This post is a continuation of  the earlier posts (Being Grandparents ,Being Grandparents – 2, Being Grandparents – 3, Being Grandparents – 4, Being Grandparents – 5, Being Grandparents -6,Being Grandparents -7, Being Grandparents -8 , Being Grandparents  -9  ,  Being Grandparents -10, Being Grandparents -11, Being Grandparents -12,  Being Grandparents -13, Grandparents -14, Grandparents -15,    Grandparents -16,  Grandparents -17, Grandparents -18,Grandparents -19, Grandparents -20, Grandparents -21, Grandparents -22   & Grandparents -23  )  as the previous  posts were becoming a tad bit busy.    

This post is a start of the New Year 2010.

Thursday 6  January 2011

Since the Holidays ( end of last year) – the kids are a bit “under-the -weather” – cold and cough . So they have not visited the Grandparents – so as not to spread the virus – but never-the-less both nana & nani both are going through the same – first nani and then nana – hence the kids are “kind of” not seen. It is a bit of a loss not to see them but for health reason -it is prudent to remain separated till the health get better.

Tuesday 18 January, 2011

This day – now that both kids have   somewhat recovered from ‘under-the weather” health and also their nani  is also back to good health – nani decided   to spend Tuesday at Mackay with both kids and their mom ( who has a day off – as part of ” shift” duty at work) . The kids had a ball of a time with their nani – apparently missing her (and of course their nana) for so many days.   Sitara and her nani spent time outdoors to make snowman and Sachin ( when not having afternoon nap) would cling to his nani and just play around.  

Thursday 20 January 2011  

This day (being an off-day for Nina) – both nana and nani decided to spend time in Mackey with kids. It was also “18 month”  birthday celebration for Sachin (having born on 20 July 2009).

Both kids played with their grandparents – Sitara with various games and with “playdough” with her nana and Sachin just being active and playful. We celebrated his birthday ( his mom & Sitara made chocolate muffins and decorated  these with icing etc for Birthday candles ) .    Their dad had gone to Ottawa for an office meeting but joined all for the dinner & Sachin’s “18 month” birthday celebration.

This day both kids got registered for swimming classes at Deep River Mackenzie Pool. The registration was done at Town Hall by their nana/nani .     Sitara for Salmandar Class (for 3 year olds) and Sachin for Duck Programme – for babies.

They got a new cousin today. Their mom’s cousin Sunay’s wife (Priyal) in London,UK gave birth to a baby girl this morning about 6.30 am  local time .   The baby has  not  a name as yet. She will   be the kid’s newest cousin (of course one removed) .

Sitara gave us   a very pleasant surprise.   Something that brought tears in our eyes. She is so cute and pleasing. She recited the famous and common prayer for Shree Jalaram – in Indian tongue. When she learnt this? is very much surprise to her nana/nani.   Our respect and love for her mom also went many folds more – it was always high but recitation just floored us.

Wow!

Note: Sachin had come to Deep River yesterday (with his mom & Sitara) for regular doctor’s consultation.

Thursday  27 January 2011

Kids and Nina came over to Deep River to spend the day with Grandparents .   Their nana had   was away in the afternoon for  lunch & bridge game at the Church  (the main one  on Deep River Road).  

All had good dinner (their dad also joining in)   – though nina had dinner much later as she had gone for physical activity (in the evening ) at the Legion hall and came back at about 8.00 p.m.

The kids were to spend a night ( a sleep over) at nana/nani home -as they were not going to their baby-sitter on Friday -as she (& her family ) were going away for the week-end.  

On Friday 28 Jaunuary 2011 , the kids played with both nana/nani in the morning . Sachin as usual went for his nap in the afternoon . Their nana again went to play his usual Friday afternoon bridge duplicate   game.

Sitara helped her nani  to bake muffins (cupcakes) in the afternoon  .

Sachin has progressed in building his vocabularfy and says “mine”   and “more pleae”.   He understands to say words when prompted – if we ask him   ” say   ball” – he will repeat ‘ball’ . So he understands to respond to “say” .

Sitara  obviously surprises us with things she knows. She can say (recite) our Shree Jalaram prayer ( in our language) and knows that it is a prayer to Shree Jalaram – she shows so much respect for Shree Jalaram – also rings the prayer bell – which we have at the ”  Shree Jalaram oil painting”  hung in the Recreation room .  

She makes my heart to flutter – when she recites the prayer with joy and pride – on her own. She learnt thisi from her mom in a couple of days try. Atta girl!

On Sunday 30 January 2011, the kids had their first swimming lesson of   the year . Sachin – his first since he is born (he is a baby)  -” duck  ” program at the Mackenzie pool in Deep River . Sitara had her “salmander” class.   Nana/nani also went to the pool to watch the kids  taking lessons . Sachin was accompanied by his dad in the pool . Sitara could go alone but thsi day ( she having a bit of a temperature and also a new male instructor) ) was a bit reluctant to go into the pool – then was joined by her dad -which made (enticed) her go into to the pool  .  

However, both kids had temperature on Monday 31 January 2011 and their dad   als0.   They stayed home . The temperature and “under-the-weather”   state for all three  is still continuing –  this being Wednesday 2 February 2011. Nina has also got the same on Tuesday (1 February) – though she came to work on Wednesday   – in a stormy day . This day the whole eastern USA and Canada was under severe winter   weather with about 30 cm of snow falling.   She  managed to organise a replacement pharmacist starting at 5.00 p.m -so managed to go homea  bit early.  

 

Sunday 6 February 2011  

The kids came to deep River. F irst Sitara with her dad – they had gone for skiing and then Nina with Sachin – who was taken for his swimming session.

They stayed in Deep River (sleep-over) at their nana/nani home – till Wednesday 9 February 2011.      

Sachin had fever – on going to ER , it was diagnosed that ear infection was causing the fever and vomitting. He ate very little on Tuesdasy but on Wednesday the anti-biotics seems to have worked and he was getting better – though his food intake was low.

Sitara as usual very playful and played with toys on her own – made pretend tea and dinner for her nana.   She wanted to have her nana tell her stories or read books .She is very diplomatic- she knows most of her children story books by heart and can recognise these. She had her nana say stories based on ‘imagination” – nana created a pretend twin sister for her named “Sahara” . Many stories were spun using this character . She can spell her name and can identify many alphabets and letters. She can count to double digit (though below 15) . Her dad has taught her to use fingers for counting .

Friday 11 February 2011

The kids nana baby-sat the kids this day at Mackey between 10.30 a.m & 1.00 pm while their mom & nani had gone to Deep River Community Church to attend a  funeral of alady who died from car accident (Patricia).   After that the afternoon was spent there – though Sachin had gone to take a nap.   There is also a renovation going on at Mackey house -addition of a sauna & insulating the garage.

Sitara played with ” slinky ” – hopping down over  the stairs . She really enjoyed the toy and the hopping down of the “slinky”

That night her nana got sick with ‘diarrhea’   – not sure where he got it from. But then Sitara too had similar attack on Saturday – which culminated in Sitara also throwing up on Sunday evening and this carried on the whole Monday 14 February 2011 (VaLENTINE’S DAY) .     Well in short the Valentine’s day dinner planned on Sunday at Deep River was almost became a non-event as all were busy with “Sitara’s illness and her nana’s too.

Also on Sunday , at the swimming class at Mackenzie Pool in Deep River – Sachin was in the pool but had to get out in about 10 minutes as someone threw up in the pool. The pool was then closed. The kids then came home in Deep River with their parents.

Both kids saw the recreation room and computer room at Deep River home -which  were getting emptied up by their nana/nani . The wall of these rooms will be replaced with 1/2 inch gyproc wall and all old insulation will be removed –  all areas cleaned off and fungus etc – and then new R12 insulation will be installed.   Jeff and Dennis are the contractors.     Oh yes, while , inspecting, Siatar found the old Fred Flinston doll that her mom Nina had given to her dad long time back – her nana was an avid watcher of Fred Flinston situation comedy at that time.       Her nani cleaned the Fred Fintstone doll along with that  of Barney – so when they came on Sunday, these were ready for Sitara – but unfortunately she could not quite enjoy these as she was not feeling well.

Wednesday 16 February 2011  

Jeff and Denise came at 9.00 am to start work on the walls of the rooms downstairs. They started with the Computer room and after that they will tackle the main rec. room .      Yesterday about 6.30 pm the kids phoned from Mackey – they were enjoying their new sauna unit – which was just installed by Jeff & Denise – as contractors.     The kids are seeing lot of changes in the  homes (at Mackey and also in Deep River) and  now are getting fresher updated quality of homes.

Sitara remained under the weather for another couple of days   – mostly throwing up and not eating much . Sachin was okay this time though  during last week he also was under the weather.

Sunday 20 February 2011

By this time , Sitara had recovered  and both kids were brought to Mackienzie Pool by their parents for swimming lessons prior to thyem all going to Ottawa for a week’s vacation. They eem to be enjoying their outing with parents -according to an electronic message reveived from their dad.

Wednesday 23 February 2011  

This is an milestone of a day for the kids. Sitara is some 37 inch tall and weighs 27 pounds.   Sachin is measured 32 inch tall and weighs 21 pounds -as per their dad’s electronic mail from Ottawa.

Both kids got a legacy gift  – life insurance policies- as of this day .   This, hopefully, will be useful when they are ready for their higher studies – post high school.

Thursday 24 February 2011

Sunir and Shannon arrived at Deep River – drove from Toronto to visit and spend time with the family . However, on their first day here, they could not interface with the kids as they were still in Ottawa -with their parents on vacation.   Sunir and Shannon had time to relax   – they needed that not only the tiredness  from the long drive but also the previous three days they had spent in Chicago, US for holidays and  had spent thise days  visiting museums and other places   including variety of eateries .   After their rest, we (Sunir and parents while Shannon was resting) played  Chopat- an Indian game  

Chopat (or Chaupat) is a Cross  and Circle game  played in Saurastra , part of Gujarat, India  . It is similar in some ways to Pachisi, Parcheesi and Ludo.

A chopat “board” is traditionally an embroidered cloth in the shape of a cross. Each arm of the cross is divided into three columns and each column is divided into eight squares.
The “dice” are seven cowry shells.   The “men” or pieces are usually made of wood. Each player has four men.

It was fun. We had bought the Chopat game when visiting India -when Sunir was 9 years old   – and somehow he had learnt (found out) about this  game and wanted it badly. Guess he ws curious. So we had traversed many stores/shops in Mumbai (Bombay) – and finally found one (after many hours of “hunting”) in a shop in the area called Bhuleswar.  

Finally we played the game.

Friday 25 February 2011

Both Sitara and Sachin arrived in Deep River with their parents   – a bit delayed at about 7.30 p.m and joined in the dinner . Both kids remembered  their Mama & Mami – not forgotten them though not seeing then for a  few months .   This time they also played much with their Mama & mami – their Mama reading story books to Sitara and playing with Sachin.   Their ShnnonMami played with each of the kids . Sitara liked to talk/converse with her Mami. Sitara was also aware that a new baby was developing in her Mami’s tommy.   She was very mindful of that.

The kids went home to Mackey with their parents  after that – a bit early as they were getting tired from their drive from Ottawa and also they needed rest as Sitara had a full day on Saturday .

On  Saturday 26 February, 2011 – kids went to Petawawa – for Sitara’s music class in the morning and then came to Deep River for lunch  with their Mama & Mami as well as with nana/nani.   During lunch, Sachin established a good communication relation with his Mama/Mami ( few words but smiles and grunts) . Sitara got fed by her mama – she would not leave his side at all.   Sachin then went for his usual afternoon   nap and Sitara played in the living room ( doing sketch painting ) -then all (Sitara and parents) went to ski (Martin Hill ) hill for participating in the memorial to Pat Harvey ski run. Sunir/Shannonmami joined them subsequently. nana/nani stayed home -as Sachin was still sleeping.   So both Mama/Mami saw Sitara learning skiing from her dad – and also go downhill with her dad and come up using the chair lift.  

When they all came home, all had dinner together and fun time. Kids really bonded well with their Mama/Mami nd this day they went home at mid-night  .

They saw their Mama/Mami on Sunday at  lunch time as their Mama/mami stopped over in Mackey – on their journey back to Toronto .   Kids were having lunch – so their Mama/Mami helped to feed them.

Finally their nana/nani saw ther kids in the evening when they came to Deep River for their swimming session at Mackenzie Pool  .After the swimming classes , they went to Mackey straight .

Thursday 3 March 2011

This day the kids came to Deep River in the morning (to spend the day with nana/nani) with their mom . Their nana had prepared the lunch and dinner for  the family – his recipes for ‘Chick pea & canned mandarin oranges” and also his recipe for “Boiler onion & potato curry”. All eaten with either samosas (prepared by nani) or with rice ( steamed by nana) or with “Middle Eastern” thin Pita bread (bought in Ottawa Z) a day before.

Nani had a craft session with Sitara (decorating of colored Egg shape sheet) with glue and bunnies and stars. After that she played with the Computer ( PBS kids program) with nana and teh went out with her mom for aviisit to friend’s house. All that while Sachin was   placed in his crib for an afternoon nap. Apparently, hew did not want to have a nap but play with nana/nani . However, he did not complain about taht but unbeknowest to all (nana/nani & his mom) he had thrown his blanket (in the crib) on the ground, pulled his socks off and then his pants off before falling asleep.   He can now mamnge to remove cloths.

Sitara had her nana say stories about the little girl  “Sahara” –   an imaginary twin sister that  her nana has conjured up for stories past couple of weeks.   She also had a couple of children books read. She remains always busy either books, craft or playing with toys.     Sachin also likes to play with the toys and always doing something which is constructive. Both kids are like that though Sachin is not in stories or books as yet.

During dinner, Sitara – a great conversationalist as she is – was telling her nana that she is these days doing

1) Music class

2) swimming class

3) skiing and then also gymastics.   She really enjoys going for skiing with her dad .

After dinner the kids parents went to see the comedy play “Leading ladies” being put on by the Deep River Drama Club at Childs Auditorium. They ere gone from 6.45 pm till 9.45pm – kids were with their nana/nani – and spent good time with them.   Eventually at about 9.30pm Sachin went sleep in his crib but  Sitara played with her nana and nani – did some more craft and had more stories told.

They all went home to Mackey at about mid-night – their parent spending some quality time with kids’ nana/nani – ” shooting the breeze” .

Sunday 6 March 2011

The kids spent the Saturday nite at their nana/nani home in Deep River as their parents went to ‘ Camper Restaurant in Pembroke on Saturday nite ‘ and were to be out past mid-nite .

Both kids were well behaved and played with all avaialbale toys and Sitara had books read and stories told.   When reading the book on Cinderella   – she had a logical question -as to why a glass shoe remained with Cinderella – when all other items – such as the chariot turned back to a pumpkin -turned to original while  the glass shoe did not. She is observant at this age of 3 1/2 years and with logical question. Her nana replied that ” the fairy Godmother left it with Cinderella so she could be found by the Grand Duke -for prince to marry her.

This Sunday, Sitara didniotw ant to go for skiing. Ad states befire , sge enjoys skiing – so this refusal came as a surprise . However, she spent time with   her nana outdoors in the snow – helped to make tunnel, made imprints of the snow shovel handle on the snow bank in a pattern – “she said this is how she would want to decorate her house” -removed icicles from her parents’ car and deposited all that in the tunnel.
After dinner, both Sachin and Sitara went for their swimming sessions at Mackenzie Pool.  

 Sunday 13 March 2011

The kids had their last swimmimg classes for the season. They went to the Mackenzie Pool with their parents in the evening. Sachin’s class starts at 6.05 p.m and Sitara’s at 7.05 p.m.   They are not visiting Grandparents home in Deep River (at this time) as their nani is sick with flu & sinuses . Its better to  keep the kids  away for their safety.     Their nana joined them at the pool as he is okay healthwise.

Sachin graduated in his “Duck course” and got his certificate .Also Sitara graduated in her ‘Salmander course” and got her certificate.     Now for the next level in spring- I guess.

Sunday 20 March 2011

The whole previous week  nana/nani kept away from the kids due to flu except to see them for a few minutes here and there. On Sunday, Sitara was going for skiing – this is the last day for the season. Her mom calleda nd informed her nana/nani – so we decided to go to the ski hill to watch her. Both kids were taken to the ski hill by their parents – skiing to be had between 2.00 p.m and & 4.00 p.m – that was time when skiing was permitted at the Mount Martin Ski Hill in deep River. This is a picturesque spot and well developed for small town . A boon to all the downhill enthusiasts in the area. Sitara’s dad is a great ski enthusiast and this helps to train Sitara. Sitara loves to go out with her dad and skiing.    In one season (at age 3 1/2 yrs) can ski the whole hill by herself (with no hole by her dad)  – of course guided lovingly by her dad – who ski backward   in front of Sitara – to give her a confidence boost.   Sitara went downhill at least 3 times in the afternoon and she was all relaxed and happy while climbing the hill along with her dad – using the lift chair .     They all had picnic at the ski site -an open woodfire was lit by the organisers   – marshmallows and garham crackers – hot dogs and Jersey chocolets etc were available.   Sachin enjos being outdoors to. He   is noy going skiing as yet (being 1  1/2 years old) but enjoys walking and running and climbing small hills  . He liked the picnic too and ate the crackers and marshmallows allong with the hot dog pieces.

Scahin observes everything – especially he is a great cheerleader for his sister – and gives smiles and chuckles to her and obviously is very happy when seeing her come up the hill in a lift chair with their dad.   All in all it was successful afternoon – all bright and sunny and both nana/nani enjoyed to be outdoors too.

At the end before winding up for the afternoon – Sitara ambled along with her nana for a while – and then she found some icy condition & water puddles on the ground. She loved it. She picked up a piece of ice – she likes to pick ice pieces from the ground and outdoors and also from cars (hanging on the cars) etc. This day she was ecstatic as she found water puddle – where she kept jumping in – like            ” Peppa Pig  family ” jumping in the mud  .   Sachin then joined his sister   in the puddle and both kids had lots of fun together.  

Monday 28 March 2011

Kids came to their nana/nani home (with their dad) after spending the day at the baby-sitter’s place. Nina was working and had planned to go to Ottawa (for an office conference) after work (late at night) . Thus the kids were to spend the night (sleep over) at with their nani/nani.   This is after a long time – as due to flu season the playing (spending time)  with the kids was curtailed – for the safety of all. Sachin had multiple ear infections during the season  and his nani had a prolonged flu.

Even though face masks are donned by both nana/nani  when the kids visit  – it is not quite safe.

Monday, after dinner the kids had good time with their nana  & nani – playing many different things and Sitara having her nana say stories (about the fictitious girl Sahara – her fictitious twin sister) or alos read stories from various books which are readily available at nana/nani home.   Sacxhin wa sa s usual happy kid – going around – climbing stairs ( each stair at their nana/nani home have only 7 steps and not too high). The kids also played with their dad – they like to to do sliding over the extended feet ( by their dad & also by their nana) .   Thier dad got them ready for bed before going to Mackey at about 9.00 pm.     Thire mother had phoned to enquire ( while she came at around to  Pembroke en route to Ottawa) .

The kids slept well – all were concerned that they might wake up at night   – Sachin because he is not eating well these days due possible to his ear infection (though it is getting better) andmay get up he becomes hungry .     But both kids slept well through the night though woke up early – Sachin about 6.30 am in the morning and Sitara soon after.

The day went well. Sitara went to Deep River library in the morning  with her nana ( Library has kids story time on Tuesday mornings) while Sachin stayed behind at home with his nani. well he had a nice bath and got ready. After the library, Sitara wanted spend time in the car – driving around . So her nana took her to the river drive and to the lighthouse (at marina) . Afternoon she spent most time watching TV cartoons and children program. Sachin had his usual nap in the afternoon.

Sitara’s nana went outduring the afternoon to Canadian Tire store and bought a nice set of binoculars – in army colors ( small & patite – good for 3 1/2 year old kid to learn to use it) . This is   an adult binoculars but easy to hold and not bulky.

The kids were a bit fussy when having meals – though they  had adequate breakfast and lunch (aftera  lot of prodding and cajoling) but dinner was rather  skimpy . Kids have their own mind and that is how  it is. Sitara was in a play mood  and she did not want to eat the special    rice (brown) but she wanted just plain rice with her “daal” (yogurt curry) . So then plain rice were cooked for her (with her help) and she had some of that but not much.

When going to home – Sitara made her wish known that she wanted to spend another night sleep over at her nana/nani home – and she pleaded and then also made fuss but as they were to go to the baby-sitter place next   day – it was decided that it was prudent that both kids are together at Mackey -when they can be got ready  together . Their mom was to come home too that day but late as she had another meeting to attend in Pembroke (while returning back from Ottawa) .

 Thursday 31 March 2011

The kids came and spent the day in Deep River . They came with thier mom ( she was having an off day from work) . First they went to usual kids program in the library and then Sachin had an appointment with the medical doctor .   So they came to Nana/nani home at about 12.30 pm (noon) and all had lunch together . After lunch, after playing  for a short period – the kids (mostly Sitara being 3 1/2 years old – knows what she wants)   wanted to draw an outline of their mom’s whole body on a   big drawing paper – which their nani had already brought out from the storage.   So Sitara and nani together had Nina spread herself down on the rolled out paper – in the living room.   Then they drew the  outline   of the  head , legs and torso – Nina also helping . After the outline was completed , Nina sat down and all three (  Sitara, nani & Nina)  started drawing various design patterns within the outlined figure. Sitara’s  hand  was printed at couple of places and so were  her feet. The hand outline and feet outline were filled with minute flowers   -all patterned using the fresh (new) washable markers. Sachin also joined in and had a great time trying to draw patterns.

Later Sachin was ready for his afterrnoon nap -and so he was freshened up and given his usual milk bottle and then then taken his crib for his nap.

In the evening their dad came from work – all had dinner together. After that their dad   had to go back to work (these days there is lot of pressure at work – due to Japanese nuclear fiasco from earthquake & tsunami) . Both kids were a bit disappointed and Sitara gave few hugs and kisses to her dad .

Sitara and Sachin played with their nana/nani – Sachin was at his best – enjoying every minute of time and happy. Sitara as usual had her share of stories and book reading before all went back to Mackey  with their mom  .

 

Note:   This comimg Saturday (2 April 2011) Sitara starts her GYM class in Petawawa.

 

Pravin Shah