Until the next time

Have taken scores of pictures during the four months we spent with Nikhil and Siddarth; but the picture that stays in my mind wasn't taken with a cemera. It's an image embedded in my mind, of Siddarth held in the arms of his daddy at San Francsco airport. Waving out to us, from behind the security cordon Siddarth burst into a nursery number, 'Goodbye now...'.

It was, indeed time for 'goodbye'; and the clock said it was time for us to leave. Unlike at an earlier send-off when Siddarth wouldn't let us go, he was cool this time, and even smiling, as we proceeded for the security check, disappearing from his view. It was not until the subsequent morning, said thier parents, the kids learnt that thatha-patti were not to be found anywhere in the house; and were gone, for a while.

The last few days we spent together were fun-filled, with a touch of sadness at prospects of parting. Here, some pctures that remind us of that time.Nikhil, helping grandma with the packing.

And his parents, presumably, discussing the logistics of having to fit in four adults with two car-seated kids, plus four outsized travel-cases, in their SUV; for our drive to the airport.

A haircut is bearable, can even be fun, if he could have it done at the wheels of a Porche

Companionable Siddarth.

Maybe not quite so companionable, at times. Tiff here was, perhaps, over who would take the driver's seat.

At an outing in San Francisco, where they have a weekly farmers' market on the sea-front.

Nikhil, holding on to the living room couch.

Siddarth puts in his thumb where some others put their foot in, at times. I keep telling him, if he keeps doing it, the thumb would melt into Siddarth's mouth, like a choc-bar. Siddarth remains unconvinced; and he is willing to take chances with his thumb.
He is not so willing, though, take off his favourite GAP shirt, if only briefly, for a bath.

Nikhil at the book-shelf upstairs. Lord save the books.

Elder brother Siddarth poses no such threat to books. He likes them; and has mom/dad read out for him a book or two he picks up from play-room, before going to sleep.

Hanging out at the door, for someone to take him out into the backyard.

At Santana Row on a Saturday, determined to make the most of the afternoon. Never mind the sleep time. He can/does snooze in the car on way home
Ready for home-cooked uppu-thupu-anna, in the ambiance of a Mexican dhaba at Santana Row.

Strikes a pose, at Little Italy segment of Santana Row.

Mischief in his eyes.
and innocent laughter, as he watches the milling crowd from the sidewalk in front of an ice-cream shop .

The face I miss in Mysore.

Change of school

The best that Siddarth liked about his old school was their sign-off song. Which ran somewhat on these lines...

Goodbye now, goodbye now,
The clock says our work's done;
Will see you tomorrow,
Goodbye everyone.

He has said 'goodbye' to the Fountain Head school, though he still sings their song. We don't know how children sign off their day at Siddarth's new school - Danville Montessori.


His current pre-school has flexible timings; and since Siddarth started on this school earlier this month he has been coming home early - by 12.30 p m - primarily, in response to our desire to max our time with grandchildren. My wife and I leave for India Tuesday next(Sept.30) after a four-month stay with Nikhil and Siddarth.
Siddarth seen leaving school the other day shortly after noon, while most other children go home by 3 p m. The management has the staff and facilities to keep the school open from 8 a m till 6 p m, for the convenience of working parents who can drop their children at school on their way to work, picking them up on way home.

Meanwhile, Nikhil has the run of the place at home.
The 10-month old has an eye for even a speck of dirt on the floor that escapes adult attention. Good news is Nikhil hands you over whatever he picks up from the floor.

Nikhil at 10 months

Now that he has learned to be up on his feet, Nikhil is always on the look out for any place to lean on, even if it is something slippery as this glass door leading to our backyard.


Edge of his play-room table would do nicely.

Or the playboard of this musical toy he fiddles with, standing.

On the move, on all fours, looking for another niche to raise himself on his feet.

Milestone:Sept.2008

Nikhil is 10 months old Tuesday (Sept.16); elder brother Siddarth,three months short of three years.It also happens to be the day Siddarth starts going to a new pre-school; and his daddy takes up a new job. Other high points since Aug.31, when this blog was last updated.
Posing with mom for Kenny, the clown, at San Francisco's Fishermen'a Wharf.

Nikhil on his high chair at a Mexican restaurant.

With a visiting uncle,Karthik, at Union Sq., San Franciaco.

At the Macy's, trying out a dress for the wedding reception of his Mom's best friend in Pheonix.

At the wheel of an ice-cream van, Stoneridge Mall, Pleasanton.

Nikhil at the mall.

On a joy ride to Fremont in Stockton-San Jose commuter train.
The engine Siddarth pretended to drive during his 20-minute ride from Pleasonton.

On the footboard of AAA tow-truck that came home to re-charge the car battery that had gone dead. Siddarth, dressed for soccer, is ready to leave after the battery got revived.
Tackling a ball at the goal-mouth, under the watchful eyes of brother Nikhil on a stroller.

Splashing it about in the fountain at 'Little Italy' green on Santana Row, San Jose...as a live band played a vintage Italian number. Little Nikhil appears un moved.

T-shirt testimonial

At Oakland Zoo

They let you touch, feel, scrub and brush animals - goats and cows.
This goat at the zoo is a big hit among children, who queue up to pat him.

The zoo management has thoughtfully provided visitors with brush to scrub the animal,with a message asking you to be gentle.Not many visitors to the enclosure are old enough to read the writing. Presumably, the message is meant for adults escorting the children.


Here is another message that says chimps are sensitive to noise. I suppose this chimp is licensed to make noise,rolling a trash can around, utterly unmindful of the visitors who might be sensitive to noise.

The Oakland Zoo is nothing, if it isn't child-friendly



Besides these play-spots that punctuate various animal enclosures within the zoo there is a an amusement park with merry-go-rounds adjacent to the zoo ...




...and a train ride that takes you around the zoo.