Birbal and McQueen

The usual routine of bedtime stories for my two adorable sons is taking its own twists and turns. Very interesting ones, thanks to my princes. Well, today my elder one wanted a Akbar and Birbal story. The younger one was inclined towards McQueen story. Yes, Lightning McQueen, the race car is his favorite and always wants to talk and listen about it.
Coming back to the story, both wanted their own wish to be done first. I thought I was wise telling them that I'll tell a story which suits both their wishes. And I started, "Once there was a king named Akbar...". My younger one interrupted, "tell McQueen story"!! So I started, "There was a ...". Again interrupted, the story should start with "McQueen", the magic word!! God please help me... And here goes the story....
"McQueen was racing through the town one day. He came to the outskirts where he was attracted by an unusual trailer. He went straight to the trailer and climbed in."
(Here, I had to convince my elder one that Akbar and Birbal were on their way).
"McQueen saw many switches and lights inside the trailer. He was intrigued by a button with date panel near it. McQueen tried entering some numbers and pushed the button. The trailer started off in a sudden pulse. McQueen saw the trailer drive through different towns and cities, mountains and valleys and finally came to a stop.
McQueen slowly got down the trailer and was amused by the surroundings. There were different looking people, bullock-carts and horses, many many trees, and not a single car around him.
McQueen started moving around slowly looking at the new surroundings. The people were bewildered and frightened. They ran away from him and looked at McQueen from a distance, from behind trees and buildings. There was panic all over the town.
By the time, McQueen ran out of fuel and halted. He too was confused now, not knowing what to do.
Word reached the king about an unusual thing in the town. The king Akbar summoned his ministers. One of his minister, Birbal was very wise and clever. Akbar sent Birbal to look at "the animal" and decide the course of action.
When Birbal looked at McQueen, he remembered about motors he had read about. He went near McQueen and examined. He asked for a can of petrol and poured in the fuel tank. The grateful McQueen drove towards the trailer followed by Birbal. Birbal had read about time machines and so he was able to understand. Birbal was a very clever and wise minister, indeed.
Birbal pressed few buttons to send McQueen from where he had come from. McQueen revved up his engine to say thanks to Birbal. Birbal nodded with a smile. He closed the trailer and away it went.
People who were watching all the while, cheered for Birbal. Akbar felt proud of his favorite minister."
I said to my sons, "And McQueen came back here to say Good Night to you.".
End of story. My kids were really enchanted with this story. :)

not sure of the title!!

I scattered few rice in my patio
Two sparrows came hopping by
One said to another, "Hello, how are you?";
The another said "Am great, how are you?";
The first one said "this rice is yummy",
And the second said "absolutely sweet as this lady";
Yes, Those sparrows said all these...
But I heard only "chirp, chirp"
"Chirp chirp", and "chirp, chirp"!!

Who instituted the numeric order?

Well, the title might look like a general knowledge question. But that's not my intention for sure.

Three circles in my preschooler's toy caught his attention today. He exclaimed to me "Amma, circle". You can imagine the pride and happiness that welled up immediately in my heart. I was all hugs and kisses for him "chella kutty you started recognizing circles!!". He was all smiles and beaming. Then the greedy(or not greedy?) mother in me, said "one, two, three circles". My dear son replied "2 circles..see one, three, two". He knows the numbers. He understood the concept of counting, that there were more than one circle. Between me and him, and in a child's world, numeric order doesn't matter, isn't it? What matters most is just the fun, pride and happiness of the mother and son! No degree or money can bring that.

Mother's stroll with her son

A mother, with her child walking along
Hand in hand as a sweet song;
She plucked a small flower very white
Gave it to her son with smile bright;
Walked past the quiet turn on the road
To tread a different one though loud;
Walked past a construction site
Talking about beams and basement;
Childish glad to see roosters, five not one
Adorning each a splendid red crown;
Joyous were they to relish tender coconut
Perfect evening walk for a mom and son

Enjoy each day

Gosh, I've won atlast. Wonder what have I won? Read on...I woke up at 6am and I thought how nice it would be if I sleep for some more minutes. Since that cannot be afforded, I booted my thoughts. What day is today.... and yes, I remembered its my friend's birthday. Thats good enough a reason to celebrate this day.
I was up, brushed, took the milk from outside and headed to my work cabin, the kitchen. I would rather say part of my work cabin as my whole house is my work area - I am on my feet all around the house. Well, back to the topic. Today I decided that I'll take time to have my tea, after all its my friend's birthday. I put the dal to be pressure cooked and cut onions while the tea was boiling. Then I mixed complan for my sweet elder son and was about to go wake him up. But it was just 6.45. I usually wake him up by 7, so I kept aside the milk and prepared for baby corn fritters. That would be my son's snack today. I got immersed in my work that it became 7.05 am. Oh no, I will enjoy my tea with my son and cook only then. Its my friend's birthday and thats well enough a reason to enjoy myself.
Few kisses and cuddles to bring my son up from his pillow. And we enjoyed drinking tea and milk together. It was 7.20 and usually I take my son to bath at 7.30. So I headed back to work.
Paruppu keerai and egg curry is today's menu for lunch. It was half over and again I shifted work to making my son ready for school. He left for school and I thought I'll wash his karate dress which I had soaked. "No, I have reason to celebrate and relax", so I put on music and danced with my younger son. Then after washing and bath thought of blogging. But my younger one was swift to reach the system and there he sat typing seriously. I had to fight with him and won atlast. Got my first point? Good enough. And well, I enjoyed the day. You might wonder I have left few points dangling and thats fine, after all my intention is to enjoy, not to tell a well formed story. :) And tomorrow is first july, first day of a 'joly' month and so friends.... :) :) :)

crazy, but unforgettable wake up call

It was yet another day with all its excitements, hues and hurries, running behind kids and what not. After putting the kids to sleep, I think I was able to fall asleep around 2.30 AM. My husband had not come back from work. So I was on and off sleeping for a while till he returned home. Then I went to peaceful sleep. I was swinging on the moon and then playing with the stars. I heard some sound...to my dismay it was a knock at the door which brought me back to the earth. I looked at the alarm clock near my pillow. It showed 5.45 AM. With so much anger I opened the door. It was the milkman and I was puzzled as for what reason he had knocked, for I had kept the coupon for milk. And I could see he had kept the milk packets in the bag hung outside. He told me that I had only put a note to knock the door. My goodness heavens!!! My calling bell was not working and I was waiting for someone the previous day. So I had a post-it note saying "Calling bell is not working, Please knock the door." All I could say was "oh ok" and went inside back to bed, just to lay awake and curse myself for having left the note out in the night!!!!

Destiny! Depends on where you land??

This round pumpkin, shining and yellow
Landed in my shopping cart
Rolled all the way to my fridge so blue
From there it took a different path
And went right into my husband's hands
Here it is, transformed into a spooky candle holder
It would have boiled in sambar, had it been into my hands
Instead its glowing with the candle from within!!

Note: This post is dedicated to my darling husband, who took some time away from his work to save this pumpkin from boiling in my sambar! :)