Solving World Problems With Humor

You know these toddlers.. Dangerous combination of bursting personality and energy without the reality check. They're bubbly and happy like balloons and kites. And then they have these lethal meltdowns at the most trivial pursuits "I want to wear that dress right now".

These days the moment the little girl is abot to go into the fake crying mode to assert what she wants, I turn the tables at her. I tell her she's Mumma and I am the kid. And then I pretend I am just about to cry, and I make fictitious stories about how I was wronged (like some little one we know) and then like a clap of thunder I jump right into the fake crying!! The little girl thinks it is hilarious every single time and bursts out laughing at how funny it is. She sort of realizes the joke is on her! But for me, it puts a break on the train that was heading downhill and gaining steam. And then we talk things over like big people and reach a conclusion.

I read this quote on a joke and it is so true- all I want to be when I grow up is be a kid! For now.

And I Miss You

This one post is not about Miss Haana. And yet it is nothing without her. 

I will be sufficiently shallow and say that on beautiful spring days like today, I think having a convertible is my way to pay respect to the Sun God and the Others up there. Miss Haana and I have ridden around in this convertible with the top down enjoying ourselves in company of some truly immortal musicians. And even with everything else being there just right, the open roads, balmy winds, tweeting birds and beautiful spring flowers sprouting unruly and wild like my soul. Yet all I am thinking of how my baby  would've loved it, and how it would be if she were right here at the back seat. 

Easter Redemption

It's easter time again! And just to refresh memory, here's what had happened last easter: http://roadtohaana.blogspot.com/2014/04/easter-egg-hunt.html. It's still fresh in my mind like it happened only yesterday. So I was looking forward with anticipation and anxiety this Easter, to turn it all around this time!


We'd decided little Miss Haana and two of her best buddies will do Easter egg hunt this weekend. I ran to the store to get us a befitting eager basket - last time we forgot to get (or buy) a basket to the egg hunt, and borrowed (borrowed without returning=stealing) a tiny basket from the event's pancake breakfast table. So, for this time, I ran to the store in the morning to grab a basket. I debated about getting a small one or a big one. What if (like last time) we manage to get only 1 or 2 eggs? Should I get a small basket after all? But what if this time was different, and we're able to get lots of eggs but can't fit them in the basket? Finally after much internal debate, I went for the bigger one. Here's to hoping!


I tutored little Miss Haana this time, what she was supposed to do. "As soon as they say start, rrrrruuuunn and get as many eggs as you can and put them in the basket." We had gone through this routine a couple of times at least. When we got to the egg hunt field, there were scores of kids with parents lining the soccer field full of colorful eggs!


When the hunt started, I resisted the urge to grab a few eggs and throw them in the basket. But I need not have worried! The little fiery girl was all over the field, running, grabbing eggs, tossing them in the basket. Then running around some more and tossing more eggs and candies in the basket. I was amazed and impressed! In no time our big basket was full of colorful Easter eggs and candies. Easter was a roaring success!!!!


Once all the eggs were collected, we soon met up with Miss Haana's buddies and their parents. Miss Haana shared a few of her eggs and candies with her buddies. Collectively we all laughed at our success and my tutoring. I laughed too, but also was extremely proud of my go-getter. :)

Perfect Drop

Spring is finally here and since the daylight saving time has changed the evenings are bright and balmy.

Miss Haana and I went for a walk after dinner in our neighborhood. We headed first towards the gazebo facing the lake. Played around for a little bit and then walked next to the lake; along a pathway lined with tidy bushes. As we were walking by suddenly a cat raced through the bushes, scared both of us and ran away. After we realized what happened, we both laughed at ourselves. The cat turned around and looked at us from a safe distance in dismay.

A couple ducks came by towards us in a hurry. Probably expecting dinner from us, but were soon to be disappointed. The little girl looked over at them and said "Hi duckie!" Ducks turned away disappointed and Miss Haana mused "Why didn't it say quack-quack?" 

All along Miss Haana had been picking up dry leaves from the ground and handing them out to me for safe keeping. I may be partly to be blamed for this. Earlier in the fall when beautiful red and golden leaves were beginning to fall off the trees, she and I collected bags full of colorful leaves. They were later dried, sealed and converted into an art-and-craft project. I tried telling her these leaves were now too dry, but soon realized it was not the winning side. 

So I kept holding the dry leaves she was handing out to me. Occasionally she would check to make sure I'm keeping them safe. When we were heading back towards home I wondered what to do with this bunch of dry leaves in my hand. I thought of leaving them on a bench and wondered if she will remember them just before turning to our lane and demand I get them back...

Such situations can be tricky!! We slowly ambled on.

Finally, now on the last leg just a few houses away, I quietly slipped the leaves from my hand away behind my back. And as we turned inside the door I heaved a sigh of relief when the topic of the leaves did not come up..