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. ;)