Roma Vs Mama

Do you wonder how do we spend time when we are together at home. Let me dramatize a sample scenario of one of our evening times.

"I was eating strawberry. Mom thought I am hungry and brought me paruppu mammu to eat as it was supper time. I said 'No' for it and she ate it herslef, as she dint want to waste. Next I saw her preparing Rasam Mammu for me. She placed the plate on the dining table and sat on the chair. I told 'No its my Chair' and kicked her out of the chair and started to eat mammu. I finished half and told her 'I want deetha'. She game me some water and I proceeded. After some time I told her it was kaaram and asked her some Ghee. She poured in some and I played with the mammu and left the spot to play Mouth Organ. Again she dint want to waste it and ate the rest. Next I saw her preparing Thachi mammu on the plate. Who in the world would say No for it? I threw away the mouth organ and sat on the chair and ate some and went away. She started to eat the rest. Am I not a good baby? I had my supper well isn't? Now I asked her for Scissors to do a project. She shouted at me telling she wont give it. But why is she making unnecessary scenes when I am too good at home. I gave a complaint to Appa."

Did you read that? Now read her version of the same story. Here she goes...

"Gosh. I was already running late. Still lot of work to do, to end the day. I was terribly hungry. Decided to eat first and then feed my little one. I brought my favourite Dhal rice with Vethai Kozhambu as side dish. My little toddler stopped by and asked 'Is that Paruppu mammu?'. I said yes and offered her if she wants some. She vacated the spot. I finished eating them and went for the secound round Rasam rice. I placed the food on the table and was about to sit, when the little pumpkin kicked me out of the chair and started to eat my food. I thought it was Ok, as there came some means that she could eat. I took rest on the other chair. But she asked me to bring Water first, then Ghee. She wouldnt let me sit in a place for some time. She had couple of spoons of Rasam mammu with ghee and went away. I finished eating the rest brought curd rice. Again she came to trouble and started to eat from my plate. But dint complete it as usual. Just munched some and went to play. Atlast I resumed eating my dinner. But the little pie dint give up yet. Now asked for Scissors. I shouted at her for not letting me eat peacefully. It has been an hour since I started eating."

Now I cried on my high tone and started to complain to Appa. Appa is a patient and intelligent person. He is the Judge Judy of our home. He has a way to convince both of us. He doesn't have a choice either. He solved the problem by giving me the scissors and letting amma eat peacefully too. But the reward for it is scoldings from her. You know why? I cut opened all the diapers that she kept to give for the day care.

Hmmm... This is what happens when three of us are home together.

Mommy's little helper

Mom was cleaning the kitchen floor. She sprayed disinfectant and was wiping it off with the towel. I grabbed a towel from Appa and cleaned a corner along with her. Similarly I started to arrange spoons and laddles at its appropriate places when mom takes dishes out of the dishwasher. When she cuts vegetables, I throw the skin in the trash. Am I not her little helper?

She wanted to improve her knowledge on Geography and posted a big world map at our living room. She was telling Appa that Satish athimber is leaving to India tomorrow. I asked her where India is and she showed it in the Map, saying Satish Athimber is going there. It was painted in orange colour. I spotted a pink Zambia and told I want to go there. She playfully taught me to identify about 10 different countries and for each country I named one of my friends going there like 'Sophia goes to green Australia, Cathy goes to orange Madagascar, Lauren goes to green China' and finally when amma wanted to go to Greenland, she spotted Greenland. I cried immediately 'No Its Pinkland'. Why is it called Greenland when its painted pink? Is she confusing me?

Cute little ways to annoy people

I like to remember people by names. Mom usually says if one can remember people by name, then they have a very high self esteem. That means I carry a real good self esteem. I ask the names of the people that come on the TV, walk on the streets and expect mom to know everyones name. She is quite tired about that and manages to create names like Edward, Jonnathan for unknown people.

One morning I was rushing up to school and mommy was straping me round the car seat, when our next door neighbour started to school too. I asked mommy who she was. She said she is our neighbour. I immediately yelled 'Good Morning Neighbour' and embarrased mommy totally.

That evening she took me to Olive gardens and I asked her about the server and the sweeper women who they were. Mom dint take risk this time. She diplomatically said they were the employees of the resturant.

I told you already that I am learning about cars these days. Mom taught me Hyundai car several times standing at the logo and shouting Hyuundaai at the top of her voice. She has taught that umpteen times and I kept my mouth shut and didnt even repeat it once. She was tired and taught that I could not pronounce Hyundai. One evening we were watching the news on CNN about the new Hyundai Plant opened up in Huntsville. When they showed the logo I immediately yelled 'Mommy this is Hunday' in American accent (and thats the way to pronounce it) . She was thoroughly annoyed. She gave a comment 'What won't u learn anything taught in Indian Accent?'

Topsy Turvy

I am quite tired of the tests that mom gives and wanted to do something different and decided to test her on one of the topics that she usually does. I wanted to be fair with her, gave it on her comfort zone - music and from the syllabus "Golden Harmony - by Ranjani and Gayatri'. This is the CD that we are currently listening in the car.

I sang a line 'Sadashiva Param' and wanted her to continue siniging the line. She sang 'Sadashiva Chandrasekara...' in Gowri manohari which was wrong. She argued with me that there is only one such song in the CD that has a line Sadhashiva and thats 'Gowri Manohara'. After squeezing her head for a long time, she gave an other answer 'Shankara Sadha Siva' which was also wrong, an out-of syllabus question (another CD) and neither does it have 'Sadhashiva parama'.

Then the topic faded away, Poor me could not argue with her any longer. But after another hour I was humming 'Thaye Tripura Sundari'. She realized that in the anupallavai comes 'Samagana Magizh Sadhasiva paramenum' and accepted her defeat.

No wonder she prefers to play the Dharumi role always. Question kekkarthu romba easy illa?

Cars, Dogs and More

We had been there to our friend's home last weekend for a lunch, and Gita Aunty gave a tour of their home. When she openend the garage, I intantly told Amma 'Mama this is a Honda car and this is a Toyota'. She was astonished listening to me and asked Mom how come I could get know all these. Mom shared her secert with her.

At our home, No time is a waste time. Our parents try to make use of all the hours when I am awake. Spring is just around the corner n its pretty warm and sunny during evenings, and mom does her evening walking round the apartment after I am home from the school. She stops at the top model cars and teaches me the Car Brands. I do revision every other day whenever I get a chance to walk with her. I mastered about 10-12 brands of car in a week. Lexas, BMW and Benz are my favourite. Now I am going crazy with cars.

Pets are just as common in this country. Almost all of friends have a doggy with them and I wanted one too. Appa got me a pink fur doggy for me, for the valentine's day. My music teacher named him Pooky. When I went to the music class last week, We learnt a song on doggies and she asked us the names of our pets. When she asked me, I said 'Yes I have a pet' and showed my pooky to her. She placed him on the parachute and pooky had a nice parachute ride the other day. I read about doggies these days and could identify about 8 breeds. Besnji, Poodle and Maltese are my favourite. But when it comes to 'German Sheperd' I say 'Bid Red Clifford'.

Am I not a diamond in the rough? Mom thought she should introuduce letter sounds to me. She placed some of the two letter words (flash cards) on the table and asked me pick cards like 'is, it, an , as' etc, and I did it. I have a tinge of these sounds innate. Now I am working on sight words and started to read some already.

Missed the hat-trick but won the game

As decided, I did not go to school today. Mom had an appointment at 1.00pm for sonogram and Appa had to got to Nashville for work. But he said he will make it before noon. Mom gave him a call around 12.00 and there was no response from him as usual. She gave several calls since then, but he didnt respond. We lost hopes. Mom and I started to the OB-office and were there on time. But still no calls and no show from Appa. Finally the technician called us in and we went inside.

I was very upset in the room as I was scared that they are going to do something for me. The lady asked me to sit on the couch but I refused to do it. Had Appa been there, he would have carried me. I had no choice and stayed with Amma in her seat hugging her tight. Both of us were very angry with Appa for not turning up. The technician went ahead and showed us the baby on the screen. She started with heartbeat, head, arms, legs, feet and finally the sex of the baby. The baby waived hands for both of us. She copied the session on to a Dvd and we were good to go out. Mom got dressed up and we opened our door. To our surprise we saw Appa there.

He looked even more tensed. But we were not at all angry upon him for we had a very happy news in the dark room - proving to be a kutti Roma. Mom and I were on cloud nine and appa was quite relieved seeing our faces. I was literally dancing for I ever wanted a baby sister. Mom promised to buy cup-cakes for me to celebrate this. We had a formal discussion with the doctor and directly went to Kroger to buy cup-cakes. I was very sleepy on the way home, as I missed my nap. Mom took me to the bed directly and I was wide asleep...

My grandma has a younger brother (big sister-little brother combo), my mom has a younger brother (big sister - little brother), and I wud have hit the hat-trick if the sonogram proved otherwise. Anyways, I took rest for the rest of the day for having won the game.

Whose Mommy is she?

One day I was playing ball and told mommy 'You are my Mom'. She said yes and was doing her work. Then I interrupted her again and said 'You are not Sophia's mom. You are my mom'. She understood my cues, came to me and told 'Yes honey, I am mommy for both u and the pappa in my tummy'. But I said 'No.You are My mom'.

She explained saying 'Jayashree Aunty is mommy for both Varsha and Vibha, Vidya Aunty is Mommmy for both Aswin and Ajay, Radha Athai is mommy for both Vishwak and Sashu and so you should share your mom with a baby brother or a sister.' I gave no reaction.

She showed her big tummy telling that she got a baby inside. Then, I leaned backwards pretending to have a big tummy and said 'I have a baby too'.She said that I am having a baby brother/sister in her tummy. But I convinced her saying she has a 'Mommy Sister' in her tummy and I got a 'baby sister' in my tummy.

She understood that she is at odds with me and decided to take me for Ajay's Bday party. There she held her friend's little baby boy Aditya. I was so possesive at the sight and started crying.

My parents understood that I still dont understand the concept of having a little baby home soon, and decided to take me for the ultrasound session tomorrow. I am bunking my school for this. They think if they could involve me in every activity in regard to the hospital visits, I could get the hang of it.

Early Childhood Music Ministry and More...

Mom has enrolled me into the Family Music for the spring Semester. Its a Parent-Child class and Ms. Becky (Becks) is our instructor. I have Issac, Elsie, Audry and Sam as my buddies. We sing, dance, jump and play while we learn music. We also get to play a lot of musical instruments during the sessions. So far, I have explored Maracus, Drums, Tone Blocks, Sticks, Cymbals etc. Some of the songs are just a piece of cake but some are quite difficult. Anyways we have the Music Cds and Books to practice them at home. Mom often plays it during bedtime. And before we leave, we have a Jack-in-the box game or a parachute playing. We have to pop-out of the box when the music Stops and run under the parachute while the music Stops. I think this is to improve the rhythm sense. But its a lot of fun.

I have begun my formal training on "Saralivarisaigal" with amma. Everyday I practice for about 15 minutes with the sruthibox and mom teaches one new excercise everyday. Some of the comments that I got from her are

1. I sit only on her lap and not on the floor
2. I am impatient during sittings and want to see letters like P,Q,R,S on the scale display screen (It displays only C,D,E,F,G,A,B)
3. Switch on the 5th string button to produce an annoying sound
4. Starting trouble on all excercises.

Gimme some tips to break the ice. I don't tend to exhibit my talents when asked to do so. People think I am shy but I am not. And the some of the positive comments that I got are

1. Perfect Sruthi Sense
2. Able to identify and sing 2nd and 3rd speeds
3. Good sense of rhythm for my age.
4. Quick grasping on verses for Ive mastered most of the verses of narayana hari in just 3 sittings..... (I dint listen to the recorded audio or follow the lyrics from a book)
5. High sruthi - (6-61/2 Kattai) and Mama cant coup-up... Hurray

I am quite excited about the week ahead. We r gonna have 2 important things. One is the Day light saving starts and I can go to YMCA for playing. and the other is I will know abt Baby brother/sister I am going to have. I will be happy if I have a brother and more happy if I have a sister. Let me keep my fingers crossed.

Remember folks, I may be busy during the weekend. So keep reading all the older posts once again, I will catch u all next week. Bye for now.

Where do I learn from?

When Mama's friend was dressing up, I saw her keeping a red thilakam on her forehead, and I instantly told mom that she is keeping 'Narayana Nethi'. Both of them were stunned hearing me say that. Mom has no clue where I got this from.

When she was doing dishes in the kitchen, I pestered her to sing 'Atma Nivasi Ram'. She started singing without noticing what I was doing. Suddenly something made her turn her face instantly on me. U know What I did? I started to play beats for the song on the Jendai Melam, which my Uppili thatha gave. On the other day, I also mocked playing a violin with a spoon and a fork for a carnatic song on youtube.

My parents are listening big words from a little pod these days. Some of the new words that I learnt during the week are Hibernation, Migration, Skiing, Skating etc.

I love my Appa

It took so long to say this for we were like a Cat and a Rat all these days long. But things change slowly. Isn't it? I have started to become a daddy's daughter these days.

He leaves to work before I wake up or as soon as I do, and so I miss him in the mornings but plays Uppu Mootai on his back as soon as he is home.

When Mom was in the Music Practice sessions, I was very hungry and he fed me with Idlies. :-) And u know what, thats when I started to have idlies. Otherwise I wud prefer Dosas. (So the food's taste really change when fed with love and care) He took me round the temple and we were walking in the hallway and had enough fun until she came back.

During the weekends I dress-up on Veshti(Thundu) and Cheechii as he does and recite Ramayanam along with him. He teaches me all the verses word by word with patience. Isn't he cho chweet?I sleep on his arms nice and tight during nights and hold his shirt while he wakes up. Oops! Am I getting too sentimental? Here we go.The annoying thing that he does is cleaning dirt on my nose.

Some tidbits

1. After AJ has been moved to the green room, I am hanging out with Sophia. We are like two little magnets, one driving the other and repel each other when brought into contact. Yes us both hangout together whereever we go, but keep on fighting all day long. Our teachers found it very hard to picture us together, for we were ever fighting in the classroom.
2. I have started to do correct usage of numbers while I speak. When mom was eating mixture I asked her 'What is that?' first then realized the number and asked 'What are they?'. Hurray!!!
3. I have learnt the difference between Reflection and Shadow. A reflection is something that u can see your own image clear or obscure. But a shadow is just a dark shade of ur own image. Sometimes it could look quite different. For example, when I went near the wall with my pony tails on, I saw a Mickey Mouse.
4. Did you notice a difference in my mom's hairstyle. We all asked her why is the change for? She gave several reasons. But I found out the actual reason last week when she was talking with her friend. Evertime whoever sees me say that I look like her. To reinforce that, she has cut her front portion of her hair and wears dresses matching to mine and makes sure to keep the Same Bindhi that I keep. Isn't she crazy? Sometimes we dont know who is a mom and who is a kid.

Crazy Week

March 2nd is Dr. Seuss's birthday and we have a very crazy week ahead in the school to celebrate his birthday.

Dr.Seuss was an american writer and cartoonist who has written a lot of Children's books. So we have a lot of fun activities planned for this week. Some of the fun stuffs that we are going to do are wear a crazy hat, wear pajamas to school, wear dresses inside-out, wear socks that dont match etc. I am really excited about them. Mom and I have already made a crazy hat by ourselves with a paper plate, a bowl and a cup. Isn't it crazy?