Nandini's 2nd B'day Party!!!!

We went to New Jersey to attend Nandini’s 2^nd B’day party. That was my first b’day party (other than my own, of course). This was also the first occasion when I was invited and my parents tagged along.

What is better than one sister? Two sisters!!!!!!!!! “The Smiley” was the theme of the party, which was Khyati Didi’s idea.

The adults are toasting the occasion, which was fine since all the beverages were non-alcoholic (yes, I know the difference).

This was really a special party. In this picture, you see everybody present at the party, and all the guests received personal attention from everybody else. Definitely less crowded than Hampton Beach.

This is the cake Khyati Didi made. It tasted as good as it looked. When I have my b’day party in future, she’s the first one I’m inviting.

This is how girls eat cake…..

This is how boys do it……

Mom and dad with Nandini. Life is all about creating memories, isn’t it?

We all remember times like this, right????

My first trip to a beach!!!

We went to the Hampton Beach in New Hampshire and it was my first trip to a beach. We had so much fun that I assure you that it won’t be the last one either. I fell asleep in the car and was still asleep when we got to the beach. I finally woke up on the beach, in a blistering sun and in middle of about two thousand people!

But, you see, I adjusted immediately when Swetadidi took me in the water. Frankly speaking, an ocean is not that different from my bathtub, only slightly bigger and a bit salty.

I did not know there was so much sand and water on our planet. It was awesome! I made things out of sand and then demolished them and then made them again and …well, you know the cycle. Also, I had a tattoo on my right bicep and I was the only toddler on the beach with a tattoo!

What would a child do without his cart? I collected sand, water, rocks, shells, seaweeds and all sorts of useful things in this cart. I used it so much that dad had to spend an entire hour to clean it once we got home.

This was inevitable. These are my footprints in the sand. Seeing how much mom was excited when this picture was taken, I’m sure she had this planned even before I was born!

I saw kites in the sky which was very exciting. Dad said something about Uttarayan, but I didn’t quite understand. He says a lot of things that I don’t understand.

Okay, so far you didn’t see Swetadidi because she was taking our pictures and she is a bit camera shy. But, she was with us all the time and had just as much fun, if not more. If it weren’t for a sunset (which means everybody has to vacate the beach), I don’t think she’d have ever left.

Can you say we had an excellent time at the beach?

Chuck E. Cheese

We went to Chuck E. Cheese last weekend. Kind of like kids' Las Vegas, where kids can do anything. What happens in Chuck E. Cheese, stays in Chuck E. Cheese.


I'm so big and independent now that I can go on the slide all by myself, without hurting me or anybody else. Mom is still scared. Mothers, right?

But I inspired mom too, to do something daring.

I believe phone is the best invention ever (Dad says that my opinion will change once I grow up). I can call dad at work, although I don't always end up dialing dad's number. Here, I'm trying to call 'Honey' (It's amazing how many times you can get out of trouble just by calling your mom 'Honey'), who I realized was filming this video. Sadly, I don't have any other numbers to call. Well, not just yet.

I look bored in the following video, because I couldn't find the steering wheel. How do you drive this thing? Surely, my fellow passengers were cute, but I don't trust a ride if I don't know where I'm going.

This is what I'm talking about. Using the steering wheel, I control the speed and direction. Also, I'm riding with the owner of the restaurant, Mr. Chuck E. Cheese. We are just chilling, like couple of friends. Calling your mom 'Honey' is optional.

I had the whole pony ride to myself. Swetadidi gets so much exercise just running after me that she doesn't need any other type of exercise.

Since Swetadidi helped me with the pony ride, I decided to help her with the game. She lost.

But, she came first in the biking race, even without my help. Can you believe that?

All good things come to end, but we always remember the happy times, right? By the way, ever since Swetadidi has come, I seem to have lots of pictures with mom and dad.

Happy Rakshabandhan!

For the first time since my parents came to USA, we had a sister with us on Rakshabandhan. Swetadidi put a tilak on my forehead with Kanku (which I thought was a ketchup).....

Then the rakhi which had a banana on it, so I wanted to eat it.....

Everybody happy all around...

By the way, I wasn't told this, but you have to give money to sister for tying the rakhi

Welcome Swetadidi!!

Swetadidi (mom's niece) came to stay with us from all the way on the other side of the planet. When we went to receive her, mom was very emotional, I was just curious...

After avcouple of minutes, mom was happy, I was still curious...

On the first Saturday, we went for blueberry picking...

The summer is going pretty well, and it's so easy to like Swetadidi....

Strawberry Picking - Jun-2009!!

We went strawberry picking and it was fun all the way. Right from the walk to the fields...


You can eat all you want while you pick them.


Mom loves the sky in the background and this photo makes me look so big....


Our container looks quite full.


I spotted a birdie in the sky...


My favorite ride - dad's shoulder.


And an ice-cream to boost up the energy.



Dad and I are looking in the same direction. Must be a pretty girl.

With Nandini

My friend Nandini from New Jersey came to visit us and her parents, Nareshkaka and Avanikaki also came with her.

Here, we're in the swimming pool. This is my first time and the way I was having fun, I'm pretty sure that it won't be the last time either. In the beginning, I was a little scared, but I figured that if a two-year old girl, i.e. Nandini, can do this, why can't I? You can also see Fiza with her dad, Nadeem uncle, and in the background, Swathi auntie.

Here, Nandini is playing with Cookie. She loves dogs. I told Nareshkaka that he should get one for her. Near the end of the video, Nandini demonstrates how girls hug a dog.....

....and here's how guys hug a dog. Dancing is optional, although we did do lots of it too.

Who says you need to practice for years to learn music? Look how beautiful we're playing without any practice at all!!

We both are taking turns to walk Cookie. We both have different styles and even Cookie knows it. Nandini likes to take a stroll and I like to run.