We're back from our wild and wonderful vacation! The trip was amazing - food, shopping, family bonding, a multi-event family wedding and lots of sun.  I wanted to blog more frequently from Chennai, where I was based, but it proved to be more difficult that I hoped with a clingy toddler constantly attached to my leg! We arrived in Chennai after a long flight on Jet Airways (21 hours in total including the stopover), which brought us to India via  Brussels.  The Girls and I had a blast travelling with my brother and nephew, and the journey's difficulties (e.g. the... More »

We've been here for two weeks and have finally gotten over our jet lag and intial maladies.  My husband and son arrive tonight and I can't wait to see them.  Last week, my daughter was missing her North American fast food so we made a trip to McDonald's.  There are several locations here - we went to the one at Ampa Mall.  It's incredible how the fries in India can taste exactly the same as the ones in Toronto! I love the regional changes they make to the menu to make it more Indian. With a largely vegetarian population, the... More »

It's been five days since we landed in Chennai, and we are having lots of fun.  I'm here with my girls and my husband and Boy will join us in a few days.  The flight was long, with a stopover in Brussels.  We ate Belgian chocolates in the airport and freshened up before the long haul to Chennai. Setting foot in Chennai (new name for what used to be called Madras) was immensely emotional.  This is my mother's hometown, and where her heart was I'm sure.  We travelled here with her as kids; we got to know the city and... More »

We just came back from a fun and festive week in Calgary with my husband's family.  It was great family time, and it's always hard to leave.  Here are just a few pics from my holiday culinary adventures with the Girl! Stay tuned to my blog - my next post will be from India! I'm headed there tomorrow after four years. I'm so excited to see my relatives and participate in a big family wedding. I'm hoping to figure out how to post pics from there. Here's the Girl hands deep in sticky sticky sugar cookie dough. Here's our holiday... More »

Wishing you and your families a very happy holiday season! As I complete my third year of blogging, I just wanted to say thank you to those of you who read my blog.  I love the comments and feedback.  Even if you don't comment, I appreciate your support and participation.   This blog gives me catharsis and a creative outlet.  It also makes me feel connected to a larger world, when sometimes I can feel isolated as a stay-home mom.  I'm still in Calgary visiting with my in-laws. It's been a good, quiet trip filled with family.  Calgary is cold, but... More »

We're in Calgary for our annual holiday trip. It's lovely to be here and I'm enjoying seeing my husband's wonderful family.  But I'm not feeling myself. Usually, I pride myself on being organised - lists checked off, and prepared for everything.  It's not the case this time. Firstly, I got the H1N1 shot and the seasonal flu shot on Thursday, and I'm feeling the effects.  My left arm (swine flu shot) is very, very sore. Not helpful when we're travelling and lugging suitcases, strollers and small children.  I'm also slightly feverish and achy.  Uggh. I did this to be healthier,... More »

I was wandering through Pistachio (Heather Reisman's fabulous store that features only eco-friendly stationery and gift items) when I came upon these amazing baby products from 3 Sprouts.  One of the co-founders of 3 Sprouts is Banu Khurana, a friend of mine from university.  She's a successful Mompreneur (she began her career with Khurana, a luxury lingerie line that was carried in Barney's and Holt Renfrew), who has turned her passion for eco-friendly baby products into a highly successful business.  3 Sprouts makes gorgeous smocks, storage bins and hooded towels (and other stuff too) that are not only environmentally friendly... More »

This is what it always looks like in our family room.  Some defaced dolls:   An overflowing, upturned toy cupboard:       Other highlights from this weekend, courtesy of my three kids: I went upstairs to make my bed after breakfast and found a hockey stick in my bed, and cookie crumbs. I asked my son what was going on and he told me that he took the stick up to watch tv, and then ate some cookies.  In my bed.  I was packing the Boy's backpack for soccer and realised the drawstring was missing from his shorts.  After... More »

Today was my first experience with real parent-teacher interviews.  Prior to this, we've had interviews at the kids' nursery school, and with kindergarten teachers. But those were more about social development and behaviour than real academic performance. Grade One is a different ballgame.  It's math, reading, language, science, social studies. The real shebang.  Things are serious now, and the Boy is embarking on an academic journey that will inevitably define his path in life.  I've got high expectations.  My parents had the same of me, and I worked hard to meet them.  There wasn't really an option - working hard in... More »

The Boy woke up with a cough.  A little out of sorts but not sick really.  I decided to keep him home just in case.  Because he may be on the verge, and because I was secretly excited about spending time with him in a quiet way. He's a busy guy now.  He used to be my baby.  Just the two of us at Starbucks, at the mall, on flights to various cities around the world.  A cocoon of mother-son love, our world was magical and intense. That intensity I shared with my first child was unique.  Everything was new. Everything... More »