Meeting cousins

 The boys met their cousins Arjun and Vikram this weekend. They both enjoyed being called "Kamir baiya" and "Anurag baiya" by Arjun.

Circus

Nana-nani took the boys to see a circus for the first time ever. Fortunately, there were very few animals used. Apparently they had the time of their life. Their favourites were the trapeze artists.

Another little Pico

Sahana masi has been adopted by this little pup (by turning up in her garden one day with no sign of its mom). So, at least for now, it has found a little home for itself in Sahana masi's house. Sahana took the pup to the vet and found out that the little one is a month old. The boys haven't seen anything cuter and tinier and love to go feed her. Anurag has decided to again name this one Pico (because the original Pico is no longer a puppy). Other names for her are Chinni (Sahana masi's choice) and biskut (Kabir's choice).

A piece of peace

Recently one day, when we were in Dehradun and Anurag was really sick and clingy, I was trying to eat my breakfast while Anu sat on my lap. He had no appetite himself and was instead trying to feed me. He was trying to use a fork to cut the long papaya slices and feed me.

Annoyed, I say- Anurag, I want to eat in peace!

Innocently, he replies - pieces hi to kar raha hoon mama! (but I am giving it to you in pieces!)

Diwali 2015

Diwali morning football and sandplay

Back from school Diwali party

Back from his school Diwali party marking the start of a 3 week-long Diwali vacation for Anu. Bring on the diyas and rangoli!

nursery rhyme time

Pannu mama's wedding

Just back from attending Pannu mama's wedding in Dehradun. Anurag was sick the whole time so it turned out to be a really difficult trip. He started to get better on our last day there and enjoyed welcoming his new mami home. Kabir, on the other hand, enjoyed himself thoroughly especially bonding with his cousin Vaishnavi.

Anurag's Zoo

Anurag's home assignment - writing 5 lines about "zoo" and drawing a picture

Austrian get-away

After our successful trip to the NorthEast two years ago, we got a bit bolder and went for a longer vacation to Austria this month. Kids stayed with nana-nani for the 9 days that we were away. Other than a broken glass door in nani's house, everyone seemed to have done well. When we got back, many things were unrecognizable. Kids had new school bag, water bottles, sports gear etc. Kabir also had his term exams in school in the same week (which we didn't know about when we had planned the trip) and nani felt a dejavu going through third standard textbooks with him.

Our trip itself was fun. We spent three days in Vienna. The highlight was our day of cycling in the Wachau countryside (starting from Krems cycling along the Danube and through beautiful vineyards and apple orchards, stopping in the village Durnstein, a short hike there followed by a lot of wine and schnapps tasting along the way). We were in Graz for four days where Saurabh had a conference to attend and I did a lot of walking in the city. On the fourth day there we did a day hike to bärenschützklamm and schüsserlbrunn starting from a small village called Mixnitz which was absolutely gorgeous. Our most enjoyable day, however, was our last day (and night) with family in Laßnitzhöhe. Gerhardt and Huberta were wonderful hosts and Peter took us around and shared many stories. We missed having the boys with us especially in Laßnitzhöhe. Hopefully, there will be a second time.

Janmashthmi

Anu as little Krishna for Janmashthmi celebrations in school

Thanks to Seema aunty for dressing him up

Trek report

The spotted-leopards group of campus kids planned a trek this Sunday to our good old IIT/Sameer hill. Here's Kabir's report on the trek and a photo (pic courtesy: Vaishnav's dad)

I-Day 2015

Happy Independence day to all! 

We are just back from the I-Day celebrations in Kabir's school and in the Institute. This year, however, the kids have grown too old to allow me to take the customary pictures of them with the tricolour. So I post some pictures from Anurag's notebook instead. 

(flag has four colours: orange and green and white and blue)

(The flag is green and yellow in colour. The tree is big (and) brown. The stick is tall and strong. The house is red. There are eleven birds)

Update: finally managed a picture!

Maverix gen-next

Another special reunion this weekend. Photo courtesy: Roli, Abha

Posing with Pico

More family pictures

from Shailee bua's wedding 

Anu and pico

A few days ago we found that a mama-dog had moved into our building compound with her litter of four puppies. Anurag is absolutely crazy about the puppies (Remember this from the Andamans trip?). Yesterday he and his friend R caught one of them and named him "Pico". They brought him up to the house but Anita was quick to ask them to take the pup back. Disappointed, they went to different floors in the building asking people if they wanted to see and play with little Pico. They were thrilled when someone offered Pico some milk and biscuits. Pico got a ride in Anurag's bicycle's basket and and was finally sent back to the mama. Anu is now eyeing to befriend the other brown pup. Since I have no experience with dogs, I'm afraid that he or the pup may get hurt but Anu tells me there's nothing to worry about. He confessed that he did drop the puppy down once while trying to put him in his bicycle's basket, but the puppy was strong and didn't cry. Will soon post a picture.

The epic reunion

All of  us together for the first time in 15+ years!

Lego mania

Latest additions to the family of lego vehicles in our house, thanks to nana-nani. 

Anurag's airplanes

Colourful aircrafts made by Anurag

Shailee bua's wedding

Had a lovely time in Pune this weekend at Shailee bua's wedding. The boys bonded with their cousins and bua-chachas. Anurag was fascinated with Shifu bua and didn't leave her side at all (see last pic) and Kabir chased Shoru chachcha all over the place.