Villa house warming and family gettogether

We were planning for this house warming function for so long. But finally it decided to be on 27th October 2012.Two weeks of planning,purchases and finally we were there.It was an initimate family function which included grandparents,cousins and their families. All together 16 members.
In this busy life we rarely get a chance to meet our immediate family. But this time we were lucky. All in one place,under one roof.
We started to the villa in the morning by around 9 AM in 3 different cars.Had a function of prayers and boiling the milk. We then had an excellent lunch followed by a talking session. We decided to stay there at night and enjoy the night sky in that peaceful place. Next day it was a kind of farewell but with a promise that we will meet again soon.
I am sure Joshin and Johann had an excellent day there and a memorable one too.
Note: This is an older post but just now i noticed that it was in my Draft. Anyways posting now...:)

Merry Christmas - 2013

Its been long i entered this space. As always busy with this or that. But it's Christmas time and that too in London. How can i miss it :)

Our Christmas this year started with a lovely Christmas tree with decorations going up on Dec 8th. It was wonderful to see the excitement of Joshin and Johaan on the day we bought the tree. They couldn't sit at a place till dad set up the tree and hang all the decorations.We were looking for a small tree but end up in a big one that too surprisingly, which added to the joy.

This is followed by a Christmas fair at Joshin's school on Dec 12th. The primary attraction for the kids was the Santa's Grotto. First experience for both of them. They met Father Christmas and had a small chat. Father Christmas gave them a small present. Other than this, fair had some games,lucky dip and a nice bouncy castle.

Next was Santa's visit to the local library on Dec 14th. There was a winter challenge at the library to read 4 books before Santa's arrival and receive a certificate from Santa. Both of them finished their reading of four books and received their certificate. Santa asked them what they need as gift and Joshin's wish was to get a video game Ninetendo 3DS and Johaan wanted a lollipop.


Next was the Children's festive events in one of the local malls here happening every weekend on December. This included Santa's Grotto,Festive Face Painting,Christmas Bauble Decorating,Cookie and Cupcake Decorating,Festive Head Bopper, Enchanted Mirrors. Kids visited this on a Saturday Dec 14th and had a lovely time.

Stocking Gifts

On Christmas Eve,before going to bed, Joshin and Johaan hung two Christmas Stockings by their bed side.Also they put out a mince pie, a drink (for Santa) and carrot (for Santa's reindeer) hoping Santa will come with lots of gifts for them.






On the Christmas day , as soon as they woke up they checked their stockings and was excited to see lot of gifts in the Stockings. Hurray !!!!!!!!! they were really good this year and Santa filled their stockings.Stockings had things like

Stocking Opening Excitement

• Chocolate Coins
• Stickers
• Color Pencils
• Pencils
• An Apple
• Glue Stick
• Dot to Dot Book (for Joshin)/Lollipop(for Johaan)
• Lindt Bear and friends chocolates

Next was Christmas Gifts under the tree. There were around 6 gifts under tree and the mince pie, carrot and drink was gone. Left was only little crumbs of mince pie.( a proof that Santa came to our house :)).

Christmas Gifts

• Wooden Ramp Racer (for Joshin and Johaan). Santa's words on the gift "Extra big gift for extra special kids, Joshin amd Johaan. From Santa"
• LEGO Duplo Combine and Create (for Joshin and Johaan)
• LEGO Creator 3 in 1 (for Joshin). Santa's words on the gift "To Joshin, for being good and for taking care of his little brother, From Santa)
• Little Tikes Bead Maze (for Johaan)
• 2 AXE Deos (for Pappa)
• Cookie Cutter (for Mamma)

This is followed by Christmas Breakfast, Christmas wishes calls to our near and dear ones.

Next was the most exciting of all, Christmas Lunch. Why it was exciting? Because this time Christmas lunch was based on English Style. Full Credit goes to Pappa. He did a lot of research on the recipes and to understand the style.The Menu was as follows:

Christmas Lunch

• ROASTED TURKEY 
• ROAST CARROTS and PARSNIPS 
• ROAST POTATOES
• PIGS IN BLANKETS
• MINCE PIES
• ASIAN CHICKEN SKEWERS
• DARK and WHITE CHOCOLATE SUNDAE
• Home Made Christmas Cake and Plum Cake

Before having lunch, we enjoyed opening Christmas Crackers. Crackers are typically pulled at Christmas Lunch/Dinner tables.The cracker is pulled by two people ,often with arms crossed. The cracker splits unevenly and is accompanied by a mild bang or snapping sound. The contents were colored paper hat, a small toy and a joke. The paper hats with the appearance of crowns were worn during Christmas lunch.

Some of the jokes went like this:

• What do snowmen eat for lunch? Icebergers.
• What's bad tempered and goes with custard? Apple grumble.
• With what do you cut through giant waves? A sea-saw.

Summer Fun

Its starting of Summer in London. Long sunny hot days and very soon vacation starts in schools. All the communities and the park were getting ready to welcome kids with lots of fun in store. As a beginning, they put up stalls in local supermarket to welcome the kids.
We were not aware about it and went for a normal shopping to the super market on last Saturday. While coming out the store, the balloons in one of the stalls attracted both the kids. Then slowly Joshin wanted to try everything available in these stalls. First one was "Throw Ball". 5 small sand bags were available and Kids has to throw these bags to a hole in a wooden plank. Joshin could able to put 3 out of 5. Got a lollipop and now he was on highest of his spirits.

Next was a "puppet making" stall. Kids can select a cut-out. And then decorate it with all the wonderful things available there. There were glitters,feathers,buttons,lolly sticks,colors, glue etc( Really..The list was too big). Joshin patiently selected his cut -out, used all the things available there and created a beautiful picture like this.

Next was "face-painting". Both Joshin and Johaan doesn't like to do

anything in their faces. So we just suggested to paint some thing in their hands. For our surprise, Johaan sat quietly and painted a star in his hand. Joshin decided to paint a spider web.

Next stall was "Mask Making". Paper plates.glue sticks,markers and paper pieces of different colors were available. Both Joshin and Johaan participated in it.

It was lunch time and we wanted to get back home. But were happy that both of them enjoyed the 1 hour we spend there even if it came unplanned. :) So here we are ready to welcome the summer vacation.

Happy Father's Day - 2013

Father's day is held on the third Sunday of June. It is a day to honor fathers and father figures, such as grandfathers and fathers-in-law.

                       As always, Joshin was so excited that he got  a day to make another card. He is waiting for occasions. He was working on fathers day card for a week. This time without mamma's help.On Sunday morning both Joshin and Johaan wished their dad "Happy Fathers Day" and gave him the card. Johaan without understanding what it is, he just copied his bro. Then we thought of calling everyone whom we give father like respect and love. So first they called their grand fathers both Daddy and Appacha and wished them. Following they called Shaju Appa and Sanju Appa and wished them father's day and had a nice chat with them and their families thru Skype. To add little more sweetness to the occasion i made "Ari Payasam".

In the evening,dad took both of them to nearby park and spent couple of hours there. What else best gift a dad can give to his kids than his time in this busy world.  So " Happy Father's Day" to all the Dads !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Johaan's 2nd birthday

June 3rd - Today is Johaan's second birthday.For past one week planning, discussions and arrangements was going on between Pappa, Mamma and Achacha.

Birthday Cards - Joshin started creating birthday cards for Johaan a week before itself. Luckily it was Joshin's half term holidays. Finally he created a beautiful one with mamma's help along with his own birthday cards.

Birthday Gifts - Johaan got one Bowling Set and Joshin got Car Track Set for Johaan's birthday. In our house usually we buy gifts for both of them for any of their birthdays.

Birthday Picnic - Since we came to London just a month back, we hardly had friends here.

So a party with friends and relatives were out of question. We wanted to do something different instead and a picnic came to our mind. The idea was well welcomed by Joshin and we knew that Johaan also will enjoy. We decided to go for a day long trip to a beach. And the place is decided - Chalkwell beach.We reached the beach on June 2nd, around 11.30 AM. The kids played in the sand, making sand castles and Johaan breaking it. Then they played in a small pool nearby and Johaan was not ready to come out. Then a long walk by the beach side. Altogether a fun day. We reached back home by around  6 PM.

Birthday Dress - Johaan wore a Shirt and Shorts gifted by his Appacha before we were leaving to London. He looked cute in that dress.
Birthday cake - We bought a cute caterpillar cake for Johaan from a local store decorated by candles.

 June 3rd this year is on Monday. Joshin has holiday in School due to

Teacher's training.And Pappa took off at office. We woke birthday boy around 9 AM with lot of balloons in hand. He was so happy and understood some thing like birthday today. After breakfast , we went to the store to get the cake.In between he got his birthday wishes calls from both his grandparents.Came back and had lunch. We made Chicken biriyani for his birthday. Then a small nap.By Evening Kunjamma,ShajuPappa, Irene and Chechi came online and cut the cake in front of them. And it proved that in today's world distance doesn't matter.

Back in London City

We are back in London. This is the third time, I am visiting this country. Its like my second home. I feel these red buses, thames river and parks had already become a part of my life. :)

School Project - Traffic Signal - Joshin Class 1

Joshin had to submit a project on traffic signal for school project. We spend one full evening to make it.We used a cardboard box, empty bottle, black shining paper, black chart paper, shining paper(red, yellow,green) for lights, fevicol.

Model Construction Activity - Joshin

I found this model construction activity book in one of the local store. It turned out to be one fun activity for both myself and Joshin. It came out well and Joshin was proudly displaying to his apartment friends.