Melodious Journey

As 8th grade comes to a close, the violin has been a friend to little miss Haana.

This year, in music, she auditioned and was selected into All Regions orchestra. She was one of the very few students who made it into all-regions all 3 middle school years. She got 1Honors (heighest grade) for her end of year Solo performance and for her Emsemble - where she selected a music, recruited 3 other classmates, she coordinated practice sessions and they performed together as a quartet. She performed at Peek Music Festival at University of North Texas, Denton woth her school orchestra. She was the concermaster in the end of the year performance of her school orchestra, where she was also awarded the Musician of the Year award for 8th grade. An award she shared with her rival Damian Torres.

 

In the beginning of the year, she auditioned and was selected into Mckinney's Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra, where she's practiced and performed this year. 

She has grown so much in her musical journey and she's been driven entirely by her interest, passion and drive for growth and challenge. Her teachers at school guided her so well, and helped her along this journey so much. I am so thankful to her teachers and her guides. She auditioned for orchestra at her high school. She was not only selected, but was placed at the the Chamber (highest level) orchestra at the high school starting fall 2026. As an incoming freshman, this hardly ever happens. 

I'm excited for her musical journey to continue! It was been a melodious ride!

Let's get it

 

Bobby and I have been staring at this motorcycle for awhile. We were driving by it as we were coming back from school and couldn't just drive on. We stopped by it for a long time. We had some serious discussions about it. Then we drove off. But then drove back, stopped next to it again. Then again discussed. Now we both want to get it. It's still being negotiated which one of us will actually own it and then share with the other. 

Bobby says when he grows up, he'll have $140 and he'll share half. I think he expects I'll shell out the remaining... 

Mother's Day

 Happy mother's day!!

I got beautiful cards and notes from both little miss Haana and Bobby today. Along with hugs and kisses.

Bobby wrote a card for me that reads-

"I love you mama, you are the best mama evur and I will do evre thing for you - Love Umber Balakrishnan" (This, with lots of kisses in the card).

I haven't gotten legal advice on this yet, but I'm pretty sure it sounds like a contract to me! Guess who will keep reminding him of "I will do evre thing for you" ;)

Little miss Haana made such a pretty drawing of her and me together. The likeness is unmistakable in both the girls she drew - I'm the one with shorter hair and winking. She's the one with longer hair and sweeter! She wrote such a sweet note at the back but she said I'm not supposed to share that. 

My comment to her? I need a pink dress like that!! 

Bobby's card-

They're my collar!

Store Shopping

Taking them kids Bobby or Haana to a store is not for the faint of heart. I'll tell you why. 

I go to a nearby store for bulk purchases of beans and legumes, some healthy snacks and some very unhealthy snacks too. It's closeby so it's a quick in and out. In theory. I asked little miss Haana on our way back from school pickup several times, but every time she insisted she is too tired and has too many things to do yet when she gets back. So one afternoon, after I picked up Bobby from school, and little miss Haana's pickup was not until much later, I drove us towards the store. 

First, the Boy immediately knew we are not going home. NOO! He was vigorously disappointed. Play time beckons and awaits him as I force him into this entrapment. I attempted to pacify him by saying it will be a super quick stop.  He was not convinced. The drive to the store was unpleasant. As i parked, i finally relented. I can get him a candy at the store. A candy, as in singular. But no toys will be purchased. He said fine, and we finally walked in, hand in hand.

We had just gotten inside the doors when he asked me if we could get some muffins. I decided i must not reward such frivolous asks with a response, so kept walking. 

A store full of healthy snacks, legumes and beans and spices, is like a candy store for me! Bobby was helping me get what I needed, weigh it and note the bin number etc. Then Bobby saw a bin full of gummies. We negotiated how many was ok, and I helped him grab some in a bag for us to take home. It seemed like we had turned the tide. 

I had to get one last thing which was in an aisle on the far side of the store. Bobby said he wants to explore another aisle by himself. I said OK and went to grab the last item. When I returned I didn't immediately find the boy. After frantically weaving in and out of different aisles, I saw Bobby boy walking around with a giant log-truck in his arms, holding it like a baby that needed love! I reminded him of our agreement that we will not get any toys, and that we already have a log truck but that just made him upset. Noo mumma, we have to! He was fixing to throw a fit too. I told him we have to keep the toy back to where it was. And i paced up and down to figure out which shelf it came from. Meanwhile Bobby boy is super upset already. And I still couldn't find the right shelf. Finally I put the log truck where I could fit it on a shelf, and started walking towards the self check out. By now Bobby boy was wrapped around one of my feet and with every step i took, i was mopping the floor with him. I told the next person in the self checkout line to go on ahead because I can't hardly move. I finally got to the check out, paid and we somehow got out of the store. Back in the car, the drama continued. I didn't have to pick up little miss Haana right away. I buckled the boy in his seat, sat in the driver's, looked back at him and gave him a piece of my mind. The living room cabinets are full of toys. On the kitchen counter is the giant lego ship, only halfway built yet. If he's wanting to throw a fit, go right ahead. We will not move out of the parking lot before he's calmed down.

Remembering the half built lego ship that he'd been working on, pacified the boy. And soon he was calm, even conciliatory and itching to get home. To the legos. 

Saved by the toy and that doesn't happen everyday. But I had now enough beans to last me couple months!!

Karate State Championship

Earlier in the spring little miss Haana had gone to the qualifier for Karate championship. Now it was time to go to State. This week had already been going very busy with STAR tests, Peek music festival where their orchestra group performed at UNT and daily after school karate sessions to prep for State.

Like last year they would be going together in a bus from school. The bus departed at 345am on Saturday. I called little miss Haana at 930am to check how it's going. She said they were about to reach their destination. I asked about her breakfast. Then I asked if she had coffee in the morning. She replied she took a nap. Then I asked again, 'Did you have coffee?'. 'Huh?', she couldn't hear me. I repeated the question again and the line went silent. Then I persisted again. This time she fessed up, 'Yes, but then it slept for 2 hours'. A-ha! I've been on her case about how caffeine is not good for her system. But today is not that day!. 'Ohh, look at you! Dodging me, weren't you?' I joked and we laughed out loud!

Little miss Haana participated in weapons kata. And she won 2nd place. I love her weapons kata cause her weapon of choice this time is a fan, and she has a mean routine with two fans!

She also participated in individuals and in teams competition, but did not place. 

Then it was time to head back. She got back home only at 1130pm in the night, dead tired!

Probably because she was carrying her medal which weighed like a ton!!!

Go Fish

Bobby boy suddenly wanted to go fishing one day. It was either the wild kratt series that egged him on to it. Or it was looking into the creek and finding tiny little fish flitting about in the water, that gave him the idea. Nevertheless, I had been getting daily reminders that we must go fishing. The only problem was, I have never fished and have no gear. 

So, I looked and found a fishing lesson closeby. Asked Bobby's friend's mom of she's interested, and yes she was! I suspected we might be the only 2 families in the area that did not know how to fish, but oh well! Eric was or fishing coach, and after showing us how to set up the fishing rod, tie the line, fit the hook and bobber, it was time to get messy. He showed how to put the worm on the hook. Bobby tried his hand first. And to my utmost astonishment, a fish was caught almost in no time at all!! We were all hopping in excitement at what just happened. It was a little bitty (about 3-4 inches long) beautiful blue-green colored fish speckeled with glorious yellow spots. We got the fish out of the book carefully, and stared at it for a bit and then, threw it back in the pond swiftly. We fished for almost 3 hours and caught fishes with the same surprising ease as the first time. The excitement amongst the boys and us moms was here to stay! It was only when we switches to lures (plastic or rubber bait that looks like a real fish or shrimp or worm) that or luck finally gave. No fishes were caught or harmed in the lure-fishing experiment! 

We headed back with what felt like a new hobby in our belt! I was a great morning!

How We Got Doggo

Bobby wrote a story about how we got Doggo.

The Day We Got Doggo

Written by Bobby

Illustrated by Bobby

 

Hiding Place

Guess where I hid the remote from Bobby and Gugu today?

Inside dishwasher

My Favorite Animal

 Bobby boy's favorite animal is a bold eagle.

There are 2 reasons for this..

Reason #1 - they can see 6 miles away. 

Reason #2 - they can fly so cool!! 

Mumma's Favorite Baby Animal - 

#1 - Bobby can see 25 miles away (he told me so). Gugu can see things that may or may not exist. Doggo can sense things that can't be seen.

#2 - Bobby can ride real fast on his bike and run real fast. Gugu has serious karate chops. And Doggo can run like the wind and hit you like the train!

So my favorite baby animals are Bobby, Gugu and Doggo! 

And my favorite adult animal is Papa :) because 

#1 - he can see good in everything and everyone. He's an eternal optimist. And

#2 - he is always the most loving and giving. And (Bobby told me to add that) whenever Bobby's lego motorcycles' brakes need to be fixed very delicately, he always fixes them. )

I'm Not Leaving

Dulce doggo and I go out for runs/ walks every morning and evening. Most of the times I take him out for walks (or, as he sees it, he takes me out). But sometimes, I just don't want to! This week i fell sick one evening, and i didn't want to take doggo for a walk. In times like these, when Raj is calling him to go out for a walk, Doggo sits resolutely, sphinx like, next to my bed. "I can't leave Muma! I refuse to go anywhere without her", he says. Multiple calls for the door step go unheeded. In resignation, I get up from the bed, escort him to the garage door, where Raj is already out putting his shoes on. I wait till all these 4 legs, tail and body are outside the door, then I slip back inside and quickly close the door behind me! 

If Doggo feels cheated in this whole experience he quickly forgets it. Cause as soon as he comes back, he comes running to my bed side, with his tail wagging and tongue a-smacking! He's a sweetie!

Bobby 6

Last month was someone’s birthday. In spite of my better judgement Bobby decided he will turn 6. I don't see any point in this, except maybe for getting new toys. But even then, Santa could do that. 

The birthday started early and stayed late. Like all birthdays should. We decided to start the weekend early with a camping trip on Friday. Then on Saturday, Raj wanted to take Bobby boy to the mall and get him a new pair of shoes (and get a couple of legos for himself!). Of course along with the shoes came a large box from the lego store. Nobody was surprised. It was a coast guard ship! Bobby and I took the mall train ride and munched on chocolate.

That evening we met with Varam and Kirthi aunty and Karthik uncle. We went Putt-putt golfing. We all tried our hands (arms) at golfing with varying levels of skills and success. It was fun all the way around. Dinner after that continued the fun, and we returned home with more lego boxes that night. 

On sunday i took Bobby's neighborhood friend, called "Bro" for some reason, and Bobby boy to their favourite trampoline and game area, followed by a lunch at Cici's we all joined at. After stuffing ourselves with fresh pizza, we came back home.

I took Monday off to hang out with Bobby during the day. It was a beautiful spring day and I decided to take both birthday boys - Bobby and Doggo to a park. I was prepared for this of course. I took our Nerf guns!

We had cake cutting and dinner at home, full of sweetness. I continued to insist Bobby should turn 5 again! Still working on that one!

Beginning Middle and End

Bobby is learning to write stories at school with a beginning, middle and end, complete with illustrations. 

Here is Beginning Middle and End story.

Written by Bobby boy. 

Illustrations by Bobby boy. 

Narrated by Mama.

In the beginning, there was a Bobby riding his bicycle.

Then, Bobby in bicycle met another kid Ryan who was on a scooter. They exchanged pleasanteries.

Soon, one of them turned into dust but the scooter survived.

<Bobby corrected me> Actually both Bobby and Ryan rode their bicycle and scooter around, and lived happily ever after.

The end. 

Karate State Qualifier

I had been hearing about the state qualifier for awhile. Little miss Haana has been prepping her karate routines- demo team, teams kata, weapons kata, individuals - for last several weeks. It has been hard work. The state qualifier is for students from various regional schools, and selects which ones will go to the state championship for karate in May. The week leading up to the qualifier, little miss Haana had been working on her karate katas every day after school, coming back late and so tired! 

Last week was the state qualifier. I was excited about the weapons kata. This time little miss Haana had chosen two Korean fans as her weapon of choice. I had seen some of the moves at home, but without the actual fans, and never the full kata. 

Raj went with her for the qualifier. And thankfully recorded much of little miss Haana's performance. During the weapons kata I heard other people in the audience go "woah" as little miss Haana did hand stand and cartwheel and then elbow stand and reverse cartwheel. There were considerable oohs-and-ahhs from the audience! The judges seemed to agree. In the teams and individuals, little miss Haana scored the top 1st place! On the weapons kata too, she scored the 1st place!

She came back home at 2pm. Weighed down by 3 giant gold medals!!! Smiling wide at a job well done!! I had her favorite lunch on the menu- red beans and cilantro lime rice.

I watched the videos of her performance multiple times, adding my own oohs-and-ahhs each time as well!! 

Nerf Wars

For Bobby boy's birthday, Softy mausi had been scouting for gifts. Since Bobby's neighborhood bro had a Nerf gun, that seemed like a good gift idea. She ans Sid uncle ordered a Nerf gun. One. In addition and with loads of anticipation they also ordered 100 extra bullets for the said gun.

It got delivered a day early. And it got me thinking, who is the target and who is the shooter. I did the only thing i thought reasonable for an equitable power dynamics at this place - i ordered another Nerf gun. For me. So now, on Bobby's birthday, we had 2 Nerf guns - one for him and one for me. Both loaded with bullets. And both ready to shoot. 

Let the Nerf wars begin!

What Will I Drive

Mumma you know what i will drive when I grow up? (Bobby boy asked me looking dotingly at his new ferrari lego car he just built).

What are you going to drive when you grow up Bobby?

An electric scooter! (He says with a grin on his face and a smile in his eyes!)

An electric scooter?! The kind with a seat on the back for me? 

No! Not another seat! You can come in your car.

In the car?! But when you grow up, I'll not want to drive anymore. I'll want to come with you!

OK okay! (He realizes Mumma is getting a bit clingy). 

Actually you can be in the basket (of the electric scooter).

The basket? What am I, eggs? Eggs go in a  basket!

(Giggles) No, you're not eggs, but you can still just be in the basket! Be in the basket Mumma!

I'm not happy about this arrangement.

Camping

I've had full-on camping gear and supplies for quite sometime. For last 5 and a half years to be exact. They'd all been used exactly once so far. Until yesterday. 

When Bobby boy was 6 months old, deep into covid, we went for camping for the very first time. It was cold though, really cold. Bobby boy was wrapped in a warm suit that made him look like and feel like a michellin man or an astronaut. Barely able to walk, it didn't help that he was covered from head to toe, keeping him all warm but making him all wobbly and sloppy! We arrived at the campsite later than we should have, set up the tent, made a camp fire, grilled food.  It was fun for sometime. When we turned in to sleep in our 4 person tent, I remember the tent seemed quite large. But Bobby was wobbly and just generally not happy, feeling like he was covered with pillows. The next morning we woke up, made tea and breakfast at the campsite before packing up and heading back. It was not a totally disaster but we were scarred enough that we didn't go back for like 5 years. 

This weekend, in lieu of Bobby's birthday, Bobby's godfather Keith suggested camping, and i thought it may be time for second chance! It was a place close to home. The plan was to get there around 5-6 when there is still plenty of sunlight to set up the tent. Grill some meat for dinner. Stay in tent for the night and come back the next morning. The camp site was really nice right next to the lake and had picnic table and grill. Bobby Doggo and i reached about 6 and met Keith there. We were able to unload the car and set up the tent by 7. Bobby helped too! Doggo was delighted to run after the ducks in the lake (without actually getting in to the lake!), gallopped this way and that, free as the birds he was chasing! We put picnic chairs overlooking the lake and watched as boats crossed this way and that. Bobby guessed how fast each of the speed boats must be. Then hot dogs were grilled. Raj had picked up a paneer wrap for me to take to camping, which was delicious! 

We sat by the picnic table talking and eating. The sun had set and it was getting pretty dark now. Just after we finished dinner Bobby said i gotto go to poopoo. The rest room with running water was not far but certainly not close while walking. So he and I ran to the car, I turned the car around and we drove to the rest room. I half expected to see doggo running behind the car in the rear view mirror, telling "Mumma, wait for me!", in dog language of course! But luckily Keith had told him to sit next to him and so he waited. Bobby and I came back soon enough. And now Bobby wanted smores. So we did that!

We brushed our teeth and soon Bobby wanted to turn in for the night. Bobby n I got into the tent and Doggo came up to it and hesitated. He didn't want to be left alone outside, that would be unthinkable. But he also couldn't fathom coming inside this weird contraption! After a mix of coaxing and threatening him, he finally waded inside the tent. Suddenly the tent that had felt pretty big last time, now felt very small! He walked around awkwardly, stomping on my legs and other body parts. Bobby kept moving about in stead of falling asleep. Soon it was all too much for me and my head was getting heavier with sleep. Doggo settled somewhere between Bobby n me. All through the night i slept tossing and turning to make sure doggo is taking turns stifling blood supply in my left and then right ankles and legs. I am sure he was enjoying it. It felt it was dark for a long time and then i turned and opened my eyes and it was suddenly morning and light outside. Doggo was looking forward to getting out and galloping about. 

Keith tried to get the fire going in the morning but it just didn't work. We packed up and left. It was a good camping trip! Doggo and Bobby both agree. It was a birthday camping trip for both of them! Happy birthday Bobby and Doggo!

Cast Art

2 weeks in. 2 weeks to go. 

Art work on a Bobby's cast.

Lammy

Meet Lammy. Like many other stuffed toys at our place, Lammy has been with us for over 10 years. He used to be little miss Haana's close friend when he first joined us. Little miss Haana used to go to a little gym when she was about 3 or 4. And we had probably lost a toy there. So I was looking in the lost and found bin at Litl Gym to find that toy. In all honesty though, I have no recollection of why I was looking in the lost-and-found bin or the toy we may have lost. But i'm assuming that must be case, or why else would I be looking in the bin, right! So if there was a toy we lost, I didn't find it. But I did find little Lammy, looking for a new home. And.. he chose me. I loved him instantly. So did little miss Haana and he lived in her crib for a long long time.

Then years later Bobby came along, and he loved Lammy too. There was 1 problem.. little miss Haana still loves Lammy.

These days little miss Haana has a bed full of stuffed toys and squishmallows she sleeps with. Including Lammy. Bobby has tried to steal Lammy but she's always snatched him back and kept him for herself. 

Yesterday though, since it's spring break, and Bobby boy is at home, he went into little miss Haana's room while she was out with her friend and swiped Lammy and ran down with it. He showed me. We both hugged Lammy and laughed a delicious laugh, high fiving each other on Lammy's escape! We're keeping Lammy safe and hidden on the bed downstairs and so far little miss Haana is none the wiser. Lammy looks happy!! Doesn't he?

Student Ambassador Haana

Last week little miss Haana's middle school had an open house for perspective new students and their families. For them to tour the middle school they'll be coming to in fall, meet the students, see the clubs. Little miss Haana was asked to represent the Academics -Biology, Karate and Orchestra. She was in school after school till 7pm. But she sat on a panel discussing the middle school life, answered questions from parents about the school, performed with others Karate katas and gave a taste of orchestra at her middle school. 

I am so proud of her! And I got pings from one of mom's of 5th grader who was in the audience, how well little miss Haana was doing!

Homework

Bobby just said this to me -

Mumma if you like homework, you're the teachers pet.

I asked the obvious question - what is homework. 

He didn't know either. Think we are in good company!

One Extra Bone

So it happened again. 

Getting hurt, falling, scrapes and hurts are nothing new for Bobby. Everyday at bath time we count which booboo is new, which is 1 day old, which is older. Everyday. But usually Bobby boy is too busy playing to stop for long. He just gets up, brushes it off and runs along so he's not wasting any play time. 

This week he had a fall that was different. He was riding Ryan's heavier electric scooter and fell off it. He was crying when I got to him and his right index finger skin was scrunched up. And Bobby boy was crying. I felt bad! I hugged and kissed but he kept crying. Dulce came running and tried to lick his tears. Bobby said he wants to go back home. This was different, usually Bobby wouldn't cut short his adventures for a small fall. We turned around but I insisted he get back on the scooter and ride it back home. At first he didn't want to, but there was no way for me to get the scooter back home, and Ryan was on his bicycle too. (In retrospect if I knew this was a serious injury i shouldn't have made him ride the scooter back home. But at that time I didn't want him to be scared of the scooter... oh :-( ). We somehow made it back, Bobby parked the scooter in Ryan's garage and we walked back home. 

At home, I said we have to wash the booboo, so I pulled up water to give Bobby a bath. Not surprisingly he didn't wanna! And he kept crying and saying i want Papa. I was getting irritated. Gugu was around, so she talked to Bobby, and in some kid-to-kid-magic way explained to Bobby how cleaning his wound is very important. He agreed to taking a bath. I washed up the Bobby, and put baby oil and clothes on. Now Bobby finally stopped crying. But it was still really hurting him. This is way off, I realized. This could be something worse. I took appointment for urgent care. 

Raj came back meanwhile and we went to the doctor's. It was a fracture, turns out. They put a removable sprint and told us to see a childrens orthopedist later. The pain is mostly stopped for Bobby, but the finger stays in this removable stint. And now me and Bobby are sitting at the children's ortho watching Disney channel waiting on the doctor. I hope the worst is behind us. 

Electric Scooter Build up - last week's news

Bobby had been telling Ryan's mom about how he wants to have another electric scooter of his own, and how much he likes it, and how his birthday is coming up. 

Last week Ryan's mom ordered an electric scooter for Bobby's birthday! I couldn't believe it. The boys almost ripped the box eager to open it up. Ryan's dad assembled it and charged it enough for it to go for sometime! Wow, happy birthday came early :)

Is it Me?

Beautiful painting by little miss Haana.

Is it a painting of her mumma?

Electric Scooter Buildup Continues

Continuing the story from here - https://roadtohaana.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-electric-scooter-buildup.html

Bobby boy realized he should be getting some verbal commitment from me after all.

Mumma, the electric scooter needs to have a bell too.

OK Bobby. 

So, are you going to get it for me for my 7th birthday?

I don't know Bobby. 

You have to Mumma. 

I'll have to check with Papa.

Turns out Raj had just came back from overseas, and was hence the prime target to offload some parental pressure! 

So Bobby proceeded to tell Papa all the specifications needed on his electric scooter. And then placed the 'Can you get it for me' question on his lap. Meanwhile i remembered something that I thought should help the situation. 

Bobby, Ryan's mom told me she got the scooter for herself actually, so she can keep up with your bikes. So, actually, I should have that scooter! And it has a basket at the back, I can put you in there!

Bobby turned back to Papa.

Papa, actually we need 3 scooters! One for Papa, one for Mumma and one for me!!

I didn't think this story will take this turn!!

Meanwhile after relaying this story to Softy mausi, she decided she wants a scooter too... this is not the effect I was going for!

The Electric Scooter Buildup

The Bro gang has been spending quite a bit of time together. On their bicycle, scooters and lately, on Ryan's electric scooter. Ryan has multiple of them. A standing scooter, and also one with a seat on it. Ryan's mom told me that she initially got that one for herself so she can follow them when they're on their bicycle, but Ryan likes to ride it now (maybe because the other Bro - Bobby, is riding his other scooter). 

Bobby has been talking about scooters a lot lately. Especially since birthday is around the corner. 

I want a Gotrax electric scooter for my 7th birthday - Bobby said to me.

But that is another year away, we will talk about that later. 

Yes, but for my 7th birthday I need a Gotrax electric scooter that can go offroading. Do you know what is offroading?

To go on grass?

Yes. Ryan's Gotrax electric scooter can do off roading. It can go on grass.

OK.

Actually mumma, also I need the scooter with a seat, because I can get tired standing up. 

I see.

Do you want to look up Gotrax scooters on your phone?

Absolutely not!

No Mumma, we should look them up. For my 7th birthday. It should also have a basket at the back, behind the seat. It also must have a key and a key hole. Should we look it up now Mumma?

Everyday Bobby boy has been adding specifications on this Gotrax scooter! The pressure is building!

I am the Dog

Growing up, we had a dog. We was medium sized white haired dog Lucky. Too smart for his own good! He was a menace in many ways,  but there was 1 way he was very useful. He used to eat all the leftovers at home. And this is one of the perks of having a pet dog in the first place, right? 

I was thinking about the state of leftovers at my home and realized I'm the only one who eats leftovers! Every day for lunch i heat up left overs and slowly and diligently clean up leftovers from the fridge. No one else at my home quite does that. Dulce doggy, meanwhile is tempremental about food. He has expectations. He has mood swings when it comes to food. He needs variety, he needs nutrition, he needs taste. He has standards. 

I then reached the seemingly obvious conclusion then. I am the dog!

Winner Deal

Little miss Haana this week stayed home one day from school since she had not been feeling well. Towards the evening she was feeling somewhat better. But also feeling like getting take-out from her favorite thai place. I already had plans of what to do for dinner that evening, so I said no. She devised a devious plan. We will let Dulce decide! 2 treats were placed 1 feet apart on the rug. If he eats the right treat first, we do takeout. If he eats the left treat first, we eat at home. He ate the right treat. I protested I didn't see if he actually ate the treat or just grabbed it but ate the left one first. 

Round 2 then. Same treats. This time left treat means take out. Right treat means eat at home. Dulce ate they right one first. I won, but we will have best of 3.

Round 3. Same treats. Left treat - eat at home. Right treat - take out. He ate the right treat first, and then gobbled the left one,  while little miss Haana was yelling Yay!! I gudgingly proceeded to place the to go order. But meanwhile Dulce doggy was smacking his lips in this winner deal for him!!

Bath Time

Today as we were finishing dinner, Bobby boy said something he has never said in his 5, almost 6 years in this planet. He said, "Mumma, I want to take a bath". I even stalled him, cause little miss Haana and I were talking. But he repeatedly again - I want to take a bath Mumma! 

Anyone who knows Bobby boy would have had the same reaction as what I had -

"How is that possible? The real Bobby has never said those words. Where is the real Bobby and what have you done to him?!"

Valentimes Day

Valentines day was around the corner. Bobby boy's kindergarten class was going to have a valentines gift exchange party on Friday. There are 18 kids in the class. 

I ordered little colorful pens, and over the course of the week, Bobby, Papa and I worked on drawing and coloring tigers, pirate ships, lions, robots, elephants and many more for 18 cards for Bobby boy's class. We then stuck a pen and a candy inside each card. We made a special card for his teacher with a princess in a ball gown. I was so excited for valentines day!

On the other hand with little miss Haana, valentine's day snuck up. Also, now being a teenager no mass cards' exchange was on the cards, thank god! She took some good chocolate for her friends from home. But when I picked her after school on valentine's day, 2 little pink tote bags came along and sat in the seat with her. I asked her who they were. So, one was from her bestie Cora. She had written the most sweetest letter to little miss Haana about their friendship and their quirks,  and the times they have shared together! Cora had also filled the tote bag with little miss Haana's favorite candy Reese. 

The other tote bag was from a boy!!!Is it Hamilton, I asked? And she said yes! We both giggled!! First valentine's day card from a boy! It was very giggle-worthy! Hamilton had gotten many candies and small toys and small legos to fill the tote bag, along with a self made card and envelope. It was super cute! I aww-ed, and demanded to see the letter. Little miss Haana read it to me and we giggled some more! 

This was a momentous valentine's day for all of us!

Dhikchik

No words for this... 

other than dhik-chik

Pay It Forward

Bobby's and his neighborhood "Bro" Ryan have been playing together all weekend. All day today they were in and out of our house. Riding their bikes or scooter in the garage lane and then coming back inside to grab a snack (multiple batches of air fryer French fries!) and then running back outside. Ryan's mom says he prefers eating at our house better than his own! And in fact for weekend lunch, he's becoming a regular at the dining table. 

I remember growing up, I had a seemingly lifelong friend Anusha Mani. We used to hang out together in the weekday evenings and weekends. During summer break her grandmother used to be around and much of my summer breaks used to be spent at her place. Her grandma used to cook, and specially keep things for me. Food at her place was very different from mine cause their family was originally from a different part of India (tamilnadu) and so, their meals looked and tasted nothing like ours'. I remember fondly her place and her grandma! So when Ryan eats with us, it feels like nice :)! Is this what paying it forward means?

Nothing Is Still There

Little miss Haana and I were cuddling together, chilling for a few minutes after dinner yesterday. I had put mascara on my eyelashes that morning. 

A couple months back little miss Haana and I had gone to one of her favorite stores nearby that has cosmetics. We bought a mascara for each of us. But after I tried it, I didn't think it worked great. So I got another one for myself, that I liked much better. Little miss Haana still liked the one she got from her favorite store. Mostly because it was from her favorite store, I think!

She asked me which mascara I used. I told her it was the one I bought later. 

She said mine has a more voluminous effect. But hers' lasts longer and doesn't clump up. Even at the end of a long day and even if she's rubbed her eyes during the day, it just doesn't smudge at all. 

I should've not said anything at all after that. But then I said, "You know what else stays on forever? What gives a not- even-there effect and stays on for the longest without clumping or smudging?". "What?". "Nothing! Nothing stays on n on, and doesn't even wash off! No smudging. And its completely waterproof! See it's still there, even after washing! After the whole day and washing n rubbing. Nothing is there!". We laughed and laughed, and then she said "You're such a meanie mumma!". When all I said was the truth!

Bro Gang

Bobby boy now has some friends in the neighborhood. A couple houses down one way is Ryan, and a couple houses down the other way is Zuhair. They call each other Bro. So they are the Bro gang. 

Zuhair is in Bobby's school too (but not in the same class). Today coming back from school Bobby boy told me he and Zuhair met at recess and decided they will play at his house after school. I nodded, but then I protested, "I was not consulted when this program was being made". So Bobby boy smoothly reminded me, I was not actually invited (since I'm not in the Bro gang)! Because I'm not a boy! (Eye roll)

Not A Snow Day, It Was A Snow Week

Last week was momentous here. Last Friday night a cold weather system was going to take the temperatures to a deep dive. There was a significant chance of freezing rain and snow flurries on Saturday. Chance of snow is music to my ears! 

It rained sleet all day Saturday.  But no snow. Then late night on Saturday and then Sunday, there was finally some snow. Everything was white outside. It was bitter cold. Dulce was the first to explore but then after a couple minutes came running back home. I wondered if Dulce remembers last year. 

Last year it snowed several inches. There were snow ball fights. Bad people (Bobby, Haana) had ganged up together to get me with snowballs! Their alliance feel apart when i responded with vengeance and snowball prowess! Then we all snowballed Dulce doggo together. But he put his long legs to good use and was able to dodge most and take off galloping. Only to return with full speed and wagging trail. Nana (maternal grandpa) came out to play in the snow too! Later, Raj, Bobby boy and little miss Haana tried to put together a snowman. But Dulce, in his excitement jumped on it and that was the end of that snowman. Later we all built another one in our backyard. A bigger better one. And this one had a cap, a scarf and a carrot nose. Only, Dulce doggy took off with much of his nose soon. Nana and nani took pictures with our snowman, as did we all!

This year was different though. It was more sleet than snow, so it wasn't snow-fight-worthy! But Bobby boy's friend Ryan's mom came by and offered to take them sledging in a small sledge she had! The boys played outside, sliding their bikes and scooters on the ice! Bobby even tried to fall so he could slip and slide on the ice! I wasn't so hot with the prospect of slipping or sliding, thank you very much! 

Little miss Haana was getting a bit stir crazy by Sunday, so proposed we walk to a Boba tea place around the corner. Usually just a 5 minute walk from our place. But i wondered if it will be open in such a weather. She insisted she's already checked online. So off we bundled up and went. Later Raj and Dulce doggo joined too. Doggo enjoying running around as always and ferreting bunnies in the grass wherever we went (he catches none). It took us a good 20 minutes to reach the Boba place in the snow and ice. And that's when we found the place was closed!! Ha ha, no surprise there! We then turned around and started our trek back home. 

The ice stayed around for several days and in fact still lurks around on walkway corners. The school was closed from Monday through Thursday! Both Bobby boy and especially little miss Haana have never smiled so broadly in the evenings everytime we got notified 'school is closed tomorrow'! I stayed home and worked from home which seemed extra busy! I might need a recovery day on Friday after this week! But we parents congratulated each other on school reopening on Friday! It really was a fri-yay! 

Not the usual snow day of this year, but a fun week nevertheless. Of course immensely grateful for power,  heat and water at home. 

The Very First Interview

Yesterday little miss Haana had the very first interview of her life! She has auditioned before, but this was the first interview, really. 20 minutes. 

On the previous night we talked at the dinner table about what kind of questions she can expect and what she wants to talk about during the interview. I expected to eavesdrop during the interview obviously. I even knew where i wanted to position myself during the interview so i can hear everything but I'm not on the camera. A fly on the wall location. I will be sitting on the chair next to little miss Haana's table in her room.

The next morning it had snowed slightly and Bobby's friend showed up wanting to play outside. I was helping Bobby put on his snow pants, then snow jacket, then socks, shoes, gloves before he steps outside. But by the time i was done with him and headed upstairs, the interview had already begun and I wasn't in my eavesdrop location!!

The door to her room was almost shut but just a slightly ajar. I decided the camera must be on her, so I will be able to quietly sneak in and go along the far wall of the room to sit on the chair without being visible on camera. I got down on my hands and knees just to be safe. Surely the camera is focusing higher on her face and the wall behind her. But just as I was creeping through the door on my hands n knees (mortified to even write this, but in reality not at all out of character for me at home), little miss Haana laughs during the interview and says "Hello mother!". I knew I had been made. It probably didn't help that i was wearing a bright red jacket that could be used to stop 4 way traffic!. So i got up on my feet and waved a hello (and goodbye) and got out of the room and moved the door to close (but still slightly ajar as before). I sat outside the door on the stair leading up to her room, listening in to the interview. After a few minutes Raj hissed at me from downstairs, asking me what am I doing sitting there. I gesticulated I'm listening to her. He shook his head and disappeared, only to come back in a couple minutes with a cup of chai for me to sip sitting on the stairs.

Soon it was over and miss Haana came outside giggling. She said she knew I was right there cause she could hear my chai cup from inside. We started talking about the interview but Raj called out that he wants in on all the scoop too. So we headed downstairs. Little miss Haana couldn't stop laughing as she started to tell Raj how mom was caught on camera during the interview crawling into her room, and how the interviewer could see mom crawling in too! And how hilarious it was!! They all laughed. We all laughed. In fact the image of seeing someone crawling in to the room, on hands and knees, during a meeting is hard to shake off!! Can you imagine?! I'm part mortified and part can't stop laughing at that picture! She says she'll never let me forget it.. (groan!)

Doggy Play Date

Most days nowadays Bobby boy plays with Dulce after dinner. They play tag. Sometimes they run behind the same toy. Dulce lets Bobby grab the toy from him and run away, and then he runs behind Bobby wagging his tail in excitement! Sometimes when Bobby grabs holds of a toy and refuses to play with him, Dulce barks. His friendly bark. "Come on, throw it now!", he seems to be saying. 

Dulce is a good dog! 

The 2025 Goodbye

December 2025 holiday season was great! We spent it chilling at our around the house. 

For the end of the year, Bobby had a Christmas musical at school. All the kindergarteners were reindeers!!

Bobby went on mid morning or late afternoon walks with Dulce prancing in tall grass with his antler headband, looking like a legit reindeer! 

Before Christmas little miss Haana had planned a secret santa with her friends. So we planned a holiday party with most of her friends and their parents. Menu was created, and this time, little miss Haana set up a restaurant store front online, so people could scam qr code on their phone and also place their food order. The order would arrive at the tablet set up in the kitchen, with the item reqested, special instructions and who it was for! Staff (me) could then hand deliver the food once prepared! It was super fun!! With endless chai and mimosas!! Thoroughly enjoyed it!!

Little miss Haana and Bobby boy put together the ginger bread truck with santa in it! It was so reminiscent of the little blue truck series they both love!

All of us played varying degrees of part in building a batch of lego Christmas ornaments for the christmas tree. 

Like every year, Elfie continued to hide in pain sight around the house, but he was discovered way too easily most days!!

Little miss Haana and I started a new tradition of mother daughter (or is it sisters?!) coffee-and-a-book date with each other. We go to a coffee place!

For Christmas, little miss Haana and Raj had a bake off where they each made a puff pastry and I was the judge to decide which one is the best! I was so enjoying my drink!

Little miss Haana and I cooked together from scratch (with no scrimages or full blown fights) for Raj's birthday dinner. It was an east Asian cuisine - Japanese miso soup, vietnamese fresh spring rolls and Cantonese crispy fried rice. 

We had our annual goat biryani and curry also all from scratch courtesy Raj for the new years' lunch! This was a long lunch because everyone wanted to take just one more tiny serving. 

But somewhere during the holidays I decided to renew my friendship with art. I've been wanting to make a new piece for awhile. We visited a nearby park one afternoon and the slanted rays of the sun against the majestic trees is just what i needed! Asked little miss Haana to take some pictures. This is what I'm going to make, i decided. With heavy artistic liberties, of course! When I finally got around to it, Bobby boy decided he wants to paint too. 5 year old Bobbys are not easily dealt with when they want to do something. So i had to relent and hand him the loaded brush. And again and again! Bobby did quite a bit and little miss Haana came and added some of her magic on the top right portion. 

In the end, it was a fun fun thing to do, and it turned out beautiful courtesy of both little miss Haana and Bobby boy, it was a joint effort!

The holidays were a fun fun affair!!

I Made It

Upon finding her new lunch box and sidekick soup container don't quite fit her lunch tote bags, little miss Haana found an idea of making a lunch tote. And so she immediately embarked upon making a lunch tote for herself. Bobby boy hung around with her, helping her in any way he could. There was an issue or two that cropped up but were addressed. And a few hours later, voila!! She had her very own lunch tote!! And she posted on the family group, three of my favorite words from her "I made it"! :-D

Santa Ples Don't Eat This Truck

Bobby boy had seen this package of gingerbread truck a while back, and we had bought it. Just before Christmas Bobby and little miss Haana worked on it together to build the gingerbread truck. It reminded me of little blue truck story series we read often!

Having seen how we are supposed to leave cookies and milk for Santa, Bobby left a note on front of the truck for Santa. 

It read "Santa pleas don't eat this truck"!!