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, Grandparents -24,  Grandparents -25, Grandparents -26, Grandparents-27,Grandparents -28 & Grandparents -29)  as the previous  posts were becoming a tad bit busy.

Thursday 22 December 2011

Only few days  left for the Christmas Day celebrated as by  the Christians.    However this celebration is also weaved into festivities by non-Christians also all over the world. It is getting to be the end of the Calender year  and this leads to holiday spirit to ring in the new year.

It is about this time many people go on vacation to travel to be with their  family (who may be in different city, province or country.)   With this sort of social movement at this time. Sitara/Sachin’s baby-sitter and family took time off to go away from Deep River  to be with their family. So both kids were a bit stranded when their dad was  working on Thursday & Friday  ( some people have to work to keep the society functioning) .

Well not quite – their nana/nani were very pleased to have Sachin spend the day with them (brought by his mom – who has a free day) on Thursday and Sitara joining them after the school . Sitara was picked up from school by her mom (as she skipped using the school bus as she really cannot dis-embark at her baby-sitter’s home – as the baby-sitter & family had gone away for Christmas)  .In the evening their  dad joined in after work -all had good dinner.

It was fun the whole day playing with Sachin – who is very mature for his age – likes to talk with his nana/nani & also express his love for nana/nani often times. He is a gentle kid -always with a chuckle and engaging eyes.   In the evening after dinner, both Sachin & his sister Sitara had a ball playing together and also with their nana/nani . want to play “monster chasing”   and sliding over nana’s legs/feet.

Both kids spent a sleep-over at their nana/nani   – this gives them fun time with their nana/nani and also a respite to their parents in the morning when Sitara has to be got ready for school and then brought to her baby-sitters home (where Sitara  picks her school bus) . However, her baby-sitter was not  available on Friday   23 Dec 2011 (as they had gone away for Christmas) . So her nana took her to school on Friday at 9.00 am and dropped her right at the ‘Kiddie park’ where they play before junior KG class starts.   She got picked from the school by her dad  . Their mom was working this day and thus could not join in for dinner but kids, their dad & nana/nani had dinner together and after that lots of fun playing different games.   They went to Mackey with their dad) (at about   8.30 pm) – they really want to spend more time with their nana/nani and they try to delay but ultimately they had to go as they need their rest and sleep.

Sunday 25 December 2011

It was the Christmas day ( Santa day) for the kids and their parents. Both nana/nani went to Mackey at 11.30 am to have fun with the kids when opening their gifts . The kids had many gifts from their parents , from each other and from their nana/nani.

Before lunch -all had a few photos taken around the lighted Christmas tree  and then the gifts were opened. Kids were waiting patiently for this moment  – good kids . They are well behaved and loved the gifts – each one of them – there were many different types. Sachin really enjoyed the stuffed Dinosaur as well as a  huge mechenical Dinosaur  – making deep threatening sound. Sitara had a remote control car to play with. Both also had a train-set (which run with hand manipulation – no battery )- a big one all installed on a table ( the table came with the train set) . All assembled by their dad the previous day .

After that all had lunch and then few play momnets with nana/nani – then Sachin went for his normal afternoon nap . Sitara then played with her mom, and with her nana or nani and by herself.     After Sachin woke up, both kids played with their nana/nani .

After dinner , all were getting a bit tired . nana/nani left for Deep River and kids got ready for their rest for the night.

Holiday schedule after having spent a delightful  Christmas Day on Sunday 25 December 2011 at Mackey with kids and their parents.

Monday 26 December 2011   – SunirMama/ShannonMami along with Maya drove to Huntsville (on their way to Deep River) and spend a night with Shannon’s maternal grandparents . Maya had a great time being coddled by her great grandparents .

Sitara & Sachin rested at their home (in Mackey) with their parents  –after a hectic, exciting and joyful Christmas Day with so many different gifts.

Nana/nani rested at their home in Deep River – and  also making preparation (making bed ready and living room ready for Maya) to make SunirMama/ShannonMami’s visit to Deep River/Mackey and area comfortable and pleasant.

Tuesday 27 December 2011 – Maya arrived in Deep River a bit late in the afternoon with her parents – all drove safely to the destination.

All got relaxed- parents had light lunch ( vegetable soup – freshly made ) and Maya – in her usual smiling way settled down well .

Both Sitara & Sachin came over in the evening with their parents ( after having first gone to a party – at one of their friend’s home in Deep River) . All had dinner together . Both Sitara & Sachin having completely awed by their SunirMama & ShannonMami and also with Maya. They just adore Maya and   coddled her and played with her – but also their Mama & mami played with them and had great bonding interactions ( as usual) .

Kids went home late in the evening – having stayed longer than usual to enjoy and play with Maya and with their Mama & Mami.   The weather was aweful with wet snow on the ground.

Wednesday 28 December 2011 – kids stayed home with their dad as their mom was working on this day and their Mama/Mami – along with Maya- spent time with kids’ nana/nani ( Sunir’s parents) in Deep River . It was a quiet day .

Thursday 29 December 2011 – kids were delighted to come over to Deep River – a bit before lunch- with their parents. They had a lovely time playing with and coddling Maya and also them being coddled by their Mama/Mami.   After wonderful lunch, theafternoon was fun except Sachin was to have his usual afternoon  nap  (in the temporary playpen – being set up in nana’s computer room) .     Sitara did craft work with her ShannonMami .

This day was a celebratory day as the family were to exchange gifts for holidays (this is the second gift giving – this is becoming a tradition   ) First on Christmas Day – celebrated in Mackey – for Sitara/Sachin there were gifts galore and now today – more gifts from their Mama/Mami & family.   Maya had her gifts on Christmas Day – celebrated at her grandparents (Shannon’s parents) in Toronto before driving next day to Huntsvile and then afterwards to Deep River .

Both kids were excited as gift were exchanged before Sachin was to go for his afternoon nap. Both Sitara & Sachin got wonderful gits from their Mama/Mami

Baby Maya too got great gifts from her cousins, Fuva ( uncle) & Fai (Aunt) .

In the evening all had a great dinner together  with cheers (with wine) .   The kids stayed longer than usual again before returning  to Mackey  with  their parents.   The weather was aweful with wet snow on the ground .

Friday 30 December 2011

Kids came over to Deep River with their mom ( their dad to come later after finishing some work at home) to play with Maya and their Mama/Mami.  Both nana/nani took a breather – only to be there to provide any supporting role.   Mama/Mami had gone for cross-country skiing when the kids arrived at Deep River home.   But they did come back from skiing within half hour .   Kids dad joined in later when lunch was served.

The afternoon went as usul with merry making- playing with Maya, Sitara & Sachin   (as became necessary or as wanted by each adult or kid) . Of Course Sachin had his usual afternoon nap.

All kids were a delight.   There is o much politeness and smiles . Maya gave many conversation style noises and smiles.

After dinner, all went home to Mackey – this evening they went a bit early than usual as kids’ parents  were making preparation for the New Year eve  bash (to welcome the new year 2012) to which the whole family was participating -next day on Saturday 31 December 2011.

Saturday 31 December  2011

This is the final day of the year 2011. The kids stayed  in Mackey with their parents  – later in the morning joined by their nana/nani  and also by Maya & her parents ( Kids’ Mama/Mami) .

As usual all had great lunch, played with kids (Sitara, Sachin & Maya)    and  Sachin had afternoon nap -his normal  ) not too much this day –   as he was very excited for fun with all the visitors  to celebrate the last day of the year.

After dinner and some playing with kids – at 10.00 pm – the adults decied to welcome the new year at that time rather   than waiting till mid-night -as the kids had to go to sleep – so using technology – the welcome fireworks were shown from TV ( taped from places like Sydney in Australia) as they get their new year earlier than the northern    people -the kids were shown this welcome of new year on TV – everyone welcomed the new year and gave cheers to each other .

The kids then went to bed after a bit of coaxing by parents.

Both nana/nani & Mama/mami & Maya spent the night at Mackey .

Sunday 1 January 2012

Welcome  New Year 2012 .     In the morning kids got up and Maya was as usual up early – all just had great joyful interaction.

After breakfast -a BlacK Forest cake   (baked by kid mom) was brought out. This was not cut the previous night as it was thought appropriate it have it cut on the first day of 2012 – and also it helps to keep the kids away from eating sweets late in the evening before going to sleep .

The cake was cut with much gusto and fun. Sitara helped to cut and distribute the cake for enjoyment. Both Sitara and Sachin enjoyed partaking of the cake – so did the adults.     After that their SunirMama/ShannonMami got into the car with Maya and left for Huntsville and then onwards to Toronto – to return to their home.     Both nana/nani also then left for Deep River.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

The kids went to Ottawa with their parents for a few days – for vacation.

Friday 6 January 2012   –  It seems that the kids are a having a ball of a time in Ottawa per photos etc on their mom’s Facebook entry.

They have been to Museum of Nature, Reptile Musuem etc and have enjoyed all the different animals as well as various dinosaurs sketletons and  other features.

Tuesday 10 January 2012

This day kids’ mom (Nina) went for downhill skiing lesson after dinner at nana/nani home in Deep River  . The kids had a great time at nana/nani home but they went to Mackey early with their dad (after theri mom left for skiing lesson)  .

Saturday 14 January 2012

This day Sachin came to Nana/nanai home early in the morning – dropped by his parents when they were going to Ottawa with Sitara. Sitar had a doctor’s appointment for allergy tests.   Sachin brought lots of fun and livened up Saturday for his nana/nani.

Here are the results of Sitara’s allergy test – doen by Dr. Ham Pong.

The below is the message from Sitara’s mom by e-mail.

Sachin was as ususal very loving and playful. He did puzzles and some art work. Played hide & seek ( he likes to play out  “Bad Wolf” from 3 Little Pigs scenerio – for the hide & seek game  ) .   Always polite and lots of ” I love you ” nana   or nani.   He went home late about 10.00 pm picked up by his parents – arriving back from Ottawa.

It was a cold day  outside – temperature  below – 20 degrees – thus Sachin stayed indoors .

Tuesday 17 January 2012

This day winter really arrived . Sachin had come home with his mom and waas just happy to be with his nana/nani . Played with both nana/nani – puzzles, and miscellanous toys etc. Afternoon had his usual nap when his mom went for a dental. Sitara was at school and was picked up by her mom at late afternoon.

She was playful when she came but was showing a bit sulkiness at dinner time. It was rather very taxing if she does not eat   normally. It so happened that         she must have picked a bug for stomach flu and she later threw up on the living room carpet and all that .   Her nana was away at that time – having gone for his bridge card game.  Her mom was not there either having gone for downhill ski lesson .   After bridge session, nana came home & started to shovel the driveway ( high pile of snow to-day) & then When Kids’s mom came back from her ski lesson, she  joined in to help shovelling the snow – which then was  aggain helped by kids’ nani who came oput to help also. It was a storm with lots of snow. So three people shovelling snow – helped to do the job faster even when the Municiplaity Road crew threw more snow on the driveway.

The kids and parents spent the night in Deep River as there was lots of snow falling and due to accident -the Hwy 17 was  and further the road leading (from Hwy 17) upto Mackey house  would not have been plowed at that time.

So it was prudently decided to stay over in Deep River .

However, next day (Wednesday 18 January) Sitara was   still feeling down and lo behold – Sachin also got the bug and he   threw up and then also had diahorreal attack too.   Both kids were down- their mom was worried that the contagion do not spread specially to their nani as well as nana.   Both parents had to go to work   but nana brought  disinfectant (Lysol & also Clorox liquid from Valumart early in the morning  ) – spread the Lysol on all knobs , railings and wgereever. Cleaned all chairs, tables etc where kids may have  been with Clorox.       Nani   remained busy cleaning up carpet and verious cloths , towels etc to get the germs eliminated.

Kids were weak but very understanding and trying not to give much trouble to their nana/nani . They did not get anything to eat except some water – 2 figerful only (with pulpless orange juice) . However, Sitara had two slices of raisin bread after she    woke up – without any milk .     This did not remained in her   stomach for too long.   She was cool – had her nana read at least three books in the Rec Room downstairs  – she played and made puzzles – all with calmness even when her stomach was upset . She had endurance .     After a   while – the whole shabhang came out upstairs in the living room carpet . The carpet and all the towels- which were kept ready in case – were needed cleaning  – keeping nani busy  .

Sachin was  a bit whining but remained   otherwise  cool . Both kids were also kept entertained by TV . Their dad came home at lunch time – had taken afternoon off to look after the kids. The kids are fortunate to have loving parents  . Their dad then took them to Mackey just  after 1.00 pm – so they can ret in their bed and  recover there.

Their mom came to Deep River home after her work ( late in the evening about 9.30 pm) and she wanted to be sure that all is okay – she sanitized Sachin’s crib  (with Lysol –  wiping all over ) before going to Mackey  .  She wanted to do her best that kids’ nana/nani do not catch the bug.

The next week upto Thursday 25 January 2012

The kid’s dad got down with stomach flu   and kids and their mom came and bunked at nana/nani home for two nights ( Tuesday & Wednesday). The kids parents lost their Saab car (on Monday – after the kids were picked up by their dad from the baby-sitter) due to clutch mechanism failure – they used nana/nani spare car ( Chryslar maroon mini-van) . The Saab was ready by Thursday (25 January). Dad recovered in two days . Sitara stayed home on Thursday – has sniffling cough.

This week their cousin Maya’s mom (in Toronto) also was down with flu and Maya’s dad had to take a couple of days off work to stay home to look after Maya and her mom.

Monday 23 January 2012

This day saw a frightening expereince for the kids. The road from Mackey to Deep River was slippery due to wet snow falling. Theri mom was hit with black ice – car skidded and went around gfew times on the road – lucky that there was no traffic in the morning on the road – so all ended okay fianaly – a relef to all.

Kids were a bit frighetened especially Sitara   as she is now 41/2   years old and can see / understand the danger.

Sunday 29 January 2012

Both nana/nani had gone to Toronto on Friday 27 January – nana had an Engineering Congress to attend and thus used this time also to visit the kids’ cousin Maya and their Mama/Mami

While nana/nani were away- kids had a great time sking on Sunday at Mount Martin Ski Hill in Deep River. This is what Sachin’s mom wrote on her Facebook about Sachin’s enjoyment.

” Is so proud of little Sachin. He skiied down the hill about 6 or 7 times this weekend (a lot for a 2 year old) exclaiming to everyone “I was up there (pointing to the top of the hill) and now I’m down here!!!” He was all smiles and full of pride! 🙂     “

Of Course, Sitara is skiing like a pro these days. She enjoys skiing- and that is good for a Canadian girl – growing in a snowbound country – this sport will keep her getting entertained always.

Tuesday 7 January 2012

Oh! this day Sunjay found out from Deep River hospital ER visit that he has inflamed appendix – needs to be operated on. So he had surgery at Pembroke General Hospital at 5.00 pm and was back at home next day in the evening.

So on Tuesday  , the kids and mom stayed (sleep over) at Deep River with nana/nani .

The kids and parents bunked down at grardparents  – for saftey and healthand comfort.

On Friday 10 January 2012 – kids, their mom and nana/nani went to  Hull at Jacques Cartier Park to be at the SnowFlake Kingdom -as put on every year at that park.   That gave their dad a quiet time at home to rest and recover from his surgery.

Both Sitara and Sachin enjoyed every minute at the Park – ice sculptures , ice slides, Beaver tail snack and Maple Syrup taffy . push ski chair etc,

After time at the park, all went ( at about 7.10 pm ) to a Thai dinner at a Thai restaurant on Carling Road and then returned back to Deep River -close to mid-night.   Note: Somehow Sachin lost one of his favourite (blue) glove . How and where remains a mystery and this was much debated and much effort was expended to search/locate it but to no avail. This gk=love has been located at the Thai restaurant and will be picked up on Feb 23 by nana/nani when they  will visit Ottawa.

Sunjay had to be rushed back to Pembroke  Hospital emergency on Saturday (11 Feb) late night from Mackey ( having gone to Mackey a few hours before) as it found that he was running a 103 degree temperature.   Nina drove him there – and arrived at Hospital just after 1.00 a.m Sunday .   Sunjay remaim at the hospital under care .

Nana/nani went to Mackey at 11.30 p.m to remain with the kids ( they were though sleeping at that time) .

Monday 13 February 2012

Sunjay remain at the hospital under care .   Kids (along with their mom) were sleeping over at Deep River on Sunday. Sitara was helped by her nana to write Valentine cards for her school and other friends.

She can write in her wiggly way and understand the alphabets and words (names) . So she completed her writing with great fun.

Kids and mom went to Mackey in the evening.

Tuesdsay 14 February 2012

Nana had a colonscopy  and getroscopy procedure at Pembroke Hospital where kids’ dad was still recovering from his high tempretaure. Both came home that day – first nana came in the afternoon and kids’s dad came in the evening (picked up by kids’ nana) after his  surgeon gave an okay .

Friday 17 February 2012

Kids travelled to Toronto area with their parents – on holidays.

– first stayed at their Mama/mami place for a night – enjoyed company of Maya (  their cute cousin – abot 6months old)

– on Saturday & Sunday  at their dad’s uncle in Missssauga

– on Monday -they went to Kitchner at their mom’s friend’s ( Mariam) place

-on Saturday 25 February 2012 -they returned back to Mackey.

Their parents also bought a new car (a VW Passat station wagon – four wheel drive)

From   Sunday 26 February 2012 to Thursday 19 April 2012

There is a lot of interface between the kids and grandparents during the above stated time.

They have had a sleep over once. They went to Sudbury with parents (also Jeannette -their baby-sitter- & her family).

They stayed at Towne Place Suites by Marriott Sudbury between Thursday 5 April to 8 April 2012. Kids phoned their nana wishing him a Happy Birthday after arriving back at Mackey on 8 April 2012 . Their nana became 72 year on 8th.

Note: Even Maya was on the phone from Toronto with her daddy/mommy   on 8th to wish her Bapuji a Happy Birthday.

The kids also went to Mackenzie High, Deep River   with their nani and dad on the evening of Wednesday 18 April 2012 to brouse through kids’ books on sale.

Every visit by kids at nana/nani home bring joy and fun to them (nana/nani). Most of times they (kis) are playful   and enjoy playing, painting (with crayons) and Sitara   using nana’s computer for kids PBS site. However during this time the computer was out of commssion a couple of times due to “virus”   attack warning but this was corrected soon .

Saturday 28 April 2012

This day nana/nani went to Mackey to baby-sit the kids as the parents were invited out to their friends – birthday party (in Anthony, I think).   The kids were active. Just physical activities. They   played together like a duo team. They ran arounf using the big toy bus (blue one) as the prop . Sachin   driving it ( paddled with his feet ) while Sitara climbed on top and balanced herself on top when the toy bus moving ( by Sachin’s paddLe power). They did gymanastics -Sitara doing upside stand ( with feet resting on a wall) etc.

They had dinner – had nana read many story books ( mostly Little Miss series books ) and then they went to bed.

However, about 10.00 p.m Sitara woke up with throwing all over on her bed andbeyond. Her nani cleaned hera nd the room & the all the bed sheets , blanket etc and Sitara was resting on the living room sofa – her nana comforting her. But after about   another hour or so – she threw up again – smearing her nana and floor around.   She was comforted , cleaned and then it was decided to giver her a bath -so she is clean of any crud remaing on the body . After her bath, she   went to bed again. Luckily Sachin was asleep when this drama was happening.   Their parenst came home form the party and immediately took care of the house – disinfecting etc as Sitara may have pickedd up a stomach flu from somewhere.

It was decided to separate the kids next day – Sachin was to be brought to nana/nani home . This is precaution so he does not pick-up the stomach flu.