Standing up for Anna

Currently, I can sense this growing trend of the two brothers teaming up with each other against me. A few days back, S asked me if I would pack up his school bag with the timetable for the next day. I told him 'No'. A immediately came to me with his hands on the hips and said, "Why can't you keep S's timetable? He is tired and you can't even do that." Though the ulterior motive was to get to play on the PS3 sooner, it was touching to see the 4 year old fighting for his elder brother that I did eventually agree to do it. This standing-up-for-Anna thing has been happening quite frequently now days.

"Why can't you let S play for some more time on the PS3?"

"Why can't S do less homework today?"

"Why can't S have another chocolate?"

"Why can't you read another story to S?"

Mostly, there are certain ulterior motives attached to the demand. For instance, the extra story can be enjoyed by A too. Still the gullible S keeps thinking it's all for his sake. Needless to say, S is basking in all this support. There is a popular Tamil saying,'Thambi udaiyaan padaiku anjaan.' 'A man with a younger brother needn't fear any of life's battles.'

Guess, it is true!

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.
.

Phon(y)ics!!!

Last week, I attended a phonics workshop in my son's school and I was in for quite a shock. They welcomed us with a printed sheet containing around 100 words and I thought, 'Sanju knows a few of these and he can surely master the rest before the year is over!' However, what a surprise to know that those 100 words were just for the month of August and there is much more to follow in the coming months!

Me and Sanju sit down to study nearly everyday and I have always prided on the fact (fiction, actually!) that Sanju is ahead of the class. But, sadly, that is not so. This wouldn't have troubled me so much if all the kids were sailing in the same boat. Again, that is not so. A handful of the class seem to absolutely smart and they could call out all the words from the sheet even before the teacher explains them. Not only that, they could spell out the current month 'July' and the day 'Friday'. I could have fainted!

Hmmm... I felt sad. Firstly, I never learnt phonics in my school days. Secondly, I am trying hard to teach the stuff to my clever son. Thirdly, I didn't do a very good job on how it was to be taught. It was all my fault that he wasn't among those handful of smart kids. (Thankfully, the third problem is solved now due to the workshop!)

Later, once sense started to prevail, I wondered how I too got caught in this competitive fast train! Why should my son be ahead of his class?

But as I typed that question above, I also wonder, 'I know he has it in him, isn't it wrong if I don't lead him to it?'

Gosh! It's tough being a mother! Somebody help me!

Marriage Woes of a 5-year old

The other day, me and hubby were watching the movie 'The Father of the Bride' and there comes this really emotional scene where the father is in tears thinking of his daughter leaving his home after marriage.

Sanju, my five-year old son, entered just then and I made a casual remark, "Sanju, I think even I'll cry when you get married."

"Why?" He asked.

"Coz. you will leave me and I will miss you," I said and gave him a hug. I promptly forgot all about the matter.

About two hours later, when I was about to take a nap, my son entered the room in tears. Since he had just recently got staples on his chin and head (from two separate consecutive injuries, by the way!) I was very concerned.

Me: What happened, dear?
Sanju: (too choked with tears that he couldn't speak for sometime) I... I...
Me: What? Did you hurt yourself?
Sanju: No, I am sad.
Me: Why?
Sanju: Because I have to leave you after I get married...
Me and hubby burst out laughing in relief and wonder.
Me: No, darling, you don't have to leave me unless you want to...
Sanju: I don't want to.
Me: Then you don't have to leave me. We will all live together.
Sanju: I have an idea.
Me: hmmm.. tell me..
Sanju: I will marry you. Then we can both be happy together and I can be with you always!
Me: Okay. Thats a great idea!
Hubby: Sanju loves you a lot!
Me: Let's see after another 20 years!