it's my girls' world

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Darin, The Wonderful

May 20th rocks! It's a very special day as our special boy was born! Happy Birthday to a wonderful father and a sweet husband.

Here are just a few (of the hundreds of) reasons Darin rocks!

1- He gives me a few minutes to myself every night so that I can unwind after my kid-ful day! Even if it means me watching Dancing with the Stars... or the Bachelor--- there is complaining but he does it!

2- He is so funny. I laugh on a daily basis. And he's definitely the more fun parent!

3- No one is happier when good stuff happens to me and no one is more encouraging when it doesn't

4- He is my fellow foodie. We enjoy trying new cuisines and retaurants together. He can pick out the flavours in everything he tastes.

5- He is simply the strongest person I know. He's my rock.

(As Shrek for Halloween, strong no?)

D, you are my love, my person, my best friend, my co-parent, my biggest confidante and my partner in crime. I am in awe everyday of your strength, brilliance, sincerity and kindness. I pray for your peace, health and happiness. I am so very blessed that God chose you to accompany me on my life's journey. Thank you for all you bring to our lives.

I hope you have a wonderful day today... and a fantastic year to follow!

Love, your three girls.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Seven Things in Seven Months

Happy 7 month birthday, Miss Anjali-lo. You are such a sweet baby with a pleasant disposition. We enjoy your smiles and personality more and more everyday. Here are a seven things I have learnt about you, Miss Anjali in your seven months.
1- You are a great sleeper- 2 naps per day and 12-14 hours straight per night. We'll take it.
2- You growl when you're chatting with us. It's kind of scary, kind of funny.
3- You ADORE your big sister and look at her with a combination of fear, surprise and delight. I think you will grow up to be great friends.
4- You don't really adore food that much but if you have to choose, you would have fruit purees. Peach and nectarine are your favourite. However, when I gave you a touch of the family's spiced butternut soup , you lapped it up. It must be all the spices you're being introduced to in utero and via me.
5- You have been teething for the longest while. Lots of drool and sensitivity and just one teeny tiny tooth.
6- You love routine but love a trip out too- just as long as it is on your time.
7- You love bath and could spend hours in the water-- unless you're sleepy. then it's all bets off.

We love you so much and can't what to see what this month brings!

Friday, May 16, 2014

5 on Friday

Hasn't it been a while since I've done one of these. Once again, linking up with Natasha and the other lovely ladies for 5 on Friday.

1- The other night, Anjali jumped out of her crib. Seriously, she was in her crib and then we heard her at the top of the stairs saying 'Sarita, where are you?' or rather 'Seeta, are you?'. She hasn't done it since so we are pretending it didn't happen while at the same time on the hunt for a bunk bed.

This is the lady going a lil crazy in the mall. Luckily it was quiet!

2- I may or may not be gardening. I'm trying to encourage my green thumb these days.... with the help of my mother-in-law, I created this lovely herb trough and we've been doing some major work cleaning up the back yard. It's Day #5 and the plant is still alive--- good sign, right? Folks, I've killed lucky bamboo, it is a good sign!

3- I made these amazing nectarine muffins yesterday and they're nearly all gone already. As usual, I subbed wheat for white, cut the sugar, added cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla and put some nuts in. This is one of my favourite muffin recipes for the summer months.

4- All of the weekly extra curricular activities are wrapping up and the summer ones are starting. Cassia's doing violin and soccer for the summer though I still need to check into some gymnastics. We say goodbye this month to ballet and Kindermusik though--- at least for the school year.

Kindermusik does this really cute picnic on the last day of class. Cassia ate like 6 cookies before I saw.

And Anjali had 5 pieces of watermelon. Here she is with her teacher, the amazing Michelle-- or Miss Michelle as my girls call her.

5- In Canada, we have a long weekend. Nothing too much planned, a trip to the botanical lessons, drinks with friends, dinner with friends and lots of family time.

Have a good one folks.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

A violinist is born...

... well not quite. On Christmas Eve, at our aunt's house, D's cousin Divya played the violin when we were singing our Christmas carols. Since then, Cassia has been obsessed and has been asking me to play the violin. I was a bit wary as I thought she a bit young to learn an instrument. Also, as she is only now reading, how could she simultaneously begin to learn reading music. The nagging would not let up so I did some investigating and her music teacher at Kindermusik told me that violin was one of the few instruments that it's actually recommended that you start so young. She also recommended a violin teacher who incorporates the Suzuki method into her teaching, making it easier for young kids.

So we signed up. Almost $600 later (!)--- and that's just for the (second hand) violin and other materials, off we went to take our first lesson about five minutes away from where we live. The teacher is amazing, Cassia is learning quite well and so am I.... seriously, I kind of feel like I should get a violin of my own and begin to learn myself. There is so much to pay attention to! I've started a book of notes and take tons of pics (and videos) so that I can mirror the technique in our practice at home... I don't know what I did before I had a smartphone!

... Speaking of the practice though, that's the thing that Cassia doesn't care for too much. You see with all her other activities, you do the activities in a group with other kids, have some fun, make some friends and then come back home! But with musical instruments, that's not the case and it's recommended that you practise 5-10 minutes initially four-five times for the week. There's some complaining. Also, the violin lessons are personalised and she has to stand when she holds the violin, also sore spots with her.

So now, even though she's not as excited for it as she is for her other classes, she still looks forward to it. Div has also advised to show her some videos with kids playing really well to motivate her even further. And that we need to practise maybe 7 days a week initially so that she gets in the habit...

I have a feeling this road is going to be a long one...