Here Again…

Did I write in my post earlier that start of September triggers some kind of bad craziness for us? A feeling something is going to go wrong. I did. I also said, just thinking about it doesn’t mean I can stop it. Well, I certainly hoped that I might be able to stop whatever was going to happen. But it’s too late. My worries were right. Something did happen. Just as awful as last time.

What is going on here? Why must we be hit with these life changing issues every once in a while? Needless to mention I have been feeling so terrible since this started. That too familiar feeling in the stomach, tension I can feel in my heart, that fear. All too familiar that I still remember from last year. And from everything before. When something happens for the first time, you feel bad, determine to stay strong and get through it. When it happens again and again, what do you do? I myself, despite not weeping openly, would like to hide in my closet and cry. I am very sure it wont help anything, but that’s what I feel like. I am not exaggerating.

Add to this, we heard back from Kids school last week that their current school is indefinitely closed. Just like that. Few more confusions later, we decided to switch schools. All of this was decided in half a day. New school is not close to us. Abhi and Achu will have to endure travel through traffic jams twice a day, will have to wake up early, stay in school more.

And then there is my new job tension. I wonder what happened to all my energy and excitement of a new opportunity. What has happened to it? I remember being excited about it, trying to do my 100% more than it, staying ahead of everything. What had happened to me? Now everything just seems like a burden and I can’t seem to get myself out of it. Between the new tragedy in our lives and my work tensions, I actually welcomed kids school change issue as a good distraction. Until I realized it was not. Kids are going to suffer and so do we. It might get better and settle down soon, but until then, more worries, it is.

What is going on here, really? I will ask why a zillion times, but we wouldn’t know right? Just tell me what do I need to do to keep these unexpected incidents from keep happening in my life. And get us out of this one. I had enough already. That’s what I wish for.

 

My Kind Of Day

One of the days, last week, was exactly my kind of day. A day I have been dreaming of. It was not perfect by any means. In fact, by afternoon I was frustrated with kids going crazy and driving me crazy and worried what I would do if we all stayed home all the time. As in, what will happen with my future plan of quitting job and spending more time with kids?

Having nowhere to be in the mornings, I woke up late. But kids didn’t. Of course, right? No kid will sleep late on the day off.🙂 But the good part was that we didn’t wake them up. we didn’t hurry them. We didn’t have to stop ourselves from yelling at them because we were getting late and they wanted to play. We didn’t have to rush. It might sound like nothing, but I actually consider that a privilege. I let kids play as long as they wanted. When they were ready, I took them downstairs. Gave them milk or juice, whatever they wanted. No forcing cereal down the throat. They played for a while. For another change, I had breakfast too. I made dosa for all of us. Fed kids with my own hands. I even made a sweet for Krishnasthami. I made kids favorite lunch later, again fed them while they were watching TV. They could eat by themselves, but no I wanted to feed them. We all watched our favorite movies again. Kids played and played and played.  They played pretend games; They built legos; And there was, of course, the sprinkler fun. They also played pretend games running through the sprinkler. Rescuing toy puppies, our socks; Pretending to be Captain Hook and Mr.Smee. Ahoy fun, it was.

Then freshly cleaned, towels wrapped around their heads, we call them koppu people, they danced in the front porch. We ate dinner in the front porch too. Only Abhi calls it French Court.🙂 Walking around in the front yard, eating yummy pasta with lots of cheese, kids and I had a blast. Then the best thing happened.

We went out for a walk. For the first time this summer I think, we headed out for a walk in the neighborhood, post dinner. It was little bit dark, but Abhi, Achu and I walked around, looking at plants, lights, talking about sky. It was beautiful. I wondered why we didn’t do it before, why not everyday of the last two months. It was just not a walk in the nice weather. It was also just a peaceful mind, with no worries for tomorrow, no schedules, no bed times to worry about. It was just my kind of day.

Just the way I wanted it. I was just in love with this thought ever since the day happened. I wanted to write happily about it. But now, this is making cry. Realizing how I wont have it anymore. Why things are going the opposite way of what I wanted to and making me all confused.

Listen to my situation again. I want to spend time with kids; I want to focus on my home; Take time off for myself; Yes, just me. That’s one reason enough why I want a break. I set myself a target of one year before I take a break from the job. Financial, stability reasons plus making sure ‘this is what I really want’ are the reasons. (Well, mainly financial and stability). Here I am thinking I don’t want to spend an ounce more of energy than what I am doing now and guess what happens at work. I get thrown into a new team. Completely new work; Pretty much one person team, that’s me for now; And that means that  I need to triple the work I am doing. Spend more hours at work, think about more things; It means that my brain is going to be completely full of work thoughts, like always.

Does that sound anything like what I want? Nope. Don’t get me wrong. I have been in this ‘go an extra mile’ phase before. More than once. And I had done it. Better than what was expected. Now, I DONT want to. I simply don’t want to put any more energy and time into my work than what I have now. And if I don’t, it will just mean that I will do a bad job, not meeting expectations. Even in my regular job now, I know there is a lot more I can do (and I would have done otherwise previously), but not anymore. I just don’t have the energy nor passion nor time for it.

Ever since I heard about the change and the expectations, this is the war going on in my head. Should I suck it up and do what is expected of me? Should I not take this opportunity seriously and do a bad job? Should I just quit? Can I just go tell them I don’t want this and commit career suicide? Should I ignore my kids and my health a little more?

This is not fair. I just want my kind of day back. Many of them. Happy days with my children with a worry free head of mine, going on walks, playing in the front yard. That’s what I want.

A Trip To The Beach

In this year, yesterday was our third beach trip. Of course it was unplanned. But the little kids said ‘Beach’ and Dad immediately decided it was the beach. I love beach trips as well. But given that we had a big beach trip to San Diego few weeks ago, I wasn’t very excited. Plus that beach is a 4 hours away and we spend less than the total travel time over there. But, yesterday, beach it was.

We set out a little early, but not too early. We stopped over for lunch way before we reached the beach. We ate pizza at McDonalds. Don’t ask.🙂 Things we do for kids are uncountable. Beach town we were going to head down to was WestPort. But we told kids it was Seaside. We were at SeaSide beach for kiddos third birthday and for reasons only known to kids, only that place was acceptable for beach trip. So we did what any parent would do, took them to WestPort and told them it was SeaSide. Kiddos happy; Parents happy.🙂

Surprisingly, by the time we reached the beach, we got down and realized, it was COLD. Not too crazy winter cold, but it was cold. And guess what, in the back of our trunk, we found one of my jackets, one kid jacket, that’s all. Luckily we had bunch of backup clothes. Like a dozen of them. I know it was a lot of help at that time, to warm the kids up, but now that I think about it, I don’t why we had so many clothes in the car. Well, I am not complaining anyway. Abhi wore three shirts and said no to jacket. Achu wore like 3 tops and then put the jacket on. I had my jacket for a while but decided to hand the jacket to Murali and bare the cold. See, things wives do for husbands, uncountable too.🙂 I am happy Murali was warm, but I have to say, now all our pics are odd with Murali wearing a girls jacket. He was also wearing Achu’s kid yellow sun glasses.🙂

In total, this was our third trip to WestPort, so we knew where to go. But this was a good surprise. We were walking towards the beach and we found this hut built by logs around. Not sure who took the time to do this, but this was just amazing for us to go settle down in. Especially because it was little cold, we all settled down into this cozy logs hut and warmed up a bit. It wasn’t windy inside. Pretty good view of the beach as well. What else do you need.🙂

We all cozied up inside for a bit and slowly headed out to play in the sand. Sand was just beautiful. So soft and cozy. Murali and kids played the great act of ‘legs disappearing in the sand’ and ‘warriors coming out of the blocked sand’, while I spread out the beach mat, lay on my tummy and rest. When it was time to leave, it was really hard to get up because I felt so relaxed. Don’t know if it was the sand or the breeze or just the beach itself, I left the beach very relaxed.

When we got to the beach, it was  bit foggy. And that was beautiful view as well. Soon it cleared out and yep, that was beautiful too. Okay, I change my mind. I will be more excited about a beach trip next time.🙂

Kids had so much with their beach toys, digging in the sand that none of us even stepped in the water. Yes. We went to the beach and didn’t step in the water. This was the first time I did that. I have learnt that water in Washington is never warm enough. Cozy log hut and was good enough for me this time.🙂

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While heading home, we took a little detour of the marina. Bought some candy and we all had a little candy fest in the car. Eating, sharing and fighting for yummy chocolates. Dinner later, my choice, was a disaster. I am still trying to forget the disappointment. I made a rule for myself to not eat at restaurants as long as we are in town. And on trips like this, is when I want to enjoy restaurant food. But this restaurant was a major disappointment and I wish I had home food to eat. Anyway, next time, we will choose better.

We got home after some 10 hours trip. I bought some shells home, still got to decorate with them in my book shelves. I think I can say that we wont be doing any more beach trips for this year. Unless we plan to go to Hawaii. I am always okay with that.🙂

Thoughts Tonight!!!

Past couple of days have been exhausting for me. Well, actually last four years have been exhausting actually, but, specifically last three weeks were more crazy than usual. Work commitments and expectations, falling sick like ‘need antibiotics’ sick with cold, cough and non-stop headache. Add to that the usual ‘not spending enough time with kids’ guilt, plus ‘my home is not clean’ craziness. All of them packed together into one.

Oh! There is also the new work commitment at work, that will begin next week. And once again, there is the usual ‘prove yourself’ job. I am sick and tired of doing this actually. If not this, there is another scare in my mind right now, which I can’t even get myself to type. All of this might be a result of the horrible thing that happened last year. I don’t know if my brain is already processing this unconsciously, but, it will be a year soon the last shaky thing happened to us. Thinking of September, actually scares me in a way. Like some bad thing is going to happen again.

Well, too bad just feeling that wont stop anything from happening. I got to let go of that feeling, right? Especially this week. I took time off work. Kids are not in school this week. So I am hoping we will all get to do something fun. Even if it doesn’t mean a trip to somewhere. Just relaxing, nothing to worry inside my head. No emails to worry about. Etc.

I have plans to do some painting, spend time with kids, watch TV, do some painting before Summer ends. And blog of course. My friend V and I are planning a hiking trip this Friday, hopefully that happens too.

By the way, Halloween is a good two months away, but we are already super excited about it. Today (and almost every day) Achu, Abhi and us talked about what new decorations to buy, how to decorate our front porch, visit to the Halloween stores to visit spooky attractions. Buy more Halloween decor. of course, we talk about what costumes to pick, almost every other day. This time, we might have a party for everybody dressed. I would like to dress up too. Just the mere thought of Halloween cheers us up. Like I mentioned before, Halloween has become our Deepavali.🙂

I can’t avoid what’s going to happen now or in near future. I can only distract myself and pray to God that life wont be hard like it was last year.

So, I plan to write more. May be I will make a mini blogging challenge. Write a post every day, at least until next week. Lets see if I can live up to my expectations.🙂

Birthday Weekend In Pics

Because I need to write something and picture post seems like an easy option.🙂

Our little decorations. We kept it really simple. Kids don’t really care about the decorations, right? Its more for us. We did have lots of balloons. There were benches all around the spot and we covered them with nice table covers and more balloons.

When P and I were birthday shopping, we found these face masks. I wanted to leave some coloring pages for kids at the party, in case anyone wanted to sit down and color. But we picked up these face masks. And I got a bunch of crayons, markers and left them on the table. Yeah, I know its  a park and everyone said why do you need coloring pages. But guess what. Every kid colored and took a face mask home. At one point, I said, “kids, lets go see the animals” and they we like, “no. We want to sit and color”. It happens.🙂 I am so glad our idea was a hit.

Another hit thing from the party. We bought this gazillion bubble blowing tiny machine. What a hit it was. All that I needed was ton of bubble liquid, which I had. And then gazillion bubbles it was. It was SO much fun.🙂

Presenting the cake…..🙂 You should know that I ate most of this.🙂

We were supposed to go see the farm animals at the park. But by the time we got there, barnyard was closed. Luckily, we have been here a zillion times and I knew the trails well. Few moms and all kids, we all went on little trail walk. It was so different from the indoor play places.

Of course, why shouldn’t the moms have fun? I am the one dressed in the red chudidar. You know, I wore the same dress for Abhi and Achu’s first birthday.

 And a special mention to the BFF who made it to our little party with the two month old A (sleeping in the stroller). I feel so happy to remember that this party was also little A’s first outing.🙂 Isn’t that amazing?🙂

Day of the birthday. A nice picnic trip to a nearby park. With friends, of course. This view is from the bridge we cross to get to the other side of water and trails. You see the little sand patch on left side, that’s where we were stationed for our water play.

The other side of the bridge. Beautiful day.

Little guy is fishing.🙂

Water fun.🙂 See how calm the water is. It was perfect to relax.

Water fun is done. Time for some ice-cream. We also went to the splash pad kids loved last year. This year, they aren’t that big fans. I think they are used to the sprinklers at home. Here is Achu in her second birthday dress. Abhi wore a blue fire engine dress.

That was some of the birthday fun in pictures. Next time, I wont cheat. I promise.🙂

FOUR!!!

What has happened to my blogging interests? Honestly, what? I choose to be spending my little time and energy on happily binge watching Netflix, but blogging? Nope. Seems like a big task.

I have so much to catch up on. I looked back few days and it seems like we haven’t done anything this Summer. And summer is almost over. I don’t remember much because, I don’t write that down. It’s some type of thing with me. If I don’t write it, I forget. This is why all my school/college text books will be full of random notes.🙂

Anyway, I must catch up now. Too many memories lost already. And especially because a very special event happened last weekend. Abhi and Achu turned four years old. I want to say time flew, it did a bit, but for some reason, it doesn’t feel that fast this time. Last birthday I could swear time just flew.

Unlike their last birthdays, this time we did a birthday party. There is the kids favorite farm park. That even we have come to love. If we ever did a birthday party outside, that was our first choice. And I am so glad we went with it. Kids actual birthday was on Sunday, and we did the party on Saturday. That way we could celebrate more than one day.🙂

Day of party was so cloudy (honestly, summer this time sucks big time). I was so worried about having to cancel the party. But lucky us, sun shined bright and just right, just in time for the party. Even though the party was just kids pre-school friends, I decided to invite my best friends and family. For some reason, I can’t imagine a party without them. And oh boy! that was the best idea. It was just so much fun to celebrate with P, her husband and our other friend family (included a bunch of visiting kids, more the merrier.🙂 .

P and her husband V were so helpful in arranging, decorating, watching kids. Everything. It is just the best thing to have people. They treat our kids like their own. Isnt that amazing?🙂 I feel so lucky Abhi and Achu know people that love them so much. P put mehendi for kids. Even Abhi got “Star Wars” written on his hand. Oh, star wars. Yes that was our theme. This time we let Abhi and Achu pick dresses. We did the whole shopping, trial room thing, etc. Abhi picked a Star Wars shirt obviously. And Achu got a Black dress with loads of tiny golden stars on it. It was the perfect dress for her. I was indeed looking for a black dress for her. I didn’t want it to be flowery and this one fit the bill perfectly.

Most of Abhi and Achu’s friends came. Party being outside, I didn’t arrange any activities. Instead I got the kids, couple of balls, Jump ropes, Bubbles, coloring face masks, etc. And it was such a success. All mom and kids set out to go see the animals, but the barnyard was closed. So instead we all walked on the trail and everybody had fun. I bought these bubble maker machine that blows gazillion bubbles automatically and it was such a hit with kids.

We had Pizza, cookies, juice. All easily manageable. Cake was of course Star Wars, BB8 themed. Even we moms had fun.🙂 After all guests left, couple of close friends stayed behind and we had extra fun, taking selfies. Even cleaning-up was fun. You wont believe it.🙂

We got home by kids bed time, put them to bed and I watched a Telugu movie online with P and V after a long time. We had Pooja scheduled for the day of kids birthday, that got cancelled unfortunately. So we packed food and set out to a nearby park for a picnic.

Enter Murali, who finds the close by and hidden, beautiful park. With awesome river access. It was so picturesque. Weather was just beautiful this day, despite the otherwise crappy summer. And then the long walking bridge, over the river. Campsites. And the water; Just amazing.

We all had food and fun. P and I went again into silly girls mode and spent most of our time in water. V helped Abhi score his first Peeing incident, out in the wide open. When we were talking about where he did it, Abhi said he will show me where he peed and he asked, “Are you excited to see where I peed?” Hahah. Okay I was a little bit.🙂

It was such a beautiful way to spend kids birthday weekend. Four years old. Okay, I will say it anyway. Time did fly. Very happily too.🙂

The Talk Show

The show that never stops; Of course hosted by Abhi and Achu.

To start with Achu’s rhyming songs and sentences.

“Butterflies flutter flutter flutter….Do they need water?”

“Cock a doodle doo. My rock in the shoe. Sitting on the couch, I fell in soup.”

“Darthvader Darthvader, don’t go into space. Because there is dust and meteors at base”

***

Abhi: If a dinosaur was chasing me, I will put mucus on the dinosaur and make it stick to the ground.

Kids find weird ways to save themselves from dinaosaurs..dont they?

***

Murali: Where do apples grow? (We have a map of US states with what the places are famous for. So answer he was expecting was Washington).

Abhi: Apple tree.

Can you blame him?🙂

***

Abhi: “Amma, I know how to spell ball. B.A.L.L”

Me: Nice Abhi. (I was amazed)

Abhi: “Amma, I also know how to spell cat”.

(I get ready to be amazed again)

Abhi: “T. A. C”

Hmm.

***

And then Achu tells a story with a bunch of characters.

Saline drops said “Lets get wet.”. Jill said yes. Jeanie said No. Creakie shouted. “I know lets call her Jolly the ladybug.”. Then Millie fell sorry for him. Jolie started crying. Millie, Creakie and Ollie lived happily ever after. End of Beautiful story.

I have no idea who Ollie is. Or in fact, rest of them.

***

The main thing, I guess, I teach Abhi and Achu these days is to focus on what they are doing. You know, to make them brush instead of sticking the toothpaste on mirror. So “Focus on your job” is something I repeat pretty often. One time, Achu was sitting and crying. I ask her why. She says, “I am focusing on crying”.

Yeah, that she can focus on.

***

Out of the kids, Abhi was the first one to refuse wearing night time diapers. I was praising Abhi for that. Called him “He is our NO-Diaper pioneer”. Achu, who then hated getting wet and hence was still on diapers, called herself, “I am YES-Diaper pioneer”.

***

Murali: Who invented gravity?

Abhi: Achu did.

***

And of course, we will never forget Halloween.

“Five little butterflies going into space. First one dressed as pumpkin. Trick or treating with space shuttles”.

I hope that happens someday.🙂