Last Days in the US

The last few days in the US were busy.  I had invitation to two lunches, a long weekend car trip, a birthday party, and a dinner with some of Aarav, Ayan, and Aayush's closest friends.

All the mother's were invited to attend a special English tea party lunch that was given by the extended day kids (kindergartners) in Aayush's classroom.  What a nice prelude to our move to London! The kids spent all morning making lunch for their moms.  It was a very special meal, one that I will not forget for a long time.  On the menu was tea, followed by three types of sandwiches: cucumber sandwiches, cheese sandwiches, and chicken sandwiches.  There was also fruit salad and three types of desserts: cookies, brownies, and lemon custard cake.  Everything was made and served by the children. After lunch, the kids sang few songs for the moms.  What a perfect way for Aayush to end his school year! I will truly miss Ms. Jane, Ms. Cathy, and all the extended day kids and their families.

Aayush's Tea Party

A few days later, Ayan's class had a manners lunch.  It was also for the extended day kids and their moms. His lunch was a little different.  It was more about showing good manners during a meal.  For a couple of months, the kids were getting a lesson on proper etiquette.  Ms. Leisa, Ayan's teacher, was teaching the kids how one should behave, how one should eat, how and when to use silverware, etc,.  The kids had to take what they had learned and exhibit during the manners lunch.

For the meal, Ayan and I were served 5 course meal.  We started with bread and butter.  Ayan inhaled it!  Then came soup, followed by two types of salad.  For the main course, chicken was served.  And for dessert, cupcakes with chocolate frosting.  It was delicious!  Thank you Ms. Leisa and Ms. Shelley for all your hard work.  I will truly miss the both of you and all the extended day kids and their families. Now let's see if Ayan can put his manner learning into practice on a daily basis!

Ayan's Manners Lunch

On Memorial Day weekend, we decided to take one last road trip to visit just a few people.  In four days, we will make 3 short and quick stops in 3 different states.  From Raleigh we drove to Carmel, IN to say "HI" to our old neighbor.  The couple has raised some amazing kids.  Their oldest currently is doing an internship at NASA.  He was one of 20 in the world chosen to go there.  Their youngest is superstar as well.  She was the youngest 9th grader in IN to go to TX for science fair.  Gitesh and I have a lot to learn from these wonderful parents on how to raise great kids.

Next stop was Carol Stream, IL to visit the Gitesh's grandmother and his aunt and uncle.  Our schedule was really tight,  but we wanted to make a quick stopover especially to see Gitesh's 93 year old Grandmother. The boys were really excited to see their great-grandmother.  They were so sweet to her- they gave her lots of hugs. Gitesh and I loved watching them interact with her.  They have always been so fascinated by her and how old she is.  To them, they have never met anyone that old. She is an amazing person.  We all could learn so much from her.  I'm sure she has gone through so much in her life, yet whenever I see her, she always has a smile on her face.  A very positive person.    The boys had a great time with Gitesh's aunt and uncle as well.  They enjoyed playing with them in the backyard.  It was very quick visit - we were in Chicago for only 2 hrs but worth it.  Just want to say to all our friends in Chicago - Gitesh and I are very sorry that we could not see anyone else - We only had a couple of hours to spend in IL before we had to leave to go to MI. 


Ayan with his Great-Grandmother

Aayush with his Great-Grandmother

We then drove to MI to visit Gitesh's parents.  It was so nice to meet up with the kids grandparents.  I know the boys are really going to miss them and that's why it was so important to see them in MI before we left for London.  It was going to be short but nice visit.  The boys were able to spend good quality time with them.  The grandparents took the boys to the park and to the mall where they had some safari rides. Who doesn't like getting spoiled by grandparents.  Gitesh also got to meet his childhood friend who he hadn't seen in over 30 yrs. 

Aarav with his grandparents

It was a long and exhausting trip, but we wouldn't have it any other way. 

The next few days Gitesh and I worked on closing up loose ends.  It was a lot of running around.  It was quite hard for the both of us to finish things up since we only had one car.  We couldn't divide and conquer.  But, somehow, we made things work.  We have learned over the years we make a great team. 

Aarav had his last Tae Kwon Do class.  He has been doing it for over two years.  I still remembered how I got him to join.  He had this hesitation of joining TKD so, one day we went to observe a class.  He really enjoyed watching all the kids do kicks and jumps.  He wanted to do it.  So, before he had a chance to change his mind, I signed him up.  That was over two yrs ago. 

The last Friday before we left, we planned a night out with the boy's closest friends.  Each one of our boys got to invite two of their closest friends to join us for dinner.  All the boys (9 total) had a wonderful time.  Gitesh and I really enjoyed watching our boys spend good times with their friends before we left.  I was so glad to know all their friends were able to make it that night.  It was an night we all won't forget anytime soon. 

The last day before leaving we celebrated our nephew, Aakeen's 5th birthday party.  It was at a TKD place where he goes.  All the kids had a great time.  They got to see a show that was put on by the students, got to work on some TKD moves, and even break a wooden board.  What kid wouldn't love to do that!

One of my best memories I take with me is spending great quality time with Manishbhai and Niralibhabhi - staying up after the kids went to bed, just talking.  For the last weeks we were staying with them, us four stayed up talking about things we never really had a chance to.  When you are living in the same town, one takes for granted spending great quality time.  You always think, being nearby and meeting often is quality time, but I don't think it is. 

It was a bittersweet week for all of us.  As we said our goodbyes to family and friends, we realized how much we will miss everyone.