Casting Bobby

In July, Bobby boy had an adventure, and so did everyone else. Playing on the playing ground, attempting to jump off from about 4 feet high platform, he fell on the wood chips below. He was crying when i got to him, holding his left arm. I picked him up and got him to the car, thinking he's just rattled. The boy has high pain tolerance. He was still crying in the car, then most of the way back home. Every movement to his arm, and he was very uncomfortable. I realized he needs to see a doctor and get xrays right away. It was Friday night 830pm. With me was Bobby n miss Haana's Godfather Keith, who stays back at home with Haana n doggo, while me and bobby drove to emergency. Raj had just gone to India a few days back. 

Bobby was still in discomfort and pain when we got to emergency room at 9pm. They gave him painkillers, did xrays, put him in a splint, did xrays again. Both bones in the left arm were broken, they said. But with the arm in a splint, Bobby was not in pain or discomfort anymore. They advised to see a orthopedic doctor on Monday. We came back home at midnight. Sleepy, and very tired from the day's events. 

Next week, i called around and secured an appointment on Monday afternoon with an orthopedic doctor. More waiting rooms and xrays later when we saw her, she said they bones are twisted so they cannot be put in q cast as they are. They may require rods to straighten the bones as they set. Children's bones start healing quickly. She recommended seeing a pediatric orthopedic surgeon right away. It was a day full of anxiety, as i started looking up doctors right away. When i got to see the pediatric ortho surgeon, they took more xray and finally gave me some good news. Turns out children's bones have an uncanny ability to straighten out as they heal. He showed me several before n after pictures with children not needing surgeries, only a cast that is moulded to support the bone to straighten out. It was a welcome news not thinking of an operation (and anaesthesia) for just a 4 year old baby. They sent us to the cast office where the technician put the wet cast and then applied pressure for 2 minutes to mold it. This was painful for Bobby, and those 2 minutes seemed like a millenia. After they were done, we couldn't wait to get out! We had to return back for xrays every week for 3-4 weeks, get a change in cast, then come back after 4 weeks. And that we did!

Next week Bobby's cast comes off! And i'm looking forward to it! But who knows what kind of hand is inside the cast after almost 8 weeks! Could it be a dinosour arm? A monkey arm like curious George? Could it be a bird arm with feathers? Could it be a spider arm long and spindly? We have been talking about it but we will have to wait till next week to find out!

Guided Tour

Little Bobby boy loves going to the play ground. But he doesn't just do it all alone, Bobby boy takes his beloved monster ball along for the ride. 

Yesterday at the party ground, Bobby took his monster ball, climbed up the stairs in the playground, sat the monster ball down on the side, and pushed. The little ball went rolling down the slide in a hurry,  then flopped down amongst the wood chips! Bobby boy giggled and went down the slides himself. 

Then,  the little boy took his monster ball over to the swings. Kept the ball at the swing, and slowly and gingerly pushed the swing. The ball flopped down in stead. 

Bobby boy proceeded to show the monster ball other fun things around the play ground. The ball got a good guided tour! 

Big Kid School

My little girl Haana goes to elementary school for Kindergarten on Monday. Can't believe where time has flown by. And I still remember the day I got back from the hospital with a little baby, and I was showing her the house. And now she's all ready to go to a big elementary school. Cool as a cucumber, she's actually looking forward to the new, big school. I am alone in my misery of time fleeting too soon, and my little girl going on to another big milestone of her life, away from me.

Earlier in the summer, little Miss Haana had tested for what the school district calls LEAP program - for exceptionally gifted child. LEAP, an acronym for Leading Exceptional Academic Producers, is a self-contained program for the exceptionally gifted child. I was on the fence for the testing. My little girl is the most wonderful, amazing person. She is exceptional in her command on the language; written, spoken and reading. She was speaking full sentences when she was 2 years old. She's tenacious, and even though I die inside when someone (other than me) says something mean to her, she has an inner strength that is otherwise called a somewhat-thick-skin. I know her strengths, I know her weaknesses. She is one of the most amazing persons I know. Even though she's a little thing, she has a BIG personality.

For none of the above, do I need a school or a board or a test to tell me how my daughter is. Part of my hesitation with school is to let an institution and teachers and other kids be able to tell her what she is and is not. I do realize, most of that is not avoidable. As a parent my job is not to solve everything for her or to have her in a perfect environment. But to encourage her to question, and evaluate for herself. It is easier said than done. We decided to have her test for the program primarily to keep her challenged at school. There were 2 rounds of 3.5 hour tests, from where little Miss Haana would come out prancing like a butterfly in a garden of flowers. All our questions about "What was asked" came back with vague useless answers. I had prepared her "portfolio", a folder of some of her work in and out of the Montessori. The children who get tested for this program, and who qualify for GT level, get specialized instructions/classes in their home schools. Then, the children who qualify for a higher LEAP level, are admitted to the LEAP school specifically for exceptionally gifted kids. The result came out late summer and little Miss Haana had been deemed exceptionally gifted and is one of 9 children selected this year for the Kindergarten class at the LEAP school. We are proud parents.

School begins from this coming Monday, so, I decided Miss Haana and I will spend some quality mom and daughter time this Friday. We started our Friday lazily, playing Deep Diver video game that looks like it was created at least 30 years back, in bed. Laughing, giggling, screaming whether the diver was getting all the gold coins or was being eaten by the red octopus. Finally, we got out of bed, and got ready. We headed for brunch to Original Pancake House for some pancakes and strawberry syrup. It was a beautiful day, unusually pleasant for late august here. We headed to park. We first went to a small park at the historical district with gazebos, arched walk ways, quaint little benches under shaded trees. Then we headed to another small park with a playground, with swings overlooking a canal with small bridges and winding pathways, trees perfect for climbing, slides. I hung out on a tree branch while watching little Miss Haana make friends with other kids. Soon we were both thirsty and I knew it was time to move on to the next activity for the day. We headed first to a gas station and got us a bottle of orange juice, and then headed to the movie theater to watch the new movie - Leap - about a young orphan girl with a dream of becoming a ballet dancer. Little Miss Haana loved the movie, she was getting off her chair and showing me the various ballet positions and moves for much of the movie!

Friday was also the day for the new school's meet and greet parents and teachers night. We headed to the school later that evening with dad too. It was a mad house! I found myself smirking "Welcome to the Jungle" to myself. It was a big school (big in comparison to the small Montessori the little girl has been going to). We met her teacher, and found her desk at the classroom with her name already on it. I asked Miss Haana, the chair next to her was empty, if I should join her at school too. It's a big school, and surely they can accommodate 1 more student in their class. Miss Haana politely refused. We received lots of flyers, information, other parents got introduced, forms got filled. And finally we came out full of wonder, excitement, fear, controlled panic and pride.

We headed for dinner where we ran into friends of ours' (and Miss Haana's) we hadn't met in sometime. We had dinner together while the girls played, and finally headed home. It was good day. I'm still not ready for Monday. But that's just me!

Timing is Everything

I have my timing all messed up.

Miss Haana had not been spending  as much time at her montessori school during the summer. Both sets of grand parents had been visiting. So when they left, she was to go back to school. Back to her usual routine of 8-9 hours at school. And of course, as with all transitions, this one was not going easy.

Day one after the grand parents left, daddy dropped miss Haana to school as usual. I came back from work to pick her up between 530-545pm. When I opened the door to the classroom to pick her up, I could tell she was really unhappy. Almost teary eyed, she said, "Why are you so late mumma!". Her teacher told me she's been waiting for me since a long time.  I felt like I was dying inside. I hugged her and kissed her all over as I always do when I pick her up.

The next day, I came around 515-530. Still the same reaction. It really bothered me. And again I felt so guilty inside.

I decided to make some schedule changes.  I figured i could go to work early and then pick her up much earlier, and that should be better.  I would still not be picking her up at  3 like she was used to. But it's going to be way better than 530.

The next morning i woke up early and was going to leave for work in the morning (1.5 hours earlier than my usual time), and little miss Haana said something to the effect that she wants me to pick her up during playground time. I dismissed it as a nice-to-have. And soon forgot my instructions.

But i shouldn't have. 

When i reached school to pick her up (I'd been rushing to make it sooner to pick her up. Imagining in my mind the picture of a teary eyed little baby waiting on me..). When i entered the classroom, she looked at me and was instantly extremely disappointed.  She said, "nooo mumma!", and slouched. What was going on i wondered.
"You had to come during the playground time. We have not even formed the line (to go to playground yet)". And with that, she started crying.

I couldn't believe it. She's crying cause I came too early. I knew better than to disturb this delicate balance of picking up schedules. So I said I'll wait on her till she gets to the playground. She went out to the playground with her class. I stuck around in the classroom. I watched her from the windows, wondering what games they play. I stalked her for a bit, till I figured its safe to venture out again.

Finally, I picked her up from the playground, just as decided, and we came  back home happily ever after!

Negotiation Skills

Hey Gugu are you ready to go home? - I asked after spending quite some time on the playground this evening.
No mumma.
5 more minutes?
10! (Both hands and and fingers spaced out for effect).
5, I insisted.
10, she dug in.
6.
10.
Fine, 7, I said closing the deal.
Ok fine.

I'm proud of my negotiation skills!

Mighty Girl

The little girl and her daddy went to the playground in the evening. Here's what happened when they got there:

A couple of older girls were playing on a couple of slides. They were going down the slides. Then climbing up the slides, then going down again. Then sliding backwards then forward.. Little Miss Haana was interested! In the slides, yes, and in the older girls too. She kept watching them, enjoying their antics. She usually watches older kids with interest and curiosity. But in a few minutes, she was itching to slide down the slide herself. But there was a problem. The older girls were hogging the slides. The little girl kept watching. She met up with a friend of hers' at the playground too. And both the little girls watched the older girls have fun at the slides.

Finally little Miss Haana had had enough of the watching game. She climbed up the stairs of the slides and talked to the older girls. In no uncertain terms and withy authority, she said "Hey guys, you need to share the slides. You need to share.". One of the older girls was quite stunned by the direct approach, and quickly gave way to the little girls to play on the slides.

For the rest of the evening, the two little girls played the slides, ran around the playground, climbed up and down the stairs.

I was so proud of my mighty little girl to stand up for what she felt. 

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school - for both the school and little Miss Haana. And I am delighted to report they both had a wonderful time. 

We had been prepping he little girl for the change by telling her she will go to a new school soon. And finally the big day arrived. This morning Dad went to drop her to school. I was anxious she may feel distraught and would resist being left at a new place. I got a phone call at 9 to report how it went:

Dad took the little girl to her teacher and told her about school. She seemed a little anxious but didn't resist much. As dad left and then watched her classroom on the camera from the school lobby, the little girl looked around to absorb the new surroundings. She listened to the teachers. Went and got herself some toy to play with. She helped and directed another little girl on how to use another toy she was playing with. She had been talking to the other girl when the class was then taken to wash their hands for snack time. She was ahead in the line for washing hands and then was placed on a chair. She grabbed a few bites and milk . She seemed concerned about a couple of other kids who were very unhappy to be there. I could see in my head her itching to go to them and say "Oww, it's alright! It will be fine!"! That's what she would do at home.

Then a few more minutes of toy time. And then the class was lined up for going out to the playground! I thought she would have a blast in the playground- and she did. To begin with, once outside she remembered (not that she ever forgets it) that she, afterall, is a ballerina. So she practiced her twirls and bows and more twirls for a bit. After that she ran around round and round. More gleeful minutes of playground later, Dad decided to leave her there and my live running commentary into her day stopped as well. But I was so releaved that she was having fun.

I had planned to pick her up earlier than usual - a little after 3pm. As I reached the school I saw her teachers outside in the playground. They waved to me. I ran inside- urgently wanting to meet and hug her. We had our usual animated high pitched hug and kiss meet-up routine. It's been maybe a year since I've been picking her up from daycare but our animated pickup routine is still as animated as ever! Disney should take notice of her;-) Very soon, though, she wanted to get out of my grasp to go back to the slides. After one slide down, I was taken (holding by my finger ) to try the other slide. I didn't anticipate this, but I had trouble getting her out of the school to go home. In the end, I had to resort to bribery and tell her we will go to the other slides closer to home. And then we both got into the car and went to the other slides! 

That was Miss Haana's the first day of school.

Picture This

Act 1:
It's a nice, mild sunny early evening. Suhaana and Papa are in the playground. Suhaana is looking for adventures. She loves the outdoors.

Then out there at a distance she sees a used, dirty paper. It calls on the little girl.

She moves towards it. Time for exploration begins.

Act 2:
Suhaana now next to the dirty, greasy paper. Inching towards it now. It's calling to her. She's split seconds away from grabbing at it.

Papa (in as authoritarian tone as can muster): "No! No, baby. No. No playing with paper!"

Suhaana (it's decision time- to move towards the paper or not. To be good or more fun!) (Hesitates.)

Papa (Time to reaffirm) "No, Suhaana".

Suhaana (Ok, maybe don't need paper) (moving on now)
Suhaana (to paper) Bye-bye!

Papa (having trouble keeping a straight face)!!!!

Ants

It was an interesting day today. While the rest of the country, especially the north east turns into a deep freezer, we had a summery 77F out here. That might mean many things to many people, but for me that means Suhaana and I are going out walking in the evening.

Instead of going to our usual playground, we took a detour. Brisk walked (that will have to do for now till I figure out the time slot in my day for some real workout) to a different playground farther off. It had sloping grass patch on which the little girl loved to run around: Climb up the slope, then scuttle down. Then run back up the slope to where Mommy is. Give her a hug, then run back down. Then run up the slope. Come close to Mumma, she's expecting to catch me now, but dodge her and run back down hill..
The little one had a blast!

Then, we packed up from there and headed to another play area- the evening was far from over. More slides to slide on, wood chips to collect and running around to do. I caught up with a friend of mine at the playground while keeping an eye on her. When we were ready to leave, Suhaana came running to me throwing her hands about, fussing. I picked her up and saw her hands, there were several ants sticking to her palm. And in all the throwing her hands about, she wasn't even letting me brush them off. Even when I held her hand tightly, the ants were really stuck on her palm. I was so anxious to get them off and dying inside thinking they must be biting her. Finally all the ants were off and we bid our good byes to my friend and were off headed home. I was expecting the hand to hurt and itch her - but thankfully she was just fine soon after. A hand wash and creme later, there were some damages (mild swelling in the hand), but it could've been so much worse(if it really bothered her).

All's well that ends well!

Cat in the Playground

Today at the playground, Suhaana found a small green cap - of a soft drink bottle. I was watching her from a distance. She was pleased with her findings and flaunted it to me from the distance. Soon the trophy was headed to her mouth. I signaled "No eating!" - from where I was. I call it remote monitoring! She giggled - like this was our shared secret - we both knew this was not to be eaten. We both knew she didn't mean to eat it. We both knew its just too tempting to try to taste it! We both knew!

I called out- "Suhaana, that's a CAP". After a pause, she went "Miao".. And then again and again. More "Miao. Miao. Miao"!
I realized, she thought I said CAT!! It was hilarious because regardless, she kept on miao-wing for a while.