Best friend, Teacher, Playmate,Grandpa...all rolled into one!

My parents are visiting and the kids are having a blast. They can now play their favourite games anytime of the day, they can rush down for a round of TT whenever they please and can ask for any dish on a whim! They dont have to wait for amma to finish her office call and get off the computer. They have two willing, obliging and adoring stand ins who indulge them and revel in all their childish prattle.

Vaibhav, especially has bonded so strongly with my Dad that sometimes I wonder if he realizes that he's actually dealing with a 60 year old who has just undergone an operation! Dad and V are like two kids playing, arguing, teasing and petting. My dad can play endless rounds of Rat A Tat A Cat (the kids' all time favourite card game), return every tease and tickle, tirelessly match his every move at table tennis and discuss the pros and cons of the different GoGos (another current fave)almost on par with any of his 6 year old buddies.

My Dad's a born teacher. As a child, I've spent sevaral precious hours with him building my vocabulary and struggling over Algebra!And Vaibhav is his newest student.Mental sums, quizzes and spelling tests can be heard at all times of the day in our home...over a snack, while playing a game and even while taking a walk down to anywhere!

I guess having my Dad around adds a bit of thrill for Vaibhav when it comes to dealing with me!The best bit for V these days is that he does not have to take a simple No for an answer from his Mom. He will immediately go up to my Dad and say " You are her father, right, talk to her! Be strict with her Chanudu(their nickname for my Dad)!!

Vaibhav recently came up to me and requested that he and his Chanudu go on a vacation all by themselves." Friends need to spend time together, ma"! And after thinking about the non-possibility of his idea he asked, " Can Chanudu please stay for one year with me. I think if we go ona holiday he will decide to stay longer with us".

In Vaibhav's lingo, he's enjoying the longest sleepover and playdate with his best friend- my Dad!The buddies are having a great time. The fun starts the minute my little boy wakes up. And the fun, I'm sure, is only going to double when V's vacation begins next week.

Vaibhav, enjoy every minute with your Thatha. Learn from his experience, imbibe his wonderful qualities and most of all treasure every moment with him.