#NewEraDawns #AgeofWisdom #MagicvsTruth

(Warning: This is going to be a long read.)

We started the Santa’s presents, elf on the shelf, Easter bunny etc after Manya turned 2., and very recently the tooth fairy did bring in some cash.

Ever since she turned three or so, she has been questioning the practicalities involved - how come you don’t know when Santa comes, so if any stranger came into you wouldn’t know? How can the Easter bunny carry a basket? How can the toy elf move on it’s own? In the last few years she’d come back from school and say so and so says it’s not real etc etc. And then she’d ask us - “do you believe in all this?” And I’d ask her “what do you think?” She would always say, after voicing all her objections, “but I do believe in magic so yes I do believe.” And I’d say that’s all that matters then.

Last night, this newly minted 7 year old very seriously sits me down and says - is Santa real? I again went back to my “what do you think”. And she goes, “I want to believe it’s all real but I think it’s not. It doesn’t really make sense all the time. Tell me the truth.”

And I told her she was right. I also added that parents go through all this just to keep childhood a little magical and fun and not to really deceive their kids or lie to them. And she smiled and said “I understand. Thank you for doing all of that - all the presents and the letters. And Thank you also for telling me the truth.”

Manya stumps me with her maturity at times ... I was surprised that she didn’t seem very upset. So I asked her. And she goes “no I am not upset. I am just a little disappointed that there is no real magic in this world. But I like truth too.”

Oh my god, we hugged and we hugged. And I told her I don’t know about real magic but there are truly magical things that happen - like she happened to us, like the beauty of nature, like the joy of sharing and kindness.

As we were getting a little too sappy, she winked and said no need to write to Santa and worrying about him getting my letter.

And so we sat down and decided on new traditions - instead of letters to Santa, we’ll all write notes about our favorite moments and seal the envelopes under the tree, and read it out in Christmas morning. No gifts from Santa but we will still wrap gifts for each other and put it under the tree as surprises.

So there won’t be Santa, no elf or tooth fairy, but the spirit of celebration and joy and sharing they stand for will remain.

P.S. I did tell her she doesn’t have to announce the truth to everyone as let the parents decide when the kids are ready. And she goes sure, I’ll also tell my daughters when they turn 7 - not before that. (PSS She wants to have two wonderful daughters “just like her” ... 🤣🤣🤣 but I digress, 7 is the age of wisdom, guys, so you know. )

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was indeed very merry - A daddy with minimal work load at office and an overenthusiastic mommy made sure the year ended with a lot of fun.

The house was lit up, the Christmas tree was set in the living space for the first time ever, a mail was posted to Santa with a tiny wishlist, mommy soaked fruits and nuts in rum and wine for the cake, we even took a train ride to visit Santa, we woke up on the d day to wrapped presents and stuffed stockings, more festivities awaited at the party hosted by friends. All in all, one of the most joyous year ends and beginnings ever!

The festival of lights...

Even though Manya is 3, I realise that it is only now that she is at an age where we can actively celebrate our festivals etc. Therefore, this year has been special in the sense that we have been really enthusiastic about celebrating major festivals and holiday traditions and hope to continue doing so in the years to come.

Diwali was all about lights - this is the first time we set up light in the US. Manya and mommy also did a simple rangoli inspite of it being a rainy day. Indian goodies were made in the kitchen - we kept it simple with all of us down with cold!

First time trick o' treating!

I had already blogged about M's Halloween obsession here. Well, yesterday was her first time ever trick o' treating and she did have a blast!

Dressed up as bat girl, our very own caped crusader had not one but two parties to attend. 

I was a little apprehensive about her going door-to-door for the trick o' treat, but was shocked at her independence and unabashedness as her cries for candy became louder as did the amount she was grabbing with each passing house. I would like to assume it was because she was with a known group and knew mommy is close behind - but I must also mention, at one point she asked me to go back home and wait for her. The gall of the girl!  

Happy Holi!

All these years after our wedding, I have been whining and cribbing, and whining how I have not been able to indulge in my favorite festival - Holi , BUT things have changed - I have found my partner in crime...

It was so simple:

Me: Manya it's holi today! Happy holi!

Manya: What is holi, mommy?

Me: Holi is a festival of colors. You put color on each other.

Manya: Hurray, Let's do holi! Happy Holi!

So I whipped up some homemade color (using gram flour, corn flour, sandalwood powder, turmeric, icing flavors). We waited for it to get nice and sunny outside and then played with colors for a long time - I am sure the neighbors thought we had gone crazy - We colored each other's faces, clothes, slippers, legs, and what not. Manya was thrilled - she wants to "do holi" everyday now!

We "wore holi" (some nice colorful Indian clothes) after a "holi bath", which had mommy and dotty splashing in the tub together. We also "ate holi" - potatoes, puri, gol gappas, and suji halwa with puris being M's favorite!

I am hoping we'll get rowdier as the years progress ;).

First Birthday Celebrations

Manya turned one on November 6th! It being a week day, M's separation anxiety on the ascending path and not many parents with really young kids for M's company we know, we decided to keep the first birthday all about the birthday girl. And looks like we made a great decision. There were no crying fits, no anxious moments - just a lot fun and excitement.

On the night prior to the big day, we put M to sleep at her usual time and then both mommy and daddy sneaked to the living room area to spruce it up. I baked a Tres Leches cake - hoping that she'll like the milky sweetness. The picture and recipe on my other blog here. Vish blew about 30-40 balloons. Most of them were pink and black, along with the streamers, in keeping with M's main birthday dress! We put a huge bunch of colorful balloons on top of the dining table.

The next morning when M came down, the squeals of delight from her on seeing the decorations were such a source of joy for us. It's amazing how children instantly notice the difference. I am sure she had that inkling that this was a different day :). After Skype sessions with her thatha, daadi, nana, nani, mama, athai-athimber and her cousins, we cut the cake. We gave her a huge block to smash into and voila, how thrilled was our little devil. A whole piece to herself to do as she pleased! There was cake all over - she ate quite a bit too, giving me such a great sense of pride!

We ensured that we stuck to her food and nap schedule. Though we did manage to squeeze in atleast three dress changes and a lot of pictures in between! After her afternoon nap, we took her to the local zoo - a more of a petting center really. It turned out to be huge hit. There was an exclusive petting barn with sheep, lambs, goats and llamas - the animals are so used to visitors and kids that they readily approach you for food and even for posing! M spoke to quite a few of them. She loved the monkeys and the ducks at the pond. Even though she was too young for the pony ride, we let her watch it and clap hands as it trotted along. She didn't even spare a second glance to the more exotic species of snow leopards, foxes, and reptiles. The deer and the kangaroos were too far for her to really "enjoy" them. After spending a couple of hours there and letting her have her snack at the pond, we came back with great memories and pictures. 

Vish and I spent the late evening after her highness had gone off to sleep, reminiscing about the same day last year. I cannot say it enough, how fascinating it is to see how children change and grow up so much in 12 measly months! Amen.