Happy February

Rohin – you’re becoming such a big boy – it’s amazing to see how incredibly mature you are for a 3 year old (almost 4). You really have come into your own. You are quite the artist and are very good at drawing (even with multiple pencils at one time) and can even write some of the alphabet (e.g. A and R). Your language is excellent. You are very excited about gardening and always ask if we can light a Bonfire. You and Talin are so helpful – you both even bring in firewoord for daddy to light the fireplace. You also are a huge lover of picnics and always ask mommy to take you on a picnic after she picks you up from school. In terms of games, you love to say “Do Do – DI DI” – I’m not sure what this game is – but you seem to enjoy it. You always play a game with Talin where you pretend to be a kitty cat. You also now really love to play with Aeowyn and try to pick her up all of the time – while she protests typically. You are very helpful Rohin and always are willing to help with cooking or cleaning. Mommy and daddy are so proud of you!

Happy 4th Birthday

Hi Rohinder - it's been a while since we had an opportunity to update the blog -- but Happy 4th Birthday! You're such a big boy! Daddy was remembering the other day when he could hold you in his hands practically and you would snuggle right on his chest. Now you've turned into this incredible little boy - so thoughtful, sweet, kind and intelligent!

So let's talk about your big day. First the night before, mommy and daddy stayed up late and decorated the house for spring, with all the Easter stuff and streamers to celebrate your big day. Mommy made delicious cup cakes! For your birthday -- you had so many different parties. When you got up in the morning, you went to school and then went with mommy on a date day out to Chucky Cheese. Mommy had wanted to take you to Toys R Us to buy toy, but you wanted Chucky Cheese! You had so much fun playing there with mommy. Afterwards, you bought a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake (your favorite cake now) and came over to Great Falls Park where you met up with the rest of the family and Tha Tha. We celebrated in style!

The party continues this weekend when all of the grandparents come over and we have all of your friends and family to one of your favorite places in the world -- the sports bounce.

BTW -- I had to include this other picture of you the other day -- you drew this spider with side walk chalk (you're a big fan of side walk chalk and carry it in your pocket). You've got some great artistic skills.

Two other things to note about you turning 4. One -- you now get two vitamns (yum)! Two - you love to climb on EVERYTHING and over everything (including baby gates), and Three -- you are so affectionate -- you love to give hugs and kiss us when we leave for work -- it's adorable.

Happy 4th birthday our little son. I hope you know how incredibly proud we are of you! We love you so much!!! Mommy & Daddy

Merry Xmas & Happy 2012

Merry Christmas my big boy and happy new year to you! Another year has drawn to a close and what an incredible year for you and for our family. Let’s dive into it then – you’re getting close to 4 years old now Rohin and are wearing 4T clothes and size eleven shoes. You and Talin just got a pair of spider man shoes that light up (which is the 2^nd pair you have had btw). You really are so very helpful around the house and mommy and daddy are so proud of you. You love to reason things out and to talk to us like you’re an adult Rohin. The only times you get upset with mommy and daddy is when we don’t treat you like an adult! You love do also love to pretend to be baby Aeowyn everyone in the while and say “guk” or “feed me” as a way to get a little extra parental attention. You dress yourself routinely, brush your own teeth and are very responsible. You and Talin love to play the kitty cat game and meow and carry on (which is very cute). You also love to throw all the pillow off the sofa and jump off into them. Outside this fall, the key word has been “bonfire”. You and Talin go out with daddy and collect firewood and then we have little bonfires out by the river. We even cooked out over the open fire one night!

As for Christmas, Santa Clause really took care of you kids this year! For starters, I have to say we picked a really small tree this year for you guys, which worked out great. All of you worked together to decorate the tree standing on your step stools. This seemed to have taken off the fascination with Christmas ornaments – we can all thank mommy for this brilliant idea! This year, leading up to Christmas, we also read our advent calendars and you boys opened the windows in the calendar. Rohin – you always wanted to open the star! For Christmas eve, we had over Ammuma, Thatha, Savitha and Sadhana and Das uncle and Provanti. We had a big indian meal for Christmas eve and had so much fun together! Then late on Chirstmas eve, Grandma and Papa came over and spent the night. When you all woke up the next morning, there was a huge pile of toys. Toys from Santa, mommy & daddy, from each other, from your grandparents and aunts and uncles – it was pretty amazing. We opened presents from 7:30am to about 3:30pm in the afternoon. Your favorite present Rohin was a wooden firehouse and firetruck. You still love Fireman Sam – so this was a big hit for you. You also got a dump truck and dozer, which fed into your fascination with construction vehicles. You also seemed to really take to a Tupperware container that grandma gave to you and loved this duck hunting game that you got from Thatha that was pretty well destroyed in 5 minutes or less. On Christmas day, we spent the time outside riding around on cars after we finished presents and topped off the evening with a great dinner. We had ham and filet mignon, seafood casserole, crab dip, etc… We watched Christmas movies (the barney Christmas special was a bit hit btw). Over the holiday we also went over to the National Harbor and looked at an indoor ice sculpture show – which was really neat, but super cold (the temperature was 19 degrees inside). Cold and Rohin don’t typically go very well together little boy! You were ready to get out of there. But we had a lot of fun that day.

We rang in the New year very calmly this year. We were home with ammuma and thatha and Sadhana with us and just had a really nice dinner. On New Year’s day, mommy and daddy hosted a big party of all of your friends – Jovin, Bella, Raquel, Sophia, Adam, -- it was so much fun! 2012 looks like it is going to be so much fun! This past weekend, we spent two days outside as the weather was simply gorgeous. You and Talin and Aeowyn played outside in your cars and helping to build the bonfire. Daddy got out the chainsaw and cleared part of the property line – which you all loved seed the chainsaw. All three of you drove on daddy’s lap – which probably isn’t going to last much longer as you all are getting so big! It was so much fun being outside. We also had Ms. Salini and Sandeep come over with their children – and we all warmed ourselves by the fire and you all played in your cars until night time. Even then you had your flashlights out. Also over this weekend, you started kicking the soccer ball around (quite well), which mom and dad didn’t know you knew how to do it. You said you “love” soccer – so that was fun to learn.

In school Rohin, you continue to do very well. You are a little bit of an introvert, but a great leader. Talin is joining you this week in your classroom – which I think you two will enjoy very much. Mommy and daddy both hope Rohin that you are enjoying these years and each day is filled with true happiness – because certainly that is how our days have been having you in them. We love you and look forward to a wonderful 2012!

Thanksgiving in Brooklyn

Sorry it took a while to write Rohin. For some reason, I skipped a blog entry for you. Let's make it up then! Lots and lots of things to talk about. First I have to tell you that you like to say this. When I ask you for example how many vitamins you might want -- you would say "a lot and a lot". Your o's still sound very british, which is really cute.

So let's start with Thanksgiving. We went up to New York with Mommy, daddy, Aeowyn, Talin and you all traveled up in our car on a 4 hour trip to a three story Brownstone townhouse in Brooklyn were we stayed with Maria Auntie and Chris Uncle and their children (Ava and Layla). We stayed in the basement, where you slept in a crib next to mommy and daddy and the boys in another room next door. You loved playing in the house and were all over the place. You and Talin loved the upstairs playroom with all of the toys and occupied yourselves exploring the house. You were particularly fond of playing in the outdoor trampoline and would jump out there for the longest time. We visited the Brooklyn Children's museum one day -- where you loved making pretend pizzas and the Afria room. We also went to the macy's day parade -- where you loved watching the floats. You were on daddy's shoulders and Talin was on mommy's and Aeowyn was on Savitha's shoulders. At the parade, you pointed up to this tall building to daddy and said "look -- it's a princess" - of the woman in a robe watching the parade from her hotel room. We also went to Harmony park, which we later found out was the same playground that Knuffle Bunny frequents... On Thanksgiving night, we went over to Lulu Auntie's house -- where you and Talin and Aeowyn were angels. You played music and played monster so nicely together. We had a wonderful dinner together with our family and friends (about 30 in total). We then packed up and came home that Sat. We had perfect weather -- it's been almost 70 here recently.

When we got home, this past Sunday, we decorated for Christmas and are gearing up for Santa's visit. You are a HUGE fan of the electric train. You and Talin (and Aeowyn to some extent) take turns driving the train. You and Talin also were a big help in decorating and really helped put everything out this year.

Personality wise Rohin -- you're such a sweet little boy. You're very thoughtful and caring and wise beyond your years. Recently, when daddy wanted to put you to sleep (but you wanted mommy to) - you said - "Daddy, I love you but I want mommy to put me to bed". Or another recently was when we were riding in the car and when the navigation voice interrupts the DVD --you always tell daddy! You're also very inquisitive Rohin and love to ask questions and want explanations about things. This is a great quality in life that will serve you well. You sense of exploration and your wisdom are true gifts Rohin!

School wise, it was a tough couple weeks. You missed almost a week recently when the hand, foot, and mouth disease wiped through our family. Then the holidays. So you haven't exactly been begging to go to school but continue to do really well. You apparently play with Maggie and Lilly quite a bit and love to play outside. Your teachers compliment you on how great you're doing. You know all of your ABCs now, can count almost to 20 and are getting the hang of your numbers., You are now showing a lot more interest in reading and writing. You said today that you wanted help to write a note to Savitha auntie. You also can recognize letters pretty well know -- particularly - R, O, and T. You also love books and have a great attention span when read to. We even made it through the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

Otherwise, you do eat well. You love your green veggies and fruits but still not a huge meat eater (chicken is your favorite). You do love your cereal and pancakes as well and milk is your favorite beverage. You love to play outside in the yard with Talin and cook up all kinds of games. You tend to be the mastermind of many of them and enlist Talin's support. You love to drive around with Talin the little gator.

We're very excited to be spending another Christmas together Rohin! You're getting big so fast --it's scary. We're very fortunate to have such a wonderful son in you. Happy Thanksgiving and we'll write back at Xmas time.

Earthquake & Floods End the Summer

Well Rohin -- it was quite a busy summmer with a big bang at the end -- we had a 5.8 earthquake today August 23, 2011! It was really unbelievable to see the building shake. Everyone was safe though. But it's amazing that we have had two earthquakes in little over a year!

About two weeks later, in early September, we had so much rain that the roads around our house were flooded out. We had about 7 to 8 inches or rain in a single day, which flooded our creek across our back yard and along the side and front. Our mailbox was even under water. Mommy and daddy couldn't make it home that night and had to spend the night at a hotel and came home the next morning. You, Talin and Aeowyn stayed with Giovanna. Rohin -- you were very curious about this and asked often about what happened with the flood and how the police officers wouldn't let us come home :).

In other news Rohinder, you're growing up to be such an awesome little man. Mommy and daddy are so proud of you. You just finished up school for the summer and have really adapted well to your new school. The teacher always talks about how helpful, kind and smart you are. You and Talin are in school together and love to play with each other. One new game we've all been playing recently is the three little pigs. Mommy or daddy chase you and Talin around and say little pig little pig let me in -- and you say "not by the hair of my chinny chin chin"... It's great fun! You guys love to play monster now too where daddy or mommy chase you all around the house. You also still love to play outside and to help drive the lawnmower and love to drive your little gator.

You are really also doing so great in school -- you're so focused. The other day you were playing with mommy upstairs and building mult-level bridges! You also still love to read books. TV wise, your favorite show is Fireman Sam -- you and Talin play together outside riding around in the mini gator and pretending to rescue people.

Rohin -- you're such a loving little boy. You love to hug on Talin and Aeowyn and always

You're a great reader Rohin and love to read books with mommy and daddy. You sometimes even take books to bed with you at night. You really liked these books called Knuffle Bunny and also have really gotten into doctor seuss books -- like Wocket in my Pocket. You know almost every word by heart.

You are really also doing so great in school -- you're so focused. The other day you were playing with mommy upstairs and building mult-level bridges! TV wise, your favorite show is Fireman Sam -- you and Talin play together outside riding around in the mini gator and pretending to rescue people.

Eating wise - you're a great eater and love pasta, chicken, peas, string beans, broccoli, and salmon.

We had such a wonderful summer, we're sorry to see it end already. recently, we visited grandma and grandpa at the farm one weekend. We had a great time visiting with them and rode the Gator and visited a really quaint town called Chestertown, where we walked through the farmer's market and had lunch together. You and Talin were memerized by a man playing a banjo, harmonica and another man that was playing bass. On another weekend, we had a very special Indian holiday that we celebrated over at Ammuma and Thatha's house. All of our friends were there -- and you and Talin played all over the house, playing "monster" and jumping off the bed.

Well, off we go into the Fall of 2011 Rohin. We love you so much!

Summertime

Rohin, we’re so sorry that we haven’t updated your blog for a while. It’s been a pretty busy spring. SO let’s see – since May – we had Talin’s birthday, we went to Charleston, South Carolina, and we had Aeowyn’s birthday party.

Let’s start with you for a moment. As we look at your first school picture, all we can say is what an incredible little man you are becoming. It’s seems like yesterday that you fit practically in the palms of our hands. You’re now 3 years old and so wise beyond your years. Every morning now, you get out of bed, rip off your diaper, clean yourself up and put your clothes on (though in fairness, you do put your underwear on backwards but tell me it’s ok). You brush you own teeth at night, you’re always willing to help mommy and daddy and are really a wonderful big brother to your brother and sister. You and Talin play and play together.

You love to read books and know almost the end of every sentence in “There’s a Wocket in my Pocket” and always enjoy reading the words Constantinople and Timbuktu in the book Hop on Pop. You love to play outside and enjoy riding on your car. We recently had wild raspberries grow in the back yard and you love to pick them with Talin and Aeowyn.

You’re a good eater and like chicken and vegetables – still not a big spicy food fan (but we’re working on that). You say the cutest things one time – like one time when you’re kundi hurt, -- you said – daddy I need a bandaid for my kundi. You love to cuddle and ask why ALL the time – which is awesome. That will serve you well in life later on son. I hope you, Talin and Aeowyn always have a sense of wonderment about this world.

The trip to Charleston was really incredible. We rented a house on the beach in Charleston when we went to Chet uncle’s house. You guys loved playing on the beach. You also were in Chet’s wedding as the ring bearer and did a GREAT job. You walked down the aisle, gave daddy the ring, and then sat down and ran back over and gave me the pillow (I think you thought you forgot J). You ran around the hall that night and were just so delightful – mommy, daddy and you had a great wedding night. The rest of the time, we spent on the beach!

When we came back, we were in birthday season and celebrated at JW Tumbles for Talin’s birthday – where you had a great time (more details in Talin’s blog) and then for Aeowyn’s – we had another big 1^st birthday party – where you were very excited about the three inflatables that we had (more on Aeowyn’s blog).

July is coming up Rohin and you will be starting a new school. You are growing up so so fast – it’s actually scarey. You’re a wonderful little boy and mommy and daddy are so excited to share the year ahead and watching you grow into an equally incredible little boy. We love you Rohin.

Cherry Festival

Everday with you Rohin brings something new now. You are quite the little man at this point. Your vocabulary and ability to grasp things is amazing. Recently, there was something very touching that you said. One day you and Talin were playing and daddy said to you both that even if daddy or mommy aren't there you should always watch out for each other. You stopped, turned to me (while we were in your bedroom) and said -- if mommy and daddy and Giovanna (our nanny) aren't here -- Rohin, Talin and Aeowyn will talk about our day to each other. This was in reference to how at night time you love to talk to mommy and daddy about your day. It really was a profound moment for daddy who was there at that moment.

You definitely are also a master negotiator at this point and love to negotiate on everything -- from what it will take to eat your dinner, to how long to stay outside and play.

Recently, we also went out on our very 1st train ride. Mommy, daddy, Talin and Rohin all went out on a train into DC. We went to the Cherry Festival parade and had so much fun. You and Talin sat on mommy and daddy's shoulders and watched a nascar, police motorcyles, marching bands and so much. We had a nice lunch together and then came back on the train. It was a magical day for all. We love you Rohin!