Family Notebook

“baby” Ria,

So, you’re occupied. Wiggly Safari is on and you’re glued.
November…my goodness, what did we get up to? Mummy got a new computer so I seem to have lost a lot of things I keep tabs on. I’ll do my best.

Ah, thats right, Diwali was in November. We had a party with all your friends at your friend Yasmin’s house. At first you were afraid of the fireworks but then you fell in love and you haven’t stopped asking about them ever since. Mummy and Daddy also had a party with some friends so you spent the night with Dadima, Dadaji and of course your new found obsession, your cousin Nishit. The fireworks and crackers lasted longer and were louder than I had remembered from years before. I don’t think we slept for 4 days!

As we geared up for the Christmas season you started singing Christmas songs and telling me all about how you wanted to give Santa some carrots (what about the Reindeer?). We made some decorations at Ruby and Lola’s house and put up a special tree in your room which you decorated with them. Every night we’d go and turn the lights on your tree, the big tree and the ones outside.

Some milestones are: Having all your 2yr old Molars, Hooray for no more teething! You painted a crocodile that actually resembles one and you recognise simple shapes. Color accuracy is improving and you can do easy puzzles. Yesterday you drew a picture of Mummy, Daddy, Dadaji, Dadima and Ba complete with head, eyes, nose and mouth. Mummy and Daddy are so proud.

Before School Holidays came, Lola had a Disco Birthday Party complete with a Disco Dance Room. Mummy helped Lynny set it all up and you danced for an hour before the other kids showed up. You wore a hideous blue shirt with an open back and gold sequins hanging off it with a studded skirt. Go Disco Diva.

We went to the zoo again with some of your friends, this time you remembered what it was all about, that wasn’t entirely a good thing. You ran off on me twice, once because you “NEEEEEDED” to ride the train and secondly because you were just being your two year old self. You should be careful, I’ll end up baby leashing you and taking many pictures to embarrass you when you’re older. We saw lots of animals that we didn’t get to see the last time we were there. We saw Hippos and Emus and even a Rhino. The Elephants were having a bath so again we missed out on seeing them, maybe next time. The Chimpanzee is still all you will talk about, as well as the Train.

The Hogans left to their next posting in Singapore. We were all very sad to see them go. We had a lovely lunch with them and said our goodbyes.

On Christmas eve you were so excited you barely slept. We read the Night Before Christmas and left some milk & cookies for Santa and some Carrots for the Reindeer. You didn’t want to miss out on Santa’s meal so you had a portion yourself before bed.

We woke up early and got you up so you could see what had been left in your stocking and under the tree. Santa filled your stocking with Bouncy Balls, Sunglasses, a watch which you now wear all the time and some other random items. Under the Tree he left you some books & a My Little Pony collection. When you were finished opening them you told me to tell Santa “thank you”. We didn’t take any pictures this year, just a video.

We then went over to open your presents from Mummy and Daddy with your friends Ruby and Lola. Ruby and Lola gave you a lovely new Easel which has occupied a lot of your time. You also got some wooden instruments and a puzzle. From Mummy, Daddy, Rahul, Rupen, Dadima, Dadaji and Ba you got a great plastic table and chair set for your bedroom, new crayons and markers, coloring books, wooden construction blocks, a Polly Pocket air guitar with makeup, a wooden drum, Barbie Tika the Elephant and some small things on the side. You were one happy little person.

On the 27th was Lola’s real birthday and we went to her house for a little birthday celebration. Cupcake eating is your favourite sport.

Then, for even more excitement, Gareth and Andi came to visit us. You have talked about them endlessly since they left and you were so excited to see them. You were shy at first because it has been a little while but you warmed right up and started clinging to Gareth as usual. They bought you a Bratz Seahorse which you call your Mister Seehorse from the Eric Carle book.

New Years was a bit of a hassle. You went to Dadima and Dadaji’s and spent a quiet night in.

On January 7th you went to see your very first movie at the cinema. We went to the Imax and watched Santa vs. The Snowman on 3d. You sat there like such a big girl with your huge glasses on. I was amazed at how well you did, you barely made a peep the whole time and kept your glasses on for all but 5 minutes of the movie.

And today, you had your first Camel ride. It wasn’t planned, we were taking you to lunch and we saw it walking along. You love the wiggles and a song called Wobbly Camel so we thought we’d turn around and let you pat it. You, being the fearless girl you are went on and had a little walk around. I think you must have wanted to stay on there all day, lunch wasn’t so pleasant with you screaming for your Camel ride.

So, thats about it off the top of my head.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you sweetheart.

Love Mummy
xoxoxox