Small Things#22 – GHEE MAN!

‘Ghee Man’ is a brand new superhero conceptualized and created by my third grader and kindergartener. And the tag line goes – Ghee Man and the masters of the food-verse.

Fun Facts About the Desi Ghee Man

1. He is from Ghee planet.

2. He saves the world by throwing sticky ghee on bad guys.

3. His ghee rockets make him fly ( like Ironman).

4. He has muscles 50 ft high because of Ghee power.

5. He likes to visit and travel to Ghee-verse.

6. His favorite channel is Ghee18.

7. His favorite activity is coloring with yellow – Ghee color

(Ghee means clarified butter in Hindi and is regularly used in South Asian cooking.)

This morning, the kids got the idea while eating ‘Aloo Parathas’ cooked in Ghee. They even quickly made their own versions of the mighty Ghee Man. The one above is by older one and this one is by little brother.

The idea of this desi Ghee Man by the kids is quite funny and appealing. It also made me a little nostalgic about the summer holidays coming to an end. I’ll miss their sparkling ideas, fun moments, hugs and the kisses.

My little one would start formal schooling and one important chapter in the life of this SAHM (stay at home mom) will close. Taking care of school going kids is one thing but having small children to care for day and night is quite another. I had the good fortune of enjoying it to the core, of course, with all its challenges and demands. I will miss that!

Well, excuse my ramblings… and I really do hope you liked knowing about the new superhero – the glorious Ghee Man!

Small Things#19 – Mona Lisa through a Kid’s Eyes

The art room in my kids’ school has a Mona Lisa painting. The little one especially has great interest in the famous lady as he feels that her eyes moves around. So, a little conversation took place between us to decode Mona Lisa and here is what the four-year-old thinks of the painting.

Me – Is Mona Lisa happy or sad in the painting?

LO – She is creepy… no… wait, creepy-smiley. She is happy but looks creepy too. She is not sad at all.

Me – What do you think is her age?

LO – She is 56 year old grown up.

Me – What is the best part of her face.

LO – Her lips! It’s just a line. And her eyebrows are down touching her eyes. She is always staring but if there is a staring contest, I will win.

Me – What else?

LO – She is wearing black and has a dupatta (veil) and her skin is yellow. See, mine is tan. She is standing by a mountain.

Me – What is she thinking about?

LO – She is thinking of herself.

Me (showing the painting of Mona Lisa on phone) – Do you want her painting in your room?

LO – (Runs away) She is creepy…nooooooo!

Images courtesy Google

Just A Thought – Humor

Take light! Humor can brighten up the darkest path and carry you through the most solemn ‘No Entry’ zones. So, if you’re facing roadblocks or you’re stuck at an intersection or a dead end, try laughter. The journey will be a lot lighter and you never know, the road might get altered altogether. Sending loads of good cheer, smiles and laughter your way!

(Image – Google)

Small Things#14 – Ideal routine by a kid

While my seven year old is looking for physical changes that the New Year might have brought in him and others, with comments like – ‘Mamma, my nose looks bigger in 2019’, his kid brother has been talking about ideal routine for little kids.

Have a look at the IDEAL routine, based on his inputs –

1) Wake up, have chocolate milk

2) Play until breakfast

3) Bathing time then TV time or Ipad time

4) Lunch

5) Playing with brother time

6) Milk Time

7) Movie Time

8) Dinner Time

9) Sleep Time

“When is the study time?,” I asked him. “Playtime is study time for kids, Mamma,” he explained. Well, ahem, okay, ahaa!

(Image – Google)

Small Things#13 – Flying Kisses

Few days back, I had a delightful talk with the little one. I asked him, “When you, Vava (big brother) and Papa go to school and office, who will take care of mamma?” Pat came the reply, “Mamma, my kisses will take care of you! I’ll leave enough kisses flying around at home and send some from school too. The kisses will sit near the kitchen window and make you feel happy.” I laughed at the heart warming thought.

As the season of merriment and the New Year arrives, I wish we all receive such pure, luminous baby kisses in abundance to protect us from all evil and darkness. Wishing you many, many of such flying kisses always!

(Image courtesy Google)

Small Things#12 – Man Kid!!!

Last weekend, the kids were playing in a park close to baseball and soccer fields. And I was busy finishing some artwork on a nearby bench, when the little one came running towards me at full speed. Excitedly he pointed out towards a bunch of baseball players who had decided to hang out in the kids’ park. I saw my elder one as well as other younger kids stop and look at them with interest.

‘Mamma, look, do you see him? The MAN KID!!!

Man Kid?? It was then I realized he has never dealt with the likes of them before. He has always been with either kids or grown ups. They confused him, hence the words – Man Kid!

I smiled, looked at those dynamic boys and girls, bustling with energy and excitement with care a hoot attitude, and whispered to the little one – they are called teenagers!!!

Images courtesy Google

Small Things#11 – Magic in our neighborhood!

This Summer not only flowers but magic blossomed in our neighborhood.

Driveways got filled with chalk art and innocent secrets were shared. Every beetle was observed and ants ran for cover as little scientists scaled the grounds. Stories happened and games got invented! There were nasty fights, cuts and falls but all was forgotten.

There were songs sung in chorus and amazing dance moves! There were dirty hands, feet as well, and soaked muddy shoes. Round eyes laughed and ruddy cheeks sparkled as they got engaged in charming chatter.

I saw stars in their wild hair and music in the shrieks. Imaginary characters came to life and so much was make belief.

Yes, I saw it all from my brown chair…experiencing it all like lines of an old prayer.

Many many years back, I was a part of the magic… now, sadly, just an observer!

Small Things#7 – Here is why all Ladybugs are old!

A conversation with my son made me look at Ladybugs in a different light. Ladybugs are real old, mamma,” he said observing a Ladybug on a leaf in the patio. “Why, what made you think so?, I asked him curiously.

“There are two reasons,” he explained in his American accent. “First, beee…cuz their name starts with Lady. And aren’t all ‘Ladies’ suppose to be old…? And second, look…how slowly they crawl! Really slow…!” He imitated the cute Ladybug.

All I could say while trying not to smile was – Good Observation!

Image courtesy Google

Small Things # 7 – Positive Reinforcement

I was pleasantly surprised to notice this paper in my son’s folder. See how the class teacher (Mrs Abrahamson, First Grade) has circled the best ‘S’ in the handwriting page instead of pointing out at not so good ones. What a small yet enormously effective way to reaffirm positive behavior! And what we do is the other way round – find faults and punish. Simply loved this and learnt from it!

Small Things # 6 – The Recipe of Lemon9

When my husband returned from office, the little one jumped around him in excitement and shared – “Vava (that’s what he calls his dada or big bro) made something today.”

“I made lemonade!,” declared the older one.

“Great job,” said their father. “And what are you going to make?,” he asked the little one.

“Lemon9, because Vava made Lemon8,” he lisped confidently!

Any ideas on the recipe of Lemon9? LOL!

Images courtesy Google

Daylight Savings Fun!

I had no idea what daylight savings was before coming to the US in November few years back. And soon after, when I was asked to set our clocks one hour back, it baffled and tickled me. 

I still don’t get the concept behind it though, but love it when the clocks go back. So, yesterday was our daylight savings day and from now, if it is 10:30 am in the morning here, it will be aprox 10.00pm at night in India. Cool, isn’t it! It will stay like this until Spring and then the clocks will move one hour ahead. Baffling, yes and fun too!

Images courtesy Google

Mrs Nobody

I know a funny little woman,

As quiet as a mouse,

Who does the mischief that is done,

In my humble house!

Oh, how she loves to scatter things,

When I’m on a cleaning spree.

And makes sure the phone rings,

To watch me harrowed, with glee!

She makes the utensils jump down,

From the cupboards up overhead,

Startling my new guests in town,

Who rush to save my head.

She likes to haunt my closets too,

And ransacks it into a mess.

Therefore, It’s a terrible woe,

To find a fine, decent dress!

The monster laundry glares at me,

For she piles it high and mighty!

And makes sure I’m never free

To blog or chat away idly!

She drops hair and stains the kitchen,

For me to clean and fix.

Oh how I curse the naughty vixen,

But she loves her little tricks.

As I try to make the chapati round,

She leaves the tap running.

At times, I hear the alarm’s sound,

And rush to see what’s burning!

I don’t know how she does that,

But the house key goes missing,

Whenever we have to go out,

For some fun and fishing.

Despite, all the trouble folks,

I kinda love the dear lady.

She sure knows how to make us laugh,

And things often end in comedy.

“Oh, o, you must be better organized,”

Remarks my loving Honey,

But he doesn’t believe when I say,

“It isn’t me, it’s MRS NOBODY.”

(Inspired by the great poem – Mr Nobody, one of my favorites, written by an anonymous poet. Do you also have a Mrs Nobody in your house?)

Images courtesy Google