Tuesday 1 April 2014
The kids (Sitara and Sachin ) came to nana/nani home – after their swimmimg session (after school) at Mackenzie pool
They came with their dad (and also nani who had gone to the pool to watch them). Their mom was working to-day so she did could not make it to nana/nani home. Once they were in fresh clothing – they had dinner with their nana/nani – their dad joined the dinner a bit later -as he had to go out for a while. Nana played a bit with kids and read a book which was brought by Sachin from the school library – a fun story about big construction machines .
Nana then went away to play his usual Tuesday bridge Card game but nani and their dad looked after the kids and had them ready before going to Mackey . In between, nani entertained the kids and one point called them to come to her as she has a “treat” in her hands for them. The kids were perked up bit to see what the treat was – however Sitara stopped and said wait a minute – I am sure it is your ” April Fool ” joke . Nani was surprised that Sitara had the understanding about the April Fool fun day – this day on April 1 . It turned out that nani was using her usual granny way to get the kids to come and take/eat the grapes in her hand .
Wednesday 2 April 2014
Kieran sporting a “Mohawk” hairdo .
His photo was posted by his mom on her Facebook on Wednesday 2 April 2014 .
He has gone for sporting fashion hairdo – not even two weeks old and.
His Bapuji’s eldest brother (Kantilal) in Kenya posted ” Very smart looking baby “
Friday 4 April 2014
Kieran’s mom sent a Kieran’s photo (photo of the day) with the following comment :
“ I’ve been trying to capture a smile with eyes open, but so far no luck! Sleepy smiles are cute too 🙂 “
Kieran is a very relaxed baby – always smiling – of course sometimes with eyes closed – as he is only a couple of weeks old . Kieran is showing the similar traits as his sister, Maya and his cousins (Sitara & Sachin Mistry of Mackey, ON ) – all are always in smiles and happy mood .
Good fun for grandparents – and of course for parents too.
Saturday 5 April 2014
Kieran’s Heather Auntie and Ryan Uncle visited him and Maya at their home in Toronto .
A photo was taken — both Auntie/Uncle (together) holding Kieran in their arms .
Immediately his mom floated the photo to Kieran’s immediate family members for enjoying this photo full of family love.
To which Kieran’s Bapuji ( Pravin ) commented on 7 April 2014
” Kieran is just enjoying it and relaxed.”
To which Heather responded on the same day
“Pravin, we are practicing! Ryan and I are expecting a little cousin for Maya and Kieran in October! “
To that Pravin replied on 7 April 2014
” That makes the photo ( Kieran in your hands) doubly beautiful “
NOTE: This is really a very good news story . Both Maya and Kieran will have a cousin to coddle and play with nearby.
Tuesday 8 April 2014
This day is Sitara’s and Sachin’s nana’s 74th birthday
and that makes also Maya’s and Kieran’s Bapuji’s 74th birthday .
The day proceeded as below:
1- Phone at about 8.00a.m – when Bapuji was settled for breakfast – Maya, Kieran & parents singing happy birthday
2 – In the morning nana/Bapuji went for shopping at Valumart and them stopped over at the Post Office. What he got – a surprise – a Birthday card from Maya/Kieran and parents . What an excellent timing.
Perfect
3- Before that – the day before in the evening, Sitara phoned from Mackey – to confirm what was my favourite color. Nani said to her the my volr was orange and then I had said -red.
4 – Nana/nani (Bapuji/Ba) had a great party lunch with 4 of our friends – Harshi & Joe being in 80s class and Malay, myself and nani in mid-seventy class while the youngest Jagdishbhai -68.
Cakes – wine etc
5 – Sitara/Sachin came home after their swimming session at Mackenzie-with their parents. Sitar immediately came to nana – lounging on his lazy chair in the Recreation Room and got on his lap – wake him up -changed the channel on TV to 553 – children’s program from nana’s NDTV . Soon after Sachin came down and also got on nana’s lap . Both watched TV with nana sqooshed in the middle
6 – Then all had dinner – again wine, sweets and talkative Sachin.
7 – After that Sitara got nana to read a book for her and from there both were enticed to the dinner table – for muffin and celebrating birthday.
Sachin had baked muffin for nana’s birthday All joined in the partaking of muffins ( and decorating these at the table) – then a cake -chocolate cake . Both Sitara and Sachin helped to cut it and distribute to all at the dinner table – so systematically.
8 – Kids gave nana- birthday cards made by them. Sachin had red in the front and Sitara had orange. So thoughtful of them .Inside both wrote in their own handwriting Happy Birthday -74
9 – To top it all – both sang Happy Birthday song in French – so profound – good voice and rhythm. This was over and above the Birthday song in English – which Sachin kept on singing here and there .
10- Then nana went to play his usual Tuesday Duplicate Bridge and all said bye very lovingly.
On her Facebook page -what Nina posted:
Happy Birthday to my Super Awesome Daddy!!!!! Love you!
Monday 14 April 2014
This day Kieran went visiting his great grandparents in Huntsville, Ontario – with their mom and Grandma, Kathy. – parents of their Grandma, Kathy
Kathy Posted on her Facebook –
Kieran meets his Great-Grandma in Huntsville!
This visit is special and brings joy in heart.
Thursday 17 April 2014
This day both Sitara and Sachin went by car with their parents to Toronto – to their SunirMama and ShannonMami home – to welcome Kieran -their newest and youngest cousin and also to play with Maya. This visit will strengthen their bond between cousins .
Saturday 19 April 2014 – all cousins spent time together at Kathy/Doug home- celebrated Kathy’s birthday . The photos of all cousins together were very joyous and lifted up the spirit of the grandparents in Deep River. Note: besides joining all in a Birthday song for Kathy – both Sitara and Sachin together sang a birthday song in French – all joyously and bubbly..
Monday 21 April 2014 – the kids (Sitara & Sachin) returned back to Mackey – driven in car by their parents . They spent tumultuous few days with their cousins (and their parents) – Maya and Kieran – in Toronto. They coddled Kieran very lovingly and played with Maya.
Tuesday 29 April 2014
This day was very uplifing as Sachin received an award at his school auditorium ( Mackenzie Community School in Deep River) for being the optimist in his KG class.
Also this day Kieran’s mom sent by e-mail to family members a very gripping photo of Kieran . She titled it as ” Bright eyes boy “
She stated in her e-mail the following:
” Kieran is getting much more alert and has started giving me some smiles (adorable and very gratifying!) I have captured the beginning of a smile here 🙂 “
To that his Bapuji ( Kieran’s paternal granddad in Deep River ) responded :
wow.
He has sparkles in his eyes.
He says he is fortunate to have a sister Maya – who plays with him always.
He says he loves his mommy very much.
He says my dad is the greatest.
And to top it all – Kathy – Kieran’s maternal grandma in Toronto) responded :
” Shannon, you have captured a beautiful moment and Pravin has captured all the thoughts and emotions that go with it! Beautiful! K “
Saturday 3 May 2014
To-day both Sitara and Sachin took part in a ” I can Swim” swim-a-thon at Mackenzie Pool in Deep River – to help raise money – see details below:
Swim-A-Thon 2014
Swim-A-Thon is a team building event for Candu Swim Club. After our Saturday swim we have a huge team breakfast with everyone having a great time! We raise money with Swim-A-Thon to provide up to date equipment for our swimmers. WE are currently raising money to purchase new starting blocks. The goal will be the greater part of $40,000.
Both nana/nani attended this event – going there early in morning at 8.00 am – sat throughout when both Sitara and Sachin were participating in the swim – their’s started at 8.15 a.m and lasted for an hour. Of course their parents were there amongst many kids and their parents.
Sitara did 50 laps (long ones) and Sachin did 28 – also long ones.
After a nice pancake breakfast – both nana/nani returned home and the kids (Sitara and Sachin) went with their parents to Petawawa for their Gym session. In the evening all are to come to nana/nani home. Kids are to have dinner at nana/nani home – while their parents will go out for dinner to a restaurant ( Santa Fe in Deep River ) before going to a play ” The Three Musketeers ” being played at Mackenzie Childs Auditorium – put on by the Deep River Players Group. Their nana/nani also went to enjoy the play yesterday – on Friday 2 May 2014.
Sunday 4 May 2014
This day nana/nani went to Mackey in the evening and had dinner there . After dinner – first nana/nani played with Sitara – she wanted to build/erect a palace from the Lagos – having many pieces – tiny pieces and a few large ones. Nana enjoyed that very much as he completed one (top) part of the palace while Sitara did the major part -with nani helping wehn needed. Sitara has such a keen observation sense from the sketches (provided with Lego unit) -she can correctly pick out what pieces are requierd and how to build the parts and then put all together and the whole Palace well. She is a builder with keen attention and acumen.
After that nana played with Sachin – again with another Lego Unit – with many pieces . After that Sachin wanted to build the train- set – which he retrieved from the basement and then assembled the tracks – adding musical sleeper over the tracks.
All had great fun – then nana/nani returned back to Deep River.
Monday 5 May 2014
This day kids and their parents came to nana/nani place for dinner – and after dinner Sachin went – with his parents – for his FIRST soccer game . He has an orange Jersey ( T-shirt) with Tim Horton logo and number 1. After his soccer game, when Sachin came over to nana/nani place – he was visibly excited and showed his happiness participating in the soccer game. This lifted up Sitara’s curiosity for the game.
Sunday 4 May 2014
This day Maya went out –she and the family were treated by her dad to a refreshment/drink at a Coffee House on Yonge Street near their home in Toronto.
Her mom sent an e-mail titled ” Like father, like daughter ” on this day ( 4 May 2014) with a witty comment :- ” Sunir drinks his coffee and reads the paper, while Maya drinks her hot chocolate and looks at the comics 🙂 “
This is what her Baa ( Grandma in Deep River) gave (by e-mail) a hearty comment on the same day
Hi Shannon, Sunir, Maya, Kieran:
Maya is a good companion for daddy at the reading table. How studious, Maya.
Love it.
Baa.
Tuesday 6 May 2014
This day kids and their parents came to nana/nani place for dinner – and after dinner Sitara went – with her parents – for her FIRST soccer game . She was gunning to go after she saw Sachin’s excitement after his soccer experience.
Sachin was a bit sullen to-day. He was sulking and did not come to dinner table fir supper. His nana coaxed him but he did not relent at first. It so happened that he had hurt himself ( on the head) at his swimming session – before coming to nana/nani place for dinner . After about hald an hour of coaxing – nana changed the subject and remined him of good games they had together at Mackey during previous Sunday . Nana & Sachin had played with lego game and also with train tracks.
That changed the dynamics and nana asked him whether he would like to play with nana now – with any toys he likes. He kind of got a bit energised and picked a couple of puzzles ( one of them – Thomas train – his favourite) . This brought him out of his pain and anguish – and after playing with puzzles ( he can make these well ) – he agreed to go with his nani for dinner and then complete his homework from the school . Nana left for his weeekly Bridge Card game when Sachin had gone for dinner – after hugging him and saying bye to him. Sachin gave a good hearted bye. That made nana very happy.
This day Sitara went for her FIRST soccer game . Her Jersey colour is green with a number 3 .
Between Tuesday 6 May 2014 and Wednesday 14 May 2014.
Both Maya and Kieran were bonding very well and on 12th May – Kieran was 2 months old – growing normally. He went /rolled over to be on his tommy .
Both kids (Maya and Kieran) had a good Mother’s Day – enjoyed partying at their Grandma Kathy’s home on Sunday 11 May 2014 in Toronto – where they were three generations of mothers. Their mom, her mom and their Grandpa (Doug’s) mom.
Both Maya and Kieran will miss their daddy – as he has gone to USA for a few days
At about the same time – both Sitara and Sachin also were celebrating the Mother’s Day at their nana/nani home in Deep River. They made a nice combined Mother’s Day card for their mom and Nani – ( together). A great art piece to be tucked away in elders’ memeory.
Both Sitara and Sachin will miss their daddy – as he has gone to Vienna, Austria for a week.
Here is what Grandpa in Deep River ( Bapuji for Maya/ Kieran and Nana for Sitara/ Sachin) wrote in an e-mail he sent on Sunday 2014 May 11
On Monday 12 May 2014
Here is what Bapuji wrote in response to a photo sent by Kieran’s mom ( on 12 May 2014) when he became 2 months old :-
So beautiful – handsome- cute -smiling – cheerful – powerful.
Congrats for being 2 months old.
Kieran – we celebrate with all the joy in our hearts.
Looking good in blue .
Bapuji ( Grandpa in Deep River)
Wednesday 14 May 2014
This day Kieran spent some time with a playgroup in the neighborhood. We (the family members) had a glimpse of his fun day with playgroup – when his mom sent a photo of his outing . This is what his mom said :
Kieran was hanging out at playgroup with his baby buddies this morning. He is the youngest in the group but getting bigger… he weighed in at 13 lb 4 oz at his two-month doctor’s visit yesterday! (only a little less than what Maya weighed at four months!)
Friday 16 May 2014
Maya and Kieran are going to spend the 2014 Victoria week-end at Kimbercote – a recreation palyground .
Since its early beginnings in the foothills of Caledon, the organization has been dedicated to practicing and promoting environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and spiritual exploration. The history of the organization provides a valuable insight into intentional communities in the post-war era, while the recent newsletters detail the current activities.
It is Kieran’s first time out in wilderness.
Canoeing on the Beaver River. An e-mail dated 19 May 2014 from Kieran’s mom – with a photo showing him and Maya enjoying a ride in a canoe . This is Kieran’s first canoe experience.
This is what Kieran’s mom said in her e-mail:
I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend! We had a great weekend at Kimbercote Farm… lots of playing outside and a little canoe ride too. Thanks for the infant life jacket, Aunt Eri!
Sunday 18 May 2014
This is an important day. Sitara learnt to ride a bike without any support. Her dad came back from Vienna yesterday and to-day he took Sitara out ( I think at Driftwood Park area – near their home in Mackey) for helping her to learn to ride a bike without any support. Nana had helped her mom yesterday to remove the training wheels from the bike – and did a bit of practice run with Sitara trying to bike without those.
Congratulations Sitara! Good productive 2014 Victoria weekend for Sitara & family.
Note: This week was pleasant and exciting one for the kids’ nana ( or Bapuji) as his prediction about the results of the 2014 Indian Election came true. Way back about one month ago he had predicted that Narendra Modi and his party ( Bhartiya Janata party – BJP) will win 333 seats in the Indian Parliament and Congress will be decimated to 44 seats . The election results were out on Friday 16 May 2014 – and lo Behold! BJP won 334 seats and Congress was routed to only 44 seats.
Tuesday 27 May 2014
This day Nina begun a one-year contract with Pembroke Hospital to work there as a Hospital Pharmacist . So she will be gone for the day – and kids’ evening program ( swimmimg etc) will need a bit of help from their nani. Their nana usually is not needed to help except to remain around if aneed arises. However, Kid’s dad is always there after his work complete at about 5.00 pm.
Note: The kids’s dad (Sunjay) took part in a 10 km marathon run in Ottawa on Saturday 24 May 2014 and met a 1 hr mark. Both Sitara and Sachin were at hand (with their mom) in Ottawa to give a cheerful support for their dad’s endeavour.
Their SunirMama sent a congratulatory e-mail dated 27 May 2014.
Sunjay, congrats on breaking the 1h barrier! Wow
Thursday 29 May 2014
This day is a memorable one for Sitara. After having a session of soccer at Grouse park (in Deep River) she had a haircut – have her hair shortened to “booby” style. She was always very famous for her long silky hair and looking very cute but now she has new avatar – and looks stunningly cute.
On Nina’s Facebook of Thursday 29 May 2014 , Sitara’s mom posted
” New Do! She is so excited to try something different ” – and her dad also shown a happy face icon along with it.
Her mom also stated that ” I am so proud of her. It was her idea and she is donating her hair “
From Thursday 29 May 2014 to Wednesday 4 June 2014
This past week was of growth and general fun with kids.
Maya has been an observant girl and learns from her parents . She watches her brother getting his nourishment as he is taken on lap by his mom and obtains his feed. So Maya also tries to copy that action trying to feed her toy baby. Maya “nurses”her baby – her mom’s e-mail informs.
On Saturday 31 May 2014 – Maya coddles her baby brother – Kieran- and takes him on her lap and smiles and seems to wish a “happy Weekend” to her brother and parents. Maya is growing up faster and communicates well on the phone to her Ba/bapuji . Kieran also is growing up and always has a smile – since his birth time and that quality continues every single day .
This weekend Maya and Kieran joined their parents to visit their dad friend in Hamilton
Their dad posted a photo of Maya with a bird resting on her head (at Bayfront Park) . This is what her dad posted on Facebook :
“Hmm, why is there a cockatoo on my head? (Maya met a man walking his cockatoo flock at Bayfront Park today)” . Her mom explained by her entry on to the Facebook — “Their wings were clipped so he “walked” them by carrying the birds on his shoulders.”
————-
Sitara and Sachin are taking very well playing soccer in the evening after school BUT also are also conscience of finishing their homework – always at their nana/nani place . They spend their summer weekday evenings at nana/nani as they go for soccer – Sachin one day and next day Sitara . So alternatively each kid spend time with nana/nani when the otherone has gone to soccer field with his/her parents – after dinner .
Both kids like to play with nana/nani BUT also watch TV – children program. They have grown sufficiently – so each one can use the TV remote to start and turnoff TV and also choose the channel to watch. They have also learnt to play recorded episodes of theiri programs. Sitara learnt this almost two years ago but Sachin is now also have cecome conversnt in the use of TV remote. Sitara also has started using her nana’s head set – her nana using a headset so sound from TV can be transmitted (by wireless) to his ears – as her nana has lost hearing on his right ear and his left ear has a diminished capacity. So the kids are expermenting and learning new gadgets and becoming more confident.
At times , both Sitara and Sachin also want their nana to read children books to them – sometimes alone and at other times both together. This becomes part of multiple activities – when at nana/nani home . From being coddled, fed, doing homework, do art and craft, and playing with toys ( legos, cars etc) , watching TV and having books read. Sometimes each one may want to help in cooking or decorating cakes for birthdays or other celebrations. By the way both kids can sing ” Happy Birthday ” song both in English and French – well coordinated and with pleasurable gusto.
There is library/collection of various children books – each kid knows every book thereto and have these read to them by mostly nana but also by their nani – though most of the time their nani looks after their nourishment and comfort as well as doing art/craft/cooking activities Their nani is very particular about kids needs – they have their own utensils, their drawer space in the kitchen -with their own hand towels etc.
For the reading, two books with multiple stories in them have been added in last few months . These are :
1) The Bed Time Treasury written by Derek Hall, Alison Morris and Louisa Somerville -with some 40 stories
2) 365 Bedtime Stories – A Story a day – by Disney Press .
At part of the school programme – Sitara is in the reading of a series of books -titled ” The Magic of Treehouse “
Note: On Sunday 1 June 2014 – this is what Sitara’s mom posted on her Facebook :
“Sitara: Sitting reading her homework book bursts out in a scream. “I’m having a great day!”
Gotta love that she loves reading sooooo much!”
Friday 6 June 2014
When nana woke up in the morning ( at 5.30 am ) -when he came down he finds on the kitchen table the following note from kid’s nani :-
” Please go to Sitara’s room with your camera and take a couple of pictures of the ‘ Block Tower ” . Go slowly please so that the fragile Tower does not collapse “
So nana did that at immediately (around 6.00 AM ). Photos have been taken and one photo has already been set up as a desktop background for the computer.
Note : Nani has a keen eye and immense love for the grandkids. Besides she earlier was a high school teacher in Kenya -before we migrated to Canada in Mrach 1974. So she has that great capacity to understand children’s creativity and also she knows that nana can be a bit sloppy -so the indtructions – to go slowly in the room -to avoid any collapse of the Tower – built by Sitara and Sachin (though mainly by Sitara) – playing together on Thursday evening. It was a tall tower built from squares at the bottom and then with circular piece above that and topped by another smaller squares.
Well the after about week (around 11 June 2014) , the tower was finally pulled down by the kids – but then subsequently Sachin had gone in Sitara’s room by himself and re-build toer himself alone – though this time the tower was a bit different and shorter in height – Sachin’s creation . It is known now taht Sachin does copy his older sister in many things. Thats why he has developed interest in reading – as Sitara is a very keen reader of books . Sachin also sings songs – remembering them – as Sitara does. Both make a good pair when singing kiddie songs , birthday songs and other songs. However Sitara also looks to Sachinfor som einspiration . She went to play soccer -after noting thst Sachin enjoys that game .Thats makes an excellent sister/brother team – each one hugging each other many times.
So past week we were fortunate to get various photos of Maya and Kieran together – photios taken by their mom or by their Toronto grandma . Both seem to like a united team always . Both smiling and enjoying each others company . Kieran just turned 3 months old but his smiles so captivating and twinke in his eyes verify his love for his sister, Maya.
Friday 13 June 2014
This day of 13 th Friday was a bit worrysome one. The Mackenzie Community School called at about 4.00 pm that both Sitarand Sachin did not get on the school bus -which takes them to their baby-sitter’s (Jennette) home in Deep River – from where they are then picked by their mom (or sometimes by their dad) . Then their mom went to school and picked them up .
Saturday 14 June 2014
Maya participated in activities during Yonge Lawrence Village Day .
Maya had a great time at the “village day”, including face-painting and bouncy castles! posted in an e-mail ( with a photo of Maya -with her face paint) sent by her mom – same day
Friday 20 June 2014
This day was a special one . First Sitara was partcipating in presenting plays to audience of stidents (Grade 1 ) and their parents. Both nana/nanai went to watch the plays at 2.10 pm at Mackenzie Community Center . Sitara led the third play – she was the main person reading a story line from a book ( The Tortoise and Hare) . Her voice was clear and well projected. Her dad also came to watch the plays. Her mom managed to come – but just after Sitara had completed her play – This is because her mom had gone/accompanied with Sachin and his KG class to visit the Hugli farm in Pembroke.
Saturday 21 June 2014
When the kids came home t o nana/nani house in the afternoon ( they were to go to a party to one of their parents’ friends home in Deep River) – Sitara viewed the video of her play and others – video taken by her nana with his Sony digital camera. Sachin also stopped by for a few minutes to view the video on nana’s computer.
Monday 23 June 2014
Sitara got her “Preliminary School Report card ” for her Grade 1class completion at Mackenzie Community School -Elementary, in Deep River. Report signed by class teacher Maria Horn and Vice Principal Cathy Kyle.
Of course we are very proud of her – she got Excellent (E) for almost all Learning Skills and Habits. And she obtained most As and a few B+ for Strengths in various subjects.
Few choice notes from that report.
– Sitara has demonstrated excellent academic growth and developed outstanding work habits , behaviours and personal goals.
– Sitara often looks for and acts on new ideas and opportunities for learning.
– for Language – She consistently selected and ordered main ideas and supporting details using simple graphic organizers with considerable effectiveness.
– French – Sitara consistently demonstrates positive interaction during French class.
– Mathematics – Sitara regularly demonstrated the ability to estimate, measure (ie. by placing non-standard units repeatedly , without overlap or gaps) and record the lengths,heights, and distances ( e.g a book is about 10 paper clips wide ; a pencil is about 3 toothpicks long).
Sitara identified and described various coins and stated theor value.
Science and Technology – Sitara demonstrated thorough understanding that energy is something taht is needed to make things happen , and that the sun is the principle source of energy for the earth.
Monday 23 June 2014
Maya and Kieran have gone to their grandpa’s cottage during the weekend – with their parents and have been having a lovely time . Maya was in the lake with her Grandpa ( Toronto) – enjoying the swim -all assisted by her Grandpa.
Her mom sent an e-mail on Monday 23 June – with two photos.
One with Kieran – sunbathing (sort of)
and the other with Maya in the lake with her Grandpa
This is what their mom stated in the e-mail
Thanks for a great weekend at the cottage! Here is Maya swimming with “Grandpa Pie” and Kieran relaxing in the lounge chair.
Wednesday 25 June 2014
Well The little fello have now graduated to sit on a Bumbo chair. That is Kieran . Wow, he is growing fast. This is what his mom said in an e-mail with his photo (him sitting in a bumbo chair)
” First time in the Bumbo chair ”
Friday 27 June 2014
Both Maya and Kieran are to fly to Seattle starting to-day , USA with their parents and are expected to return back to Toronto on Wednesday 2 July 2014.
Saturday 28 June 2014
Both Sitara and Sachin are to go to Toronto with their parents by car – to attend a wedding of an ex- Deep River resident – Shelly – whose parents have moved to United Arab Republic on a job assignment . Shelly’s brother Arun had earlier moved to Dubai for his career. Shelly is now resident of Toronto. Both nana and nani will also attend the said wedding but drive separately in their car – though may go together as part of two-car convoy. All are expected back in Deep Riverr ( Mackey) on coming Tuesday ( 1 July 2014). Wedding was in Mississauga – so we all stayed at a hotel on Airport Road – which was close to the wedding venue.
Maya and Kieran in Seattle
As mentioned earlier – both Maya and Kieran had flown to Seattle with their parents on Friday 27 June 2014.
So on Saturday 28 June 2014, the family went out for a look-see of Seattle . Both Maya and Kieran in their elements enjoying the sights.
Their mom sent a photo by e-mail dated 28 June 2014 -which also said the following:
” Here are Sunir and the kids outside of the original Starbucks location in Pike Place Market! We are having a great time in Seattle so far (despite the fact that due to the time difference, Maya woke up at 2:55am local time and refused to go back to sleep… fortunately there is plenty of coffee on this city!) Later today we are taking the monorail to the science centre, which should be fun. xoxo Shannon “.
The family were kept in the loop when kid’s mom sent another e-mail on Tuesday 1 July 2014 ( Canada Day) -with two photos . One photo with the whole family at the top of the Space Needle (where they were attending an Olark party. Olark is the company for which Sunir is a senior member. The second photo was with Maya was enjoying a make- believe Fire Station at the Children’s Museum .
Below is what Shannon wrote in her e-mail.
” Hello everyone,
We are having a great time in Seattle, doing some sightseeing and going to some Olark events.Yesterday Sunir was working so I took the kids to the Children’s Museum (first photo below). On Sunday we had an Olark party at the top of the Space Needle (second photo).Tonight we have hired a babysitter so Sunir and I can join in the “Iron Chef” group dinner.Maya had her latest “sleep-in” today… to 5:30am (better than the first few days, but still pretty early!!) Kieran is a super-baby and has slept through the night until 5:30 or 6:00am every morning 🙂
We are arriving home tomorrow evening. Talk to you all soon!
Love, Shannon, Sunir, Maya and Kieran
xoxo
Sitara and Sachin in Mississauga
This was a weekend when both Sitara and Sachin got to a wedding held at a Sikh Gurudwara (The Ontario Khalsa Darbar ) . Both kids and parents travelled to Mississauga on Saturday 28 June 2014 by their rental car (VW – silver in colour) . They used a rental car as their VW Passat (blue station wagon car) was in a body building shop/garage in Ottawa – to have the most parts of the body repaired as it had acquired so much rust -that the warranty clause was mobilised with the VW company and thus the car was getting an upgrade.
Nana/nani also went separately by their car – a 2001 Caravan minivan ( maroon Colour).
Nana/nani left early from Deep River -on the way they stopped for few minutes at Mackey to say hullo to kids (& of course their parents ). Kids and parents started their journey a bit late in the morning.
Both travelled ( separately at different time) using the Hwy 11 ( North Bay -Toronto) leading to Hwy 400 and then to Hwy 401 and swinging to Hurontario Street in Mississauga -arriving at the hotel ( Monte Carlo Inn – AirPort branch) on Edwards Blvd. Nana/nani got room 210 while kids (& parents) obtained room 209 – the adjoining one to nana/nani’s room . So the family was quite close to each other.
Well Saturday there was only a minimal interaction between nana/nana and the kids – as nana/nani had gone out for dinner when kids arrived in Mississauga. However, before they went to sleep there was some time to play with the kids .
Sunday 29 June 104 -was the wedding day at the Sikh Gurudwara -The Ontario Khalsa Darbar on Dixie Road.
Both Sitara and Sachin were well dressed for the occasion and as per Sikh tradition they had their heads covered – Sitara with her scarf and Sachin with a special red scarf that Shelly’s parents had brought for all males in the bride’s wedding party .
It was fun to see how both kids related to the need of the social interaction required in wedding function. One meets all the old and new friends -many who had travelled from Deep River area for the wedding but also others who had earlier moved away from Deep River area. Shelly was brought up in Deep River for few years when her dad was working at AECL – along with many from Indian background who had become their friends
Sunday 29 June 2014
After wedding and lunch ( Guru ka langar) at the Gurudwara – all went out to visit Sunjay’s Mama home (where Mami was home) . Only Mami was home but the kids had a great time playing freely with toys (Mami has toys at her home for her 3 year old granddaughter – whenever she comes over to their home – which is most weekdays as Mami looks after the grandchild – who is dropped at her grandma place when her parents go out to work)
From there all went to visit a Senior lady (ma) – mother of Sunjay’s Mama – at her younger son’s home.
Lo Behold ! Nina discovered a Mulberry tree attheir front yard . Surprise . We had Mulberry trees in Kenya – here they are few – an occasional one . Nana was really delighted to see a Mulberry tree . Both Kids were all excited and they had a great time picking and eating the berries .
After went to MacDonald (on Winston Churchill Road ) for dinner – there was play room there -which both Sitara and Sachin enjoyed very much – interacting with other kids so freely and casually.
After coming back to Hotel- Sachin played cards with nana – picking cards from a batch on the bed and matching with the cards in hand – he is getting good at knowing the cards and matching these and winning .
Monday 30 June 2014
This is the day the Wedding Reception is organised by Shelly/PritPaul and families in the evening at Grand Empire Banquet hall in Brampton .
Thus as there was time in hand, in the morning the kids went with their parents to visit a friend and nana /nani went to Brampton separately to buy an Indian outfit for Maya . In the afternoon , the kids also came over with their parents to the dress store in Brampton – as nana/nani were also wanted to buy an Indian outfit for Sitara/Sachin. This was accomplished -and suitable outfits were found and procured.
All came back to the hotel – rested a bit and then got ready to go to the reception. There were many friends apart from the bride and bridegroom and their families. The cocktail hour was well spent communicating with friends and many photos were taken by all. Both Sitara and Sachin enjoyed circulating – with ease and socially very adept . The kids are very resourceful – Sitara played with Roopa (Deep River girl) – colouring sketches in her (Sitara’s) book – Roopa very much supportive and spending time with her. Sachin wanted the deck of cards that nana had carried with him – so kids can have something to play with . Both Sitara and sachin knew that Kevin (Deep River boy – recent high school graduate -with many awards) will play with tehm – a magic show with cards . So Sitara took the cards and they all assembled on a spiral staircase (going to the second floor) and had great time – till all were called to take their seats for dinner and reception activities. There was great dinner and a Sikh Bangra type dance by a troupe , a few speeches and then floor dance. Kids just enjoyed all the activities – specially the Sikh Bangra type dance(s) . The dances were very captivating for them -so they ambled along near the dance floor and sat down on floor there watching the dance (s) , Sitara letting Sachin to lie down on her lap . What a caring sister and loving brother.
The reception was continuisng with floor dance going on – but kids, parents a nd nana/nani left about mid-night to get back to the Hotel.
Tuesday 1 July 2014
All left for home – kids with their parents in the rental car – driving along Hwy 11 (towards North Bay ) and nana/nani took different route – driving in their Caravan Minivan – along Hwy 401 via Belleville.
In the evening , kids went to a party in Deep River- at their patrents’ friends home – celebrating Canada Day and then at about 930 pm – nana/nani joined them at the Deep Rivercampus to watch the fireworks at the Ottawa River. Then all went home – kids to Mackey with parents and nana/nani to their home in Deep River.