I struggled about putting up a post about the King of Pop. But after watching snippets of the memorial this week, I am overwhelmed with nostaligia and frustrated at the media coverage of the passing of this music legend.
My husband and I grew up listening to BAD and the news of the death of Michael Jackson on June 25th, 2009 brought up a feeling of immense sadness. When we heard the news, that evening, Father Bear and I , began crooning to the Man in the Mirrror much to Little Bear's amusement. Little Bear, I hope you will enjoy his songs and like your parents did try to mimic the moonwalk.
The questions that emerged after his death about his personal life are both sad and unnecessary. Let's celebrate the best part of his life, his biggest contribution to the world - his music.
In this bear household the biggest questions revolve around death. Why do people die? Is it only old people? Amma- I don't want you to die and the biggest one - Amma - I don't want to die.
How do you explain death to a 3 year old, I asked my mom. Her recommendation was to use the power of distraction and evade the question. He's too young to grasp the concept she said. That's the Indian way, I retorted. I want to be able to offer an explanation which is not based on any religious beliefs. Still looking for an answer but until I find it I'll have to go with my mom's way.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
Astronaut soup
Here's a recipe from the budding chef - Little Bear..
Take some jeera in a pan.
Put some chilly powder and then ginger.
Put eggplant and stir.
Add turmeric powder.
Add water and let it boil. Then add a drop of orange juice and apple juice.
Then add milk to it. Stir well. Then add curry leaf and coriander. Then filter the leaves out.
Why is it called astronaut soup you ask ... Because you add milk to it and it becomes white
Take some jeera in a pan.
Put some chilly powder and then ginger.
Put eggplant and stir.
Add turmeric powder.
Add water and let it boil. Then add a drop of orange juice and apple juice.
Then add milk to it. Stir well. Then add curry leaf and coriander. Then filter the leaves out.
Why is it called astronaut soup you ask ... Because you add milk to it and it becomes white
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Interview
I found this post and I thought that it was a neat idea. So, one evening armed with the an mp3 recorder I decided to record Little Bear's first interview ..You can listen to it here
here is the print version:
What makes me happy? " When I do something you asked me to"
”What makes me sad? when I do something you don't want me to"
How do I make you laugh? "I don't know"
What do you think I was like as a child? “A kid”
How old am I? forty five four (?????)
How tall am I? "Very tall" (I wish 5 feet is tall. Note to self - add 'petite' to vocabulary)
What is my favorite thing to do? "Shop!"
What do I do when you’re not around? "Look for me!"
If I become famous, what will it be for? "What is famous? “I don’t know.”
What am I really good at? "Taking care of me" (Way to go!!! Who wants a Mother's Day gift!)
What am I not really good at? "Shopping!" (which means I need to shop more so I can get good at it)
What is my job? "To take care of me"
What is my favorite food? "Dal"
What makes you proud of me? "When I listen to you"
What makes me proud of you? "When I listen to you"
What do you and I do together? "Play. Play tag, hide-and-seek"
How are we the same? "We have the same skin"
How are you and I different? "Your teeth are half-teeth and mine are full" (translated - Mommy has cavities)
How do you know that I love you? "Because you call me my name"
What do you wish you could go and do with me? "Build a propeller plane!"
Ok! buddy Lets go build one!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Indian girl ...
Scene: Mother Bear trimming Little Bear's nails
Mother Bear latest endeavor is to turn the most mundane everyday things into opportunities to learn. So, in the spirit of the aforementioned passion, I proceeded to explain the names of each finger.
"this is your pinky"
"And this one is the ring finger. Its called so because you can wear a ring on it
"Oh yes! I am going to get married and wear a ring one day. Oh yes! Oh yes!" (
"And I'm going to marry an Indian girl "
An Indian girl! A pretend gasp followed. Actually this is music to my ears.
Why? An Indian girl?
because..because ..She has a red fire engine and is very nice and will let me ride it
Little Bear when you are no longer little and become a big bear you can bet we will remind you about this.
Mother Bear latest endeavor is to turn the most mundane everyday things into opportunities to learn. So, in the spirit of the aforementioned passion, I proceeded to explain the names of each finger.
"this is your pinky"
"And this one is the ring finger. Its called so because you can wear a ring on it
"Oh yes! I am going to get married and wear a ring one day. Oh yes! Oh yes!" (
"And I'm going to marry an Indian girl "
An Indian girl! A pretend gasp followed. Actually this is music to my ears.
Why? An Indian girl?
because..because ..She has a red fire engine and is very nice and will let me ride it
Little Bear when you are no longer little and become a big bear you can bet we will remind you about this.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Overheard..
Scene: Bedtime
Little Bear: Appa, I'm Tiger Woods. From now, my name is Tiger Woods
Appa: ok ..
Little Bear: And you are Phil Mickelson
Appa: (very pleased) very good ..And who is Amma?
Little Bear: Hillary Clinton
Little Bear: Appa, I'm Tiger Woods. From now, my name is Tiger Woods
Appa: ok ..
Little Bear: And you are Phil Mickelson
Appa: (very pleased) very good ..And who is Amma?
Little Bear: Hillary Clinton
100 uses of a citrus juicer
We bought a citrus juicer recently, for Little Bear to be able to make fresh orange juice. This is a Montessori practical life activity which he enjoys greatly.
We originally bought this juicer at Target but an indepth price research proved that cheaper options exist. So, I decided to return the Target one and explained to Little Bear that we will wait to buy an inexpensive juicer.
When I returned home from work the next evening, Dadi(the nanny) announced that the juicer worked very well and Little Bear had a wonderful time using it. I had actually snuck ouit at lunch time and bought a $5 juicer to replace the Target one...As expected, i was a little annoyed because Little Bear had not heeded my advice to wait to use the juicer ..
So, here's what ensued in the car ride after we dropped Dadi home ..
Amma, its ok we'll just keep this juicer and use the $5 you bought..
But what will we do with 2 juicers? Its clutter..I argued..
Ok! we'll keep it in the basement
thats a waste ..
Oh! then we'll just try to use both
That seems like a waste too ..I said
Oh! then we'll give 1 to Dadi
But she already has one!
I know ..I know..We'll pack it in the original box and wash it good and return it to Target
A lesson on ethics followe wherin I calmly explained that we cannot return something that was used. But he maintains that we have to return it, so someone else can buy the expensive juicer.
We originally bought this juicer at Target but an indepth price research proved that cheaper options exist. So, I decided to return the Target one and explained to Little Bear that we will wait to buy an inexpensive juicer.
When I returned home from work the next evening, Dadi(the nanny) announced that the juicer worked very well and Little Bear had a wonderful time using it. I had actually snuck ouit at lunch time and bought a $5 juicer to replace the Target one...As expected, i was a little annoyed because Little Bear had not heeded my advice to wait to use the juicer ..
So, here's what ensued in the car ride after we dropped Dadi home ..
Amma, its ok we'll just keep this juicer and use the $5 you bought..
But what will we do with 2 juicers? Its clutter..I argued..
Ok! we'll keep it in the basement
thats a waste ..
Oh! then we'll just try to use both
That seems like a waste too ..I said
Oh! then we'll give 1 to Dadi
But she already has one!
I know ..I know..We'll pack it in the original box and wash it good and return it to Target
A lesson on ethics followe wherin I calmly explained that we cannot return something that was used. But he maintains that we have to return it, so someone else can buy the expensive juicer.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
These times
Well, the headlines say it all.
Scene: Little Bear reading the Wall Street Journal during breakfast
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Bird House
The Bird House was built at the Build and Grow Workshop at Lowes by Little Bear with a little help from Father Bear.
We are enjoying watching the cardinals and sparrows. There is a lesson to be learnt from them - how patiently they sit and wait for their turn on the railing when they see another bird pecking at the seeds.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
About ants, snails and earthworms....
Its Spring here in Hotlanta and with temperatures in the eighties and quite a few wet days, there have been a lot of outdoor creatures on the yard, the deck and some venturing right into our house.
This spring Little Bear is spending a lot of time outdoors and has emerged into this bold and curious little boy who loves nature but much to our chagrin has a a nasty habit of 'crushing down' ants, snails and earthworms.
But why? I ask him everytime he proudly proclaims that he stamped a fire ant. "Oh! because it may bite me" is his response. Yesterday, when I picked him from school he said ..."Amma! I crushed up a snail shell..Buts its ok, the snail was not in the shell." A quick zoology lesson followed where I explained that a snail always carries its shell around with it because it is like its house. "But Amma, I'm sure the snail was not in the shell when I crushed it into pieces"
Later that evening after a fresh downpour, we went outside to see earthworms. I thought this would be a great opportunity to teach him to respect other living things and let them be. We got on our hands and knees to see the earthworms lazily crawl around. When one of them came too close to him, he threatened to stamp it. Frustrated I tried to explain with another angle - this earthworm is going back to its mother and we must let it do that, I said. He gave me a quizzical look and said -"No, this earthworm does not have a mother. Its independent" Not sure if he says that because he knows so or just because he wants to have a counter-argument about everything I say ..
Needless to say, in the coming weeks we hope to try our best to teach him the valuable lesson of respecting all other living things.
This spring Little Bear is spending a lot of time outdoors and has emerged into this bold and curious little boy who loves nature but much to our chagrin has a a nasty habit of 'crushing down' ants, snails and earthworms.
But why? I ask him everytime he proudly proclaims that he stamped a fire ant. "Oh! because it may bite me" is his response. Yesterday, when I picked him from school he said ..."Amma! I crushed up a snail shell..Buts its ok, the snail was not in the shell." A quick zoology lesson followed where I explained that a snail always carries its shell around with it because it is like its house. "But Amma, I'm sure the snail was not in the shell when I crushed it into pieces"
Later that evening after a fresh downpour, we went outside to see earthworms. I thought this would be a great opportunity to teach him to respect other living things and let them be. We got on our hands and knees to see the earthworms lazily crawl around. When one of them came too close to him, he threatened to stamp it. Frustrated I tried to explain with another angle - this earthworm is going back to its mother and we must let it do that, I said. He gave me a quizzical look and said -"No, this earthworm does not have a mother. Its independent" Not sure if he says that because he knows so or just because he wants to have a counter-argument about everything I say ..
Needless to say, in the coming weeks we hope to try our best to teach him the valuable lesson of respecting all other living things.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Penguins in Antarctica
We recently bought "Antarctica" for the Little Bear.
The main reason I bought it was the beautiful illustrations and bold colors.I had very little idea about the actual story and did not expect it to be more than a geography/nature book.
We decided to read it at bedtime. The story is about the cold Antarctica and its inhabitants- the penguins, seals and skuas.It explains how the female penguin lays her egg and goes out to sea to feed while the male penguin cares for the egg. The male penguins huddle together to stay warm in the cold winter. Suddenly helicopter whirrs above and the noise frightens them causing them to panic and flee, leaving the eggs behind. The skuas then swoop in and eat the eggs. And this where my sensitive son started crying. As he choked and brushed away his tears, he asked me how the penguins will get more eggs? I explained that the mama penguin will lay more eggs from which babies will come out. Humans need to be more respectful of other animals and be conscious of how their actions affect other animals. Another learning here is about the food chain. Skuas feed on eggs and penguins feed on fish ...the food chain is what feeds everyone on this earth.
This is a wonderful book and has become a family favorite. It is full of valuable lessons and sparks a discussion everytime we read it.
“The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth.” ~Maria Montessori
The main reason I bought it was the beautiful illustrations and bold colors.I had very little idea about the actual story and did not expect it to be more than a geography/nature book.
We decided to read it at bedtime. The story is about the cold Antarctica and its inhabitants- the penguins, seals and skuas.It explains how the female penguin lays her egg and goes out to sea to feed while the male penguin cares for the egg. The male penguins huddle together to stay warm in the cold winter. Suddenly helicopter whirrs above and the noise frightens them causing them to panic and flee, leaving the eggs behind. The skuas then swoop in and eat the eggs. And this where my sensitive son started crying. As he choked and brushed away his tears, he asked me how the penguins will get more eggs? I explained that the mama penguin will lay more eggs from which babies will come out. Humans need to be more respectful of other animals and be conscious of how their actions affect other animals. Another learning here is about the food chain. Skuas feed on eggs and penguins feed on fish ...the food chain is what feeds everyone on this earth.
This is a wonderful book and has become a family favorite. It is full of valuable lessons and sparks a discussion everytime we read it.
“The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth.” ~Maria Montessori
The Fisherman
On Easter Sunday, we made a trip to the Bass Pro Shop.
Yes, The Bass Pro Shop.I would never in my wildest of dreams thought that I would have ever stepped into that store since it involves outdoor sports (mainly water), which is an area of very very little interest to me. The reason for the visit was two fold. Firstly there was an Easter Egg Hunt inside the store ...the 'inside the store' part was extremely important because the Little bear has been reacting pretty strongly to the Georgia pollen in the air. The second reason for going to this store was because he wants to become a Fisherman!
The boy has been using the Swiffer as a fishing rod. He took a yo-yo and tied it to the end of the swiffer, as the fishing line. The worms go in the beach bucket. He stands on the couch, pretends that the rug is the lake where the fish are. When he catches a fish, he pulls it up, loudly proclaims that he caught another one and then after he is sure that an adults attention has been duly received, the fish is thrown back into the water(We are vegetarians and don't eat it)
So, there was a lot of excitement about the trip to the "fishing" store. After the 'egg hunt', we explored the store. The fishing lines, the boats, swimming gear and the big tank of bass fish were seen. Papa bear promised to buy him a fishing rod but after a stern look and a reminder that he was too little for it, this promise was withdrawn and rapid distraction followed. We bought him a backpack instead with a fishing book and some toy worms and things that seemed more age approporiate.
The fishing back pack has become his best buddy. It is carried everywhere - even to sleep.
The Little Bear will get a chance to go out fishing on a dear friend's boat later this summer. I hope to report back about the trip soon!
Yes, The Bass Pro Shop.I would never in my wildest of dreams thought that I would have ever stepped into that store since it involves outdoor sports (mainly water), which is an area of very very little interest to me. The reason for the visit was two fold. Firstly there was an Easter Egg Hunt inside the store ...the 'inside the store' part was extremely important because the Little bear has been reacting pretty strongly to the Georgia pollen in the air. The second reason for going to this store was because he wants to become a Fisherman!
The boy has been using the Swiffer as a fishing rod. He took a yo-yo and tied it to the end of the swiffer, as the fishing line. The worms go in the beach bucket. He stands on the couch, pretends that the rug is the lake where the fish are. When he catches a fish, he pulls it up, loudly proclaims that he caught another one and then after he is sure that an adults attention has been duly received, the fish is thrown back into the water(We are vegetarians and don't eat it)
So, there was a lot of excitement about the trip to the "fishing" store. After the 'egg hunt', we explored the store. The fishing lines, the boats, swimming gear and the big tank of bass fish were seen. Papa bear promised to buy him a fishing rod but after a stern look and a reminder that he was too little for it, this promise was withdrawn and rapid distraction followed. We bought him a backpack instead with a fishing book and some toy worms and things that seemed more age approporiate.
The fishing back pack has become his best buddy. It is carried everywhere - even to sleep.
The Little Bear will get a chance to go out fishing on a dear friend's boat later this summer. I hope to report back about the trip soon!
Appa is Tiger Woods
So, the Little Bear has been showing some interest in golf, this spring. Perhaps this has something to do with the several trips that Papa bear has already (spring is just here!) made to the golf course. On Sundays, it is common for the father-son duo to sit in front of the television and watch a white ball being hit by a club.
And then much to Papa bear's surprise the Little bear called him Tiger Woods. Not that Papa bear is a huge fan of Tiger Woods. yes, he is probably ranked the World No 1 but Papa bear always roots for the underdog (Phil Mickelson). So, at dinner the other day when Little bear called him Tiger Woods, he did not quite know how to react.
Fast-forward to a week later. We were driving to the mall and Papa bear was speeding a little bit. I reminded him about the recent hefty speeding ticket we just paid to which Little Bear replied "Appa - if you speed then I will call you Phil Mickelson, not Tiger Woods". I think Papa Bear almost caused an accident because he looked behind where the boy was sitting and burst out laughing. Not really sure how Little Bear made the association of speeding with Phil M. but I suspect that in the days to come, Papa bear will work hard and try to change this misconception surrounding his golf hero.
And then much to Papa bear's surprise the Little bear called him Tiger Woods. Not that Papa bear is a huge fan of Tiger Woods. yes, he is probably ranked the World No 1 but Papa bear always roots for the underdog (Phil Mickelson). So, at dinner the other day when Little bear called him Tiger Woods, he did not quite know how to react.
Fast-forward to a week later. We were driving to the mall and Papa bear was speeding a little bit. I reminded him about the recent hefty speeding ticket we just paid to which Little Bear replied "Appa - if you speed then I will call you Phil Mickelson, not Tiger Woods". I think Papa Bear almost caused an accident because he looked behind where the boy was sitting and burst out laughing. Not really sure how Little Bear made the association of speeding with Phil M. but I suspect that in the days to come, Papa bear will work hard and try to change this misconception surrounding his golf hero.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Its been ..
..a long time since I posted anything here. The plan is to start back up with weekly posts at least. The Little Bear is growing up very fast. His current 'talking' pace is scary and I don't want these events to go unrecorded. So, here's whats planned for the summer. All this talk about Earth Day (April 22nd) has left me aspiring to be more green and so there will be a vegetable garden. A trip to the library and then to Lowes should help me with the basics and with Little Bear's help (right!), we should be well on our way. We also have a trip to the beach planned as well as plenty of local day-trips to places nearby. Should be a fun summer!
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