Paz's Early Years Fun Splash

*late post*

This past week the school has a 'Fun Splash'.  It was an opportunity for the little ones to show off their swimming skills to their parents.  

As all things in India. . .the timing of things need to be considered. So my day was ENTIRELY dedicated to this.  That is ok. . .I am after all a stay at home mom. . . .I am suppose to do this. . Right?  I think I am also suppose to drink wine. . . .oh wait. . . .I do.  My day started off getting the girls onto the school bus, rush home and shower and go in to work with the hubby.  Is it sad that the security at hubby's work doesn't even question who I am anymore - I've been there that many times.  I drop hubby off and head -so very early to the 'fun spash'.  I had to go with hubby because if I waited for Murali (AKA Driver) to come get me after dropping off the hubby. . I would have been late.  So I leave prepared and bring a book, snack and drink while I wait.  It is a good thing that the school is prepared for parents like me.  They have a parents waiting room.  Off I went to prop my feet up and lie on the couch.  

When the time came. . .I headed to the pool and Paz was waiting for me. 

My little fish waits

My children have always been water babies.  The fact that swim is part of the curriculum is a plus.  At this age, they want to have the kids get confident and comfortable in the water.  The reality is that Indians, in general, are drowning in large numbers in the local rivers and lakes.  The Government sees that this is a problem and are 'requiring' that swim be taught at an early age.  Lets face it - we all know not every school has the facility and funds to do this.  

I digress, So these little kids were showing off for their parents.  Paz has always been a fab swimmer and she showed it.  She was part of the small groups of kids that can actually swim the entire length and keep going.  Enjoy the pics. . 

She finished and sat for a second and did a couple of more laps.

More and more laps 

New Fruit and Transportation

*Late posting*

The girls tried a new fruit this weekend.  It is called a Litchi.

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/Lychee.html

It kinda looks like a strawberry and the insides looks like . .well you take a look.

It was yummy!  This is a fruit that I would buy again!

I wanted to share some pics of some things that I see while I am on the road.  

*Warning* One is not for the faint at heart - for the animal lovers.  I am not posting to get everyone upset.  I am just sharing 'In the day in the life of. . us'

These animals were alive and every bump in the road -they squealed. 

Until next time. . . .

10 Year Old Birthday

**Late posting**

This weekend we celebrated Olivia's 10 year birthday.  She has told us from day 1 - ok really when Mike the boss took us out to eat to the Ritz Carlton - that she wanted to go out to eat at the Ritz for her birthday.

Hubby decided that we were going to make a weekend of it and just stay the night.  I thought this was a fab idea and possible a new tradition for this family.  This -in my opinion- beats the birthday party.  We booked a normal room and in the reservation they asked if we were celebrating anything special.  Who knew typing "It is my daughter's 10 year old birthday" would just turn our weekend so superb.

There were emails passed back and forth asking for her picture and what her likes were.  Simple right?  They also asked us to to call when were were 10 minutes out.  Ok?  So I did.  

On our arrival, we has own guest relations coordinator meet us as we were getting out of our car.  She greeted Olivia and walked us to the front door - which was closed.  At the same time. . . The doors opened and in we walk - with Olivia.  Queur in rose petals falling from the balcony above - a group of men holding 'Happy B-day' signs - a dozen roses handed to her (her first roses!). . .and Olivia being shy/embarrassed.

We just thought that was lovely. . ok. . .The Ritz is awesome.  But wait dear reader. . .that is only the icing on the cake.

We were then escorted to our room by our customer relations lady.    What happen to checking in?  Oh wait. . .we didn't need too!  We checked into our room.  But wait. . .we were also informed that they took the liberty to upgrading our room to a suite.  This suite was not a suite where it was 5 square feet bigger than the normal room.  It was a good 4 times bigger!  It had two bathrooms, a sitting area, a living room, office, bar, walk in closet, seperate master bedroom and a master bath that I can drool for!
Really Ritz Carlton?!?!  You are just making our awesome stay even better.

and. .  .they had this cake waiting for her

and. . . another dozen roses waiting for her

Paz got an apple.  :)

Anyone want a drink?

Work anyone? 

drool. . . .

drool. . .

This life is so 'hard'. . . 

After walking around in city central going to UB City and Good Earth - we headed back to our suite to rest and ready for dinner.  We had reservations at The Lantern - the reason we are at the Ritz.
So yummy.

Once again - Olivia was surprised, as were we.  They came to our table and gave Olivia a card and a gift.  The card was signed by all the people involved in the planning of the days events and the gift was a dolphins necklace.  We were once again absolutely floored!  

Our night was absolutely magical and the service was one that I can not even imagine.  I find this the difference between the US and India.  Service here is something that can not be told about, it needs to be experienced.

Happy Birthday my dear Olivia.  I think you have started an awesome family tradition!