When I am 100 years old....

Milosh has recently discovered 100. While he can count even beyond it, 100 symbolizes a HUGE and POWERFUL number in his mind! 

He wanted to push something and he realized he is not big enough to do it ... He can jump 3 stairs at a time but he wanted to do the entire flight .... for all of these things he believes and says "I will do this when I am 100 years old" 

The time is 10:49....

Milosh has suddenly picked up in numbers. Abacus class that he went to recently helped increase his interest and with Daada Daadi at home, he has been practicing writing numbers. Every day he writes 10 more than he did the day before - and he loves it - he wants to do it the first thing in the morning - he calls it his study time. Its funny how he says study in just the same tone as play or anything fun - its more like - now I know what grown ups call this. But for a lot of people/ grown ups - this word comes with so much baggage - and so much seriousness and determination around it. Its very refreshing to see how fresh eyes and fresh minds approach this word.

Speaking of fresh eyes, Milosh is starting to read the time - last night he said - the time is 10:49. And my immediate reaction was - great job, and you should sleep before 10:00. A part of me felt proud and a part of me sank as I realized that this is an irreversible shift - once you have known time, you are never going to not know it, and you are never going to not run your life without the awareness of time. It marks the end of timeless blissful state that kids come with. Well here's hoping he still continues to run his life on his own time :)

For now, I am glad he can still curl up and fit in my lap, and I can kiss him and hug him as long as I want; and looking into his eyes, I can tune into unbounded joy! Cherishing every moment of his childhood!

Side note, our current family favorite song is: "Love is a waste of time"

Favorite cities

Milosh is having such a wonderful time with his Daada Daadi this summer. He wants to go with them to India (to "Anoida"). While we have no plans of sending him to India, he might go on a trip to California with his grandparents. His initial reaction is he would rather go to aNoida with Daada Daadi than California.
After questioning him, I have figured out his favorite place is still home (Seattle), then its Goa (thanks to the beaches and the fun at yoga shala), then "aNoida" (Daada Daadi's home), then Chennai (Naana, Naani, Maama Maami and Jaadu's home), then its California.
I forgot to ask him about Australia where his Tayaji and Taiji are - but it has been over a year since we went - and thats over 25% of his life ago. 

3 missed swimming classes = angry mommy

Its the third week in a row that Milosh refused to go for his swim class - and we can not cancel without a one month notice. He had been doing really well, loving his classes and has progressed a lot! Suddenly, he is done. Last two times, his dad took him all the way to the pool but he will not enter the pool. Can't believe how angry I got when Milosh refused to go swimming today again. I got angry - like I wanted to throw the swim bag on the floor and bang the door and force to take him. I surprised myself with a strong tiger-mom reaction. I was so mad I thought I will not talk to him for a long time, and will not sign him up for any classes any more. Its interesting how small things like these can trigger reactions in us - uncovering some firmly placed beliefs, habits and expectations - simply because things didn't go the way we wanted them to go. To my credit, I recovered fast out of it and apologized to him. To his credit, he apologized also. Now on to strategizing the next week, which we have already paid for! 

When I grow up...

I recently took Milosh to a 7/11 close by - to get him some ice-cream - i could tell he was pretty touched - because while it did not even occur to me that I was not eating/ buying ice-cream for myself (because I am vegan its somewhat of a rare treat for me) - but he said - when I grow up I will buy you vegan ice-cream :) 

Medium family

Daadi was reading a story to Milosh - she said the story is about a good family and a bad family. Milosh said can you tell me a story about a medium family :) - kids have a lot of wisdom. 

Dirt Games

No secrets here - Milosh loves dirt. This summer has been time well spent in the yard - coming up with innovative games which somehow involve dirt and cars :) He actually dug a hole - and filled it with water - and then made a bridge with a scale - and then we had to race a car each on the bridge. Even better if the cars turns and tosses!

Things I have to do for my sugar fix.

Construction site

What a movie or a show is to a grown up, a construction site is to Milosh. We went for his swim class recently - and right outside there was a construction site. Milosh literally walked around to find a spot with a good unhindered view. And when he did, he squatted there. What the picture below does not capture is that he was holding a packet of chips - he was definitely more engaged in this than any other kids movie or play I have taken him to ;) He could have spent the day watching the construction site :) - thank goodness the construction guys take a break sometimes!

Milosh's first baseball game

This one is for the records. Thanks to Rajan chacha, we got premium seats with parking(!) at the Seattle Mariners' game.

Last time I had been to the Safeco field was when Microsoft gave us a 10 year party. After a few drinks, Anuj and I actually held hands and had sprinted a base run (the entire diamond field). We also got a baseball signed by somebody important in baseball. As you can guess, not being into baseball, I definitely felt out of place in these priced seats ;)

Milosh had been to an NFL game of Seahawks (before they won their Super Bowl)- and he had loved it. Even at the age of 2, he would insist on watching games in the field. I think getting to munch popcorn (from a packet pretty close to his height) might have had something to do with it ;)
Game food has changed a lot from what it used to be. I was expecting fries, hot dogs, pizza, popcorn and beer - and nothing else. But there were all kinds of cuisines - I infact had some sushi!

Since we were sitting right behind Angels, they were giving away some of the baseballs to kids who were asking for it. I waved and asked for a ball also for Milosh. One of the Angels guy threw one - and I passed it to Milosh. His question was - "Should I throw it back to him?" Imagine the defending champions of baseball playing catch-catch with a 4 yr old :)

The Safeco field has a provision of making a certificate for kids who make it to the game for the first time. 

Milosh's favorite part was dancing when they played some fun music during the break: Link to video
Apparently his dancing got the cameras on us - and we were on TV for some time :) - So much so for the first game! Milosh has been hitting tennis balls with sticks since that day!

Sweet clowns are p years old

"Some people are letters years old. Like a small clown is "a" years old. Sweet clowns are "p" years old."