Gorilla family (all animals for that matter, but this enclosure felt esp sad) in a exihibit. They kind of seemed resigned to their fate and our stares.

Janamshtami 2012

Did the Krishna feet and a small/simple  neivedhiyam of appam, aval and butter.  Couple of years ago tried to do seedai only to have a mini explosion in the kitchen.. Have not ventured in that direction after that!

Last year made Varun a kutti Krishnar..this year I was sick and did not have any enthu :(

Tried explaining to Vishak the idea behind the feet of Krishna was naughty and got caught stealing butter..and in the bid to escape made white foot prints everywhere..



Few days ago tried to tell him the story at night time of Krishna's birth..Started with Kamsa being warned by the "asariri" .  VIshak stopped me saying that it gives him bad dreams!!

May be will try a few days later..from the birth and going across the Yamuna part.

I dont remember being afraid at 6 listening to typical raskshasha stories..kids these days!

Summer of 2012

Vishak is 6 and Varun is 3

We did not do the usual BIG birthday celebration for the boys..instead opted for the ChuckE.Cheeses one for Vishak and his school friends.

Vishak chose the place and we went with it. His other options were the Bowling place and Laser Tag both of which he loves

They have both been enrolled in Swimming classes twice a week and Vishak is enrolled for basket ball as well at the local Y...

Vishak just moved from four to three floaties, he is SUPER proud and so am I :)

Varun's terrible two's have set in late and EVERYTHING is a challenge with him. mainly EATING!

This summer we have been trying to watch a movie every Friday. so far the boys have watched

Brave (at the theatre)
Aladdin
Cars
Hercules (stopped mid way)
Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs
and today -- Incredibles!

Still on the summer to do list

Visit to Zoo
Science Museum

May be quick weekend trip to Maine ?

Let see..

Books reading/read recently

1.Life on the refrigerator door - Alice Kuipers
2. Last Lecture - Randy Pausch

Re reading
1. To Kill a Mocking Bird.

Just bought from a library book sale

Revenge of Middle Aged Woman ? (title sounded intriguing)

an half year visit to the blog

Just to lament..why God ? Why ?

Why are you heartless to the ones who believe in you the most ?

Yet another new year and yet another resolution.

Highlights of 2011
1. Older one started Kindergarten. Officially in the American school system.(though he was in preschool before) Began school a month late thanks to our India trip. I was worried beyond control about him missing the first month. Would he cope? would he have friends? I asked the question to colleagues, friends, my paedi, girl next to me at the checkout counter ( i am kidding you not!).

He started on the auspicious day of Vijayadasami. His first parent conference, teacher says he is still assimilating to the environment but academically sound. Him being slightly younger than the rest of kids could also be the reason. I just hope and pray that he enjoys his school in the months to come.

2. The India trip sparked a fascination for planes. Now the brothers (yes both of them) seem to made a transition from the numerous Thomas trains to plane figures. We have a Boeing 747 miniature, Air force one miniature and Concorde miniature.

3. Air force one documentary on Netflix is being watched round the clock.

4. Thanks to their fascination of planes , learnt the most dangerous airport is the one in Nepal. while youtubing for that also watch out for the one in St.Martin! Awesome!

5. We have a Christmas tree for the second year now. (Fake prelit one). Got one last year not to disappoint the preschooler who was expecting Santa to give him something.

Santa giftsfor 2010 -
Lego + puzzle for the senior
Shapes book and sorting cups for the junior.

Santa gifts for 2011.
What else Concorde miniatures for both (kudumbame +2 ayiduthey :)).
A plane book with models for Sr and a Spiderman puzzle/story book for the Jr.

6. Personally moved to new job , commute is hell but hoping the job would make up for it.

7. Finished the year with a trip to NYC.

Hopefully this blog will see more updates this year