Are We Gonna Be Friends Again

This week little Miss Haana got in some trouble at home. I got really mad at her. She got an earful. A few minutes later she came up to me and asked, "Mumma, are we gonna be friends again?". I was still very mad, and even though I was melting inside, I held on. I said, "I'm still mad at you". She shrunk away.

A bit later it was bed time. Without saying anything, I got into bed and picked up our reading book, getting ready to do our bed-time reading. She cuddled up to me and said, "Mumma, i thought we are never going to be friends again". I hugged back and said, "But Gugu! Mumma always loves you, even when I'm mad at you. Just like you love Mumma even when we have a fight!". By this time, the hugs are more intense - she's climbed over on top of me quite literally. And now her tummy is on my face! I remind her I can't possibly read with her tummy on my face. "Oh ya, I forgot", she said with a giggle.

I start reading. We are all smiles.

Judging the Book by the Cover

Judging by the size, little Miss Haana is the tiniest child for her age. This becomes even more apparent in her new elementary school, where almost all other kids, are way bigger than her. When I see her in a group of kids, she's this tiny little frail thing, that might fly away if you blow too hard.

But, as with most other things in life, it's whats inside that matters more ultimately. Miss Haana is no frail at spirit. As witnessed daily with high octave fights between mother and daughter, she's not lacking in passion, opinion or just pure sass. Yet ever since kindergarten started, I've fixated on how much she's eating and how that's hardly enough. And then every once in a while I realize regardless of her size, or maybe in spite of it, she's just so simply amazing.

The other day we went to PinStack which is a bowling alley but has other games and stuff too. It had rock climbing walls that Miss Haana stood in line for. But, looking at her, the attendant said the minimum weight requirement is 40lb. She made her stand on the weighting scale and Miss Haana was 36lb. Poor Haana was very disappointed. So, we turned to another section where they had a high rope course - ropes tied up 20 feet high in several different patterns, and tests the wits and agility by criss-crossing the ropes with a harness on. The first time i got up on a rope 20 feet high, i momentarily froze! But then one step next to the other, and it was exhilarating. Little Miss Haana wanted to try it. We all got in our harnesses, Miss Haana went first, I was right behind her. I was expecting she will freeze up there initially too, like i did on a previous occasion. But, she didnt. She looked to make sure I'm coming, and I told her I'm right behind her. But then, she didn't look back, didn't hesitate, didn't freeze. She just kept on going. She didn't say she was scared.

And for a minute I marveled at that. I marveled  at how her spirit is much much larger than her tiny frame. And I'm good with that!

Gerald and Piggie

Mo Williams , I just learnt, is a basketball player. Mo Williams (a different person) is also a great children's story book writer. His books are a series of events/ stories enacted by two friends - Piggie, a wittie, determined, impulsive, bubbly little pink pig; and Gerald, the cautious, calculated, calm, quiet, well-meaning, big elephant. It's an unexpected friendship and the book series covers different events that happen between these friends; mostly as dialogues between them. 

Little Miss Haana was first introduced to the Piggie and Gerald books when she was maybe 2 years old. Daddy got some books then.

Lately we found a huge stash of them at the library last weekend, and little Gugu and I started a new game:

Now we are into role playing. Little Miss Haana is the Piggie and I am Gerald. The only catch is: she has to read her part by herself when we role play!

But, expectedly, the roles we play extend even though we run out of pages to read. While Miss Haana reminds me how Gerald is always the good guy, and I shouldn't hug her too tightly or tickle her (not something Gerald would do); I also replay (several times over) how Piggie and Gerald hug in the book! Best book ever!

:)

The Entire Book

Day before yesterday was a day to go down in history as the day little Miss Haana read her very first book completely by herself. All by herself. A 16 paged book titled Al!

I'm extremely proud!! 

The book is about Al- a crocodile who likes making friends and eating icecreams. Two completely relatable things! 

A huge credit of course goes to the new teacher at school for their class who is focused on teaching these little things how to read and write- Miss Scott! Her drive and dedication is evident in work done at school and home work to take home. Her commitment to ensure she teaches her students the essential life skills of reading and writing is appreciated very much! As a 4 year old parent, I have developed this enormous sense of gratefulness and appreciation for good, devoted teachers. Kudos to them!

The Future is Suhaana - Part 2

I admit it. There are household chores I hate but have to get done every so often. The chore I hate the most will be a closely contested competition between doing laundry, tidying, ironing... Even coming up with this list is getting painful!

But then I saw glimmers of hope today. 

Today Miss Haana was sitting on the bed with a t-shirt and pants waiting to be worn. I was busy checking something online when I noticed the baby was busy by herself. She had her big, fat mermaid book of poems with her. And then she erupted with: "Hot!!" What was she doing?

Well here's what: 

She was laying the t-shirt and her pants flat on the bed. Once she made sure they were really flat, she got her big, fat mermaid book. That was her iron! And she was ironing her t-shirt and pants and exclaiming at how they were both "hot" once she had finished ironing! We couldn't help but laugh in amazement. We don't even let her be around in the closet while ironing usually, but obviously someone has been watchful! 

When I finally got over my amazement and delight; and was able to stop laughing, I couldn't help but casually mention to the little Miss Haana- you know baby, Mumma has several shirts that need ironing, but no pressure :) Did I mention I was on a recruiting spree? 

Don't Cry

When Raj ordered for a batch of books for Miss Haana, he didn't expect what she'll say when she reads/sees it:

"Piggy crying."

And then:

"Don't" "cry" "Piggy"!

:)

Twice In One Week

This week I decided to take Suhu to a book store. It's one of my favorite places to be. Suhaana had never been to one yet.. But it's part of my new strategy of introducing little baby to new places. This was also a sans-stroller trip (I'd forgotten it at home) so I was a little wary if Suhu would be cherry picking disgusting grime from the carpet and all my time would be spent telling her not.

But here we were anyway. As soon as we reached our destination (baby book section) and she disembarked from my arms, it was pure glee - for both of us!

She was just ecstatic there were so many things at her eye and arm level - aisle upon aisle of books - such multicolored mosaics. She would go and take one out from display.. Leave it and run into another aisle. There were people too - who'll waive her hello. She'd hold her arm up, all fingers wide open, rotate it a bit and run to check if Mama's still where Suhu left her. There were buckets full of plush toys too. She could take one, look at it, laugh at it, leave it and move to baby books, then into the young fiction section and turn into the hobby aisle....

I had so much fun too.. For one, Suhu was enjoying herself in one of my favorite places was a reward in itself. But also 'cause I get so fascinated with cute colorful baby books myself- The Little Blue Truck and The Jungle book with a board game too, A Little Tiger book.. Oh just so much fun!

How time flies. Now you know why it was twice in one week.