Junior Kindergarten orientation for Tanush

05/23/2019

Time goes by way too fast and Tanush is now ready to join JK in the same school Megha is. Whats more, Megha's  JK/SK teacher told us that she will request Tanush to be in her class! He made a little butterfly craft at daycare that day and he took it to give it to his teacher (Mrs M was delighted to have it).

In front of the school.

Inside the school

Inside his room. This may or may not be his actual room but all rooms look fairly similar to this room.

Tanush isnt as keen on joining JK. He fully doesnt articulate why. His mind was much at ease when we visited the classroom though. He did play a little. we went to the washrooms he will be using and he was delighted to find that the toilets were kid-sized and he has nothing to worry about. Here is where he washes his hands; water fountain is right beside this sink.

I think he is going to be OK after a few days of tears.

here is the Kindie-pen where he would be spending a lot of time. It is safe to say, he was a lot less relieved after his visit to school about school.

Pizza and Cupcakes

2nd weekend may 2019

I love the leisurely afternoons/ evenings when the kids and I have absolutely nothing to do. We make our Moisturiser now (a recipe I will share with you later). Last weekend, we made pizza on Saturday and cupcakes on Sunday.

I get the dough from Superstore. Megha’s favorite topping has always been just pepperoni/ Cheese. Tanush is a little more open to new sauces. In this particular pizza, you see corn/cheese Tostitos dipping sauce, pepperoni and cheese.

Here is the finished product. They both look and taste fantastic.

I’ve been baking for more than 10 years now. Only recently though I started making my own frosting. Kids helped, actually, I helped and they made the cupcakes.

Megha mixing up the wet ingredients.

Tanush stirring the dry ingredients.

With 2 kids helping, it is but natural that all our cupcake sizes are different. We are working on it!

The frosting here is simple vanilla butter cream. Megha piping the frosting here (in the bags and tips that Anand got me for Christmas).

Tanush very happy with his creation.

Finished product, happy kids, happy momma. 

Essential Oils for kids Cold/coughs

We are big time into Essential oils now. I’ve been slowly moving away from OTC medications to more natural alternatives. It’s been about 2 years since I made the shift but only about 4 months ago I diligently started using them, completely replacing some of my trusted OTC medications. One such homeopathic medication I relied on was Camilia (for colds). Our relationship with Camilia cold drops recently ended as it doesn’t seem to provide the same level of comfort as it once did. I suppose this happens when the body gets used to certain medication.

I extensively diffuse/ topically use the oils now. We treat/comfort a variety of boo boo’s with essential oils. Let’s talk the most common issue, Cold/ cough and flu like symptoms. Megha is getting better as her immune system is slowly improving (as she is getting older) but Tanush still suffers from frequent colds.

My favourite oils to turn to for topical application for colds/coughs are Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Sage, Lemon and Tea Tree. I take 2 tbsp of coconut oil or Zarbees chest rub and add 2 drops of each oils that I just mentioned. I also tend to add lavender as it tends to have soothing effect. It takes about 20 mins for Tanush and Megha to go from fussy, grumpy, congested selves to cheery, relaxed, healthier selves. I just rub the oils (diluted with coconut oil or zarbees chest rub) on chest, feet, back (around the spine area).

I also diffuse the same oils.  

Every night without fail, I also diffuse Lavender in both the diffuser's in their respective rooms. 

Artistic Tanush

Tanush can make a toy out of everything! I mean, EVERYTHING!
Over the weekend, he took styrofoam DYI Christmas ornament into a scarecrow. He simply stuck sketch pens and I am thrilled to say that he said he made a scarecrow!

Look at the joyful hands :)

Long weekends

I love long weekends, especially the one's where Anand stays home. This means that we go to Escarpment/ parks that we all love. Over the weekend of May 18th/19th-2019, we went to a couple of conservatory parks.
With Spring in season, the birds were chirping; kids had fun looking at a milksnake.
Spirit loved the walks too.

Rattlesnake park.

Mount Nemo.

School Choir

Megha takes immense interest in school's choir. She is always humming songs when she is at home too. So much so that at times I tell her to stop; I should make a conscious effort not to tell her to stop. She could very well be our very own Lady Megha.

Thursday May 16th 2019 in the day in question. While I am by no means an "expert" in clothing, I am slowly getting the hang of dressing up a girl; or so I think.

Below is her art work displayed at school.

The Polar Express

Dec 22, 2018

December is my most favorite season of the year for a variety of reasons. Primarily because I get at least a week off and get to stay home. And then there are outings, cookie baking’s, rum cakes, Christmas presents etc. Dec 2018 we visited The Polar Express. Its based on the book/movie The Polar Express. It talks about believing in santa Claus and the magic of Christmas. Considering Megha is starting get skeptical about the existence of Santa Claus, it made sense for her to visit The Polar Express, thus dragging on her childhood a little bit longer.

The train was beautifully decorated and it looks and sounds just like in the movie. Even the conductor looked like he is from the book.

It was a freezing December day and the kids had fun drinking hot-coco at the train station. Here is Mr and Mrs. Claus greeting the kids. 

Tanush's Birth Story

My dad, Anand and I left for the hospital at 6 AM on Friday, august 15^th, 2015. I had already pre-registered the night before at the hospital so that its easier to check in. The process was so straight forward this time vs the natural labor progression. We waited in the room that was allotted to us. I remember being very nervous despite being prepared for this very thing for so long. Around 7:30 AM, Anand and I were ushered into the ER. The nurses were really nice. I do love Milton District Hospital.

Everything with Tanush’s birth went really fast. In no time my anesthesiologist administered the medication. My OBGYN with whom I had been hooked up with since the onset of pregnancy was Dr. Glen Hunter. He is kind and very reassuring. He kept updating me about what is happening on the table, while making sure to leave out any detail that can cause anxiety to me.

Tanush Reddiar was born at 8:01 AM.

As the days go by, the memories seem to fade. So much so that I started forgetting the timelines. Its best I (re)start writing everything down.

Tanush’s birthdate, time was predetermined. I did not opt for a VBAC and my doctor didn’t push me either about it. An elective C-Section is always frowned upon but after Megha’s labor and eventual C-Section, it didn’t make sense to try a VBAC.