Xmas singing

This weekend turned out to be one packed with action, the highlight of which was the Xmas program at IIT Staff Club organized by some really talented women on campus. Kids had been practicing for this for a month. On Saturday, they presented the program at the Staff Club and today they made a trip to the local Asha chapter for yet another program. The main program included carol singing, dancing and skit by older kids and ofcourse meeting with Santa.

Kabir was dressed as an angel and was one of the younger kids in the group. His favourite songs were: I'm an angel, Go tell it on the mountain and King seekers travelling. After these first three songs in the sequence Kabir couldn't wait to be done. Soon after, he ditched his buddies and ran over into the audience section and sat next to me, which was all the more funny because his friends in the singing group started calling him back as he vigorously shook his head :)

The little angel




This next one wasn't supposed to be an action song, but I guess Kabu really wanted to express himself.


He was visibly bored by this song and can be seen signalling that he wants to come and sit in the audience


The nativity scene set to "Silent night"


And finally, some dancing and giggling with Santa!

Hiking up the IIT hill

About two weeks ago, we did a little hike up the IIT hill. It was the day after Rakhi, and we had some family visiting us. The hike was easy with beautiful views of Powai lake and Vihar lake from the top. This was Kabir's first hike and he managed beautifully. We didn't take Anurag with us since the trail was slippery from the rains. The view made us realize how lucky we are to be living on such a green campus.
Vihar lake
Kabir on top of the hill
View of the IIT campus and the Powai lake
Saurabh with Prafull uncle

First steps

Anurag has taken his first few independent steps! Anita and I both witnessed it yesterday, so I certainly didn't imagine it. He took about 4 steps from the armchair to the wall. He has done that quite a few times again today but I haven't managed to capture it on video yet. All of us, especially Kabir, are very excited about this new development. In fact, Kabir had even been giving him tips and demonstrations to Anu on how to walk :-)
I hope to post a video soon.

Anurag's first hair cut

I gave Anurag his first ever hair cut today. His hair had grown really long. We were hoping to leave it intact for a mundan ceremony but since the ceremony can not be held for another year, I thought it was time to give the poor kid some relief in this heat. Here's a mandatory before and after pic that an occasion like this calls for.


The haircut isn't the best, but in my defence he didn't stay still at all. Moreover, Kabir announced that he liked the haircut and in this case his opinion matters most after Anurag's. I think he looks so different and boyish in his new hairstyle that it will take me some time to get used to it. Even though I will miss his lovely soft curls, I am glad to say goodbye to his hairpins and bands!

Another First...

..but this time, not in a good way. Kabu has been down with fever and has been diagnosed with tonsillitis. I will admit it - last weekend we fed him some really good icecream when he had just recovered from an illness. Kabir even warned us ("the doctor has asked me not to eat anything cold") but we thought the icecream was too good to worry about the doctor's warning. So now his tonsils are really inflamed and he had to start a course of antibiotics. It is his first time on antibiotics ever, and I am disappointed that we didn't take the doctor's advice seriously.
The good news is that he is feeling better since we started the medication. He is happy that he is getting to stay at home instead of having to go to sishu vihar and even tries to push his luck by asking me to take him swimming.