June 2019 Father’s Day:

Every year, I look forward for Mother’s Day (because Anand makes me Mimosa’s all day starting at 8 AM!) and Father’s Day because I love cooking for Anand.

This Father’s day, we went to Troy’s Diner, our favorite family diner in Milton followed by a nice trek in Kelso Conservation park. Wow it was quite a work out going in that conservation park! It was very beautiful though.

Kids made some cute crafts. We were planning on making a little show for Anand from our favourite book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar but we didnt have enough time to plan and execute. Perhaps next year. 

I cooked some yum food that he liked. His lunch was chicken biryani, prawns curry, small fish curry, chicken dry, boondi raita, carrot halwa.

As it stands!

June 2019. I try to change the décor of the kids bathroom at least once every 18 months to 2 years; As it stands, ours is Monkey theme. Kids love their matching-everything and even buy mouth wash (apologies for the very bad lightning; there is no sunlight in this room and I cant seem to get the lighting properly here no matter what).

After Tanush was born and close to an year old, I made the life style shift to more natural alternatives to some of the common issues like cold/cough/fever/pains.

I love this new shelf that I bought for the Essential oils. Apart from looking good, it helps me keep everything in plain sight for easy access.

June 1st Weekend

June 2019:

It’s been a busy weekend at the Reddiar’s! Saturday started off with Tanush’s first soccer lesson. Oh he loved it! It’s hard to guess when he would suddenly get shy though, even if it’s while playing. He did take well to his coach. He even scored the last goal!

Makes me think we have to get him to play ball outside as often as possible. While he is surely competitive, it would help if he knows his way around football.

Sunday started off with lots of house work, cooking, cleaning, working on my cook-book videos etc. At 1, we went to get a picture taken for Megha for her dance (Jazz) recital. I messed up with the time and we went a little late. We still could get her individual picture taken though. I think she looks really sweet. She slowly is starting to get into makeup and all. She would ask me for my press powders/ bronzer. Her favourite part of the makeup ritual is the lipstick and the blush though. Megha is growing up so fast! I still recall 4 summers ago on her very ballet recital.

We went out for ice cream after. It’s a little mom and pop ice-cream shop on the main street; Jay’s. Tanush took a fancy Spiderman ice-cream and Megha was more comfortable with her usual chocolate. This girl cannot get enough of the chocolate!

We also went to get Tanush’s haircut done at Cookie-Cutters. He loves that place and the staff are really sweet with him. He loves the way his hair looks with gel on; I am planning on buying some gel for him sometime soon.

The day ended with a little bike/scooter ride on the sidewalk. This weather is so beautiful. I love it.

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 :)