In India, there is a holiday Raksha Bandhan celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana. The full moon was Saturday, the day we were in transit. Unfortunately, we were unable to celebrate it as we were exhausted and had not had a chance to go to the temple or the grocery store to get any rakhis. It is a holiday celebrating the bond between siblings, specifically between brothers and sisters (either by blood or by affiliation). The sister ties a rakhi (blessed decorative thread) around the brother's wrist wishing him a long and happy life. He reciprocates by presenting her with gifts and offering his protection. I like the sentiment of celebrating sibling bonds. Growing up, I was quite pleased that Hinduism recognized this relation (one that is not celebrated in American culture with mother's day, father's day, etc.). However, I found it not very egalitarian as I wondered why the brothers were wished long lives and the sisters were not. I also found the symbolic and material exchanges interesting. Of course, women are more vulnerable in a patriarchal society in which women go to live in their husband's family. Hence, the protection of a brother is a supposed safeguard. Quite fascinating. Anyway, a long and happy life to Rakesh and R from myself and K. R has worn a rakhi before (tied by his masee) and seemed to like it so I am disappointed that I was unable to go to get one for him and his uncle.
We are trying out the new less-nagging, more consequence meal time. Breakfast led to some disappointment for R as he did not quite comply with the rule. By dinner he had it down. I think it will work better in the long run. We are setting the timer for about 30 minutes and giving him a plate of food. about half way through, we specify how much he has to eat to receive his sticker. when he has a few stickers, he gets a treat (watching volcanos or hurricanes on youtube for example).
we got everyone to daycare. i really like engineers. it feels more like a kindergarten environment. R seems to like it as well. he read and did a little drawing in his journal today. K had a difficult drop off because i went in twice. but she seemed so happy, proud, and confident before she saw me so i know she is thriving. she had a good day and was a little wired and energetic when i picked her up. Dad and R were in preschool bungalow gathering their things. There was some whining in the car while the kids snacked on dad's leftover french fries and some blueberry muffin. But mostly R was in inquisitive mode. Why this and why that. K was practicing toddler independence -- NO!
After the initial chaos of coming home, the kids settled down to eat, read, and talk. Ruskin ran around outside with the neighbors for a few minutes while the kids ate. R did well, eating a decent quantity and variety of food within the given time frame with minimum prompting. hooray! Afterwards, K and I did a Costco run for the bday party on Sunday. She was quite
excited to go to the "mum-mum store." she was quite chatty and we had a fun time. R stayed home and worked on his bed with his dad. i think it is complete! Ms. K decided she wanted to call her masee -- her conversation was primarily her pretending to chat (a di-di di-di, hmm ah hmm) with much gesturing and nodding. this is amusing in person but really funny to watch her do on the phone. poor masee could not figure out if she was saying anything or not. k went through the list of all the people that she misses today -- nani, nana, rocky mama, grandma sue, and sarah (previous teacher). "miss nani." "ball mama."
bedtime went well. everyone had some bathing and book time. k and i snuggled. she was tired but somehow still energetic. i fell asleep. Ruskin read with R and seemed to enjoy their time together. By the way, R did practice going up and down his bed. He is a little rusty but it is good for him. Ruskin said that we asleep some time after 10pm. so vague data tonight. it will take a little while to get back. not a bad day! now 4 days without daycare. i have them both tomorrow alone from 8:30 to 7 so wish me luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment