10.28.2008

Chennai Week In Review...

Wow am I a laggard!! We have had events almost every single day this week, though from reading my blog you'd never know about them. Here's what's been happening in our neck of the woods since our yard flooded last Wednesday ...


* Thursday night we attended parent / teacher conferences. Now let's be honest - does the kindergarten class REALLY need conferences? What is there to honestly talk about? Riley is my mini police officer. I hear about what she does from the moment she gets to school to the moment she gets home, and every discussion with her classmates in between. We braved monster mosquitoes, a late dinner, and a pee pee accident to hear all about our sweet girl. After our 15 minutes of allotted time sitting in a chair that was WAY too small for our tushies, we heard a brief synopsis of how Riley's an ideal student, her minor weaknesses of rushing through her work in order to be "first", and how she freaks out at the sight of blood. Clearly nothing has changed since our conferences in her pre-K class.

* Friday night we took the girls to the Consulate to see the movie Wall-E (again) on the big screen. A majority of the younger kids in the community all showed up and seemed to have a great time. The theater is a perfect place to watch movies as it's all Consulate families and shown on a giant movie projector. If the kids get restless or want to roam the aisles, it's no big deal, we all know each other and can help wrangle a toddler or two! Next time I just need to remember to bring drinks and extra snacks.

* Saturday our driver Paddy came by our house to say his fond farewells to us and the girls. He left us to take a permanent position at the new Consulate in Hyderabad, where he has doubled his salary and now also gets benefits. It's a fantastic opportunity for him, though we were incredibly sad to see him go. He took a few photos with the girls and promised to come see us whenever he was back in town. Before he left he helped find us a driver. We hired his best friend, who has worked for a few Consulate families in years past. So far, so good.

* Sunday we took the girls to lunch at the Marriott, where they have an entire area complete with bouncy castle, a balloon guy, face painting, and kids buffet, all geared towards children. It's fantastic, and one of the only places around to take the youngsters. We spent almost 4 hours there schmoozing with friends, and then it was off for a little swimming.

* Monday was FINALLY Diwali, the festival of lights, and everything was closed. The entire city sounds like it's being bombed as every single household / apartment dweller lights off fire crackers day and night. This has now been going on for 3 straight days, and I'm amazed at how loud these things are! We ended the day with a dinner at a friend's house, and Riley made a new friend in a 7th grade girl on her bus.

* Today we took the kids on a trip to the Planetarium. There's a small, somewhat dingy, Planetarium in town that has a few interesting things to look at, and a 45 minute movie about the stars, moons, and planets. I thought it would be a great place to take the girls, however, I was quite wrong. Both girls whined throughout the entire movie, continually asking when it was going to be over. Then they wanted to play on one of the very few playgrounds I've seen in town, which was so disgusting, it looked like one big tetanus shot waiting to happen. Not gonna happen. The highlight of their day was going to Subway and getting sandwiches and ice cream.

Riley has the entire week off of school, though Sheridan goes back tomorrow. It's going to thankfully be quiet around here for the next few days until our big Halloween party on Friday night. Enjoy the peace... we sure will!






Enjoying some pizza before the movie at the Consulate



Paddy and the girls



Our trip to the Planetarium...



I don't think that either of the girls want to be astronauts after today.

17 comments:

trash said...

That movie at the Planetarium wasn't one where the galaxy pivots over your head was it?

We sat through one of those up in Bristol last year and my stomach is still subsiding!

The Mom Jen said...

Bittersweet about your driver, but like you said, what a fabulous opportunity for him! Glad you got a great replacement!

What a fun time at the Marriott!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you have been having an AWESOME week.. I am jealous! Feels like i have done nothing but work... Boo

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

It is the day for reviews :-) That is too bad about the planetarium. There have been sooo many things that I have taken the girls to that they have whined and complained about - and wanted to know when it was over.

Jen said...

so has been a busy week but what fun stuff.

Cynthia said...

How cute are those astronaut pictures!

Kelly said...

Goodness Jill! when do you get to rest or have mommy time?! Your weeks have been packed and you've just moved there.

I'm glad to hear everyone is adjusting well and you're all enjoying all the many holidays and festivals!!!

Your activity has tired me out...I'm going to lie down now ;)

Alison said...

It sounds like you've had some fun times with your girls--not counting the planetarium. (I had a similar experience taking Miss Pink to the one here.) I wish we had a toddler-friendly movie theater!

And Diwali is still going on? It sounds like Christmas--a two-month build-up before the actual holiday!

Tenakim said...

you are so good at keeping busy with activities! Looks like fun adventures, as always!

Anonymous said...

Looks like fun! I'm a boring mom, I give the kids crayons and paper and say ok, have at it. ;)

Diane Mandy said...

You HAVE been busy! IS it ever quiet your way?

Michelle said...

I can't blame them on the Planetarium movie. Those always bore the crap out of me too.

Unknown said...

You guys really seem to do a lot to get out there and explore your surroundings! It's great that the Consulate offers things like that for the families--it must help you to not feel so isolated.
~Christy

Hadley Happenings said...

Great photos. Love reading your blog. Hope all is well. We've had company in all week so I haven't been on Facebook and can't get it at work. Just read about all the bombings hope it is not in your area. Stay safe!

Kim said...

You make me tired sometimes.. lol..you are always always on the go..

I am sorry about Paddy, I know you really enjoyed him.. hope the new driver works out just as well..

Love the pictures..

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Jogging In Circles

Anonymous said...

What fun! I don't "do" playgrounds that look like a tetanus shot waiting to happen, either. You seem to find ways to entertain your girls, even when you have to brave the elements to do so.

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