Thanksgiving 2018

                        "There is always something to be thankful for  . "

For the past 6--7 years every year I have worked each year on thanksgiving day. My usual routine is to hit the mall after work. I absolutely enjoy the black Friday sales. I enjoy every bit of any kind of shopping experience for that matter . All these years I do not remember eating a proper dinner on thanksgiving day and never with my family . I usually eat my leftover lunch after work and head straight to the mall snacking on cereal bars as and when needed( I stock those always in my purse ).

This year however was a totally different experience . For a change I was not at work today . Neither did I visit the mall nor did I shop online . Sounds so unreal . Yes I was homebound all day and actually enjoyed every bit of my time spent with family . My parents are here visiting us and hence this Thanksgiving was special to begin with . I tried a new recipe, made some of my favorite dishes and helped mom in the kitchen . Me and my husband ate together peacefully without Toddler K nagging us . It was such a joyous and gratitude filled day . A memorable one indeed . Hope your day was also filled with fun, laughter and gratitude . Here is a beautifully worded message sent by a dear friend Ashwini P . to all of us friends .

"Happy Thanksgiving Girls. When you have food on your plate , a roof on your head , clothes to keep you warm , a family who loves you ….. everything else is just a bonus . All of us have so much more …..and that makes us a happy bunch . Thankful for your friendship and thankful for all the time I"ve spent with you all of you lovely and smart women . God bless you all . "

Happy Thanksgiving !

My Book Club Experience - Part 2

                                   
                        " Happiness is talking about books with friends . "


As you all know from my previous post I have joined a book club. I was super excited to start reading again after a big literary break from adult books. Don't get me wrong . I have been still reading a lot but just with Toddler K.  Dr .Seuss books, Lllama llama , Sandra Boynton books and much more are part of her home library  .

My new book club has been an unbelievably enriching experience . I found like minded readers and made new friends . I picked up and read books that I would have never opted to on my own . Every reader comes to the book club meeting with a different perspective . The discussions are so spirited . It helped me to broaden my horizon and look at a situation from a different angle . The meetings have been a blast . Dedicated readers bring so much new thoughts and views to the table . Sometimes one can better understand a concept when explained by someone else rather than reading it over and over to be confused even more . I have surely expanded my literary horizons and look forward to many such meetings . With amazing discussions, yummy samosas and pakoras to perfectly end with a hot cup of masala tea . What else is like heaven on earth ?

Kargil Vijay Diwas

           "You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice . "


Military life has its own unique set of challenges . With deployment and moving everyday life circumstances become extraordinary situations . Shilpa my dear friend who is a military spouse handles all these day to day circumstances with patience and grace . The couple  (Shilpa and Vikram ) together have some serious tenacity . Shilpa visited the Kargil War memorial in Dras at foothills of Tololing hill . She has beautifully worded her experience from that trip . Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 26 th july . It acknowledges and honors the heroes of Kargil war that got India victory in 1999. The write up is a perfect one to share with you all on occasion of Vijay Diwas today .

आज कारगिल विजय दिवस, 26 जुलै 2018. ठिक 19 वर्षांपूर्वी म्हणजेच 1999 साली याच दिवशी आपल्या वीर सैनिकांच्या धाडसामुळे आपल्याला विजय प्राप्त झाला. आजपर्यंत कारगिल युद्धाच्या बर्याच कहाण्या ऐकल्या आहेत. गुगल वर फक्त कारगिल म्हणून शोधलं तर कित्येक लेख समोर येतात. प्रत्येक लेख वाचताना अभिमान वाटतो. पण मी आज माझ्या कारगिल भेटीचा अनुभव सांगणार आहे. 

                         

                      आत्ता पर्यंत कारगिल विजय दिवसाच्या दिवशी आठवणारे शहिद सैनिकांना मी फक्त पिक्चर मध्येच पाहिले आणि अनुभवले होते. पण यंदा मे महिन्यात त्यांच्या बद्दल पूर्ण पणे जाणून घेण्याचा आणि ह्यात नसून देखील अजूनही तिथे ते असण्याचा आभास घेतला. मी स्वतः एक सैनिक पत्नी असून मला ही कारगिल युद्धा बद्दल तितकेचं माहित होते जितके एखाद्या सामान्य माणसाला. कदाचित थोडं जास्त. कारगिल म्हटले की काही ठराविक नावं लगेच मनात येतात, लेफ्टनंट विक्रम बत्रा, लेफ्टनंट मनोज कुमार पांडे, द्रास, तोलोलिंग शिखर, टायगर हिल आणि AK 47. खरं सांगायचं तर LOC कारगिल सिनेमा पाहिल्यानंतर लेफ्टनंट विक्रम बत्रा म्हटले की अभिषेक बच्चन आणि लेफ्टनंट मनोज पांडे म्हटले की अजय देवगन आठवायचे. पण आता तसे नाही. कारगिल च्या पावन भूमीवर जाऊन आल्यापासून लेफ्टनंट विक्रम बत्रा आणि लेफ्टनंट मनोज पांडे यांचा चेहरा अगदी डोळ्यासमोरून जात नाही. शिवाय कॅप्टन विजय थापर, कॅप्टन अनुज नायर, मेजर पद्मापानी आचार्या, रायफ़लमन संजय कुमार, योगेंद्र सिंग यादव आणि बरीच अशी शहिदांची नावे देखील मनात बसली.

                     आज हा माझा अनुभव लिहिण्याचा एकचं उद्देश आहे, सर्व भारतीय, ज्यांना शक्य आहे त्यांनी एकदा तरी लेह- कारगिल ला भेट द्यावी. आम्ही जेव्हा कारगिल मध्ये पोहचलो तेव्हा वाटेत म्हणजेच श्रीनगर ते कारगिल या वाटेवर बरेच उंच शिखर लागले. लांबुनच टायगर हिल व टोलोलिंग हे पर्वत पाहिले. त्यावेळी कारगिल मध्ये दिवसा 8 ते 10 डिग्री आणि रात्री 1 ते  2 डिग्री तापमान होते. आमचा लहान मोठे मिळून 30 जणांचा ग्रुप होता. 3 वर्षांपासून ते 68 वयापर्यंतचे मेंबर होते. वातावरण लक्षात घेता प्रत्येकाने तीन लेयर मध्ये कपडे घातले होते. आतमध्ये थर्मल्स,  त्यावर नेहमीप्रमाणे जिन्स व शर्ट आणि त्याच्यावर परत जाडसर जॅकेट. शिवाय कानटोपी, हॅन्ड ग्लोव्स, पायमोजे- बूट आणि गाॅगल घातले होते. इतके असून देखील आम्ही सगळे गारठून गेलो होतो. आमचा ट्रिपचा तो दुसराचं दिवस होता. तिथल्या थंडीची आणि अंगाला शहारून जाणार्या सुसाट वार्याची आम्हाला अजून ओळख झाली नव्हती. पण उत्साह देखील तितकाच होता. जेव्हा कारगिल वाॅर मेमोरियल पहायला उतरलो तेव्हा सगळे तरतरीत झाले, जनू काही युद्ध बघायला मिळणार होते. तिथले द्रुश्य भारावून टाकणारे. अमर ज्योत पाहून प्रत्येकाचे हात आपोआप जोडले जात होते. त्या ठिकाणी उभे राहून एकचं विचार मनात येत होता,19 वर्षांपूर्वी देखील अशीच थंडी व वारं असणार, या उभ्या ठिकाणी हाताची घडी जरी काढली तर थंडी सहन नाही होणार अशा भावना मनात होत्या तिथे सैनिक बंदूक घेऊन, पाठीवर ओझं घेऊन कसे लढले असावेत. बरं बंदूक फक्त सांभाळायची नव्हती तर अचुक पणे चालवायची होती. अशा परिस्थितीत ते फक्त लढलेच नाही तर जिंकून देखील आले. अशा विरांना शतशः प्रणाम. वाॅर मेमोरियलच्या मागे टोलोलिंग हे पर्वत आहे. हा पहिला शिखर आपण परत मिळवल्यानंतर खर्या अर्थाने कारगिल युद्ध जिंकायला सुरुवात झाली. त्या पर्वतांकडे पाहत असताना असे वाटते ते सगळे सैनिक अजूनही तिथे उभे आहेत, सतर्क आहेत, मजाल असेल तरच शत्रूने पुन्हा आत शिरण्याची चूक करावी. कारगिल युद्धाची एक छोटी फिल्म तिथे पहायला मिळाली. मन भरून आले पण तितकेच रोमांचित पण झालो. खुप अभिमानाने तिथून बाहेर पडलो.

                   त्या रात्री आमचा मुक्काम कारगिल मध्येच होता. 9 ते 10 तासांच्या प्रवासा नंतर थकल्याने आम्हाला सगळ्यांना हाॅटेल वर जाऊन आरामची आणि उबेची आस लागली होती. अंधार पडला होता. हाॅटेल च्या दारात पोहचल्यावर सगळ्यांची एकचं तारांबळ उडाली. आमच्या टुर मॅनेजर ने आम्हाला सांगितले आज आपला मुक्काम तंबू मध्ये आहे. त्या वेळी तापमान कदाचित  4 ते 5 डिग्री होते. थंडीने गारठलेलो आम्ही, सगळ्यांचा नाराजीचा सूर. कसे राहणार तंबू मध्ये ईतक्या थंडीत, इतकी लहान मुलं आणि ज्येष्ठ लोक पण आहेत, त्यांना कसे सहन होणार! खरं सांगायचेतर लहान सगळी मजेत होती, आम्हीच आपलं त्यांच्या नावाखाली तंबू ऐवजी हाॅटेल मध्ये सोय होते का बघत होतो. आमच्या टुर मॅनेजर ने आम्हाला मनवलं व विनवणी केली कि आज तुम्ही जर इथे राहीला व अनुभव घेतला तर आयुष्यभर तुम्ही कधी थंडीला घाबरणार नाही. हा अनुभव म्हणजे लेह- लडाख आहे. तुम्हाला खर्या अर्थाने लेह च्या आठवणी घेऊन जायच्या असतील तर हा अनुभव घ्यावाचं लागेल. सर्वजन आपआपल्या तंबू मध्ये गेले. तंबू आतून छान होता. बेडवर जाडसर गादी आणि दोन जाड गोधड्या. पण जेव्हा बेडवर बसले तेव्हा असे वाटले गादी ओली आहे. खरतर ती ओली नसून थंड होती अगदी बर्फासारखी. पण जसे होते त्यातच आम्हाला रात्र काढायची होती. थोडावेळ शेकोटी समोर नाच गाणे करून आम्ही शहारणार्या थंडी पासून मन विचलित करायचा प्रयत्न करत होतो. त्यात थोडेफार यशस्वी झालो पण काही वेळा करताच. जेवन झाल्यावर सगळ्यांना तंबूत जायची भिती वाटायला लागली. कसेतरी सगळे मंद दिवा असलेल्या त्या तंबूत झोपायला गेले. माझ्या तंबू मध्ये माझी आई व माझा 6 वर्षांचा मुलगा होता. त्या दोघांना लगेच झोप लागली पण मला नाही. अचानक लाइट गेली. वाटले येईल लगेच. अगदीच काळोख झाला म्हणून टूर मॅनेजरला फोन करून विचारले तर तो म्हणाला लाइट आता उद्या सकाळी येणार. अजून भितीत भर. म्हणे त्या गावात लाइटच नाही. सकाळी थोडावेळ आणि संध्याकाळी थोडावेळ असे ते जनरेटर चालु असतो. मी भारावून गेले. 21 व्या शतकात आपण ईतके ऐशआरामात जगत असताना काही लोक अशा परिस्थितीत पण राहतात!! झोप तर मला काही केल्या येत नव्हती. कूस बदलली तरी थंडीने कुडकुडायला होत होते. राहून राहून एकचं विचार मनात येत होता... 3 महिन्यांपेक्षा जास्त दिवस अशा परिस्थितीत सैनिक कसे लढले असावेत.? मी तरीसुद्धा मऊ गादीवर गोधड्या घेऊन झोपले होते, त्यांना तेही नव्हते. त्यांनी आपल्या देशासाठी प्राण दिले, मी एक दिवस जरी त्यांच्या सारखा घालवला तर थोडी परतफेड केली म्हणायची. हा अनुभव आमच्यासाठी रोमांचक आणि अभिमानाचा होता. सुदैवाने आम्हाला कोणालाही त्रास नाही झाला. पुढच्या दिवशी सगळे फ्रेश व पुढे असलेल्या दिनक्रमाची चर्चा करू लागले. समोरचे ते उंच  व विशाल शिखर बघून एकचं वाटत होते... आज तुम्ही आहात म्हणून आम्ही आहोत.

                                                        - शिल्पा पाटील

A Day At The Daycare

       "One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time . "   


Today I had a very wonderful experience volunteering for "Splash Party "at Toddler K's daycare . I was there for few hours, not a whole day per se . But I learnt a lot and encountered many situations during my time spent there .

All the kids know me and were very comfortable around me from the beginning . They were puzzled at first but then excited to see me stay longer than the usual drop off at the main door . All of them chiming "Gargi Aunty, Gargi Aunty " simultaneously from several directions was surely something I had never experienced before . Hats off to the daycare teachers who keep their sanity and patience all day long in that musical chaos .

My job was to help in bits and piece with everything  . At first I helped fill water balloons and get the stuff ready for outdoor party . Later I was mainly taking pictures and videos once kids started the activity .  I was also vigilant to ensure their safely while playing with water . I tried my best to capture the moments as these little people were busy enjoying soaking in the water, squirting with their water guns and bursting the bubbles . They were delighted to  simply throw the colorful water balloons on the ground and watch them splatter . In no time we were out of a big basket full of water balloons . Occasionally  I had to comfort a scared and crying little one . But within minutes everyone was enjoying themselves with no fear whatsoever . Just soaking literally in the moment . Water is a magnetic attraction to most kids . It is hard to beat for an activity especially with preschool kids .

I also enjoyed telling stories during breakfast and lunch time , helping some by feeding them the yummy food . Everyone had a perfect ending to the "Splash Party " with ice pops and homemade delicious cupcakes . By the time I was leaving all the little ones were tired but well fed, ready for their nap time . 

It was such a rewarding experience being at the daycare today .  All the hugs, kisses and thank you meant it was all worth it . It certainly affected me in a very positive way I must say . Heartfelt thank you to the daycare teachers who allowed me to be a part of this amazing experience . 

Letter to My Daughter on Her Third Birthday

Dear Keya 
You are older and wiser now ...3 years old today . Your personality shines through more and more everyday . Your excitement is contagious . You light up every room you enter .Your imagination is growing by leaps and bounds . You are a brave girl . And I am so proud of you already . I am enjoying watching you grow everyday . 

You are fearless now . Sometimes a little too much . You are throwing  stuff , breaking things, locking doors. You make me nervous at times and you know that too. 

There is so much you love doing . Or I must say there is not much you don't love doing (except sleeping and eating your meals ) . You are being more independent day by day . There are many things you do not need me for anymore like laying out your clothes before bath , wearing pajamas , putting on flip flops and much more . 

I love seeing you do things on your own .  Making new friends, asking everyone their names, waving good bye to everyone...but can you slow down a little ?

Your excitement over everyday and every tiny thing makes me learn so much from you . You react to things everyday as if it were your first time . No matter how hard my day was at work but when I see your excitement "Aai home ... Aai home "  it makes me smile . 

I am grateful to God for you.My perfect, cute, smiling Manudi.

Happy birthday my three year old 

Your Aai

P.S.
I am planning write a letter to my daughter each year on her birthday. It’s a great way to remember the little things that we often forget as our kids get older. Time just passes by way too quickly and their childhood is over before we know it. We have to cherish it while we can! For last year's post click here 

Egg-cellent Easter Egg Non candy Fillers

Easter is around the corner . Easter egg hunts are so fun . But all I remember from past years is eggs filled with candies . Few candy filled eggs are Ok . But problem is FEW treats turn into DOZENS or ALL . Why not avoid candy whenever possible ? This year I decided to do Easter egg hunt with non candy fillers . Why not add these small fun toys and treats instead of loading up on sugar ? Here is my list of some non candy fillers that are sure to be a huge hit with the kids .

1. Stickers

2. Tattoos

3. Self inked stamps

4. Erasers

5. Hair bows

6. Snap Clips

7. Rings

8. Magnetic letters

9.  Interlocking Rings (Toddler K loves these )
10. Small figurines

11.Crayons

12. Slinky toy

13. Snap on bracelets

14. Finger puppets

15. Mini Bubbles

I hope this post inspired you to fill up Easter eggs and baskets with non candy items . What are your favorite items ? Happy hunting !

Pinterest Projects - DIY Travel Lego Box

Toddler K loves to travel but hates car rides. Plane rides are not much fun either. She just wants to be at a destination in the wink of an eye . Our household fantasy version of " I dream of Jeannie "(wink wink and here you go Master  ) . So I constantly keep looking for ideas to engage her during our travel . When I came across the idea of travel Lego case I knew she would love it . LEGO +DIY = Fun .

Speaking of DIY what better place than pinterest for inspiration . I saw different versions of this travel case. finally I decided to start with the materials I had at hand . So chose the Frozen themed tin box which has buried under the mountain of toys . It really was frozen( read forgotten ) underneath the pile . With Amazon as my go to online store these days I found rest of  the materials for this project in a single click and delivered to my door step . The project was super quick and I was very happy with the end result . Toddler K was so excited when she saw the new version of her Frozen box and LEGO pieces together . When I saw the sparkle in her eyes I was beaming with pride on finally accomplishing a long pending project that was so worth it .


Materials needed -

1. LEGO Duplo Green Building Plate
2. Scotch Removable Mounting Squares
3. Few LEGO pieces, Scissors and Sanding Sponge


Here are the step by step instructions -

1. Cut the building plate to fit the lunch box lid. Size it such that there is some margin around the Lego plate once it fits on the lid ( Pic on  your right ) . If you cut the exact size of the lid from end to end then the box will not shut (Pic on your left ). Simple scissors that I had at hand did a fantastic job at cutting the building plate .








Note the edges of base plate are now trimmed



2. Now sand the edges and corners to make them smooth . This will protect those tiny hands playing LEGO from getting scratches due to the sharp unfinished edges .

3. Using the mounting squares secure the base plate onto the lid. I have cut the 1 inch pieces in half and used each one at every corner of the plate . If Toddler K at some point wants to use the base plate separately from the box then it would easily come off. Hence I used the removable squares . ( Never know what a toddler brain can come up with ! )

4. Finally add a handful of LEGO Duplo pieces into the box and you are ready to go (on a looooong car or plane ride ). At least that is what I wish for .


Tips -

1. You can use a plastic box instead of the metal tin . Plastic ones are much cheaper .

2 . If you wish to fit more LEGO Duplo pieces than just a handful use a larger sized box.

3. You can add felt paper or cloth at the base of the box to dampen some of the noise , especially if your little one like mine loves to shake the box constantly to make "some music "as she calls it  .

4. You can use regular building plate instead of the Duplo one . I have heard the Duplo pieces work equally well with either plate. I used the Duplo plate for my project .

5. You can secure LEGO pieces from falling out of the box by adding an extra building plate across the grooves in the box . I chose to add it later on to improve functionality .

Now I am thinking I should make few more such kits to give away as presents and share with Toddler K's  cousins . What are your thoughts ?

My Book Club Experience - Part 1

                        " Books don't go with you ,
                   they take you wherever you've never been . "
                                                                           - Anonymous

After I had my little one I hardly found any time for myself . Reading an adult book was never on my list then . I cannot however say that I never read a book back then . In fact I started reading out loud to my little one since she was few weeks old ( yes few weeks old ). Check out here . And now I have a voracious little reader in making . As baby K or toddler K now is growing up I want to expand my love for reading beyond Dr. Seuss and Brown Bear and Llama Llama . So when I came across a book club near me I jumped at the opportunity to join .

Honestly I was scared attending the meeting as a first timer. I hardly knew anyone and I was not sure what to expect . I thought we would be some strangers sitting together with some awkward silences and long pauses. I was completely wrong . It was a very lively and engaging book club experience . We had a wonderful discussion . Being around ladies who share the same love for reading is what was at the core of this book club . I felt right at home . The hostess was wonderful too . Hot masala chai, yummy appetizers and thought provoking discussion equals time well spent . I am already looking forward to the next meeting . Great conversations and fun times ahead . Stay tuned .

Happy New Year to a new ME

I am a Mom . Being a mom is a full time job . All you moms out there know that well . I enjoy every part of being a mom . But At times I feel that I have lost ME in the process . Being mom is rewarding . I would never trade any profession for it . Yet some days I find it necessary to focus some attention on just myself . I feel the need to devote some time towards taking care of myself .And here's why ... Because I am a human being too . Since the birth of my little one I have consciously devoted all my towards taking care of her . Gradually in this process I have neglected ME .

My friends were having a discussion about new year resolutions . I make a bunch of them every year . Yes without fail I have my list ready by new year's eve . At time my quarterly evaluations keep me on track . But most of the times none of the resolutions last till the end of the year . As a matter of fact I loose track of more than half of my resolutions by mid year . But some temporary rewards that I gain during the process keep me going . These rewards are the real reason that motivate me to come up with new resolutions every year .

I want 2018 to be different though . I want to make very few resolutions, just a couple may be . As much as I am tempted to make a long list I have already scaled down to less than a handful resolutions this year . No surprise that all of them are targeted towards ME... my health and hobbies . And hopefully these resolutions last till the end .


I believe that giving myself permission to do stuff for ME will actually transform me into a better person. Perhaps even a better mom . I am blessed to be a mom . But I do not want to loose sight of the person I want to be and can be . So let us toast to a year of some ME time . The holiday season is over but I want to sparkle . So let us all moms celebrate the coming year with a dash of glitter in our everyday lives . Happy new year to all you mommies and your families that you take care of endlessly . Let the celebrations begin ...