Summer vacation are never the same as they were in my childhood. I walked down that nostalgia lane in this post. As we moved from joint families to nuclear ones with working mothers, no more monthly sojourns to relatives’ homes. At least, not for me. Family visits are quick and short. And the kids hardly have the temperament to adjust and put up with each other’s idiosyncrasies. We are truly becoming more self-involved and less social. But, I guess that is how times evolve.
The heat is on and so is the vacation of the kids. But, it isn’t that bad this year. You know, it is easier and less taxing to have one kid. I mean that is a no-brainer. Having two children does not only multiply your work by twice but more as they have so many sibling issues that you have to ‘referee’. But among the nicest parts is the love they have for each other (despite the million quarrels) and the company they provide to each other.
So this vacation, both the sons have been doing things together. Going to the swimming pool, cycling, playing badminton and TT and their board games along with their gadget games. They wake up late and sleep late, no matter what I tell them. I am making them help out in the kitchen – small things like cutting salad, setting the table, cooking rice (elder son) and make nimbu paani, half-fried egg, run errands (younger son).Since I work from home and they are doing a lot of their own stuff, it is kind of peaceful so far.
Coco has been his usual exuberant self, sleeping long intervals and always ready for a hug or a game. When I feel bored, I just call him and have long conversations with him while he nods his sagely head. Sometimes, he validates what I say with a loud hmmm. All conversations with him end in a lot of hugging and stroking.
We have got their books for the next session and I am dreading the covering bit. Luckily, my mil will be coming by in a few days and she helps a lot with this. Another thing about vacation is cooking. I have to cook unbelievable quantities of food as the kids are always hungry. The good part is that I can catch some more sleep in the mornings.
And the best part about summers has to be mangoes. If you are a mango lover, as most of us are, India is the best place for a mindboggling variety. Here in the South of India, Banganpally, Badami, Sindhura, Malgoba, Mallika and Raspuri are the most notable varieties. I have been staying away from store-bought ones since I am not sure if they are chemically ripened. Luckily, a neighbor has his mango farms, and we have been buying from him. I just had my first taste of mangoes and it is delicious as always. Summer is also the time when I look forward to jamun. It is a favourite fruit of mine and has a very short season. Waiting eagerly for that.
The heat is all kinds of crazy just now. So we lay low and pass these two months as best as we can till the rains descend upon us with another set of problems. But never mind that for now.
How has the summer vacation been treating you?
Pic courtesy: altanaka on Shutterstock
Rachna says 
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