Milosh's winter performance

Its that time of the year! Milosh's class at school presented a winter performance yesterday. Their music teacher had been teaching them songs through the last few weeks - and had put together the show - so kids can showcase what they had been learning. Milosh had been so excited about the show, there were days when he went to school because he did not want to miss the practice. He had a role like all the other kindergatrners! See the picture below - where the kindergartners have been thanked specially!
The day of the show Milosh got dressed in dress pants and buttoned up shirt - but made us keep back up regular clothes - in case he was the only kid who was "dressed up". Milosh's naana and naani were in town for this event and joined also!
The show was cute as ever - with kids as little as three -there is always teacher whispering what to do,  someone lifting up their shirt or their skirt; parents giggling - when the kids sing "I am a pizza, pick me up" and when the teacher says  "if you are dressed in green, get up  - and a girl dressed in red gets up along with the green ones :)"
Milosh had too many things going - smiling, excited, shy - but enjoying every minute! At bed time - i asked him his best part of the day - and it was the show "of course"

Milosh's school has a tradition of donating toys from wishlist of kids who are not as privileged. 

Can I get a break from hugs?

Bedtime hugging was going on for a few minutes - when Milosh asked me, very softly and sweetly, "can I get a break from hugs?" I laughed and said okay. After 2 min - he said - "now can I get more hugs?". Then I hugged him again. And again he said (especially because I had laughed the last time): "can i get a break from hugs?"

Milosh loves being hugged! Yesterday we went to our neighbors' place - their four year old is really sweet and a big hugger also. After we got back from the party, I was narrating to my mom - how nicely Ellie hugged before we left. Just this narration made him jealous - and he immediately came over to hug again. Lol!! Now I know how to get him to hug!

Two best kids in the world?

"Rylan's mom was in the class for her birthday circle. She said Rylan is the best kid in the world."

I could sense a tone of betrayal in his voice, but I was not getting the point. So I asked "so what?"

"But you said I am the best kid in the world, how can there be two best kids in the world?"

This is so incredibly cute. Here he was - supposedly the best kid in the world and right here in his Madrone class there is another best kid, how could that be?

At some point in our lives, we start to ignore all the nice things our parents say about us - thinking they are saying it just to make us happy - they are just sweet nothings. I didn't want him to lose faith in things I say yet. I didn't want him to think he is the best kid only in my world, not in THE world.

I said there are a lot of worlds - its not just one world. That explanation did not stick. He said - oh may be she is the best girl kid, and I am the best boy kid in the world.

There! Problem solved!

I wish it was a movie

A mom super-enthusiastic about live performances, expecting his son to share the enthusiasm - buys tickets to a live show, 6 months in advance - on the day of show comes back from downtown, picks everyone from eastside and goes back to downtown for the live show - and her son says, before the show - oh, it feels like a show - I wish it was a movie!

But on a serious note - he was right - all these shows which have a brand behind them are not very creative or fun. Better are the ones which are based on books or pure imagination.

Milosh's first basketball league

Milosh had mentioned that he likes basketball - because he plays in his school. Heard about this league for 5-6 yr olds and got him enrolled. Watching them play basketball is cuteness overload. Today one kid in defending his side, turned the basketball hoop itself.

Milosh absolutely loves playing basketball - can hardly wait for Saturday. He is thrilled when his team scores - and his smile does not go away while playing. I am also happy he is loving a sport I grew up playing and have so many memories about!

They make everything so cool and fun for kids with team shirts and a ball for every kid. Very happy to have this facility close to home!

Journal writing

In Milosh's school, the teacher has started a daily journal writing for kindergarteners. Milosh is so proud of it. He really looks forward to it everyday. There are days he wants to go to school so he doesn't miss the journal writing.

The teacher writes a line for each kid. And the kids write it in their books. It might be a note about what they did in the class, or about the weather or just that day.

Not sure how the teachers make it so compelling for the kids. We are going to try similar things at home.

Election day at Milosh's school

Milosh understands voting now - he voted for orange,  And the orange won! Thats what they had for their snack next day!

First 10 books that Milosh read!

Milosh had started reading Bob books many many months ago. Every night before sleeping he would read a book to me. But then he suddenly wanted to stop reading altogether. I suspect its because he saw other kids who can read a lot more and faster, and he does not feel like he is "winning" (as you know he must always win). If I asked him to read, he would say - I can only read Bob books. After giving him a long break, I started to wonder what to do next to get him interested in reading. We even explored options like Kumon. But quickly decided against it. Then we subscribed to a service called "Reading Eggs". Since this needed screen time he had a good happy start with it. The interest did not sustain very long. If I ever asked him to come read, he would say - I don't want to - and being a montessori kid, this is pretty much an end of conversation. I got a little concerned and talked to his teacher. She was not concerned; and she said that if he does not want to read by the end of his kindergarten year, then we will change strategies.

Him being a major lego fan; most recently, we decided to incentivize him. We said, if you read 10 books, we will give you a lego set. We picked the lego set on Amazon with him. The trick worked!! He suddenly started reading. At one point, he wanted to squeeze in books that he either did not read or were just super easy one word type of books. But with the help of his naani, he got back to really wanting to read 10 books. I am so thankful to his naani for getting him potty trained; and now giving him the needed attention to read and write! Over a period of about 10 days he finished reading 10 books!! He was so proud, he did a happy dance! He also loved the lego set that he got - an ambulance plane - which he absolutely loved; made it in just a few minutes; and took it with him everywhere, including school.

Imagine ... no need for greed or hunger

There was a poor homeless person near Milosh's school and we gave him some change. Milosh asked why I did that. I said may be he is hungry, it might help him to buy some food. Milosh asked if he does not have any money. I said - no, he does not. Milosh (who has seen me withdraw cash from the bank many times) - said why doesn't he go to the bank and get the money :)

I was not sure how to answer; and if I really wanted him to know the answer. Such an innocent question - but makes one think! What if the world was that way! Can't help thinking of the John Lennon song "Imagine" - and thinking that's how kids think naturally!

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today... Aha-ah...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion, too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace... You...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world... You...

You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

Lizards and worms

Yesterday we went to Vani and Arjun's place. It was a nice sunny fall day. Vibha and Amit were also there. And the 4 kids were playing outside. We were all enjoying sitting and talking to each other - while the kids were busy. We noticed Milosh sneaking into the kitchen, we heard some sounds and then he was out. He did not respond - when I asked him whats going on. After some time Milosh again sneaked into the kitchen, took something and did not respond.

Few minutes later Rhea came inside for water or snack or something. I asked her what these guys were doing. She said - oh we have been digging to find worms; and we have put worms in one container and a lizard in the other. Vibha and I both first said "yewwww" - to which Rhea responded - she did not touch the lizard. Milosh did it with sticks.

We stepped out to check and the kids were bringing their newfound pets home. "We will keep them in the garage." What will you feed them? "Oh, I will ask mommy (Vani)".

We were thinking of how to deliver this news to Vani, when Milosh came into the kitchen, found the lid of one of the containers and asked Vani "Can you make four holes in the lid?" Vani asked "but why?" and Milosh said " ... so the lizard can breathe".

Vibha and I laughed our hearts out, while Vani prepped Arjun on taking care of the lizard situation. Poor Vani will have to go replace those containers, but I was secretly happy that the kids had some unchaperoned time to explore whatever they wanted to; and also for the hearty laugh Vibha and I shared! Here's to more lizards and worms!

He does not know his name?

Milosh has taken to listening to rock songs. (I wonder if there are very many 5 yr olds who listen to rock music). He likes it loud and he like it hard. His current favorites are - "Papercut" and "In the end" by Linkin' Park; and because I could not take listening to the same song 5 times over back to back, I introduced Metallica to him - and now he likes "Sad but true", "Nothing else matters". Until I introduce something new, he will be stuck on this - the moment we get in the car, there is rare compromising (except when I have to talk to someone on the phone, or if he is too absorbed in his snacks to look for the next piece of entertainment).

Its interesting - when I was in college and got introduced to songs like these, I would listen to them over and over again - there are many cassettes (Yes - I did own some!) that had to be bought again because I had listened to them so many times, they stopped functioning! Fun for me, not so much for my neighbors :p In my hostel, I used to share a wall with a batchmate who was never very friendly with me - I finally now sympathize with her state as I worked through my cassettes ;)

Anyway, you would think he is a teenager by his choice of music. But such doubts are quickly dispelled when he asks follow up questions about the meaning of songs. E.g. a song said "...i don't even know myself" and Milosh asked me - if he does not know his name (:)). Then there is a part where a song goes "..i tried so hard and got so far ... in the end" .. and Milosh explained to me - that he is trying hard to do counting and he is not able to do it. He gets the pain and frustration that the artist portrays, its only mapped to his world :)

   

Milosh riding his scooter

Milosh is starting to ride his scooter!  This weekend, we even went to the near by park for his soccer on the scooter. He really enjoys it. Sometimes it gets too fast and we dont know how to stop it/ apply brakes. And sometimes, we get Mommy to carry the scooter back :)

Look who is learning to play chess!

One day I went to pick up Milosh from his school and he was playing chess with his buddy Shivum. Shivum evidently knew the rules and was coming up to me to explain how Milosh does not know the rules. I find it very fascinating - sometimes these kids will simply report how someone is not playing by the rules or something - they are not angry or annoyed - just reporting the problems in great detail and with great patience and continuing to play with each other.

Anyway, Milosh's naana had already got him the game of chess. It seemed like a good opportunity to start this at home. Naana is very patient in explaining the rules, he also knows who has to win :p- and Milosh is picking up chess very well :)

Of course, in his quest to win, he has to make some exceptions. Board is an artificial barrier after all ;) The best part is naana joins him outside the board - and continues to follow the rules :)

And sometimes the pawn (sipahi) gets mounted by the knight (ghoda) because it has no other way to be saved (see in the picture below)

And then Milosh tells me Shivum does not agree to the rules that naana has taught :)  

Uncut my hair right now

Yesterday I took Milosh for his hair cut, and said the usual 3 as a measure of how much to cut. After the haircut he was busy playing with the transformer cars over there - these are also why he agreed to go for the haircut in the first place.

On the drive back home around 6:30 pm he fell asleep, probably for the night we thought. Around 12 midnight, he woke up. He went to do pee pee and noticed his freshly cut hair and probably got shocked. He came crying to me, I don't want my hair to be so short. I said okay next time I will say 4, he says no 6, but I want it this time, not next time. Midnight, crying 5 yr old - I was not taking my chances. I said sure, right now that place is closed. Tomorrow morning we can go back there and fix your hair. He bought it! Sweet, we could go to bed.
Next morning was Sunday, fortunately that place is closed. Milosh woke up in the morning and said lets go. The easiest thing for me was to let him see for himself that the place is closed. So that's exactly what we did -
Cherishing the Sunday morning drive to a place that I know is closed but can uncut your hair ;)

Ceramics summer camp this week

Uhh ... not sure it went great... We had signed up Milosh for a lot of sporty things, so we tried the ceramics class - so he does something creative also.  But I think Milosh did not really enjoy - on most days he did not want to go - and one day Anuj had to keep him home - because he completely refused to go! Poor baby! He did not tell us much about the camp also ... Lately he is really into painting and coloring so I thought he would like something creative. The energy behind the material parents got back after soccer camp is completely different from the energy of the picture below - lol! Oh well - we wouldn't  know until we try!

What does a 5 yr old's school work look like?

This one was stuff that came in around the 4th of July - so lots of summery things and independence day type of things. Milosh's art improving so much!! And I love how he loves to show me each of his works!

He was aiming for the eagle in there ....

No more words :) 

My little boy is attempting to spell now ...

We parents learn to become very innovative and spontaneous with games. Anuj was cleaning the drawer and found some old visiting cards, actually lots of them. He just asked Milosh to spell the animal that .. collects honey, the animal that says meow etc .... And my sweet little boy spelled them on the back of the cards. This one is cuteness overload.

(the real animals are: Zebra, tiger, bee, cat, butterfly :), dog, elephant and turtle)

Note he is trying to spell with sounds and its probably the first we saw him take interest in writing big words (other than his name :)) So this is almost a little milestone! After watching his reaction in trying to correct 1-2 spellings, I got reminded I had read somewhere that one should not try to tell the kids that the spelling is wrong and what is the right spelling - they wont remember/ get the right spelling, they will remember feeling wrong. So we all just enjoyed what he was doing!

Milosh's first summer camp ....

This is the first summer that Milosh is signed up for summer camps. He also happens to be having a soccer peak right now - which means he has a very high propensity of improving in soccer right now.

 He recently finished his pee wee soccer - where he graduated from the 3-5 year old age group. Every team usually has one player who will make all the goals for the team - this season he was that player. There were days when he scored 7-8 goals :) - In pee wee soccer they are not supposed to keep count - but this time he has been keeping a personal score. So his confidence has been pretty good. His dad took the opportunity to sign him up for Friday evening classes - which he is enjoying for sure.
But what he probably enjoyed the most is the last week of soccer camp at this school. In his words, "it was just tooooo good"
While we did not get to see this camp, we did receive some reports, pictures and soccer related artwork. The skills he excelled in were: "integrity and shooting"; the character word that exemplifies him most: "teamwork"; and the area he improved the most was: "passing"!!

He  has been closely watching soccer games like Copa America and Euro 2016; knows the likes of Messi and Ronaldo; and loves the goal replays and soccer songs. Lately in the living room, he has been dribbling from one end to the other; making imaginary goal posts - and has been kicking the ball (and gets shouted at for ruining the walls ;) and almost breaking the fireplace and TV table). He sometimes even walks to the toilet with the ball. The other day I was playing in the yard with him - and I was amazed to see how his skills have improved. Not only was he kicking and moving like a pro; he explained to me some technical terms - this is a "cut"; this is a "jump over" etc (so his soccer knowledge is officially higher than mine).

But jokes apart, it is SO exciting to see him growing up; and see him loving a sport!!

Recipe for garden poo poo mud

Milosh and Rhea love to mix mud and water in the garden - and they call it poo poo mud. Rhea has given step by step instruction on how to make poo poo mud. Detailing below with her cute spellings.

Milosh - the garding popo mud - do it evry day
1. if the water gets dry put more
2. put mud in the water
3. set them up
4. get evrything set
5. if enything happens tell me or fix it.
6. find the things we need
7. if you find a bug put it in the hose.
8. find some food for the bugs.
9. (repeat of 7 and hence striked out)
10. get clean mud
11. make sure you have bugs in the hose.
from Rhea

(This one's a keeper :))

How many times have you been to Hawaii?

(Rhea at home with us on a playdate; and we were driving around. Capturing a conversation between two 5 year olds)

Rhea: I have been to Hawaii three times; once when I was 4 years old, once when I was one year old and once when I was in mommy's tummy.

Milosh: I have never been to Hawaii.

Milosh's mom and dad: Well - if you count when you were in mommy's tummy, then you have been to Hawaii once.

Milosh: Oh, but I don't remember.

Rhea: That's because you can't really see outside when you are inside mommy's tummy.

Milosh: Yeah, we only see inside - we see bones and things like that - right?

Rhea: No silly, we don't even have a head when we are inside mommy's tummy.

(We kept driving so we could hear more, but they started talking about something else :)) 

Milosh turned 5 and Mommy went for 10 day meditation

The last 10 day course I had done was before Milosh was born, actually 6.5 years ago. Now that he turned 5, I knew he would be okay with his daddy. I was not even anxious about it. When I was going to leave, I told him I will be gone for 10 days (his dad had gone just a few months ago - so he knows about this). He said - no - I will come with you. I said - kids courses start only when you are 8 - so you can go when you are 8. No - I want to come with you. I said - but its not going to be fun for kids - everyone would be sitting quietly and meditating. He said - okay, I will bring my coloring book :)
(He has done that 1-2 times during my yoga class - but 10 days is a different league)

My course turned out to be great, it was very much needed; and makes me feel more committed to meditating regularly. I did miss Milosh a few times. Once - during meditation I thought of his cute talk about middle name - it was supposed to be a quiet still meditation - but I had a hard time curbing my laughter! I was very close to cracking up!
The other time I missed him - was when there were was a deer family roaming around the center. There were two little baby deers and they jumped cutely and in a carefree - while their mom was more measured - but so caring. It was very sweet to see  the family together; and I was wondering that the deer must feel the same way about its baby like I do about mine!
On the 10th day, we do talk with other students, and everyone in the group knew about Milosh!

After I got back from the course, it was so different to be with Milosh again. He felt like such a delicate flower! Such a small child - so innocent and beautiful! Thats not how I feel being with him every day. Having practiced deep meditation, this time I think a certain amount of violence and agitation left me. It became obvious to me how being irritated or little rough with kids is also violent - and while you can't always be perfect, there definitely is a path. With meditation that path starts to look possible at a day to day practical level, instead of a theoretical speculation. I am very determined to walk that path - and I know that will be the best gift I can give Milosh!

My teacher was very thoughtful also - and gave me some tips - it turns out young kids can also learn to focus on their breath - and start 10 min meditation. I am excited to try that out. This can be the single most valuable tool that a kid can have!

Milosh's birthday circle in his school - 5th birthday

The earth goes around the sun, the sun! 

Fathers' day 2016

We ate a yummy Punjabi buffet (Anuj's favorite) - where our only feedback was to make fewer dishes - because everything was well made - we had to eat everything. I was so thankful for my food sensitivities so I could scope myself to 3-4 dishes (which were all soooo good). They say kids dont overeat till a certain age, but Milosh is learning to overeat also ;) - even after his tummy started to hurt, he finished his jalebi.

We then went for a much needed walk on a beautiful trail. We all loved the fresh air and the sun.

By night time, Milosh was too tired and a book is what holds him in one place. He was reading  encyclopedia on Earth (which he recently received for his birthday). Its well made for kids - it has a pen - which reads aloud what is written in the book - which is helpful for young kids who are yet to start reading. Milosh has recently learnt to put headphones on this pen; and he loves to put one in his dad's ears and the other in his own. 

It was a good fathers' day! 

Mommy .. whats my middle name

One day Milosh asked me - whats my middle name. I said -  you don't have one. He then responded with what is a very frequently used phrase by kids in this part of the world - "thats not fair". Like middle name was a dessert which was being distributed to everyone but he was being denied this. So I said - mommy doesn't have a middle name, daddy doesn't have a middle name - what makes you say its not fair. He doesn't buy this logic - no, its not fair.
I relented - and asked - what he wants his middle name to be - he says "MAGIC" :) - now that is something I would agree to. He is a magical little boy. So I also asked what should be mommy's middle name, and he says "FUN" (I am not making this up :) - I would gladly take fun as my middle name, I think its a true reflection of my personality) and then I asked what should be daddy's middle name - and he says "Oiweee" -this makes me crack up - and of course I have to keep this on the record. In his daddy's defense, he was recovering from an ACL surgery and was sporting a big knee support when this happened. But still!! Fun, Oiwee and Magic! True story - true representation of personality. ;)  

Mothers' day 2016

Milosh and his school made the mothers' day SO special. As usual they had little mats laid out with special gifts for their mommies - this year it was a little necklace which was put in a jewellery box and a fan :) - these things are still pinned on my office board (except the necklace which got lost right away :)) This time Milosh's daadi got to join the fun also.
Milosh made at least 10 trips to the breakfast table - to get fruits and oats and tea for his mommy and daadi - it was so incredibly cute. Kids dont really try to optimize - trying to get too many things in one go. Also - in one trip he might decide to just get one spoon of oats and 2 spoons of raisins :) - we as adults are habituated to optimize - and we have to keep ourselves from suggesting this to the kids.
His school really makes this day special for us mommies!

Milosh's little trick

Milosh has perfected a "trick". After I (or Anuj) park the car, we open the door to get Milosh out. But now that he can take out his own seatbelt - he jumps to the front seat when we are looking for him in the back seat. Then we open the front door again - and there he is - giggling his hearts out, saying he tricked us. He loves this trick!

Now its a super cute trick - once, twice... may be a couple of times. Yep - you got it - this has become a mandatory trick every time we park - for about 5-6 weeks now. It might be raining, cold or windy; we might be getting late for school; I might be irritated; my hands might be full of grocery bags ... but the show must go on!!!

Sometimes I am out of my mind - and just don't want to do this "trick" again - but I still have to get myself to say "You tricked me". Mainly because I have tried asking for exception and I have tried walking out on him (at the garage at home) - now I really do know, you dont want to deal with the risk of not being tricked! 

Milosh's love for skiing

Two weeks ago we went for a ski trip to Canada. Thats the first time Milosh took ski lessons - and absolutely loved it. He was already familiar with the gear and just getting around - thanks to Anuj taking him to the mountains close to where we live. The ski lessons included some play time and some time to learn skiing. And milosh loved the classes and learnt so fast. He was completely fearless - did not worry about falling down, loved the speed - and was thoroughly enjoying. He learnt enough to be able to take the ski lift on the bunny slope, and ski down by himself, turn and stop exactly where he could join the queue to the ski lift again! It was amazing and unbelievable to watch him learn so fast!  He loved skiing so much that we had a hard time getting him out of that place. He would forget eating, drinking, resting - and just keep doing it. He also wanted to go to bigger slopes - he would simply walk towards the bigger ski lifts. 

Finally I had to trick him - because I could see he was tired and would not listen to me. So I took his skis out. In response to that he threw himself on the snow. I fortunately had a bar in my pocket and I quite literally used it as the proverbial "carrot" - and got him to follow me. After eating a few bites, he listened to me more - and I said we can even get hot chocolate inside - and that's how we got him to stop skiing! 

On the way back, Anuj unfortunately had a fall and got injured. While we were dealing with figuring all that out, Milosh's key question remained "When am I going to ski again?"

Milosh's little car bank

Milosh is really into art work lately - he has started loving painting. Milosh's daada daadi had sent this for his Christmas present. He started to cutely put the stickers first - I said may be you should paint first - but he did not agree; and then he painted over the stickers - and he said he can still see the stickers under the paint - so its all cool :)

Conversations about God

One day I was taking Kaavya and Milosh for a play in the car. Milosh observed and said something about the clouds - and then he added- God made these clouds. Kaavya immediately said - no silly, and explained the process of evaporation and condensation. Milosh very innocently said "Oh".

A few days later, Milosh asked me - "Did God really make everything?" I was taking a pause to think; and Milosh said "I really hope he did." I giggled. Then I gave him my philosophy of God - and that God is in everything etc. He asked - but we can't really see God, right? I said - yeah - but you can feel God. Then I asked Milosh - can you feel God? He said - not always but sometimes I can.

:) I didn't ask him more questions - but its wonderful to imagine how a little child feels God :) I have also told him to  make wishes to God and also to talk to God and to tell him secrets etc. So sometimes before he goes to bed, he closes his eyes and has his own silent conversations with God!

Milosh's first day skiing!!

This time in life is so special - studded with a bunch of firsts. Just this week was Milosh's first drum class (which went quite well - the teacher said he has a good sense of tempo). And just yesterday, he had his very first ski class with his coach daddy. He had been so excited, he had been watching videos with daddy - and was very well aware of the equipment etc - usually for adults it takes time to get familiar with the equipment, but he was straight up comfortable. Adults generally need some help to recover from the numerous falls one is sure to have on day one - but Milosh was pretty much smiling the whole time. Coach daddy had planned and lined up everything really well for Milosh's first day of skii. Even the weather was great!

It was incredibly cute looking at this tiny little person skiing down the slopes. But Milosh has a mind of his own - and within minutes of being on the baby slope, he questioned why we are not going to the big slope? He was also super adamant about doing everything himself - be it clutching his shoes on to the skis or getting up when he has fallen down.  Its an understatement to say that it was a huge contrast from my day one of skiing ;) Speaking of adamant, he once dropped his gloves - so someone else coming the same way got it for us. As you can imagine, this is much more of a favor than he can accept, so he went all the way to where the gloves were and pretended to get the gloves! Not sure if he gets this fierce independence from one of us or from his montessori school - but you can't quite miss it!

The leash was also too limiting for his free spirit. He finally allowed us to pull him up the baby slope using the leash - which was a big success (for the leash and for us). All in all he had an awesome ski experience;  he loved the free sliding and was so proud of the few times that he did not fall down! No food, water or potty for a couple of hours, he pretty much himself to a ski-till-you-drop state. Anuj worked incredibly patiently with him up and down the slope many many times :)  - Fortunately the ski place closes down and we had to leave ;)

Milosh was tired and high at the same time. We kept thinking he would sleep any minute in the car - but he did not sleep for many more hours. He was telling us how much he loved skiing, how he can't wait for the next time and how skiing and snorkeling - both start with s and end with g :) He wasn't sure if skiing is a one time activity ("I wish I would ski again") or an annual activity ("Can I skii when I turn 5") or a daily activity ("No school tomorrow, we will go skiing")! We have come a long way from the time Anuj went skiing in his jeans - all the way up the mountain on day one; to my day one when I was incredibly mad as to why Anuj got me for something like this; to ski dates while Milosh was in day care; to waiting when Milosh will be potty trained so he can start ski lessons (that was the only pre-requisite) and now almost ready to start family skiing!! Looking at his excitement I am sure he will be a better skier than me by the end of this season :)

Can I bookmark this ......pasta ....

Milosh has been learning to read! He is on to Bob books - set 2 - and is doing well and really enjoying it! Its so exciting to sit with him and watch him make the words with the sounds of the letters. Its adorable. After every word he kinda looks up to see if I am nodding or saying "mm-hmm". Once I told him he doesn't have to look up after every word - and of course his little defiant self made his subtle action of looking up more explicit and demanding.

Anyway, his reading skill makes me wonder how fast he is growing up! Very soon I will not be able to make up what the notice boards are saying in public places. In all fairness, I say whats actually written there - like - "do not climb here", "keep out" or "clean after yourself" etc - but this last week I went with Rhea and Milosh to a fare and there was a table of candies - which they of course wanted. I said look this paper here says - "not for sale". Rhea asked "where?" - I had to divert their attention because I had forgotten Rhea can read very well. Too smart for me ;))

Before long Milosh will not even need me to read books to him any more. But for now I enjoy the privilege. In fact reading before going to bed is almost ritualistic to him. He begs me to read with him, and even if I am tired I have to read (or Anuj has to). Sometimes I can use not reading as a threat so he brushes his teeth fast and comes to bed soon. Even the days that he is very tired, he will still want us to go through the motion of getting to our spot and turning on the reading light - and reading at least one page before he declares he is too tired. The current book he is reading is the entire Bob set 2 bound together (that we borrowed from the library), so he has been working on it for many days. So when he gets tired, he has learnt to put a bookmark in the book.

I can't remember when or how he picked up the concept of bookmark - I do know its fairly new. But his play on words is not new! The other day I gave him some pasta for dinner; he got through 85% of the plate and started to say he is not hungry anymore. (The rational side of me knows to let him stop there - but the pasta was too good to be thrown away :p - so I insisted he finish it up). That's when he said - can I please bookmark this pasta? I will come back to it. That totally made me crack up and I let him go :)