The Bathroom

Miss Haana and I went to an Indian fast food place yester-evening. It was cloudy, had been raining all day, and was the kind of day you want to have some fried snacks with hot chai! Or it may just be me hungry in the evening.

Luckily, this place had a vending machine with small knick-knack toys for kids. I paid 50 cents and got us a small plastic container that housed a 2 inch tall plastic monkey. 

As soon as the monkey was turned over to the little girl it was greeted to a big heart warming honey-dripping-sweet hug. He may have had a few kisses slipped to him before I interjected and objected to it. Then, she and the monkey shared a variety of activities. 

The monkey shared the snacks that Mumma had shared with the little girl. Then, once full, Monkey did some walking on the table (courtesy Miss Haana). The walk was followed by jumps and then hops. More hugs followed. And more super high jumps. Monkey and she shared some secrets (that I wasn't made privy to). The monkey was sent to Mumma (he came to my side of the table briefly) and then was hurriedly called back (he's not safe there).

Then Monkey and her, had a falling off (Monkey was made to stand with his back facing the little girl on the far side of the table). Patch up followed and he was called back again.

Finally Monkey had been out and about just a little too long. He was sent back to his plastic chambers - he had to go to the bathroom! 

Then, Mumma thinks, he might have gotten a stomach bug because for the rest of the evening Monkey kept on coming out and then going right back to the bathroom! 

Monkey is still in the bathroom as we speak, but he's doing okay- or so he says. I'm not going in :)

Doll House

I went to pick up Suhaana from the home day care where she spends her days these days and like everyday found myself in the middle of a new story. The lady's younger 4 year old daughter has recently acquired a 3 story doll house. It features bathroom and sitting area on the first floor, an elevator to get to the second floor, staircase in case of emergency, bedroom with a bed, mattress, pillows, carpet, a sitting area and balcony on the third floor. Basically, the works!

The 4 year old was aching to show 'Aunty' (me) her doll house. When we got to it, and I was marveling at the sophistication of her doll house, Suhaana was busy appreciating it on her own as well.  For starters, the concept of a doll has not exactly crossed her mind, and she hasn't seen anyone even smaller than her, so the 2 inch wide chair has to fit her somehow. Poor girl kept trying to sit on the chair, then the table (also 2 inch wide), but couldn't fathom why she doesn't fit. Then there were the stairs. She knew the stairs, and these ones are not even barricaded behind gates like the ones at home! She tried to keep her foot on the miniature stairs, but unlike the ones at home (and everywhere else), her single foot now spanned as many as 4 stairs! How could that be?

Finally when it was clear Suhaana cannot climb the doll house stairs, she settled and let the little doll climb the stairs. But then, it looked just too good to be true - stairs or not, she was going in. So she did what she does everyday at home on the couch. She climbed up-  on the second floor of the doll house - she, barely able to sit up in it; we, barely able to keep a straight face as we watched her get into the doll house!! It was hilarious! Finally only when Mumma was leaving the room and the possibility that Mommy might leave her and go home surfaced in her mind, did she grudgingly left the doll house alone and left the room.

I have a feeling - I see doll houses in my future!