… that’s my involuntary reaction to the word’Lice’. Just a mere mention of the word,makes my scalp itch.So last year when Aadi came home with a letter from school that stated that there had been 2 reported cases of head-lice,to say that I went mental,would be an understatement.
The note also said to- wet comb the child’s hair after generously applying conditioner and to use a mix of water and tea-tree oil spray. We have been doing that.We stopped during the holidays but then a friend,who lives across 7 seas asked for advice on Lice treatment and it was just the second day of school here and I jumped back into over-drive mode.
I have taken to wet combing Nanhi’s hair too..she’s got a head full of ringlets and the last thing I need is an infestation.
Why so paranoid you ask? Well,apart from the few isolated lice episodes,when I was at school,there was this one time,when Aadi was a wee one- 2.5 months to be precise and someone we met at a party,through SD’s work asked to hold her..as most people want to and I let her..and this lady had head-lice..which she passed on to my little baby.The morning after the party,Aadi wouldn’t stop crying and scratching.She was scheduled for an appointment with her Pediatrician and we just asked if we could be seen earlier.By the time,we got seen Aadi had developed a fever and the Dr. had to use a tweezer to pull out a big fat louse from my wee one’s head. We had to treat her with antibiotics,and treat her hair.
Since then,I would rather be safe than sorry…
Anyway,the reason for this post,today when I dropped Aadi at school,one of her friends came up to her to say hii..She had such long beautiful hair and not even a hair clip to hold it in place.I cringed mentally.I wasn’t worried about Aadi-she had her tea-tree oil spray on,but this other girl-hair flying everywhere,was an open invitation to the’critters’… I hope she had her hairspray on as well.
If you have school-aged kids,I know you’ll appreciate this article as I do 🙂

A farm visit..feeding the goats:)

Painting while staying cool on a HOT day

Making sand paintings..

Lots of sand play

Today,we went to the park for a picnic play-date with Ananya’s friends.It was a nice morning,full of sunshine.The kids had a blast,running around.When this group started off,about a year back..all the kids were babies,learning to crawl and now they are all toddlers..:)
Ananya took a long nap after coming home- she woke up after 2 hours and then nursed and went back to sleep..It was so sweet cuddling her,I fell asleep too.SD was home and so he let me sleep while he went to get Aadi from school.
Nanhi had a doctor’s appointment after that and we dropped Aadi at a friend’s place for a play-date.It was wise decision,because we ended up waiting over 1 hour to be seen for a scheduled appointment! I hate waiting for appointments..and its especially bad in our area.Nanhi got a tichu( a shot!) for chickenpox.She is brave,this little one.She said,Oww,when the needle hit her first,and then cried for 30 secs may be.And then happily waved good-bye to the nurse.
Both the girls were very tired,by the time we got home. Aadi started crying because she was so tired..she seems to be having a few teething troubles at school-she is torn between making new friends and not wanting to upset her old friends..that and getting used to the new teacher.Every morning when I drop her off,I leave a big piece of my heart behind. She looks so lost.. so little..and it takes every ounce of my resolve to make me step out of her classroom and not grab her on the way out. LOL!I wonder sometimes how she would react,if I actually did that. I wonder if her teacher would react at all..
I rounded the day off with some baking.Baking gives me a high like nothing else..Love love love baking!
I leave you with a picture of the Mozzarella scones I baked for Ms.Aadya’s school snack tomorrow.

I am getting restless and nervous. Aadi starts school in two days..My Babushka,my big girl is really a big girl.She starts Grade 1 on Thursday! 

I can feel the same butterflies that I felt in my stomach,at the end of every school/college vacation.Tomorrow she also starts Ballet.She has been wanting to do Ballet for a long time. Finally we are ready.So tomorrow is the first lesson. She is so excited about it.

I think she can feel the same butterflies as I do..because she has been so teary as well..and clingy and today,out of nowhere,she told me that she would miss me at school,in the smallest voice ever. 

I know she will be fine..but I will miss her tonnes..and the little monkey who follows her around all day long,will be sad too!  Please take a minute to wish my sweetheart all the luck,as she begins a new year at school!

Today was the first time that both the girls went to bed crying!Aadi because she wants one of us to sleep with her,and stay in bed,till she doesn’t fall asleep.The first night I stayed with her 5 extra minutes,when I went to tuck her in..then she came out crying ..that she wants her mum or dad. SD went next day and he stayed till she didn’t fall asleep.The problem is this way-instead of falling asleep in 5 minutes,she takes 30 mins- 1 hour,because she has to ask that last question,have a drink,go to toilet,feels hot..you know  the whole Shbaam! 

Every night when bedtime comes,she starts this.Tonight I put my foot down and said,she has to go to sleep on her own otherwise,she can stay up all night,in bed. SD was mad at me for asking him to leave her alone,but she needs her routine,what with school starting next week. Anyway,she was upset,cried her little heart out and then yelled out to me,”I am ready to sleep now” and was asleep 5 minutes later.

Nanhi is another story. She fell asleep,when we went to get our take-away dinner. And then woke up half way through my dinner.And then she wanted to play.SD and I took turns putting her to sleep,but she didn’t..finally we left her alone and she came out to look for an iPad(!!!)- I know!!! SD put it away and there was a huge tantrum..finally,about lots of crying,big sighs,she fell asleep. 

Finally both are sleeping..the trouble with our girls’ bedtime is their over-indulgent dad!LOL! yes,I set a routine and then he feels bad for them..takes me on the evil mommy guilt-trip and cuddles with them,rocks them extra long,gives them that extra story after lights-out,brings them into our bed ,even if it means we have to sleep like sardines in a tin! Tonight there were tears and I got nasty looks.. but SD is on a relaxed assignment now so he has time for all this.And I don’t blame him for wanting those extras..but my point is,do all that,before bed-time.Because I know,if he gets on a busier assignment,then it will fall on my shoulders.And I need some down-time every night to stay sane.As I thought aloud(intentionally!!) I give them all my time,through out the day..nights are for me-time!

Hopefully tomorrow will be peaceful!

More later…

I have often read blogs and come across pictures of beautiful views taken after a walk or run,early morning.I often wished,I could be there..I was fortunate enough to find one such view after my walk on Saturday morning.

A friend and I walked 10.5kms,came back totally shattered and sore..but so totally worth it!

SD and Aadi have gone out for a movie today and Nanhi and I are chilling at home.We had planned to go along and hit the shops at the mall,while they watched the movie,but by the time we woke up,SD and Aadi were ready to go and I didn’t have the drive to get dressed quickly..I needed my cuppa more than shopping!!
Anyway,so since I had time,I figured a blog post was in order..:) Time is flying,girls are growing up so quickly..everyday brings with it so many special moments and I am worried,I might forget them.So,here I am trying to feverishly document everything…
ILs visited and it was a surprise for the girls.Luckily for us,their flight was arriving at 9 am.So,SD left for the airport,while the girls were still sleeping.When Aadi woke and saw that I had changed out of my PJs,her first question was-‘why are you dressed up,are you going somewhere?’ yup!she is a smart cookie! Next question-‘Where is Papa?Has he gone to office?But its his chutti(holiday)’ I told her,I woke up early,so decided to have an early shower,so that I could spend time with my girls when they woke up and Papa had gone to get somethings from the shops. ‘What things?’ she asked and I said,may be its a surprise,we should wait and watch.So we waited and we waited and when you are 5 every minute seems an hour long..Anyway,soon Nanhi woke up and Aadi updated her about the surprise.
The girls were busy playing when SD got home.I heard the garage open and told the girls that Papa was home and got the camera ready.Aadi saw her Daadu-Daadi step out of the car and she started jumping with joy!I cannot describe her joy! Daadu picked up Nanhi first and so Aadi hesitated for a minute..I don’t know if it was because her beloved Daadu picked up her sister first or if she was trying to process the whole thing in her mind..I told her..go on baby,they are here and she went into her Daadi’s arms..
They were here for 2 weeks and the days went by so quickly. We went strawberry picking one day,Trout fishing the other,to an animal farm one day.We had some super-hot days while they were here and they got a taste of the Ozzie-Summers. And then there were the mandatory dinners and shopping trips:)
For new years eve,we went to the fireworks display-at the start of the show,ILs wasn’t really keen,for haven’t they seen enough fireworks for Diwali..but after the first dazzlers went up,MIL couldn’t stop taking pictures! 🙂 It would be an understatement to say that they were suitably impressed!
Its unbelievable how much change 1 year brings in kids..
Last NYE(2011),Aadi wanted to put up a performance for us,as we waited..she was so restless..This year(2012),she waited patiently,knowing fully well,what a spectacular display was in store for us!
Last NYE(2011),Nanhi was just a wee one-just 5 mo.She was quiet oblivious to the happenings around her.She was content to just sit in her dad’s lap and suck on her fist!This year(2012),she sat up in her pram,licked her ice-cream and said WOW at all the right places!!
Only one thing hadn’t changed..a pair of smitten parents!I leave you with some pictures: