Being grateful 18.09.2016

We had our customary Onam celebrated with the extended friends and family in Croydon . It was a very early start for the same , starting at as early as 9 am. It a large gathering of around 100 people and we had songs and dance and food and games. It was really a high energy fun college day with lots of screaming and dancing , singing and fun. It was truly nice to destress like this after a real long time.

I am really happy to see the progression my son has made in terms of his confidence. He is now really confident to get on stage do dances , sing laugh talk to people , which is a far cry from the shy behind his parents boy that he was 2 years ago. I am really happy to see the giant steps he is making towards being an independent boy.. Aww I am going to miss my little boy though.

Over the last 2 weeks , we have completely managed to switch off TV from Pranav’s life, though a very tough decision on him , I felt it was necessary at the time, to disconnect him, this has helped in so many ways that I can’t believe a TV has so much of impact on a child’s life. He is so much more happier and nicer and humble and less cranky . He has learned to play with his toys , do things on his own. I love the quality time I get with him evening where he really connects with me , hugs me cuddles me loves me. Truly blessed. 

Summary after India trip

I am back from a 2 weeks holiday in India which was a well-deserved break from the mundane life in UK just enough to give me more perspective about my life and things I need to achieve over the next few years . Getting back to reality from a break is always difficult and hence I am trying to put this back into perspective and writing them down obviously helps

I started off this year with a goal to achieve small but significant achievements that would add value to my life and so far this year I have managed to have a few.

·         I have fulfilled my dream of having a flat for my parents in India, though much smaller than what I had expected but definitely a tick in the right direction.

·         Got permanent residence for UK which allows us to be in UK for as long as we wish , though might sound like a small deal , the process to get here has been quite elaborate

·         Got to spend some time with Anish’s family , though had been hectic was definitely a change from the normal life we are used to

·         Managed to make a few strides towards learning to swim , though nowhere close to swimming independently , I can safely say I can keep myself from drowning

·         Enrolled myself for a music class, though has been extremely hectic to include this into the schedule has been extremely stress relieving and enjoyable.

·         Pranav has evolved into a much confident 5 year old and he has started classes in keyboard, dance, Malayalam and continuing his swimming

Action to be taken

·         Learn to drive

·         Learn to cycle

·         Spend more time with Pranav focussing on his learning 

Today is 13.09.2016, Uthradam

Gratitude

Today is 13.09.2016, one day before Onam.

I am grateful for being able to spend quality time with Pranav every day. After getting home, now that the TV is permanently been taken away , he is so much more calmer and happier . I am also forcing myself away from technology after going home and this has really helped me to bond better with Pranav.

Yesterday we played building blocks, lie down on bed and spoke about school , did some reading and writing practice, cooked and even tided up together. Last few months I have been constantly complaining about the lack of time I have with him ,but today I have realised after the last few days of forced detachment from technology that time was always there but it was just a matter of me taking notice.

I am very happy that slowly I am getting back on track with my cleaning routine and cooking, I can now happily say that I have not eaten out for more than 3 weeks .I am also grateful to see the baby steps my son is taking towards eating healthy another thing on my never ending to do list to accomplish this year.

Happy to see the dedication Anish has toward cycling slowly but surely he is getting leaner and more importantly fitter. I also need to get some kind of exercise factored into my routine.