Austen & Gage

Austen spent 2 hours playing outside in the snow with Mama and her neighbors. She stomped around in the snow, threw snowballs and best of all, joined some ‘big girls’ in making and decorating a snow man, using a Snowman Building Kit that Mama got as a Christmas gift from Kelly.

Austen really enjoys the sit down dinners with Mama and Dada now that we got a new kitchen table. It also helps when the main dish is Mac n Cheese, one of Austen’s favorites.

Mommy (she prefers this name but hasn’t convinced Dada and Austen yet) is always inspired by Austen’s enthusiasm — if not always by her rowdy behavior. It’s fascinating to watch her. Everything she chooses to do is done with such spirit and interest on her part. Checking out a dog on the street. Trying to find the moon. Counting the number of blue cars in sight. Today, when she finally got into soccer class, she pushed around the goal and kicked the ball in a way that was always exciting to watch.

For the past few weeks, Austen regularly wants to read Disney’s story of Pedro. In particular, she loves to yell out the scary mountain’s name: Aconcagua.

Not surprisingly, Mama and Dada (especially Dada), start laughing and only encourage the behaviour. It’s just a funny word, made funnier when exclaimed by a 2 year old.

Lately Austen has been channeling Fargo and doing a Frances McDormand impression.

See it on YouTube: “Oooo, yaaa!”

Mama and Dada surprised Austen with tickets to Sesame Street Live in Madison Square Garden, NYC. The excitement began as we took the train into Manhattan and continued throughout the show. Austen also befriended another todler while getting snacks in the lobby before the show.

Austen enjoys feeding Neely fish. Neely (which means blue in Punjabi) is a siamese fighting fish (a.k.a. betta fish) so he can’t be with another betta lest they start attacking each other.

Wow, there were like a zillion courses at the Chinese feast. Austen did incredibly well, trying lots of new dishes like shrimp crisps, baby corn and hard-boiled egg. She screamed for Devan half-way through dinner and got a lot of attention for her questions about what he was doing. “What’s he doing?” “He’s sleeping?” “Where’s Devan?”

Mama and Dada enjoyed spending time with Daljit, Kimball and Angie. And, boy, those Indian kids have great hair. (All Devan’s cousins were in attendance.)

It was cool seeing Austen strolling around Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Mama wants to get her a Chinese New Year pendant: 2005 was the Year of the Rooster.

…while we drive in the car. She can be rather demanding but usually asks nicely (“All around the cobbler’s bench!”). It’s unbelievable the way she can recognize that we’ve forwarded to the right song after hearing only a few notes of music. She’s got a gift. Uncle Mark, after failing to note Lucinda’s musical background, is gonna be impressed.

Cha Cha was here to accompany Mama and Austen to Gymboree and lunch at Tinga. In the evening, Dada returned from his leadership conference and found a table full of gifts. Mama got a beautiful beaded necklace and tulips.