Party Time

After much deliberation, we opted for a large party for Livi. It was our last big gathering in Chennai and it was a roaring success (if I do say so myself). Most importantly, Livi had a ball and truly enjoyed all the attention as the birthday girl. I may have gone a tad bit overboard with the festivities, but I couldn't resist...

getting ready for the party

helping Mommy decorate the cake with decorations from our friend Vivana

Oscar decorating under the table with pipe cleaners

the princess getting her hair and makeup done

the princess and her pony...i lost count how many times she rode the horse!

Livi and Aliyah, 2 years in a row

a proper princess doesn't let her dress touch the ground, even when swinging



oscar was worried he wouldn't have fun at Livi's party

 

cake cutting madness

he did it!! oscar's first horse ride. bunny came along for the ride

livi's first pair of earrings. clip ons from Ganthi!

 

Happy 4!

Livi's birthday fell on a Thursday, so we had a family party of 4 complete with flowers, cake and presents from family afar! Our little girl loves her flowers, and Dada made her day with a special bouquet for the birthday girl.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful gifts! Livi had so much fun opening them all....It's so hard to be far from family, but the kids have come to love the joy of opening packages from across the ocean!

strike a pose

a little ribbon dance

a pink pony



jasmine and a ballerina

oscar got a little something too...which he got a big kick out of

robot matrushka dolls, i couldn't resist

playing mom

our little architect help build livi's new barbie house. what did he find so exciting about it?
yes, barbie is on the toilet. what you can't hear is the sound effects...

thinking about her wish

best thing about a cake for the family is that you can just dig right in!

 

Himalayan Adventure

A few weeks after I got back from my trip, the Oscars headed out on their own adventure in the Himalayas with 3 other families from the consulate. They flew into Dehradun and drove to the Ganga River camp. Oscar even got a chance to white water raft on some lower class rapids.

The tents had cots that were set up for you every night, and someone would come in and put hot water bottles at the foot of the bed to keep you warm. They would even heat up water for you to take a shower, but the first thing Dada said to me when they got home from their 4 day adventure was "your son really needs a bath."

the best part of this picture is that this was little Oscar's idea

yes, everyone at the consulate has seen Oscar's belly

The streets of Rishikesh

a little religious tourism

oscar was getting bored, and decided to join in...

the big kids taking a hike in the rain

 

during the hike they saw a funeral and a cremation. at the end the remains were dumped in the river

 

there is a lodge you can stay at the a few of the families opted to stay in their last night, but our boys loved the tents!

 

Theosophical society

While I was away in the North, the kids and Oscar finally made it to the Theosophical Society. We're still  not really sure what is it but it's essentially a large park with trails. You're only allowed to enter at certain times of the day and it is closed on Sundays so we never seem to be able to work it into our Saturday schedule. Everyone who has made it there marvels at the quiet and open space nestled in our noisy, busy city.