Jakie’s world turned upside down & it happened the day he visited the groomer. Julie, who walked the dogs, had always assumed that Jakie was a miniature poodle, at least he had poodle hair & the owners got him a poodle cut. But the groomer pulled Jakie’s ear back, & while Jakie was a trembling mess & moaning piteously, the groomer quietly stated that Jakie was some kind of a poodle mix – a mutt. Horrified Julie texted the owner, while the seven year old said that a DNA testing would clear all doubts, and Benita the nanny said that some poodles were poodles but looked different from other poodles. Julie waited anxiously for a text from Jakie’s owner.

The text did come. Jakie was indeed a mutt, a lovable half - breed Cockapoo – a cocker spaniel & poodle mix. And that is why he “pees” just everywhere, no poodle would ever do that, Julie said.

But Jakie was all bounce & a happy mass of fluff because he was done at the groomers for the day.

#mutts #mixed breeds #dogs

Breaking Lucy's heart

Lucy Pooh was about to bring home game last evening. We were horrified to see her proudly holding a tiny & limp baby rabbit in her jaws when we opened the kitchen door to let her in.

Little Lucy went to a corner in the kitchen and curled up with paws covering her eyes. Our 12 year old patiently explained that dogs were different from humans. (We were unaware of this fact!)Their instinct is to hunt. And if they bring in a game, it is with pride, and to expresses their devotion. They too are making a contribution in the family.

We had apparently broken Lucy's heart by not allowing her to bring the prize inside. Lucy was given a treat dipped in peanut butter and the baby rabbit was given a burial.

Too much of the "Power Rangers"

My 3 year old son is bit of a TV addict, mainly "Power Rangers".

To cut his TV time we tell him that his eyes are turning red after half an hour of TV, obviously an excuse to turn it off. We then ask him if he can see two cats balancing on the fence or two bunnies hopping in our backyard. Before his answer would always be in the negative, and we would step in, blame it all on the TV and turn it off.

Since last week he has caught on to our trick, and has been saying that he can see two cats, one black and the other white, walking on the fence! Today he added that two Easter bunnies were chasing each other.

We have to come up with some other tactic.

X generation.

Explanation for low grades!!

Historical background: One of our kids was not sent to either a nursery school or a Pre-K program. We speak a mix of English and our Indian dialect at home.

 I had an interesting conversation with her this morning. It was about a recent test. Being quizzed on why she got a 89 in English, she replied.

"You are lucky I got an 89, I did not even understand English in Kindergarten."

Hunger Games

Watched Hunger Games with the kids this evening to celebrate a birthday in the family. Intense. Loved it. Jennifer Lawrence was awesome.

Somehow the combo of a movie evening and dinner, manages to pull our family closer. Busy in our different worlds of school, work, being a mom, running errands, we drift away from each other during the week. Weekends draw us within the circle. TGIF. Cheers for Saturday and Sunday.

"Goodnight Moon"

The pups are in their beds. They sleep through the night, snoring gently and guard the house in the morning. Not a soul can pass in peace.

The girls are done for the day, they drifteded off the moment they hit the beds. No more texting or computers till early morning. The little boy sleeps with a smile on his face and rumpled hair. He bid a sleepy adieu to the moon. I hope he dreams of fun things.

The house sleeps too! Goodnight:)

Career choice Gorilla

A three and a half year old announced that he is training to be a gorilla, banging chest, loopy jumps ......all the way. That was yesterday. Today he is a giraffe - last year's Halloween costume is the inspiration I guess. Few weeks back he alternated between a stegosaurus and the mighty Rex.

Worries of Her Royal Majesty

I was asking my three year old son to run an errand, and he shot back a reply "yes your royal majesty". Too much TV, I sighed. Later in the evening, while updating my husband on the day's events, this exchange with my son came up.
Me: If he talks like this now, what will my daughter-in-law say to me?
Husband: Don't worry, she won't speak to you at all.

Miss you Borders

The old Borders store in our town will be closing soon.

As a family we have spent some wonderful evenings browsing through new paperbacks and leafing the latest magazines on  Friday evenings. They have live music and sampling of tiny bits of pastries on weekends, and it's sheer bliss not having to keep the kids busy or watch over them. They browse books, do their own stuff, while my huband and I share a pot of green tea at the Borders Cafe. Occasional gray and rainy evenings have also been spent at Borders, among fellow readers.

Will miss you Borders:( 

A Page From Mom's Diary

Dear Diary,

My nanny is on vacation, and Nick and I have been spending some quality baby and mom time. Along the way we have become inseparable pals.

Have perfected the art of vrooming like a car while he has drawn colorful murals (with sharpie) on the walls of the formal living and dining rooms - the Van Gogh stuff cannot be erased.

Today Nick (not yet two) ripped up an important letter from Anna's school regarding her artistic achievements (precious because rare) and ate a piece of the paper. He stared at me with saucer like unblinking eyes, and chewed the piece with relish and a single minded determination.

The Goody-two-shoes Brother!

My 15-month-old son seems to be set for the terrible twos.

In retro, my daughters were little angels with barely any hint of mischief. Little Nick on the other hand has taken resort to nipping (did he learn it from the dogs?), bawling and has an amazing flair for dramatics from an early age.

Folks do one thing at a time but Nick on the go means all at once…. Somewhat like a home run. Munching from the dog bowl.......….. Ripping out a page from Anna’s notebook … running away with Mia’s pencil, all with a smile on his cherub face.

I used to get annoyed with unmanageable kids, proud that my girls rarely fiddled with stuff in any house. But Nick’s antics have diffused my pride. I truly hang my head in shame ….. sigh….what a darling child…..innocent innocent baby!!!!!!

As for my girls, I heard them singing in chorus:

“…..BUT my goody-two-shoes brother, the favorite of my mother,
Is the one I want to smother in a ton of pigeon goo!
Yes, my goody-two-shoes brother,
the favorite of my mother,
Is the one I want to smother………..”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obfQeSFM23Y

The Pup Learns Her "R"

Mia was teaching Lucy alphabets the other day! Yes, Lucy, our pup. Amazing isn’t it? And while she tried to polish the performance of her star student, I watched the show from a corner in the kitchen. And you know what, I was truly impressed. Something the Dog Whisperer might be interested in....

Miss Lucy was given a doggy treat every other minute, and Mia would ask Lucy a question while trying to pull the treat out of her mouth...“Lucy what comes after Q”? And inevitably Lucy would reply with a low menacing growl…..gRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

We sure have some intelligent pups in the household. Mia was grounded for the day, Lucy was given a bone for exceptional intelligence.

May Your Turkey Be Plump!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers! Posting a poem forwarded by a friend, as far as my knowledge goes it's anonymous.

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!


My daughter Anna is preparing the sweet corn for Thursday's dinner! And Mia was appalled to see the hundreds of "fresh young turkeys" packaged at Costco. I have given her a mom's viewpoint (we always have explanations for most stuff), but she is steadfast about banning cruelty to all living creatures. I have a tough job saving the cricket in the garage, the baby rabbits in my backyard......but am secretly proud that my eight year old has a kind and loving heart.

The Endless List

Some days I feel overwhelmed with pending chores. It helps to jot down the list as lately my memory has started playing tricks.

1. Schedule annual physicals for the kids; send the reports to the school nurse. Nursie will fry me otherwise.
2. Vaccination for the dogs.
3. Schedule recommended car maintenance
4. Car wash – my truck feels like a dumpster….Timmy peed on his way to the vet, Mia spilled coke, a month of paper accumulation…. The other day my husband was horrified when he boarded the truck.
5. Email friends who think I have forgotten them. I do remember you guys, but I am an exhausted mother of three lovable and spirited kids and two hyper doggies.
6. Call to say thanks for all the thoughtful gifts for my newborn. Mail thank you notes.
7. Buy a music book for my 8 year old. The next Yo Yo Ma. The drive is just 15mins.
8. Order winter jackets….the kids are shooting up too fast.
9. Start planning for the annual party.
10. Pick up some grocery……need a meal plan for dinner…
11. Due for a manicure and pedicure….. feels like I have trekked on the Sahara for a week.
12. Meeting the deadline at work.

Staying current on our chores is a massive chore in itself. How do we manage?.....Have we become machines or love slogging away? Or do we manage because of our love and commitment that comes with being a mom and wife?

Fall Evenings And Hot Chocolate By The Fireplace

It’s fall now, and temperatures in New York are steadily dropping though not too bad at the moment. We did have some sunshine in between but it seems the rain and dark cloudy skies have been here forever. The backyard looks all misty and dark in the rain through the glass windows in our kitchen.

Every Friday we try a different soup from a recipe book we bought at Barnes and Nobles, and last week it was Avocado with a touch of lemon and coconut water. Add hot bowl of pasta with shrimp to the menu…and we have some very happy faces around the kitchen table. I love this interaction at dinner... good food, conversation where the kids learn something every day and we get to know what is happening in their lives, and so many silly jokes and laughter.

Come November, and it’s a ritual for us to get the fireplace going; we love to cozy up in the den next to the crackling fire. Though I miss the baby days of my girls, with Nick, I am reliving those days all over again. Cuddling up with the baby in our den, the girls lounging next to us, the dogs all curled up, fuzzy throws, after dinner hot chocolate with marshmallows…. hmm how I adore the Friday and Saturday evenings of Fall!

That Swim Meet Will Happen Again

The birthday bashes my parents planned for me bordered on the extravaganza. Just days before one such party (and I was in the third grade then) I started running a high fever. In no time at all measles was confirmed.

The cake was given away, the prizes for the games stashed in the cupboard for next year; the birthday dress was stored for later use. Cancellation messages were sent out to friends and relatives.

I cried my heart out, as if my world had come to an end.

Anna is a good swimmer, she practices diligently. This week she was all set to take part in her first swim meet of the season. But her dream has been shelved for the moment. Poor Anna is down with a bout of flu and cough. This morning when I saw her staring pensively at the window, I knew what was going through her mind. A major case of bad luck bordering on devastation.

 But in retrospect it is nothing really. Wednesday will come and go, Anna will be feeling terrible all day, but there will be other swim meets in the future. In time she will learn that life is usually generous and gives more opportunities to make up for the lost chances.

The Sincere Worker

“Hey Anna & Mia, we are expecting guests in the evening. Let’s clean up the den.”

Mia flopping down on the rug, “I’m feeling sick Mamma.”

After a few seconds, peering at me from half closed eyes….. “Well, did it work?”

Doggy Talk On Weight And Starvation

Dr. A: Helllllo! how is our Timmy doing today?

(Timmy shivering silently.)

Me: Wonderful doctor, no complaints.

Dr. A: Good, is he ready for a couple of shots?

(aaaarrrr... a tiny moan from Timmy)

Dr. A: He's overweight Nina.... dogs his size should be around thirteen pounds and Timmy is seventeen.

Me: Doctor can I tell you something, please don't think I am a pshyco...... my dogs talk to me.....they bark in different tones and expect me to understand.... and I do. They ask for food.

(Dr. A pokES Timmy in the tummy......)


Dr. A: Nina that's normal. When I go home my cat and dog talk to me, they talk to me all the time. But control Timmy and Lucy's portions. Till date, and I have been a vet for a verrrrry long time, I have never seen a dog die of starvation.

You Did It & I Did Not

Mia: You did it.
Anna: No I didn’t.
Mia: Yes you did.
Anna: No I didn’t.

Mia: MAMMA, she read my diary....
Anna: OH MY GOSH! No I didn’t.
Mia: (wailing) YES YOU DID.
Anna: Well I found it open on your bed, but I didn’t read it. When did you have a fight with “Z”?
Mia: MAMMA, see, she did read it.
Anna: No, I was correcting the punctuation and spellings. You need to work on your grammar.
Mia: WHO CARES ABOUT SPELLINGS AND GRAMMAR….IT’S A DIARY.
Anna: Lots of people do. Writing must be neat and perfect even if you hate someone!!!!!

Mia: YOU READ MY DIARY.
Anna: No, I didn’t, just corrected some mistakes!!!!!!!!!! (sly smile)

Zipper Or The Killer-Flipper

To All the un-James-Bond-ian Moms:

Year: 2005
Setting: A Carnival, near our town.
Victim: Me, me, me, my kids, my daughter's friend and me.

Please don’t listen to your kids if they tell you that a ride is loads of fun. Use your judgment, and above all, don’t put a foot in unless you enjoy spending money just to be sick.

Mia was five years old, Anna nine. The ride I think was called the Zipper. (On retro, a more apt name would have been the Killer-Flipper.) A giant Ferris wheel like structure with multiple cages, for humans of course.

The guy monitoring the ride said that it was safe for Mia to go in, she was a tall child. And,  I, hail all stupidity, went in with her. There were no straps, just a bar to hold you in, and just as the zipper started moving, I realized that the bar was not enough to hold us. For a child, albeit a tall one, there is this chance of sliding out and bumping against the two ends of the metal cage.


The ride went first in a clockwise loop, and then anticlockwise. The individual cages were also turning at the same time, clockwise and anti-clockwise.....in a kind of "I will fling you out" motion. (The invisible monkeys were having a good laugh now at the sheer stupidity and suffering of the human race.) And the popcorn and ice-cream bought by an indulgent husband were madly churning inside me..... I  

Mia was too scared even to cry, just whispering that this was the end of everything. Anna and her friend were screaming for the ride to stop. But the operator was unable to hear us through the loud music or he thought that we were having the time of our lives. Finally my husband heard us and our ordeal came to an end.

Now you know who has the brains in our family.