When he woke up yesterday morning, Aditya said, "I am so excited! I am going to be performing in one play and doing the lights for the other play!"
Those are his words, and he said them with great energy, excitement, and enthusiasm!
Last night the twins performed in two seperate Russian plays. Aditya played an imp, an assistant to the villain who is funny, stupid, as well as evil! Way to go:) Sister was the narrator in the other play.
The twins have been learning the basics of acting, putting together props, as well as creating their own costumes at this amazing summer theater conservatory program called CTC!
After returning home at 9 pm last night, they were up again, bright and early. Today they will be performing one more time! And finally they will do what is known as "strike" in theater parlance... take down the set, clean up the place, etc.
Aditya as usual was the first one to wake up and come out fully dressed, ready to go!
And then he said, "I am so excited! I am going to be performing in one play and doing the lights in the other play!"
Like Aditya who played a support role (handling the lights) during Sister's play, Sister was the greeter for his play.
All of the last 3 weeks, both of them got up, got ready, left for CTC at 7:50 AM, came home at 5pm (yes, that's more than 8 hours!). The minute they came they wanted to tell us with great excitement how the day went, who among their friends is playing which role (a number of kids from each of their classes also went to CTC).
Last week, they also went door to door selling tickets! Woo Hoo! They sold 5 tickets, handled money... in one case... literally handled the 20 quarters they got instead of a $5 bill!
Yesterday they also enjoyed themselves at the cast party. Aditya did not fuss about the fact that he was eating a super yummy but different looking wheat free pizza. In fact he chatted up with two other little girls over food. Wow!
All in all, a very growing and fun filled period of time!
And as far as we the grown ups are concerned ... we are SO INSPIRED by these kids. The next time you feel nervous talking or doing anything else in front of people, remind yourselves of these amazing 10 year olds!
If they can do it, so can you!
Friday, July 3, 2015
Did you ask for a large size or a medium-large size?
Asks sister.
He says, "LARGE!"
"Really? I asked for Medium-Large!" says she.
I ask, with great curiosity, "Are you talking about T shirts?"
"No, the size of roles."
What role? They are going to play a part in a play. Yup! The twins will be on stage performing in a play! And Aditya wants a LARGE role!
He says, "LARGE!"
"Really? I asked for Medium-Large!" says she.
I ask, with great curiosity, "Are you talking about T shirts?"
"No, the size of roles."
What role? They are going to play a part in a play. Yup! The twins will be on stage performing in a play! And Aditya wants a LARGE role!
When can we go to Costco?
He asked me, out of the blue, on a Saturday afternoon.
"Why?" I was very very surprised. Costco is not a fun place. Even for us grown ups:)
"I want to see if the new Big Book has come out. This is the time when it usually comes out every year." Aditya replied. Now I notice he is actually reading this year's Big Book of Why's.
Aai and Baba smile. Then they smile again.
"Two summers ago we were doing vision therapy, remember?" says the look on Aai's face.
"Yeah. We used to get books on topics he is interested in. And he was still not reading them." says Baba's look.
Don't believe it?
Here is one post about our reading challenges and the fun we had when we worked on overcoming it: http://adishallrise.blogspot.com/2013/06/puzzles-nerf-battles-and-reading.html
"Why?" I was very very surprised. Costco is not a fun place. Even for us grown ups:)
"I want to see if the new Big Book has come out. This is the time when it usually comes out every year." Aditya replied. Now I notice he is actually reading this year's Big Book of Why's.
Aai and Baba smile. Then they smile again.
"Two summers ago we were doing vision therapy, remember?" says the look on Aai's face.
"Yeah. We used to get books on topics he is interested in. And he was still not reading them." says Baba's look.
Don't believe it?
Here is one post about our reading challenges and the fun we had when we worked on overcoming it: http://adishallrise.blogspot.com/2013/06/puzzles-nerf-battles-and-reading.html
Monday, June 8, 2015
Leaps and bounds!
Third grade comes to a close next week.
As we reflect on the last two months... here are some new "first"s. This list never ceases to grow!
1. Aditya went to Elkus ranch farm as part of his class field trip, and did community work (including but not limited to mucking animal stalls). He also stayed away from home for 2 nights. Although one parent (Aai) was on the trip, she was not around him for the most part, probably an hour each day. In related news, Aditya proposed stir fried vegetables as part of the dinner menu his group cooked. Almost no other kid proposed vegetables :)
2. Aditya asked to go out as a family. No... there is more to this than meets the eye. Sister didn't want to go. Baba offered to stay home with her. Aditya then said that he wouldn't go if she and Baba weren't coming. He then cut a deal to give her an hour of playtime the next day if only she came! He really wanted to go as a family and not otherwise. Sweet!
3. Aditya researched Andrew Carnegie as part of his third grade curriculum which requires him to learn about an 18th century character. In addition, as part of the hands-on curriculum in our school, Aditya played the 18th century industrialist/philanthropist as he became part of the "Living History Museum". He put on a black suit and... hold your breath.. a grey beard plus mustaches! (Last year sister similarly played the character of Laura Ingalls Wilder). Plus, he prepared a speech in which he became Andrew Carnegie and described his life. (All kids and adults at the school were encouraged to visit the Living History Museum and ask questions of the characters)
4. Aditya now takes Gymnastics classes once a week!
5. Aditya continues to play wall-ball at school during recess. To know what a big deal this is, please read blog posts from a year ago.
6. Sister was part of the play "Beauty and the Beast Jr" which she rehearsed for weeks. After the performance, when the kids were home... Aditya said the to her, "Wow! You are really brave to go up on stage and do that". During the performance(s) Aditya volunteered at the Concessions Stand. He got to handle lots of money, which he did with great sincerity and integrity:) He also demonstrated his lightening fast mathematical abilities which helped him earn people's complements. He loved doing it and hopes she does more theater so he can volunteer at the concessions :)
As we reflect on the last two months... here are some new "first"s. This list never ceases to grow!
1. Aditya went to Elkus ranch farm as part of his class field trip, and did community work (including but not limited to mucking animal stalls). He also stayed away from home for 2 nights. Although one parent (Aai) was on the trip, she was not around him for the most part, probably an hour each day. In related news, Aditya proposed stir fried vegetables as part of the dinner menu his group cooked. Almost no other kid proposed vegetables :)
2. Aditya asked to go out as a family. No... there is more to this than meets the eye. Sister didn't want to go. Baba offered to stay home with her. Aditya then said that he wouldn't go if she and Baba weren't coming. He then cut a deal to give her an hour of playtime the next day if only she came! He really wanted to go as a family and not otherwise. Sweet!
3. Aditya researched Andrew Carnegie as part of his third grade curriculum which requires him to learn about an 18th century character. In addition, as part of the hands-on curriculum in our school, Aditya played the 18th century industrialist/philanthropist as he became part of the "Living History Museum". He put on a black suit and... hold your breath.. a grey beard plus mustaches! (Last year sister similarly played the character of Laura Ingalls Wilder). Plus, he prepared a speech in which he became Andrew Carnegie and described his life. (All kids and adults at the school were encouraged to visit the Living History Museum and ask questions of the characters)
4. Aditya now takes Gymnastics classes once a week!
5. Aditya continues to play wall-ball at school during recess. To know what a big deal this is, please read blog posts from a year ago.
6. Sister was part of the play "Beauty and the Beast Jr" which she rehearsed for weeks. After the performance, when the kids were home... Aditya said the to her, "Wow! You are really brave to go up on stage and do that". During the performance(s) Aditya volunteered at the Concessions Stand. He got to handle lots of money, which he did with great sincerity and integrity:) He also demonstrated his lightening fast mathematical abilities which helped him earn people's complements. He loved doing it and hopes she does more theater so he can volunteer at the concessions :)
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Expressive language-- can it get any better!
We have just had a "discussion".
I ask, "Why is your voice sounding that way?"
He says, "Because I am annoyed."
"And why is that?"
"I know you know. And you know I know."
Wow!
There are miracles to be noticed in every single moment:) Thank you again my little miracle!
I ask, "Why is your voice sounding that way?"
He says, "Because I am annoyed."
"And why is that?"
"I know you know. And you know I know."
Wow!
There are miracles to be noticed in every single moment:) Thank you again my little miracle!
Friday, April 17, 2015
After the guitar... it's the flute!
The post below sat in a "draft" status for 3+ months! Do read the latest update in the end.
______________
______________
Trust me. This guy ROCKS at the guitar, and is gifted in his "understanding" of music.
But "flute" has been another game. It has been hard because it takes lots of practice to form the embouchure. Yet he began doing it as he decided to be part of the school band.
After weeks of blowing air and making a sound that resembled no particular note... Aditya just began to produce musical notes through his flute!
He was elated and said he loves playing the flute now. He also sheepishly admitted that earlier he was practicing the flute "just for the sake of it"!
But "flute" has been another game. It has been hard because it takes lots of practice to form the embouchure. Yet he began doing it as he decided to be part of the school band.
After weeks of blowing air and making a sound that resembled no particular note... Aditya just began to produce musical notes through his flute!
He was elated and said he loves playing the flute now. He also sheepishly admitted that earlier he was practicing the flute "just for the sake of it"!
Then he played 2 lines of a Hindi song on his own. He then played Happy Birthday on his flute on demand!
That's the Aditya we know! He may show no interest or energy in the beginning, but when he does, he conquers whatever it is!
Aditya just had a performance on the school stage with the rest of the beginners' band. This evening Aditya will begin taking classes in playing the flute.
Yet another exciting adventure begins!
________________
Update:
Aditya has been taking flute lessons for 3 months. His flute playing skills have improved dramatically. (To my ears, it sounds perfect:)
His band teacher is very happy.
Yet another example of what an amazing student he is, in anything he undertakes!
_____________
What does this mean?
The fact is, we all are amazing students, in everything we set our eyes on. But maybe sometimes we forget to set our eyes on things that matter. It is like forgetting to enter your destination in your GPS!
I am not saying this. Aditya is. Through his actions!
--Baba
That's the Aditya we know! He may show no interest or energy in the beginning, but when he does, he conquers whatever it is!
Aditya just had a performance on the school stage with the rest of the beginners' band. This evening Aditya will begin taking classes in playing the flute.
Yet another exciting adventure begins!
________________
Update:
Aditya has been taking flute lessons for 3 months. His flute playing skills have improved dramatically. (To my ears, it sounds perfect:)
His band teacher is very happy.
Yet another example of what an amazing student he is, in anything he undertakes!
_____________
What does this mean?
The fact is, we all are amazing students, in everything we set our eyes on. But maybe sometimes we forget to set our eyes on things that matter. It is like forgetting to enter your destination in your GPS!
I am not saying this. Aditya is. Through his actions!
--Baba
Things we take for granted!
The list never ceases to grow.
New in 2015:
1. Playing with other kids is really no big deal now. During recess/playground time he is commonly found playing "hot lava monster"/"wall-ball" with other kids in his class.
2. We watched the entire Cricket world cup 2015 together ("Dream come true"). Our hearts filled with joy as he would yell "Out! Out!" when a batsman of an opposing team got out. He fully understood and appreciated the rules (e.g. power play), the strategies (e.g. save your wickets for the end), and the joy that comes from rooting from your country (India) against your arch-rivals (Pakistan/Australia)
3. Loves to play cricket with Baba. Did I already mention: 'Dream come true"?
4. The twins routinely spend time together doing "kid" things like playing scrabble, or painting rocks. Sister is super-happy!
5. Tried out "wall climbing" at a nearby park. Maintained a great attitude even as it was hard in the beginning. Any time we go back to this park now, Aditya is sure to go wall climbing!
6. Takes the lead in helping around the house! No complaints, young man:)
Each and every one of those is a huge accomplishment.
We are immensely grateful for each of them, and are fully aware that we could not take these for granted only years ago.
And now a question for you... what are the things you take for granted? Think of the times you had to work hard for those? Take a moment and enjoy this moment, then go work on adding to the list of things you can take for granted.
That is exactly what Aditya has been doing for us over here. And if he can do it, so can you and I!
--Baba
New in 2015:
1. Playing with other kids is really no big deal now. During recess/playground time he is commonly found playing "hot lava monster"/"wall-ball" with other kids in his class.
2. We watched the entire Cricket world cup 2015 together ("Dream come true"). Our hearts filled with joy as he would yell "Out! Out!" when a batsman of an opposing team got out. He fully understood and appreciated the rules (e.g. power play), the strategies (e.g. save your wickets for the end), and the joy that comes from rooting from your country (India) against your arch-rivals (Pakistan/Australia)
3. Loves to play cricket with Baba. Did I already mention: 'Dream come true"?
4. The twins routinely spend time together doing "kid" things like playing scrabble, or painting rocks. Sister is super-happy!
5. Tried out "wall climbing" at a nearby park. Maintained a great attitude even as it was hard in the beginning. Any time we go back to this park now, Aditya is sure to go wall climbing!
6. Takes the lead in helping around the house! No complaints, young man:)
Each and every one of those is a huge accomplishment.
We are immensely grateful for each of them, and are fully aware that we could not take these for granted only years ago.
And now a question for you... what are the things you take for granted? Think of the times you had to work hard for those? Take a moment and enjoy this moment, then go work on adding to the list of things you can take for granted.
That is exactly what Aditya has been doing for us over here. And if he can do it, so can you and I!
--Baba
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