This is a continuation from Grandparents-2016-3rd Quarter.
Friday 30 September to Friday 07 October 2016
Ba/Bapuji drove in their 2001 Dodge Caravan to Toronto to be with Maya and Kieran for a week. Their dad was to go to USA on Sunday 02 October (and returning back on Friday 09 October) on business trip – so Ba/Bapuji came over to Toronto to help Shannon to cope with the two kids while also working in Oshawa.
Ba/Bapuji retuned back to Deep River on Friday 09 October 2016 – on the way they stopped over at Mackey and had dinner there with Nina/Sunjay family and then played with Sitara and Sachin games etc (note: playing card game Skip Bo).
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Nancy Drew Books – teenage detective books
Nana borrowed the following books from Sitara’s collection and took a couple of these to Toronto and completed reading these there.
1) UnCivil Acts (Book 10)
2) Riverboat Ruse (Book 11)
3) Stop the Clock (Book 12)
4) Trade Wind Danger (Book 13)
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Saturday 08 October 2016
Nana/nani went to Mackey to celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving holidays and had dinner there with the family. Befire and after fter the dinner- all played different games . Outdoors – with Laser gun kit and indoors – card game Skip Bo and others.
Sunday 09 October 2016
There was a ” Navaratri ” dance/celebration at Lions Club, Petawawa – organized by Gujarati Families in Petawawa. Nana/nani went there and Sitara/Sachin also participated in the celebration – driven there by their parents.
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The following stories are written by Kathy – Maya/Kieran’s Grandma in Toronto.
Story 1
Maya and the Big Dark July 2016
Maya and her mommy and her brother Kieran came to the cottage for a few days.
The first night, Grandma said, “Grandpa isn”™t here. Do you want to have a sleepover in my bed?”
“Yes,” said Maya.
Maya slept in Grandma and Grandpa”™s bed with Green Bunny and Blue Bunny. In the middle of the night, Maya said, I can”™t sleep because it is too DARK!”
“It”™s the middle of the night,” said Grandma. “Go to sleep.”
“I can”™t go to sleep,” said Maya. “It is TOO DARK!!”
Grandma sighed. She got out of bed.
“I will get the night light from the bathroom,” she said.
Grandma went to the bathroom and unplugged the night light. Then it was VERY DARK.
“I can”™t see,” said Grandma. “It”™s too dark!”
Grandma put her hands out straight and took a lot of baby steps. Finally she felt a door.
“Maya, are you there?” she asked.
“Yes, but I can”™t see you. It”™s TOO DARK!”
Grandma got on her hands and knees and crawled like a baby. She found a wall. Then she found an outlet. She plugged in the night light. It was very bright.
“I can”™t sleep now,” said Grandma. “It is TOO LIGHT.”
“It is just right,” said Maya. She went to sleep.
The next night, Maya had another sleepover in Grandma”™s bed. This time they plugged in a different night light.
“I can get to sleep because it is not too dark,” said Maya.
“I can get to sleep because it is not too light,” said Grandma.
In the middle of the night, there was a thump. Maya was on the floor.
“What are you doing?” asked Grandma.
“I”™m getting Blue Bunny. He fell out of bed.”
“Oh,” said Grandma, “Lucky you could see him ”˜cause it is not too dark.”
Later Grandma felt something close to her beside the bed. She opened one eye. It was Maya, standing very close to Grandma”™s face.
“Time to get up,” said Maya. “It”™s not dark anymore.”
Maya had three sleepovers in Grandma”™s bed. Then she decided to have a sleepover with her mommy and Kieran.
Grandma got into bed. No Grandpa, no Maya, no bunnies, and no night light. Grandma was all alone in the BIG DARK. She went right to sleep.
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Story 2
Cole, Maya and Kieran go on a boat ride August 2016
“Who wants to go on a boat ride?” said Grandma and Grandpa.
“I do,” said Maya. “I want to go on the boat train!”
“Boat train,” said Cole.
“I don”™t want to go on the boat train,” said Kieran.
Grandpa started the motor. He sat in the back. Grandma sat in the front. Maya jumped in the middle. Cole got in the middle, too.
“Cole did it,” he said.
“I don”™t want to go in the boat,” said Kieran.
Kieran”™s mommy helped him get in beside Grandma. “Have a nice boat ride,” she said.
Maya held Cole”™s life jacket with one hand. Grandma held Kieran with two hands and two arms.
The boat went fast. Suddenly the boat slowed down. Cole did a backwards somersault on to Grandpa”™s feet.
“Wow!” said Grandpa. “are you okay, Cole?”
“Okay,” said Cole.
When they got to the boat train, they had to wait for their turn. A man on a loudspeaker told the boats when to get on. Then a man reached down with a cup on the end of a long stick. Grandma put some money in the cup.
“Why the man have a long stick, Grandma?” said Kieran.
“So I can put money in the cup,” said Grandma.
“Why you put money in the cup, Grandma?”
“It costs money to take the boat train.”
“Why it costs money, Grandma?”
“Because it”™s not free. Oh look, we”™re going down the hill. Hold on tight,” said Grandma.
At the bottom, Grandpa started the motor and off they went. They passed many cottages.
“Look at this one,” said Grandpa.
“Look at that one,” said Grandpa.
“I have a sore neck,” said Grandma.
They stopped the boat at Aunt Karen”™s cottage. They all got out and took off their life jackets. They climbed up lots of big stairs. Inside the cottage they saw a room with bunk beds.
“How do they get into those bunk beds?” asked Maya. “There are no ladders.”
“I don”™t know,” said Grandma.
Grandma went up the hill to the outhouse. Maya, Kieran and Cole came too. Maya looked down the hole.
“It”™s yucky,” she said.
Then they went down the big steps to the dock for a snack. Cole shared his Bits and Bites.
“Time to go back in the boat,” said Grandpa.
“I don”™t want to go in the boat,” said Kieran.
“Kieran, do you want to see Mommy?” asked Maya.
“Yes,” said Kieran.
“Well, we”™re going in the boat back to our cottage to see Mommy.”
They all got in the boat and went back to the boat train. They waited for their turn.
“The little fishing boat on the right,” said the man with the loudspeaker.
“This is not a fishing boat,” said Maya. “This is a motor boat.”
“Motorboat,” said Cole.
“Why the man say fishing boat, Grandma?” said Kieran.
Grandma asked the man, “Do you have any stickers?”
“No,” said the man.
“Too bad,” said Grandma.
“I got stickers last time,” said Maya.
At the top they got off the boat train and went to the store. Grandpa and Maya stayed in the boat and Grandma, Kieran and Cole went in the store.
“Let”™s get a freezie,” said Grandma.
Kieran wanted a purple one. Cole got a red one. Grandma picked one for Maya. When they got back to the boat, Maya said, “Blue is my favourite!”
On the way back to the cottage, they ate their freezies. Kieran”™s tongue was purple. Cole”™s tongue was red.Maya”™s was blue.
Kieran”™s mommy was on the dock when they arrived.
“We got freezies!” said Maya.
“Freezie,” said Cole.
“How was the boat ride?” said Kieran”™s mommy.
“Good,” said Kieran.
Then they put the rest of their freezies in the freezer for later.
The End
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Monday 10 October 2016 to Sunday 06 November 2016
Over this period of about a month , a lot things happened.
Summary
Friday 21 October 2016 – Kids spent a night’s sleep over at nana/nani home on Friday and stayed the whole Saturday at nana/nani home – while their parents went to Ottawa (on Saturday) to look for a new car . They bought a VW Passat (Highline )- black colour – to be delivered on 18 November. They also gave their old VW Jetta as a trade in.
Wednesday 27 October 2017
This is what Sachin’s mom posted on her Facebook wall:
Sachin as “Tap Water #2” in his class’ Readers Theatre production of the Water Cycle. It was Fantastic!
Thursday 28 October 2016
nana/nani got a new car – Nissan Rogue SV 2016 Special Edition – red colour.
Sunday 30 October 2016 – See the note posted on Nina’s Facebook wall on the date.
” Wishing Sitara luck at the Frank Kennedy Memorial Swim Meet at the Deep River pool today! She is quite nervous as this is her first swim meet in all these years!! ”
Nana/nani also went to the Deep River Mackenzie pool to cheer Sitara. Sitara did well in her effort.
Monday 31 October 2016 – was a Halloween night . Kids and parents were at nana/nani home . Note: Last couple of days they spent (at nana/nani home) to carve pumpkins. Sachin got a Pokemon craved out on his pumpkin, Sitara craved out her own name and their dad had star war theme. So all these pumpkins were placed on the front patio (all with candle light) – looking good. After that kids went with their parents for ” trick or treating” in the neighborhood in Deep River – returned home about 7.30 pm . Sorted out all thir goodies (Candies, chips etc) on the floor of the Living Room (nana/nani home in Deep River)
Tuesday 01 November 2016 – Sachin is getting eye glasses. Thats what his mom informed -though no eyeglasses have been seen as yet. Well these may be on order.
Saturday 07 November 2016
We all participated in the Diwali Celebration (organised by the local East Indian Group ) event held at Lions Club in Chalk River. Sunjay and Nina helped in the organization of the event -along with other volunteers. Sitara and Sachin dressed up in the Indian style clothing – looking superb.
Tuesday 08 November 2016
This day Nina was working in Pembroke – so kids came over to nana/nani home (brought by their dad) in the morning -before going to school . They had breakfast and then some relaxed time before nana/nani took them to Mackenzie Community school (at about 9.20 am) in Deep River. Nana drove them in their new Nissan Rogue 2016 car . This is the first time kids got an opportunity to drive in the new car . Nana took them for a ride around the town before bringing them to the school.
Sunday 13 November 2016
Nina posted a painting by Sitara on her FaceBook Wall
That painting is – Sitara’s copy of Marc Chagall “Self-portrait “
Also Nina posted the following on her Facebook Wall
RE: Olga Nazarkina’s Album
Sitara has 2 of her Art Pieces published in this wonderful book. 100% of proceeds go to the Deep River Hospital. They are $20 each. Please consider buying one to support the children and this great hospital. Each piece of art is a copy of a great artist in history. Each child’s art piece is then critiqued by another child. The critiques are SO FUNNY and insightful. This is one of those great books for everyone’s coffee table! Let me know if you would like to purchase one for yourself or as a gift. Great as Christmas presents!!
Friday 18 November 2016
This day Nina & family went to Ottawa and finally got the new car – black sedan – VW Passat Highline 2016 . They traded in their old VW Jetta car but kept the same License Plate as was on the VW Jetta.
Also Sachin (age 7) got eye glasses – black frame. When he came to deep river next day at nana/nani home in Deep River, he seemed quite comfortable wearing his new eye-glasses.
Sunday 20 November 2016
This day Pankaj,Priyanka and their two kids (Teerth – son and Devki – daughter ) came to nana/nani home for lunch – they are leaving Deep River as Pankaj has started work with OPG in Oshawa area. They have bought a new house in Bowmansville , Ontario – close to Oshawa. Both Sitara and Sachin (and their parents ) could not join in the lunch as they had other engagements but they did come to nana/nani home late in the afternoon. Ooops – Teerth and Devki had already left as their dad had to travel to Oshawa and the weather was getting nasty – the first snow of the season had started falling and was going to be up to 25 to 30 mm by the time it is finished.
Monday 21 November 2016
Snow Storm had dumped more than few inches of wet snow on the ground through the night – the first snow storm of the 2016 season – the kids were shut in Mackey – so were their parents as road (Hwy 17) was not quite safe to drive on. This is what Nina posted on her Facebook wall (dated 21 November 2016) :
” It’s been snowing for over 24 hours now. Not sure how much has fallen but you can see its almost to Sachins knee. Maybe just over 1 foot as of 2pm Monday. The kids are having a blast, Dad is working from home and Mom is so busy with all of them home that she is getting nothing done. Snowed in. Nov 21, 2016 Update: the kids were out for over 2 hours! The started their igloo, made various sliding hills and just played. I do love winter ”
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Some Tidbits about Family History
The following is transcribed from a note – nani (Ba) found when going through papers .
1911 – the family established in the town of Sava Sava ( Kenya) after migrating from Navagam ( a small village in Suarastra (Gujarat, India) .
1921 – moved to Ruiru and bought a shop there.
1935 – My father (Juthalal) married in 1935 – with my mother Kasturben .
Note: Full name : Kastur Sunderji Haria – Sunderji being her father.
Note: My father studied at the Government Indian School in Nairobi ( later known as Gloucester School) – upto Form II .
1925- Naya ( my paternal Grandfather’s father – that is my great grandfather) arrived in Kenya from India . i.e. from Navagam in Saurastra , Gujarat, India .
1930 – Naya ( my paternal Grandfather’s father ) went back to Navagam in India – after his daughter (Himaben) who was minding the family farming property ( some 60 to 70 acres of land) – lost her husband and became a widow.
1937- My eldest brother Kanti was born on August 23 in Thika ( at my maternal grandparents’ home)
1938 – Arwind (also called Batuk) was born
1940 – Pravin ( nana or Bapuji) was born on 8th April in Ruiru.
1941 – Sarla ( my sister) was born in 1941 in Ruiru
1939- Savita ( my foi – my father’s sister) was also born in Ruiru in 1939
1944 – My father ( Jurthalal) moved to Mombasa from Ruiru .
Note of interest : Nana (Bapuji) – that is me Pravin and my brother Arwind ( also known as Batuk) – being at new place – ran away from the Jain Nursery School – at the Jain temple in Mombasa. I was then 4 year old and Arwind was 5 .
1944- Dharamshi Naya ( my paternal grandfather ) moved to Nairobi from Ruiru . Had a shop in the Vegetable market in the Bazaar – selling vegetables .
note: ( in Ruiru they had a general produce store with petrol and Kerosene )
1944 – my father Juthalal bought a shop in Mombasa – market area . The shop was called Desai Bros. – selling fruit, vegetables , and various merchandise and supplying upcountry customers
1948 – my father bought a soda factory ( Britannia Soda factory) in partnership on Pigot Street, Mombasa.
1948 – my paternal grandfather -Dharamshi -moved from Nairobi to Mombasa .
Note: My father (Juthalal) had weak eyes – squinty eyes.
1957 – Pravin went to Royal College in Nairobi for a course in Civil Engineering – completing his graduation as a Civil engineer in 1962.
1957/1958 – all family members moved to Nairobi ( from Mombasa ) except Kanti – who was working with Chandaria’s Aluminum factory – Kaluworks (making pots and pans) in Mombasa.
Note: Arwind ( Batuk) started work with Laxamshi & Co. on the Bazaar Street in Nairobi
1964- Kanti got married – on 6 August 1964 – to Kanchan ( who came over from Madras( Chennai – new name ) in India.
1965 – Kanti moved from Mombasa to Embu (in Kenya) to work in the shop owned by our mother’s brothers ( Ramnik and Shanti Haria) .
Point of Interest – Years 1956/1957 were the years when financially the family lost everything – financially down. That is why Kanti and Arwind had to start work as clerk or salesmen.
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Note: Pravin in 1957 – moved to Nairobi – for his education at Royal College (supported by Kenya Government Bursery) – and was welcome by his mother’s brother Amratlal and Gunvat to stay with their family ( on Duke Street) . Pravin Stayed with them for 3 years before moving to the Royal College Hostel for his last two years of study. Note: Without financial and residence support from my mother’s brothers in Nairobi – it would have been difficult to my study and this my career goal .
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Friday 25 November 2016
This day Sachin got a traumatic experience – someone at the Deep River Mackenzie Gym area ( when Sachin went for his karate Session in the evening) broke Sachin’s new eye glasses – ( new 7 days old eye-glasses ) . Who? No one knows .
Saturday 26 November 2016
This day the kids (Sitara and Sachin) came over to nana/nani home – with their parents . Sachin had a hockey game at the Deep River Arena where he went with the parents but he joined nana/nani after the game just after 1.00 pm . Then Teerth and Devki came over tp play with kids . They were dropped by their mom Priyenka – the four (4) kids played in the backyard and then at the park behind nana/nani home. There they erected a snowman – half done before being hauled to the Hill park for tobogganing – chaperoned by Sunjay.
In the evening all has dinner at nana/nani home. When Sitara went to her ice skating ( with her mom) , Sachin played new Monopoly ( with some well known world cities) game with his nana and nani. The parents brought Sitara home from her ice skating – and then the kids got ready for sleeping and the parents got ready to go to a birthday party in Deep River (one of their friends was celebrating his becoming 40 years old) and thus had a late party (starting at 9.00 p.m) . After the kids went to sleep at nana/nani place – the parents went to the party and then later came back after mid-night and had also a sleep over along with the kids in Deep River.
The next day on Sunday 27 November 2016 – all ( the Mistry family) got up rather early and got ready to go to Arnprior – where Sachin was to participate in a Ice Hockey match. They left Deep River around 8.00 am.
Note: Sachin played in other Junior Ice Hockey matches subsequently
– on Saturday 03 December 2016 – his team played at Deep River arena against other teams from elsewhere in Renfrew County – his team played early in the morning ( at 8.00 am)
– On Friday 09 December 2016 – Sachin’s DR (Deep River team) played at Petawawa Silver Dart Arena) – his team played in the evening at 7.00 pm.
Nana/nani were in the audience at both the events – to cheer the young athlete and his team.
Note: For a 7-year old, Sachin plays methodically and has a good pose holding his hockey stick and moving about on the ice. He will catch up in about a couple of years to pick up techniques for tackling the opponents and also to skate to puck at the right time.
Again Sachin had Ice Hockey tournament match on Saturday 10 December 2016 and two matches on Sunday 11 December 2016 at the Silver Dart Arena in Petawawa .
Knights ( Sachin’s team from Deep River) WON 5-1 and went for the finals at 1 pm Petawawa @ The Silver Dart Arena. Note: This is dubbed playing ” Ice Hockey Tournament “.
Nana/nani went to watch only for Sunday afternoon ( 1.00 pm ) match at the Silver Dart Arena (in Petawawa) and cheer his team.
Unfortunately, the Knights lost ( 1 -2 ) 1.00 pm match at Petawawa.
On Monday evening Sachin had a League competition – (this is separate from the Ice Hockey Tournament) ice hockey , match at the Deep River Arena – his team won the Match ( 2-1 ).
Wednesday 14 December 2016
This day kids celebrated their mom’s ( Nina’s) 42nd birthday at nana/nani home in Deep River.
Thursday 15 December 2016
Thus day Sachin has a swimming competition at the Mackenzie Pool in Deep River – between 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
After that , Sitara has a Figure Skating contest at the Deep River Arena – starting at 5.15 pm .
Saturday 17 December 2016
Both kids are performing at a Musical recital session ( held by Junior Music Club) at the Childs Auditorium ( at Mackenzie Community School premises) in Deep River – starting at 10.15 am.
Up on the house Top – By Sachin – 6th in line ( after other 5 other performers)
Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer – By Sitara – 7th in line (after other 6 performers).
There are expected to be 12 performers in all. Nana /Nani went to the recital and enjoyed the music.
Thursday 22 December 2016 – Priya Opal Knights Shah was born.
On the early morning of Thursday our 5th Grandchild and third granddaughter ( Priya Opal Knights Shah) was born at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Both Shannon and Sunir are proud parents . Sunir called at 5.35 am – announcing that Priya was born at 4.59 am and the delivery went smoothly and Shannon is doing fine. Shannon also talked to us from the hospital and was all happy and doing fine.
Both Maya and Kieran were looked after by their grandmom ( Kathy ) in Toronto.
Welcome Priya – our Laxmi . Her dad says she is a superstar.
2016 is ending in a bang !.
This is what Sunir/Shannon sent by e-mail :
” Priya Opal Knights Shah was born 4:59am December 22. She is 6lb 13oz (3090g). Shannon is doing fantastic. She is a superstar. –Sunir ”
This is what Priya’s grandma (Kathy ) responded in her e-mail:
" Welcome, little Priya! I can't wait to meet her.
Way to go, Shan! Much love to all, K
Wait till my mom hears the name! Wow! 😠"
This is what her Ba/Bapuji sent from Deep River on a response e-mail
” Welcome Priya Opal Knights Shah – our superstar Christmas Gift . We are so elated and joyful with your arrival on this earth.
Hoping to come to Toronto soon to cuddle you and welcome you in the family.
The year 2016 is ending in a bang.
Ba and Bapuji ”
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Our Priya – Welcome Poem
Heart beats musically
The family welcomes Priya
An addition to make an awesome trio
Priya rhymes with Maya
Kieran is the show stopper
The world has spun on its axis
The year 2016 ending in a bang
Your arrival is trumpeted
All joyful cheering the crowd.
Priya , we love you
Our whispers for your noble future
With siblings in the wings
you are a superstar
Heart beats musically
The family welcomes Priya
Bapuji
Priya born on Thursday 22 December 2016 ( to parents Sunir Shah & Shannon Knights )
Born at 4.59 am Thursday – 6 lb 13 oz.
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Friday 23 December 2016
This day nani had made ” Jalabi “- an Indian popular sweet dish – Sitara wanted to enjoy Jalabi – when attending the Diwali function in Deep River ( in fact at Lions Hall in Chalk River, Ontario) in November but due to Sitara’s allergy health issue- she refrains to eat any Indian dish prepared outside home – as it is not clear whether that dish is nut free. “Jalabi” was also prepared to celebrate baby Priya’s arrival in the family . It is an Indian custom to celebrate birth of a new born by distributing sweets to family members and friends .
So when all came to nana/nani home – the kids had dinner before going for their badminton game – along with savouring ” jalabi ‘ with nana/nani and their parents .
The kids also managed to play a game of monopoly ( for about an hour) with nana/nani . These days Sachin like to play monopoly game – the kids have three to four different versions of monopoly games —- both kids know different rules for playing each type of monopoly game.
Sachin was looking very handsome – as he had a haircut – last for the year 2016. Nowadays he also sports a pair of eye glasses .
Saturday 24 December 2016
Nana/nani went over to Mackey on Christmas Eve Day (travelling to Mackey in the afternoon at about 3.00 pm (in their new 2016 red SUV/Nissan Rogue SV CrossOver) to celebrate holidays. Both Sitara and Sachin welcomed nana/nani and were pleased that they were to stay overnight ( a sleep over) .
Both kids were excited and looking forward to Santa’s visit – as their Christmas tree was void of any presents so far – except the ones nana/nani brought with them . They constantly tracked Santa’s progress by tuning to NORAD’s broadcast – in fact they talked to NORAD’s spokesperson on phone for latest status.
Well, it so happened Santa passed by Mackey after mid-night – by that time kids were asleep.
Kids had already prepared a dish of cookies and milk for Santa and a separate dish for Rudolf with carrot – and left these on the ledge outside the Fireplace chimney .
The kids played with nana/nani monopoly game just before dinner and after dinner all spent time watching a pre-recorded Santa Clause movie – where Santa was trying to retire but was not sure that his any of his three sons was ready to take over the duties of Santa Clause .
Sunday 25 December 2016
All woke in the morning a bit late around 8.00 am. Sachin was first along with nana -and behold he noted that Santa had been at the house – left so many presents around the Christmas Tree and also a note next to the cookies dish. Sachin was excited and read the note and lookedaroubd with satisfaction at the presents . Hr picked up one – with so much happiness as he already guessed that it was a Pokemon related gift and opened it to verify.
All other gifts to be opened after photos (a Christmas ritual at Mackey House since kids were born) were taken. This year there was a gap – as kids’ Mama (Sunir) and Mami ( Shannon) and cousins (Maya and Kieran) from Toronto were not present – as they just had an addition to the family – Priya Opal Knights Shah was born early morning ( 4.59 am) of Thursday 22 December 2016 at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto . There was joy for the arrival but their visit to Deep River/Mackey had to be postponed for another time till baby becomes a bit older.
After photos were taken – kids just went about opening their presents with great discipline and order. From Nana/nani Sitara -being now 9 years old – got a Electronic Snap Circuits box for experiments and learn about electronics in the new year. She also got multiple gifts from parents and Sachin – Star wars , LEGO , clothes and books .
Sachin got a Pokemon game from nana/nani and a small disco light unit . He also got multiple gifts from parents and Sitara – Pokemon bed sheets and pillow case , clothes , books and Star war figures.
This is what their mom posted on her Facebook wall :
” It’s a very Pokémon and Skylanders Chirstmas! Very Pokémon…. ”
After lunch, Sitara played with nana in the basement outside the Recreation room – in fact she built Amusement Park and the Elves place from LEGO pieces. Each comes separately in its own box.
She is really good at reading instruction books and also picking up right pieces and connecting these and creating the assembled structure – so nicely and fast.
Sachin was doing similar thing with his daddy upstairs in the living room.
Just before dinner, Sachin played with his nani and Sitara played with her nana.
In between there was a telephone call from their SunirMama and kids ( Maya and Kieran) -wishing them Merry Christmas.
Nana/nani returned to Deep River after dinner arriving home at about 8.30 pm .
They are getting ready to go to Toronto on Tuesday (27 December 2016) – to welcome Priya and be with Maya and Kieran when all are enjoying the arrival of Priya.
Note: Sitara and Sachin would be going to Ottawa with their parents – on Tuesday (27 December 2016) for three days – a sort of mini-vacation.
Sunday 25 December 2016 – Christmas Day
This was a special day for Priya. With her parents – she and her big sister Maya and brother Kieran – visited their great grandma Rae Knights at her condo . Priya posed for a photo with her great grandma Rae – who is 97 years old and Priya only 3 days old. This photo has become a very special one- the memory will be cherished for the lifetime. Priya’s mom e-mailed this photo (of Priya’s visit) to her relatives (on the same date) – a very memorable moment.
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Toronto visit by Ba/Bapuji – to welcome and coddle Priya – our newest granddaughter – born on Thursday 22 December 2016 .
Tuesday 27 December 2016
Ba/Bapouji left Deep River in their new 2016 red Nissan Rogue SV car on Tuesday 27 December 2016 – departing their home at 10.00 am. They were in very good cheerful mood as they were going to Toronto to welcome their newest granddaughter, Priya – coddle her , hug her and just feel the warmth of a new baby. She is like the Goddess Laxmi -a goddess for prosperity and success for herself and the family.
This was a better day to travel as the previous day (Monday) was very cold, icy with icy rain and thus roads were slippery and dangerous – but on Tuesday the roads were cleared and sanded – thus safer to drive.
Ba/Bapuji stopped over en route at Mackey to pick up gifts etc that Priya’s foi Nina (NinaAuntie- her dad’s sister) had packed and have these ready – they were not home as they had left earlier for Ottawa (for a mini-vacation) .
Ba/Bapuji arrived at Toronto at 4.45 pm – and stopped over at Millers Tavern on Yonge Street to participate in a party organized by Priya’s mom and her sisters (Heather and Erica) – to celebrate their parents’ ( Doug and Kathy) 40th Wedding Anniversary . The function was from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm – though it spilled over close to 6.00 pm.
Again, Priya being only 3 days old -was the youngest and only child at the party (her grandma and granddad 40th Wedding Anniversary party) . Her big sister Maya and brother Kieran were at home -being looked after by a baby-sitter. Ba/Bapuji – thus met Priya at a party at a Tavern – along with many of Priya’s maternal-side relatives. It needs to be recalled that earlier in the day – Priya had visited her great Grandma Rae at her Condo – 3 day old baby and 97 year old great grandma. She is a special girl – already hobnobbing and socializing with relatives when only 3 days old.
So finally all retired to home after the party was over – both Ba/Bapuji met both Maya and Kieran – hugged and coddled them. After dinner, they opened all the gifts (brought by their Ba/Bapuji) that they had from their cousins & their Foi/Fuva in Mackey .
Wednesday 28 December 2016
In the morning, both Maya and Kieran woke early , had breakfast though Maya seem to not feeling well – may be stomach flu – threw up at night. So she rested a bit while Kieran played puzzles with his Bapuji and Ba. He enjoys the puzzles . He also was keen and curious to play with the Black & Decker hand vacuum cleaner that his dad had recently bought and put it together and plugged it to the electrical socket for charging. But Kieran is very disciplined child with a scientific/technical mind – so just being curious but not pulling the vacuum cleaner out of the socket – just would like to know how it operates . His dad showed him – and he realized that it is not a toy but house implement.
Kieran goes to his preschool and Maya goes to her school daycare – as regular school classes are closed for the Christmas/NewYear holidays. They were picked up from school -Maya by her mom and Kieran by her HeatherAuntie – as she was picking Cole (her son) and then coming to Kiran”s home to participating in Priya’s naming ceremony. The ceremony was at 5.00 pm .
Today was the special day – it was Priya’s “Chatthi ” day – naming ceremony . This is an East Indian tradition to name the baby on her 6th day of life on this earth.
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Note: This ceremony is performed when the baby is six days old. … According to folklore, there was a belief that on the 6th day after the birth of the child, Vidhaata (Goddess of destiny) would quietly enter the house around midnight to pen the destiny of the newborn.
CHHATI – This is a personal ceremony performed by the family elders on the sixth day after the child’s birth. the baby is dressed in new clothes. a swastik sign is made on a white cloth , a wooden platform called chowki is placed for puja – on this day, our Guardian Angels Shree Jalaram, Mahavir Swami and Lord Ganesha along with Goddess Sarasawti and Goddess Laxmi are worshipped and thanked for our Priya . Tika and rice are lept along with a diya (candle light) , called akhand diya , is lighted forthe duration of the ceremony , a piece of paper and pen are kept nearby in the belief that the goddess of destiny (bhagya vidhata) will write the destiny of the newborn.
After this the naming of the new born child is done.
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Apart from parents, big sister Maya and brother Kieran , Priya’s Ba and Bapuji were there , Also her maternal grandparents ( Doug and Kathy). her HeatherAuntie and RyanUncle with their son Cole (Priya’s cousin brother) and Her EricaAuntie and MathiuUncle with their daughter Julia ( Priya’s cousin sister) were also participating in the ceremony. Priya’s Ba conducted the ceremony starting with prayers. Priya was resting on the dining table specially prepared for the ceremony and she was coddled and embraced by her mom first and her given name was whispered in her ear b her mom followed by her Ba and then by all other relatives one by one . The most poignant moment was when Maya (her sister) also whispered Priya’s name in her ear.
After the naming ceremony , all had dinner together – a take-out East Indian dinner selection from a restaurant on Avenue St. The evening was auspicious and all had enjoyed the evening.
Thursday 29 December 2016
This day Kieran did not go to his preschool as he was not feeling well – he threw up a few time during the night. Maya went to her school.
To-day was an activity day for Maya- the whole class was going to ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) on an adventure visit She had a great time.
This day was milestone for Priya- she had her first bath after her birth – in the washbasin (of the bottom bathroom) .
Friday 30 December 2016
As usual , both Maya and Kieran were dropped at their respective school in the morning and picked up in the evening by the parents . Priya was home resting and doing her new born baby things – sleeping, nourishment by her mom and coddled by her parents, Ba and Bapuji.
Today – Priya was 1 week old . Her mom took her photo sitting on a couch ( of course) all supported – ( a stuffed white bear sat beside her).
Saturday 31 December 2016
This day was an active day for the family as there was a family photo-shoot – a professional lady photographer was retained to come home . She came just before 10:00 AM and took a bunch of photos – the session lasting more than 2 hrs.
Priya was the star. She was coddled , modelled and photographed along with different members of the family.