Like most days Avyaan is fast asleep and Aarohi just getting started at 8:00 pm. She naturally doesnt need as much rest time. Some scientists believe that Intelligent and sharp people need less sleep. Her pediatrician confirmed that if she sleeps less than other kids of her age group and her mood is normal then this is all she needs. After playing she typically asks for apple. And then finally she retires to her dreamland. Her dreams are typically made of marshmallow, candy, lollypop and icecream. What a life !
This was my turn to fall sick. Fighting nasty cold and cough. Last time I took a sick day off for myself was about 20 months ago. That was after 2nd dose of Moderna vaccine that really put me to bed.
In the evening, Avyaan read Diary of a Wimpy kid. He has finished 3/4 of the book. He is a fast reader. I read Elsa and Anna to Aarohi and then she moved on to coloring. Rotimatic was acting up so we had a few unsuccessful doughs. Both of them played with it , made animals from playdoh cutters . At one point, they mixed dough with lego blocks and coloring over it. Not sure whats the thought process. But we just let them be them 😂
Both of them can spend hours doing arts n crafts on their own. The only downside is that these activities take over the family room and kitchen. I can find bits and pieces of paper and other scrapes of art supplies as far as my eyes can see. It takes both time and backwork to clean up. But I will take it over digital madness that has taken over this generation alpha 🤳
Avyaan+Aarohi catching up over a bag of chips and TV
We are trying to build some routine for Avyaan after school before dinner. Sit down for some reading or maths 5-5:30. Most kids his age go for Kumaon classes etc. We started him on COGAT for grade 1. He is able to solve almost all questions by himself. His average speed is 3-5 questions per minute. He is pretty smart but making him sit down for 30 min is a challenge. He just wants to run around all the time 😂
Yesterday was a cold and sunny day. Baby was home sick so we did some coloring, play doughs and Tegu blocks. She sat just behind my home office set up while I attended meetings after meetings. Coloring is her absolute favorite. She gets slightly frustated when the north and north pole or the south and south pole of her magnetic blocks wont stick. Cute 😂
There is hardly any week when Aarohi goes to day care all 5 days. Ever since she started day care in March 2022, she has been picking all kinds of viruses. If it wasnt for work from home situation, it would have been impossible to raise her alongwith our fulltime jobs.Well, thats an exaggeration I am sure we would have found a way. Cant imagine being a stay at home Mom.
On Sick days, Kunal and I had to take turns watching her. I start early, he ends late. Its not easy but we make it work. Sick days are kind of fun for her though. She gets to watch an extra hour of her favorite peppa pig and gets additional attention from us. Here is one super cute video of her from last fall
It was unusually warm for January in New England. After our usual morning routine next on agenda was to move the coffee table on the side so it gives us enough space to teach Avyaan some gymnastics. I didnt wanna correct what Avyaan said last night because that would just mean dragging the unnecessary. But, I must mention we asked him how exactly you know your friend can stand on her head and also cross her leg, did she show it to you ? His reply… She just told me. We told him not to believe everything everyone says and abruptly ended the conversation.
Instead we moved on to focus on the real issue here. He needed to learn some flips, we went straight to business.
Trying some flips
Also, took him to hair cut to Snip Its in Southington. Its a 15 min drive but Avyaan loves that place because it comes with ipad and surprise gift and a lollypop at the end. I dont mind driving that distance if it can bring few minutes of joy to my little guy. After all, what really keeps us going is amalgamation of thousands of such little happy moments put together.
Last night we decided to read “Tales from the Vedas and Upnashidas” that was gifted to Avyaan from my brother on our recent trip to India. This book has stories retold by Daaji Kamlesh Patel. The way these stories are formatted, it generates questions for the readers. We read the story of Nachiketa meeting yam. I could not resist but asking Aarohi and Avyaan if they were granted 3 boons what would they pick. First, lets hear what Aarohi said.
One bag of red Dorritos
A bottle of water
Mommy reading stories to me
She picked everything she believes are essentials. I was relieved, I made it to her list somehow Phewww.
Avyaan was waiting for his turn patiently, and his thoughts were very clear for 9:00 pm which is way past his usual bedtime. As a family we let go of clock on Friday and Saturday night if we want to. Now, lets listen to Avyaan’s wish list
2 boxes of Kaju Katli
A new girl friend
Lighter skin color
Being his Mommy for 6 years, first 2 were totally expected. But he never spoke about skin color. So, I really needed some moments to even process that. Overall he was very casual about his wishes like he wanted it but would not loose his sleep over it. 6 years old typically dont loose their sleep over anything lolll. But you know what I mean . I took a few seconds to collect my thoughts and I asked him casually why do you need a lighter skin color? What he said next was more unexpected than the wish itself. He says and I quote that “all my friends with lighter skin color can do backflip and stand on their head with legs crossed and I cant do any of those”. Its interesting that he linked skin color with the physical ability. I am born and raised in India, where most of the population has been obsessed with lighter skin color since the beginning of time. But if anything in India lighter skin color is associated with beauty. It was already quite late so not the perfect time to start a conversation about skin color with a 6 year old American son of migrant Indian parents. So, I decided to continue with the rest of the story before its too late for bed
Avyaan has been saving his “points” in school so he could claim one of the prize box items. When we “buy” toys for him it makes him happy super happy but when he earns PBI that makes him feel accomplished. We buy almost everything that he asks for and some more which typically costs $30-$75 each. What he gets in PBI is something very small and those dont talk , or dance or sing and typically costs just few cents. But his 6 year old brain knows which toy is more valuable. Question for adults including myself. Why do we go through moments where we feel “why cant I afford business class tickets” or “why dont I own a yatch” …. Did you work hard enough to own those points ???
What my 2 year old drew on the other side of the cover page of Dot and Mit(Bob books) while I read “What I talk about when I talk about running” by Haruki Murakami . She described this as I am in Mommys tummy on the right and my brother is jumping on Papas tummy on the left. Deep!!!
Little baby in a big world 
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