Religious or not, festivals we will not miss!

The Navratri countdown has begun. We've sent out all our golu invitations. Still figuring out dates and times to visit our friends' golus. Just anticipating the festivities and getting into the mood adds to the excitement!

But then last month has been quite a celebration too. Krishnashtami and Ganesh Chathurthi have always been special to us in the family. The kids love hearing stories of Krishna and Ganesha (or maybe because I only know stories with these 2 characters in it)and were keen to help bring in their birthdays.

To V&S, Krishna is the naughty little boy who loves butter and is always upto some prank and Ganesha is the clever, chubby boy who loves to eat and torment his little brother.And it was exactly in this spirit that our celebrations followed. We spoke about our little heroes as we had fun making the kuzhakattais and footprints. Shriya gave her favourite idols (see prev posts) a special shampoo bath. Vaibhav gave me a hand with the modaks (my very first time as well!!).Shriya wrote out a big and squiggly Happy Birthday outside our door with rice flour paste. Our Filipino housekeeper joined in and told us stories about similar festivals and sweets in her country.

There was no formal pooja or shlokha recitation. But the celebrations heralded the rest of the festive period for us in the most beautiful way. Eagerly looking forward to set up the golu with my imps.

Beyond boring beauties!

Shriya is perched on my lap and we are reading a story from the brand new Usborne’s Stories for Girls (that I’d absolutely enjoyed purchasing). It has 20 lovely tales, all very appealing to the girlie heart. I was excited just holding that juicy fat pink hard covered book and couldn’t wait to read all 20 at one go.

After a while, I heard a groan. In all my excitement, I kinda missed that groan. And then she did it again. I stopped and asked what the matter was. We were at the very first story: The twelve dancing princesses. Shriya asked me “ Why are all these princesses always dancing or marrying? Won’t they get bored of doing the same thing?"

I challenged her and asked what they should be doing instead. And she goes “ See amma, when I’m a princess, I won’t just dance and marry any prince. I will do all that only in the weekends and during playtime. The rest of the time I want to be a doctor. I’m going to be a Doctor Princess!!!”

Three cheers to my little heroine!!