A week of solitude?

Anan went off with her dad for a week to London. The house has been so quiet without her constant chatter and laughter that I can't wait for her to get back tomorrow.

She was like a cat on a tin roof, thats how excited she was about travelling. So when we told a couple of friends about her trip, the standard set of questions were:

a. What about her school?
Ans: What about it?

b. Won't she miss it?
Ans: I don't think she will miss it even one little bit.

c. How will she cope?
Ans: Cope with what? The school system that lays emphasis only on whether a child can write complete sentences in cursive? Whether she has complete grasp over multiplication and division by age 6?

What I would like to know is how her school will cope with a child who is well travelled, knows a smattering of languages and has a good grasp of geography, time zone difference, understands different world religions by observation, I could go on. Probably ignore this and continue to treat her just like another student. And this is what I could expect from a Montessori school!!

2. How will her dad take care of her?
Ans: The same way he takes care of her back home. For god's sake, he is her dad and an involved one at that. And she is a very easy to manage, smart kid.

Anyway, getting back to her trip, I think the one reason she has been so excited about going, is that there won't be mom to nag her about her eating, clothes, etc, etc...

So what has she been up to in the last few days? She has cajoled her dad into buying her a fairy princess gown with a tiara and shoes to match and has been wearing it all the time. Full paisa vasool on the purchase! She got herself a new wardrobe and looks like a total doll in it.

She saw the SA - New Zealand cricket match at Lord's las evening, though she was apparently more interested in watching the cheerleaders prancing about. Hmm, inspiration for the future, I wonder?

Managed to go on the London Eye and play in her favourite park next to it. Feigned interest in the waxworks at Madame Tussauds, but thankfully she was as uninterested in exploring it as we have been in the past. Too tacky and touristy!!

Today N plans to take her flying with him and hopefully have a fly for a bit too. Interestingly, there is not minimum age to learn how to fly. I am sure her dad can't wait to teach his kids flying.

I know you are having a great time baby, but your mum's missing you a bit too much.

This and That

Anan was describing to me, in action, the difference in dancing by "Tamil people" and "Hindi people"... The tamil people dance more of a bharatnatyam/classical style while the Hindi people shake their hips a lot more. How did you get to this conclusion, kiddo? I asked. Exasperated by my duh-ness, she replied: by seeing the TV people mummy! Wonder where she came up with the tamil and hindi people definition??? Definitely not from our home!

She went to school in Madras for a couple of months earlier this year and ran home one afternoon all excited, to tell me- Mummy, two boys in our school spoke only in Tamil to each other, just like the akkas (helpers). I think you put me in a Tamil school, by mistake!

Yesterday afternoon, sipping a cup of nice adrak chai, N and I decided, almost off the cuff, that it was time to move. We are definitely so done with living in the boondocks! We are off to join civilisation in Bangalore (quite ironical, eh?) and will move to Indira Nagar this weekend. Yippie 100 Ft Road & Koramangala with all the Restaurants and stores, here I come!

Had an argument with my by-the-rules teacher mother today about the importance of doing homework. I argued against the sanctity of schoolwork which she obviously found unforgivable, being a teacher. It was a funny debate and out of respect to my mom, I am not going to elaborate.

Last night, I noticed N read my blog. I know he goes through it once in a while, but it felt quite odd to watch him read my ramblings although he knows most of my thoughts. Hmmm...

Anan-isms 1

Its really funny how Anan uses logic to her advantage.

According to her world view, when someone wants a baby, they get married. So when amma and appa wanted a princess, they found each other, got married and Anan was born. So far so good! This story lasted till we told her she was going to have a sibling. Her immediate next thought was- when amma didn't marry again, how could the baby be born? So we muddled along and tried to convince her that that theory held true for only the first baby.

Sshe has also decided that when she grows up, she will only marry her dad ( as long as he doesn't grow old like her thatha) so that she can continue to live with her parents - she is definitely clear she does not want to leave her home. So when I asked her, what about when she wants a baby, pat came the reply- amma, this baby that is in your tummy, that is actually my baby. When I grow up, I will be its mummy!!

Growing up 1

Just found an old drawing of Anan's which she did at 3 1/2 yrs.

Its a picture of Amma, Appa and Anan at the park, with Anan sitting on Appa's back! I remember us being stunned at her portrayal of the scene and being very proud of her. Less than 2 years down the line, her drawings have become very refined and creative. Looks like she definitely has a good share of the artistic gene from her paternal thatha!

Out of the mouths of babes!

The one person most excited about having a new baby is Anan. She was the first person we told, stressing that it should be kept a secret for a while.

But promptly that same evening, when our neighbour's daughter came over to babysit, Anan whispered in her ear- "My mummy has a secret in her tummy, but I can't tell you what it is!!" Definitely wasn't a secret for much longer...

Its interesting how kids have the most funny thoughts, at least according to us.  Anan now knows that when a mummy and daddy want a baby, they get married. So she was totally confused about how the baby could be born if mum and dad didn't get married again! Not being sure how to address that concern, we gave her the most evasive replies. 

She has also decided that its her baby that is just growing in Mummy's tummy!! Therefore, it follows that Anan doesn't have to ever get married because she already has a baby!! Truly, go figure!