Best Laid Plans???

Two weeks of the summer holidays are up and while I was hoping to get a breather when they are enjoying/learning at some workshops, it just didn't happen so! At the last minute, Aaru decided that summer camps are not as much fun as chilling out at home and Sanju decided that hindi and handwriting are not things to do in the holidays. However, we all did lots of cool stuff together and I realised the summer is not so bad after all. Here are some of the activities we did:

1) Thermocol sheet

The best toy you can give a toddler costs just 30 bucks and provides endless hours of fun.

Aaru painted on it, stuck stickers on it, poked it with toothpicks...

He landscaped it. This is a tree created by him...

 

Now, this is the tough-to-imagine one... It is a hammock with a mother and baby and Aaru has offered juice to the baby. This thermocol sheet is such a versatile thing and we are not done with it yet.

2) A Doodling Robot

 

Sanju and Sarat spent a few hours working on this and it is beautiful...

 

 

 

 
 
 
 


3) Open Deck Bus Trip

This was one of the best ideas I had this summer. Thanks to mycity4kids. The kids absolutely loved this. The trip can be availed of on weekend evenings from Gateway of India.

 

It was so much fun viewing familiar spots from atop a bus with the banyan roots sweeping on us at times. And we topped the fun with midnight tea at Marine Drive and a beautiful lit-up view of the Gateway after that.

 

4) Kidzania

 

While this place was not nearly as much fun for toddlers, it is most suitable for 7 - 13 year olds. Sanju had a blast.He tried his hand at his most favourite field - construction.

 

 

Aaru decided to try his hand at making his most favourite snack - Chocos.

 

 

 

 

Apart from this, they became journalists, fire fighters, police, pottery artisans, courier boys and so much more. It was a great experience.

 

5) Sea snails at Kelwa Beach

 

 

 

These beautiful little creatures kept getting washed into the shore and they waited to get back into the sea again with the next wave. It was a big challenge for the kids to tread on the shore carefully without stamping on these snails as it was littered with dozens of them.

 



 

 

Kelwa Beach, by itself, was a wonderful experience for all of us as the resort had no TV, Wifi, AC and it was the first time we had been to a place without all this stuff and still remained completely occupied. Even I was surprised to find that the fresh beach air can top even the best air-conditioner. It was so chilly at night and we enjoyed it.

 

Most of the stuff we have done till now were unplanned or planned within a few hours. All the plans for drama classes, handwriting classes, etc have been abandoned (though it was planned by them at the beginning!) and I have taken a resolution not to force anything (even their own decisions) upon them this summer, except maybe fun and my company! ;)

 





 

Holiday Plans

April has begun. The holiday season is about to begin. Mercifully, there is still one more week of half-day school before the tsunami hits. So, I can gear up!

Project : Keeping my sons (Sanju 8years & Aaru 3 years) usefully and happily occupied

Duration: 2 months :(

Challenges: TV, Tab, Computer

Biggest Challenge: My maid and cook are taking a one month break as soon as the holidays start.

Brief Respite: Trip to Grandparent's house (though they need to be kept occupied there too!)

Activities planned till now:

All these activities are what the kids have planned for themselves. I gave them this mind map (Sanju's school has taught them mind maps as 'spider diagrams' and he loves them.) He ticked a few of the activities on them, cancelled a few and added few more of his own. Aaru is ready to jump into whatever his brother does and then, he thinks over whether he wants to continue or not. Yes, he attended some three classes of chess before deciding to give it up.

1. Casio classes through home tutor (for both)
2. Drawing classes by yours truly (for both)
3. Tennis coaching (for Sanju)
4. Creative Writing sessions by yours truly (with Sanju)
5. Chess Classes to continue (for Sanju)
6. Cuddly Reading sessions thrice a day (with both)
7. Hindi classes through home tutor (reading, grammar & vocabulary - nothing rote/boring) (Sanju)
8. Dance classes (for Aaru) (He has been yearning for it!)
9. Decoupage workshop by yours truly (with both)

The Hindi classes are something that he wouldn't vote for but he has learnt to take it in his stride. Given a choice, he would like to remove Hindi from his syllabus. Now, these are some things I am pushing towards him. He may or may not take it up. Let's see...

1. Handwriting classes/ sessions with me
2. Speech & Drama workshop (for 10 days)
3. A two week comprehensive summer camp for Aaru (It has art, craft and dancing!)

One thing that Sanju was really looking forward to this summer was to attend a Lego Robotics Workshop. Sadly, the dates for it were finalised after I booked my tickets and it falls in that period. I cheered him up by getting him a Robotic Kit, though it is definitely a poor consolation to his disappointment.

Things already procured:
1. Crayons & drawing books (both)
2. Shell craft kit (Sanju)
3. Decorative Candle making kit (Sanju)
4. Library membership for both
5. Robotic kit (Sanju)
6. Decoupage materials (both)
7. Mould and Paint (Aaru)
8. Mapology (a jigsaw puzzle of Indian states) (Aaru)


Things needed:
1. Part time help for housework
2. Patience when you hear "I'm bored!"
3. Tolerance for mess
4. Smiles
5. Energy (I must not forget to take my Eltroxin and Iron tablets everyday!)
6. Strong-will not to use the TV as my baby sitter

Things we might do
1. A make it yourself costume party for their friends with snacks and a movie
2. Some cooking sessions with them both
3. A trip to Kidzania
4. all the movies they want to watch

As I write down this list, I am filled with a little hope. Things may not be so bad after all! Maybe, I wouldn't even notice the two months whizzing past.
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