Broken Mirror – Cannot hit anymore

The family was in the usual morning buzy routine to at least reach the school/office 30 minutes late. Adi after getting dressed up was lying on the bed and hitting her foot against the wall. She does this often, assuming her legs to be drumsticks, wall to be drumhead and hitting the wall with both the legs as if like playing drums. It happens that sometimes we get to be the drumhead when she gets mad at us. Coming back to the eventful incident when she continued to hit the wall her foot’s focus accidentally changed to the wall mirror. I believe it was accidental as I didn’t witness the scene. This was a tile mirror with size 6×6 sq.feet. Each tile is 1×1 sq.feet. There was a big sound all of a sudden and one of the tiles in the last row is broken as she hit so hard. Luckily, no hurt to her.

How should we both react now? She started crying nonstop. So to ease the situation we did not respond anything and continued with our work. Still, she continued to cry.

I loose all my patience when she cries continuously. So, to lower my temper I asked her politely “Pappa why are you still crying? Momma and pappa did not tell anything to you. At least from now please stop your drumming habit otherwise its going to be even more worse… do you know sometimes you use myself and appa as drumhead and we feel so painful?. Hope you understand. Please stop this habit with today”

Can anybody guess her response?

“I am crying because I cannot hit the mirror like before anymore”

I can only hope that she doesn’t repeat it again for the other mirror tiles…

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where is the bathroom?

Scene: M brushing and stepped into the dining room to say something to me

Adi: Appa, where do we usually brush?
M: can’t avoid the scene though he knows where she goes
Responds as “In the bathroom pappa”
Adi: with both hands on her hips, raising her head, starring at him Is this your bathroom?
M: with a sad face “No pappa”
Adi: what room is this?
M: stares at her
Adi: bathil sollunga (Eng : give me an answer). What room is this ?
M: dining room
Adi: then, why are you brushing here? get out of this place you yuckyy boy

M was already in bathroom before she finish above sentence..

Adi continued with her philosophy for next 15 minutes nonstop.

Amma, look at what he has done, he is a yuckyy boy, don’t give him breakfast today, Let’s not be his friends anymore as we are good girls, good girls always brush at the right place like you and me right mommy? what to say? “You are absolutely right pappa”.

I told myself better getup early and brush before she wakes up as at times I also just step out to the backyard door for seconds
to watch outside while brushing

 

Homework saga begins

 

Here comes the official announcement of the launch of Adi’s homework saga ..

She got a math addition paper from her summer camp last day and this triggered the writing cold war happening between me and Adi for a while. This time it was not that worse as before.

As usual, she did all the stuff one by one after reaching home and there came the writing slot. My goal was to at least make her complete the homework sheet. I did not wish too much and kept aside all her normal writing stuff. The paper had around 24 additions 6 in each row.. We sat near the backyard door and she started with the math. After she finished two we heard some noise in backyard. It was the residents in top floor. They were preparing for barbecue. You guessed it right. Adi got a chance for distraction. She would have toggled in and out of the backyard door one hundredth time before finishing the paper. She started it roughly around 6:30pm and finished the paper around 8pm… This was the episode

1. Do one math
2. Check the barbecue status
3. Check if her dad is safe in living room browsing laptop
4. Check if her toys are safe in playroom
5. Change the numbers 1.2.3 in table fan to check air speed
6. Count the papers in her writing pad
7. Check if her pencil has lead to write
8. Go around the whole house once for no reason
9. Check the barbecue status again
10. Try to initiate a dialogue with me
(mamma ennannu theriyuma ? {Eng: Mamma do you know something?})
I did not respond at all so she fails in that.
11. Count how many more math she has to do

Repeat all above things from point two (note down here that point 1 is missed) again Finally come back to the next math with no other option… After finishing next math follow all above checks religiously As I promised in the earlier writing post I did not pester her much and she took her own 1.5 hours to do 24 additions I was happy that she did not give up in the middle and managed to finish the paper.
Never mind the countless breaks in-between the work is done end of day. Yet another interesting(?) stuff is that she figured out two things and acted smartly

1. In first two rows the answer was mostly adding one to the previous answer
2. The third and fourth row are copy of first and second so it was a matter of copying the answer from first two rows.

M claimed that she is genetically right here and proved to be his daughter (finding all shortcuts)

This did not disturb me much as I am aware that she is good at basic addition concepts

Proudly leaving you all with the click of the completed sheet…

fifth cool mobile

We renewed the contract with the cell phone career and bought two new phones. The picture says it all. I took the flip flop model. This is the fifth mobile I am changing in last 3 years. My mobile list ranges from windows pc to Motorola basic model.I had the same problem with all mobiles… the display shuts off …

The career activated a new sim card leaving me to figure out a way to transfer my address book from old to new. It’s a pain to key in all the numbers again. Just then heard that the career showroom can do this sim-to-sim transfer in minutes. It really worked and saved 2 hours for me.I visited a nearby showroom and they transferred all data for me at no cost. Cool isn’t it?

Weekend – birthday party and spinach paratha

Saturday, we attended Shiva’s (M’s colleague son) birthday party and Adi had a ball playing with other kids. We had lunch over there and returned home around 3 pm.  Adi has made a birthday card for Shiva. The card had a flower and sun in the front and loads of hearts inside.
I missed to click it. These days she is able to draw flower with leaves, sun, house and Elmo… very good in matching the colors too I pretend to mix the colors as purple for sun and she teaches me that only yellow or orange can go for Sun and leaves should be in green…
Those are special moments you feel so much proud when the kid teaches you something new they learned recently…. It makes it more special with their modulation… Aiyyooo mamma you don’t know anything.. Have you ever looked at sun? What is its color? Is it purple? You are wrong … it should be only yellow or orange…  I tell her as oh am sorry-ma I forgot. Yes you are correct let’s color it as you said.
Now, I think of a moment when she corrected her papa in a similar way… that will follow as another post.

For dinner I tried stuffed spinach paratha. This is the second time I am trying and it came out pretty well.

Added the recipe to my cooking diary and here is it for your view…

Sunday, I made ven pongal after a long time for breakfast and pepper chicken gravy/rasam for lunch. We stayed at home all day and did all long pending household work… The weather was pleasant and it rained heavily for 30 minutes in the evening. We even witnessed icy rain… Once in blue, on Sunday I wished to spend some time at backyard with Adi in the evening but the rain wiped off my wish 😦

 

Vinayakar Chathurthi 2009

Starting was not as good as the ending.

I came to know about chathurthi from Mom only on Saturday. We were out for M’s dental appointment all day Saturday and had very less time for preparations. I have already mentioned in the blog that I am not a kitchen expert and cooking special dishes cannot be done without ample pre-preparation time. First hit is got up early to make things ready for pooja, managed to roam around the house for 30 minutes and then went back to sleep to catch up with other two. Finally, we all together got up late than usual.

Next, the kozhukattai outer covering rice dough and stuffing consistency has become little watery than it was supposed to be. Working up the flour/stuffing was not an option as there was no more stock of rice flour and jaggery. Pity me. Dejected by many tries I was about to through them away. Then, M involved and succeeded in making kozhukattai kind of stuff (the shape and taste was okay). I made masala vadai for my part. That was decent enough.

Pooja was done early afternoon. Adi was made aware of ganesha, his appearance and what special we cook to offer him. She was able to pronounce vinayakar chathurthi. Sometimes she says vinayakar’s birthday. I was happy as she did not demand for cake cutting.

Late evening we went to a nearby temple and she was again refreshed with all stories about chathurthi.

On Monday, the way back home from school one of my friend was asking as “how was ganesh pooja celebration at your home?” Adi promptly corrected her as “Aunty it was not ganesh pooja it was god vinayakar’s birthday they call it as vinayakar chathurthi” Being away from home my main motive of celebrating festivals is to make Adi aware of them and I was happy that the mission is accomplished.

 

dandanakka danakkunakka

Last evening the family was watching Airtel Junior super singer telecasted in Vijay TV we were admiring the talents of all little kids

M: Pappa, I wish you should also participate in such a talent show
Adi: ok ppa
M: do you know which song I want you to sing
Adi: I know
M: really, can you tell me that

There was a pause for next 30 sec (myself and M were excitingly looking at Adi’s face) and she sang …..

hey dandanakka hey hey danakkunakka !!!!!!!!

 

Weekend – long awaiting wish fulfilled

This weekend was little busy. On Saturday we went to flushing Vinayagar temple and Times Square. Made it to NY Toysurus after a long time.. It was very refreshing to see many big plush toys around. Naturally, we bought couple of items for Adi (I am worth a big applause if I hit for that matter any store with Adi and come out without billing anything for her), roamed around NY streets till 10pm and then returned home.

On Sunday, a long awaiting wish of mine got fulfilled. yes, we made it for the portrait session. I fixed for an appointment at 1:30 and they asked us to be there 15 minutes before the appointment. The family promised each other to step out at 12:30 so that we can make it by 1:10 to the studios. I woke up early than usual on Sunday … Had my cup of coffee, prepared breakfast, lunch, bath Adi, pack up dress and
accessories for the photo session and by then the clock was hitting 12 and 6 (you are right 12:30) … M helped to feed lunch to Adi. Next 30 minutes the family was busy in dressing up and having lunch. Finally we stepped out when the clock was on one and ten and made it to the studios at 1:30. This is unusual as we made it on the time. The family always runs late be it any appointments.

At the studios they made us wait for few more minutes and gave us 5 minutes to dress up. As I planned to wear silk saree didn’t take the chance of wearing it from home. If I decided to wear at home we would have definitely reached the studios to say good night to all workers there. We dressed up in the next 15 minutes (this is a record break for me as I wore saree without anybody’s help in 10 minutes. 5 minutes was spent for dressing up Adi. she wore silk full length skirt and blouse) and posed for a set of pictures in next 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the photographer didn’t give us chance to change the second dress as we were already running late by 15 minutes and he was working on his lunch hour. Myself and Adi planned to wear gagra choli for the next set 😦

Adi was well behaving and was very excited in giving all different poses. Anyways, finally the pictures looked very nice and we ordered couple of them in different size. We might get them delivered in a week or so. Also,bought the online copies of all pictures.

From morning I had seen the online version umpteenth time. I love those pictures.

Almost 5 years old trouble

Adi at home getting ready to summer camp

Adi: Appa, I don’t love you.
M: yes I know you will not love me because I bought chocolates for you yesterday
Adi: yes, that’s right I don’t love you because you are not bringing chocolates everyday for me
M: also for the reason I bought you lollipop’s the other day

I didn’t hear above conversation. Adi came rushing to me and said

Adi: Mommy, we shall buy 5 lollipops on this weekend
Me: yes, sure honey (I was not ready to handle any tantrum in the morning)
Adi: do you know why I said 5?
Me: no ma, amma don’t know that
Adi: because I am going to be almost 5 years old (FYI – she turned 4 just 2 months back)
Me: oh okay. We shall definitely buy 5 lollipops

M joins the conversation

M: then, for tonight’s dinner you should eat 5 chapatti’s as you are going to be almost 5

A long pause from Adi, she just turned to me and said in lower voice. Mommy we shall buy 5 lollipops okay? I nodded my head

Adi in bus on the way to summer camp

Adi: Amma, ennamo theriyuma? (This is how she starts a dialogue) – (Eng: do you know something?)
Me: Ennamma?
Adi: Daddy sollaranga, naa 5 chapatti’s sapidanumaam (with a very sad gesture) – (Eng : Daddy is saying I should eat 5 chapatti’s)
Me: I thought for a moment , hugged her and said I have a plan
Adi: what’s that ?
Me: Let’s make one chapatti, cut it into 5 pieces and tell daddy that you had 5 chapatti’s
(what an Idea!! perfect mommy… I know what’s running in your mind now – urupitta mathiri thaan )
Adi: Wow !!! Thank you very much mommy. Like you did the other day. Let’s keep the egg omelets inside chapatti, fold it and cut them like pizza pieces in triangle shape.
Me: perfect… I can do it as you wish.
Adi: I love you so much mommy…

P.S: M didn’t know this idea yet…

Yet another dialogue in the evening

Adi: Amma, ennamo theriyuma? (Dialogue starts…)
Me: Ennamma?
Adi: I have cold and cough. Whoever has cold and cough will never do their writing
Me: But, you just drank mango juice.. Whoever has cold and cough will not drink cold juice too…

She did not respond and went to her room for playing….. There ends the writing for yesterday. She did not write much and I also did not force her…

Writing – getting easier or difficult

Yesterday evening after we reached home Adi was behaving good and started doing all her work one by one… I mean

1. Removing sandal
2. Keeping the sandals in the shoe rack
3. Changing her dress
4. Face wash, hand wash followed by hair dress
5. some days pray god (she says Guru brahma guru vishnu while praying)
6. Eat snacks

Now, the harder one is next. WRITING.

After this incident, yesterday I prepared myself to handle it politely no matter if she writes or not. I told myself that its okay even if she doesn’t write today but the situation should be handled slightly different.

Hence, instead of sitting next to her and staring at her book which in a way increases my temper after a while this time I gave her the math adds & subs printout, asked her to complete one row by herself and then call me for correction… Meanwhile, I continued with my work. You should believe me here she was roaming around with the printout and pencil for the next 2 hours without doing even a single math. I did not yell at her and continued with my work pretending like not bothering her at all though my heart was internally pleading her to finish her writing.

After 2 hours, came the dinner and TV time. Now, she did not come to me (she know how mommy will react and did not want to test mommy unnecessarily)..  Silently moved towards M and started bugging him to switch on TV show for her.. He luckily looked at me and I showed him gestures (without her knowledge – we cannot talk loud these days. she finds them all) to ask for the written papers and also to promise her that he will switch on TV provided she finishes at least one row of math. We both just conveyed her politely what we expect from her and continued to do our work giving her some space to think about it. She understood that her wish cannot be accomplished without fulfilling our expectation. So, finished one row in the next 5 minutes (with all correct) and started demanding for the TV show.

I don’t know if this will work out all days but at least I was feeling happy yesterday though she did very little (just one row) than usual

Then, we celebrated this accomplishment (kathi-indri ratham-indri yutham ondru nadandhathu) and as a reward I myself switched on TV and allowed her to eat while watching TV. I generally restrict her from watching TV while eating. I don’t know if this approach is good or bad but definitely realized that being harsh is not going to work out anytime. I am planning to follow this until she gets comfortable with math adds and subs.. Prepared myself that its okay if she misses writing a day or two in this journey..

Temporarily stopped all other stuff like reading, tamil etc… mommy learned one at a time 🙂

She did not demand for a second show. After the show, she switched off TV and accompanied me at kitchen till I finish my work. We chatted for a while after her day, my day, did brushing (she was at the bathroom even before I called out for her)… Normally she makes me wait and call her at least 20 times before heading to bathroom for brushing… Adi was at her best yesterday…

We finished all work on time and the family happily went to bed