Silly Saturdays: Daddy's beautician at work.

We always talk about the busy and industrious moms, who work day in and out. 365 days a year. However the daddies of the world are equally incredible! No one talks of their hard work. Call them breadwinners, head of the family or finance minister (as I do) they too are equally integral part of the family.

I have been instilling the virtue of hard work on to my little one, by holding up her daddy as an example. Thus this weekend when we were all home, Smera decided to take matters in her hands, I mean on daddy’s foot. Drawing inspiration from mummy’s visit to the beautician’s her artistic skills were woken up. Without wasting anytime out came the nail polish in ElePhantastic Pink. With an amazing dexterity to match an accomplished painter, she covered both the toes in no time.

CorbisImages

But there was a catch, the daddy was asleep when all this was happening, so he was in for a real shock when got up see the color pop pink on his toes. And to his bad luck there was no nail polish remover at home. I somehow managed to convince him forget it and anyway no one was going to know as he always wear shoes and socks.

Life wouldn't have been so interesting if all his problems were to end there. Shortly after this incident was forgotten about, few friends dropped for tea. After a few minutes in the discussing the day’s match suddenly everyone’s gaze shifted on to hubby’s shiny toes. The rest of the evening was spent laughing at daddy’s new pedicured toe nails and Smera accepting accepting booking from her aunts for their next pedicure appointments. 

Silly Saturdays: Fellow asking me to be Mellow

Been a while since I took a dig at myself and that made me wonder why? Answer is quite simple it’s just that the hubby has been quite busy these days and he is one who usually brings the best or the worst out of me. As a consequence of spending sometime with him, this is what happens.

On very silent Thursday morning, while I was gently urging little Smera to drink her milk and get on with getting ready to school. The half awake hubby walks in with his PBJ sandwich and sat down beside us. Munching on his sandwich he heard me yet again to Very Gently Urging her to finish her milk and just then he comments:

Hubby: “Are you not well?”

Me: “No, I am perfectly alright and why do you ask?”

Hubby: “I asked as I’ve never heard you ask Smera to do something so softly.”

Me: “What do you mean that I am always yelling at her?”

Hubby: “Err!! That’s not what I meant. I mean either you are too aggressive or as today extremely mellow.”

Me: “Extremely mellow?”

Hubby: “I mean you need to find the right spot in your voice! Ah I realise my sandwich is finished let me get ready quickly”, and he quickly vanished off from the scene, leaving me fuming.

Meanwhile while we were discussing the pitch of my tone little Smera was giggling and slurping up her chocolate milk and that meant it time to get her into her uniform.

This made me wonder when the better half will really understand to use better choice of words to explain his thoughts! 

Alarming insight

Yet another weekend is here and I felt like putting up my feet and watching a nice movie. I switch on the TV, I put on a romcom and start writing this post while watching a movie and I am thinking - What kind of man do you like? Is it the intellectual types or the guy who loves music or a man who loves to click pictures or someone who just smells enchanting! Well, my man is the kinds who is the intellectual types and also loves indulging in exquisite perfumes.

But hey I am not planning to write on how to find the right guy for yourself! Instead it’s going to be all about, how the right guy can get you into trouble with the building maintenance guys! My hubby loves his perfumes, he stashes them everywhere, in the car, in his laptop bag, the bathroom, doesn’t even spare the shoe-rack, name a place you can spot it there!

However I have taught myself to live his obsession, but of late it has been getting giving me a headache. Not because of the fragrance but because of the fire alarm ringing in my ears. The building maintenance guys have upgraded my flats alarm system just last month. Ever since the fire alarm has become ultra-sensitive to the slightest whiff of anything.

It mostly goes off just as the hubby as about step outside, the house, and the reason – before getting out of the house hubby like to douse himself in the Perfume! Now no matter where the location is of this act is the hypersensitive alarm sniffs it and shouts out loud. For the first few days I used to call the building maintenance guys to bail me out of the situation, but then even they got fed up! So with no choice I had to learn on how to disable the fire alarm and reset the gas connection which is all inter-linked in this building.

And just as I got one more thing to tease my hubby and feeling smug about my recently acquired DIY skills the alarm went off, again. But I figured that the usual suspect is not around. Quickly through the process of elimination I found the villain – the boiling sambar this time! 

Something Fishy !!

We Indians love to eat! Sweet, sour, savoury, spicy name we love it. To top it up we Malayalees along with our fellow Bengalis and Goans most certainly love our fish and rice. However I grew up in Delhi so my palate is a bit different, more towards the northern side of India. Rajma Chawal, parathe, dal-subzi-roti kind of palate, while I do like an occasional fish curry or grilled fish.

Hubby and me have very different likings when it comes too food, I love Rajma which he hates and he loves Unakka chemeen (dry prawns) which I just can’t stand. But we have a lot in common too. As a true Delhite I love chats and samosas and so does the hubby and we both hate tuna and salmons. But what really got me to right about this fishy post today is a humble paratha.

I decided to make parathas for the hubby, aloo gobhi parathas and just as I stepped into the kitchen, he followed me to set up his plate with obligatory accompaniments curd and pickle. Just as I was about to take off the first paratha, I asked him:

Me: You will have two na?

Hubby: Suddenly feeling all nervous, he asks “Tuna”?

Me: Yeah? And then suddenly realising, “Not Tuna, I meant two parathas”

Hubby: Feeling relieved said, “yes of course”. For a moment he had his heart in mouth thinking the wifey is going to serve Tuna parathas for dinner.

He was grateful that good sense prevailed and that I didn’t made him eat something exotic even for a fish lover. Now I know what to give him, in case I am feeling vindictive, ha ha !! 

Silly Saturday: A hearty mistake

For a change little Smera is not my inspiration for this Silly Saturday feature, however it’s all about her Grandparents and my Dad and Mum. My dad is a really chilled out person. He is one of those guys who are always around to help, very easy-going, dad and I are similar in many ways – when it comes to getting angry or having fun.   

I called them this morning to check on how they were and just as we started speaking to mum happened to mention how a couple of days back she received dad’s message explaining why was running late. Here’s how it goes ..

Dad’s message: “Now I am at Metro Heart Institute hospital, Noida. In ICU, heart complaint. I will be late. Take care.”

Reading this sms my mum almost skipped a heart-beat. She desperately tried calling him back and mysteriously that very moment network started acting funny and declared him out of network. You could imagine my mother’s plight. Mum couldn't help wonder his thoughtful words of asking her to take care. Suddenly seconds felt like years with the phone out of network!

Thankfully a few minutes later he called her back on seeing her missed calls. Furious with the number of missed calls messages he asked her what was so important.

Mum: Are you ok? What happened? 

Dad: I am ok but what’s wrong with you? I just sent you a message, Saji is not well and I am at the hospital. He is in the ICU, with a heart complaint and that I would be late.

Mum: You should check you sms, it read that you are in hospital with heart complaint. You forgot to mention Saji’s name in it.

But as she mentioned this to us, we burst out laughing wondering how my melodramatic mum would almost experienced a heart attack herself too. And now I get it, it my dad’s genes that I have inherited too, even I end up eating up my words. Guess we both should work on our proof-reading skills.

With jokes apart I sincerely do hope Uncle Saji is feeling better! 

Silly Saturdays: The penalty

For the last few days hubby has been working extremely hard and has been coming in quite late. Little Smera aka daddy’s girl has been missing her father and keeps asking for him all the time. So yesterday I decided to call the busy man and ask him to explain the little child what was holding him so long at work. And here’s what happened:

Smera: Daddy when are you coming?

Daddy: I’ll come in one hour Smera

Smera: But mamma and I are getting bored.  

Me: Alright daddy, we read some book but you must pay Penalty (i.e. get us some dessert)

Smera: No don’t bring Tea, I don’t drink tea, can you please get me a cake!

Phew !!! The little child had a little scare thinking Mamma was asking for tea, while her priorities were very clear, her Daddy must bring a cake to make up for the lost time! 

Silly Saturdays: Weighed down by veggie logic

Getting your child to eat right is a very tough task! Sigh! I try really hard to make sure she drinks milk, eat fruits and veggies along with chicken and fish. Good thing is she likes milk, lentils, fish and chicken and few fruits too. The problem is really to get her to eat veggies. I have constantly come up with new ways to get her to eat veggies. 

After good 3-4 days of eating veggies, she asked me to make chicken for her yesterday. And I couldn’t refuse her for obvious reasons, so I decided to make her favourite chappati and chicken curry. Just as I started prepping for the curry, I took out the chicken curry masala packet. It’s an fragrant blend of all the spices that are traditionally used in a authentic Kerala chicken curry. Looking at the pack my little curious diva had a sudden urge to interrogate me.

Smera: Mamma what is this on the chicken’s tail? Hmm! maybe some beans and carrots. Do chicken eat vegetable?

Mamma: Yes they do and that’s they are so yummy in your tummy. So even you should eat them.

Smera: But I don’t want to be yummy, I want to be Smera only!

Mamma: Looking stumped, continues with the work!!

The point is kids these days are so observant and will not settle down for answer that does not satiate their curiosity. The only way out I guess is to learn to tap these qualities – attention to detail and the ability to think creatively without feeling silly.

 I have been looking at this packet for quite a few years but never really bothered about the packaging so much, until this day and that happened to be green and orange chillies on the chicken’s tail.

This time score is:  Smera- 1, Mamma- 0

Silly Saturdays: Arabian Desert

As a pre-requisite to get Oman visa, one needs to follow certain procedures. To complete the formalities we undertook a little road trip back to Dubai to cancel our old visa and finish other paperworks.

The drive from Oman to Dubai is real scenic one especially if the weather is not too hot. You would pass through hilly terrain, see some very refreshing greenery and large spans of the deserts. The nature is amazing, even the dry and lifeless desert looks picturesque. As if someone beautifully carved and landscaped it with great effort.

The very sleepy Smera got up halfway through the drive to see the symbolic Arabian Desert. She stared at the view for a while, spotted a few camels too and then curiously asked us.

Mamma: Is this is a desert?

Me: Yes Smera, that’s the Arabian Desert!

Mamma: Are we going to eat it after dinner Mamma?
Me: (Taken aback, took a minute to think of an answer and then said) No darling this desert is made of sand and we cannot eat sand right? The Dessert we eat is made of nice stuff and is yummy for our tummy. 

Silly Saturdays: Mr and Miss Zen and the yelling monster !

It’s been long since I wrote on of these and this time I have just the right one to brag Smera’s witticism.

While we were unpacking, the curious Smera would sneak up and find all those that she is specifically not suppose to touch. After numerous warnings from morning, I ultimately lost my cool and I started screaming. I know that’s not nice but I am human and humans make mistakes.

Unfortunately the hubby was home to bail out Smera.  In his composed voice he said, “Calm Down!” to me. That exasperated me even more and so I burst out on him for taking her side. Mr. Zen was in no mood to bow down to monstrous me and repeated once again in his even more tranquil voice, “Calm Down!”.

With that I decided to shut up completely refused to say another word.

To add the final touches little Smera says, “ Look Mamma daddy said, not once but two time calm down, calm down but you never listen. See now he has gone to office.”

I was left in such state of confusion whether to shout again or laugh out loud, eventually ended up with a poker straight face.

Moral of the story is – I can never win an argument with Smera, thanks to the dad on her side! 

Silly Saturdays: The Princess and her Commoner

My husband has this recurring backache, blame it on the modern working culture sitting for hours in front of the computer. No wonder they say sitting is the new smoking. Even the spring mattress at home is no respite for him and so yesterday he decided to sleep on the floor on the mat, hoping that might help. 

Smera was not really pleased with the new arrangement, as she wanted daddy next to her. Finally I convinced her that the princess and queen will sleep on the bed and daddy – the common man will sleep on the floor.

The princess idea was deal-maker proposition and she happily got onto the bed and was soon fast asleep. Around 4 am this morning the hubby took her for an early wee-wee and got her back put her to bed.

Even in deep sleep little Smera had something really important to instruct to her daddy.

So in her firmest voice, with eyes closed, she tells the hubby, “Daddy now you go and sleep on the floor!”. 

Silly Saturdays: Of opportunities and prospects

I keep thinking of writing Silly Saturdays without having Smera on my mind. But guess it’s tough when that’s the only thing I do, being a stay at home mom!

This week while getting out of school I saw Smera trying to catch hold of the magnetic door before it would close. The motherly instinct was absolutely sure that her fingers would be clasped between and I dashed to save her fingers. I couldn't save it, but in the process I dropped my phone. Forget the phone, I had a crying child to pacify, and thankfully she didn't get that badly hurt.

On reaching home I realised that my precious phone’s screen had broken. Devastated to realise that, I felt all the more bad, as I couldn't save her getting hurt and moreover the phone was broken. My Samsung Galaxy Note II, a gift from hubby was wrecked. I started crying, and I can cry even for no reason, but my little one felt really sad looking at me.

She put her little warm hands on my teary face and wiping them and saying in her gentlest voice, “Mamma don’t cry, it’s ok and you read a book and daddy will come soon!”. I was taken back by her maturity at the age of just 3, pacifying her silly mother. This was also the very first time I heard that gentle voice, I am by and large tuned to a lot of screaming and no’s in our usual conversations. Just kidding!

Feeling a little better, we got on with our usual stuff and then the door bell rings. It was hubby on the door, just as I opened the door and even before he put a step inside, she blurts out, “Daddy, mamma broke her phone, can you please scold her?”.

Call it being an opportunist or unscrupulous to get me into trouble, simultaneously trying to score some brownie points in her dad’s good books. Though I have to confess, it did lighten my mood a bit more.

That evening as me and the hubby sat down talking, we ended up discussing Smera’s career options. We mutually concluded that she could really have a good shot at Indian politics and maybe could even start a toddler’s wing of some political party! And for starters I have a name for her political party too SDP or Smera Dalbadlu Party! For those who do not understand Dalbadlu means one who deceives by double dealing! 

P.S. – The phone is fixed and was done in flat one hour thanks to the Samsung’s one-hour express service! 

Silly Saturdays: The Emperor's New Clothes

This morning I was reading a free-copy of the Good Taste magazine with Deepika Padukone on the cover. Smera takes a look at the magazines decides it looks interesting with for her to flip through. 

Smera: Mamma I like this girl! (Deepika on the cover)

Mamma: Really ?? (as I don't)

Smera: Yes mamma she is wearing red lipstick, I like it, will you buy it for me too please! 

Mamma: Sure kanna! 

Image source: Good Taste

Just as she was flipping through the pages she see a picture and says, "mamma look aunty with her daddy!". I was little stunned thinking she could recognise Mr. Praskash Padukone, so I left my phone aside to have a look at the feature and this is what I see. 

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

Need I say more? Take a cue Mr. King Khan from an almost 3 year old!

P.S. - If you have not read the fable then you must read,The Emperor's New Clothes

Silly Saturdays: Toddler’s food for thought

Smera usually gets lecture from me when she says no to eating vegetables but last evening was a little different. The scenario was - Smera’s baby-sitter was giving her dinner when I overhear this conversation.

Smera: Aka you must eat lots of vegetables then you will become big and strong like me.

Aka: Ok Smera!

Mamma: (hearing her lecture) Smera would you like some more vegetables?

Smera: No mamma, you can give it to Aka, she needs to become big like me. I am already tall.

It’s not just Aka’s food she is concerned about. She also loves to talk to toys every now and then, telling about eating healthy, just as a mother would tell her kids.

That brings me to man-eating crocodiles, Smera has a crocodile and she love to feed him and this morning she brings the crocodile to her daddy and says, “Daddy, look what my crocodile ate?” and here’s a picture of that for you guys to see it for real.

Silly Saturdays: Turns out even good is not so good

For the last three years I have been on medication for hypothyroidism. One of the side effects of hypothyroidism is weight-gain among others.  And so from the day I was diagnosed with it, I have been religiously taking my medication just as the doctor ordered. Not only that, I even started regular workouts scared of putting on weight.

Once every three months I am due for a routine check up. The fact is that I have always had problems maintaining good habits and routines. I was really looking to hear good response on my recent visit to the doctor, the doctor reads the reports he asks me the following questions.

Doctor: Ms Sangeeta what is the dosage you are taking?

Me: Doc thyroxin 50.

Doctor: You seem to be really regular with your meds?

Me: (Grinning in my head) Yes doc, I don’t even miss a day.

Doctor: Then I would recommend you to skip any one day of the week, since your report is slight bordering towards hyperthyroidism.

I was thinking that he is going to commend me on the great job that I have been upto, while it turned out that I got into trouble for a being so consistent. Feeling silly ! 

Silly Saturdays: A bigger pill to swallow

I got up this morning feeling a little under par and just as we were having breakfast, I mentioned this to my husband.

Me: I am having a terrible headache!  Actually my head is aching; Smera hit me with the Ipad accidentally last night!

Hubby: Ah then take a tablet!

Sure his sense humor helped a bit, yet leaving me feel a little silly. 

Silly Saturdays: Art of speaking properly!

If you too have a toddler at home just like me, then this is just the post to read. My daughter has very clear priorities when it comes to food. Anything that spells chicken makes her extremely happy. On a recent evening Smera was yet again hungry post her dinner.

hungry child 

Smera: “Mamma, I am hungry”

Me:  “What do you want to eat Smera? Shall I give you rice?”

Smera: “Yes with chicken”

Me: (Turning to hubby) “there is no chicken, shall I offer her S-A-U-S-A-G-E-S?” I purposely spelt this one out as hubby is not huge fan of Smera eating sausages.

Smera: On seeing me take so time to spell it out, she blurts out, “Mamma can you please speak properly? Daddy cannot understand”.

To be fair to her, I did take time to spell the word sausages, courtesy enhanced technology we use these days. I am sure many of us find it hard to get the spelling right, relying too much on squiggles and auto-prompt assistance.

Hence the hungry child lashed out on me, making me feel really silly!

Image: gettyimages.ae

Silly Saturday: Home delivery

Just like any other toddler Smera has a weakness when it comes to mobile phones. So as over-protective mobile lovers we got her a little toy phone almost a year ago. She didn't quite like it then, obviously was not as interesting as ours. But suddenly she has taken a liking to the toy. She loves to pretend having serious conversation over her toy phone.

Here is an excerpt from the conversation tapped by MBI. Yes you guessed it right Mommy Bureau of Investigation.

Smera: Hello Saravana? Do you have two illy (read idly)?

Smera: Daddy what do you want? Dosa?

Daddy: Yes angel!

Smera: Excuse me one dosa. No oil and coffee.

This is our regular order on Friday mornings at Sarvana but what made us laugh is the seriousness with which Smera efficiently ordered over the phone.

Lesson to learn: Never underestimate a two and half year old's ears! 

Image: gettyimages.ae

Silly Saturdays: Driven to the wall

Once you have taken a long sabbatical to become a mom, it becomes a very difficult after 2-3 years later to get back to work. Ask me about it. I have been struggling with to take this decision for over a year.

So decided to discuss this with mum/mentor, a lady who has innumerable times given me just enough push to get me started, whenever things have not worked for me right. 

Here is the inspiration discussion I had with my mum.

Me: Amma, I think it’s time I get back work. What do you think?

Mom: That would be good for you. With our little Smera growing up, it would just the right time for you to start looking around.

Me: So then I’ll start looking out soon after our july vacation.

Mom: Hmm … on second thoughts, (sporting a grin) why don’t try your luck at the RTA as a taxi driver!  With you being always to on the road picking and dropping people. That would be just the right job for you.

If that was not enough to offend me, my little one too left no stone un-turned to make me feel terrible.

Me: Smera come on darling, sit on my lap and let’s go out for breakfast!

Smera: No, I want to sit on daddy lap

Me: Ok

Smera: Mamma you go drive, daddy sits next to me!

It takes an open heart to notice the signs God sends, and then it takes courage to accept them with gratitude. But should this be considered as god’s sign or Silly Saturdays!

I cannot blame myself for not having a drive.

Image courtesy: speakmovement.com

Silly Saturdays: Baby talk

Smera loves to talk these days. She likes to make big conversations, absorbing all that we say and things that she observes. Sometime you will be amazed and sometimes it just cracks us up.

Her class teacher Ms Afsha always has something interesting to narrate to us when go back to pick her up. And so one day as I went to pick Smera, Ms. Afsha mentions about this funny conversation between Smera and the teacher assistant (TA).

Smera: I will get a baby!

TA: Oh! Is mommy having a baby?

Smera: No! She will buy it for me from the sukamarket (i.e. supermarket)

Another day her ex-class teacher thought, I was having a baby. Thanks to my lovely daughter who keeps talking about her mama getting her a baby from the sukamarket! 

Silly Saturday: An Australian mystery !!

Question: Why does Matt Preston have a neck scarf on, all the time?  

Image: randomhouse.com

Answer: I think he likes to be ready always. 

Image: savvydaddy.com