Blog of Parag

Ashwini was waiting eagerly for today and so was Adit. They were quite excited that school started today. It was Ashwini’s first day in second grade and Adit’s truly first day at school in the Kindergarten class. A big milestone for Adit as this marks the end of just fun all day and more importantly no more afternoon naps. All the goofing off is finished. Now, it will be school followed by more school followed by work, career, family for about 50-60 years before there is time to just sit and goof off again. I hope he is ready for all this.

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admin Adit, Ashwini, Kids

One of the favorite places for us to take kids is Harkness state park in Waterford, CT. We really like the open space to run around and fly kites along with the beach to have the option of water play. The mansion in this park is a popular place for people to get married and we have seen several wedding parties during our visits there. Also, Ashwini saw photos of someone getting married at Mystic aquarium when she went for Summer camp at the aquarium.

V was driving the kids to/from school when the following conversation went on.

Ashwini: Mommy, if we live in Connecticut, can I get married in Harkness park or Mystic aquarium?

V: Sure. You can get married anywhere you want.
Ashwini: Can I get married in New York or Michigan or how about India?
V: Yes. Anywhere you want. When you are older and want to get married, we’ll decide.
Adit: Ashwini, we should get married in India.
Ashwini: No way! You are not marrying me.
Adit: Why not?
Ashwini: Because, I am not your true love. You only marry your true love.

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admin Adit, Ashwini, Kids

It was a nice rainy cool day to be out on a hunt for Monarch caterpillars. After going to several milkweed plants and finding many kinds of insects, snails, earthworms and slugs, we finally spotted what we were looking for. A Monarch caterpillar and an egg are new guests in our house.

This year, we didn’t order any caterpillars from Insectlore to watch them turn into butterflies. So, the kids are really excited to follow the progress of this caterpillar and the egg. Here are a couple of photos and expect several updates.

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admin Kids, Science

FedEx delivers millions of packages everyday around the World. They probably have the most efficient routing system for those packages. I remember reading sometime ago that they (or was it UPS?) set up the delivery route for trucks to minimize left turns to make them more efficient.

With all that sophisticated system, I don’t know what happened to this package that I received recently. It came from China into Anchorage, AK where it was cleared by customs. Then it flew to Newark, NJ and unexpectedly took a wrong turn and went off to Oakland, CA before making it to Connecticut via Memphis, TN. I am not sure why FedEx added a cross-country trip in the package’s routing. I have to wonder if one of my friends worked on the development of this routing software.

Jul 14, 2010 8:38 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery NORWICH, CT
Jul 14, 2010 8:30 AM At local FedEx facility NORWICH, CT
Jul 13, 2010 6:50 PM At dest sort facility EAST GRANBY, CT
Jul 13, 2010 3:30 PM Departed FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN
Jul 13, 2010 12:36 PM Arrived at FedEx location MEMPHIS, TN
Jul 13, 2010 7:04 AM Departed FedEx location OAKLAND, CA
Jul 13, 2010 2:10 AM Arrived at FedEx location OAKLAND, CA
Jul 10, 2010 2:21 AM Arrived at FedEx location NEWARK, NJ
Jul 9, 2010 4:13 PM Departed FedEx location ANCHORAGE, AK
Jul 9, 2010 1:26 PM Int’l shipment release ANCHORAGE, AK
Jul 9, 2010 12:42 PM Arrived at FedEx location ANCHORAGE, AK
Jul 9, 2010 1:43 AM In transit LANTAU ISLAND HK
Jul 9, 2010 1:37 AM At local FedEx facility LANTAU ISLAND HK
Jul 8, 2010 1:33 PM Left FedEx origin facility SHENZHEN CN
Jul 8, 2010 11:06 AM Picked up SHENZHEN CN
Jul 7, 2010 2:02 PM Shipment information sent to FedEx

From Anchorage, AK to Norwich, CT the routes traveled by the package were in this order: red, orange, green and then, blue.

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admin Travel, World

It was 8 years ago, when we went on our grand trip of the Grand Canyon. Hike down to the Colorado river from South rim to get on the rafts. Then, 8 days of white water rafting down the river. We traveled more than 150 miles on the river camping on the river bank every night. It was one of the most memorable trips. Waiting for the kids to grow up, so we can do this again with them. Here are some photos to tell the story.

Read more…

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Ashwini loves getting Mehendi on her palms when she gets a chance and the wedding we attended two weeks ago was no exception. She enthusiastically sat with the Mehendi crew to get her hands decorated. A couple of pictures of her Mehendi or “Mindy” as Adit likes to call it.

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admin Ashwini, India, Kids

Last week, we attended my brother-in-law’s wedding. It was a good time to take out all the nice clothes. Here is us at the reception wearing the same clothes we wore at our wedding reception about 14 and half years ago.

I don’t think we look much different compared to 14.5 years ago…
Read more…

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We get a periodic newsletter from our childcare provider. A recent newsletter was about fun outdoor activities for kids. We love to go out for walks in woods and observe & collect all kinds of stuff. There are some wonderful ideas in this article to add more activities to walks. I am looking forward to trying out some of these on our next walk. Click below to read the full article.

Read more…

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admin Kids, Misc

As we walked into Adit’s classroom this morning, Katie called out to him.

Katie: Adit, come here. Play with me. Sue put boats in the sensory table. You can have this blue one.
Adit: Are you going to kiss me?
Katie: No.
Adit: OK. I’ll play with you.

Oh, this boy has such rough life!

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admin Adit, Kids

Adit flying his pirate kite.

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