Aash at Home

February Fifth - a date we can never forget Its Yusuf’s birthday, the sweetest little boy we have ever met Always organized and on par with his hygiene Patiently takes care of his little brother and is never mean He calmly plays and reads to Ali, whose messes he will even clean At school he is well behaved and quiet But at home he can create quite a riot Everything needs to be equal and continuously fair Isa better not have more than his share These ongoing disputes do quickly mend Isa Bhai after all, is his bestest friend So innocent, a fly he cannot harm He sweeps us away daily, with his gentle charm Super sensitive –with an extremely tender heart He has it all, so charismatic and extra smart Indeed a precious gift for his father and mother A loving little brother and a caring big brother With one he runs wild, with the other he is kindly mild Today we wish a Happy Fifth to this incredible child! Helpin

It was a typical evening, our daily parental duties had been evenly divided.   Ajee was putting the two older ones to bed, while I was dealing with Ali. After finishing my daily feeding and changing routine with Ali, I sat in the family room and let him play.   Meanwhile Phuppi was intensely watching an Indian soap. She quickly filled me in. A mystery about the murder of Suraj’s (protaganist) brother Mohit was about to be solved after a long 3 weeks. There were three members of the family who were pleading guilty, including Suraj himself. Yes indeed, you read that correctly, there was a murder and three different people were saying they DID commit the murder. Anyways we were about to find out Suraj’s story and why he was insisting he committed the murder when I hear Yusuf crying in our room.. Ughh!! What did Isa do now? As much as I wanted to find out who killed Mohit, it was probably more important for me to find out why my kid is crying. So I quickly run up to see whats going o

 Yusi taking care of Ali with fever. When CDC said that this was going to be a challenging flu season, they were not kidding. All 3 of the kids have been sick simultaneously from Halloween to Thanksgiving. I have been to the Pediatrician 8 times and through 5 rounds of antibiotics! I know this because I just paid off almost $250 in co-pays.   It started with a virus coupled with extremely high fevers, to croup to ear infection to croup to bronchitis to croup to strep to ear infection. It’s just ridiculous.   Finally Isa and Yusuf were both healthy enough to go to school this week, although Yusuf is still on antibiotics and Ali still has an ear infection.     Yusi wanting to trick or treat on Halloween with his Ninja Turtle costume.    On Monday morning as I was telling a co-worker how both my older boys are finally back in school, I get a call from Isa’s school.   I was nervous picking up the call and was praying

Once upon a time, the evening of August Twenty Seven Happy 1st Birthday to King Ali! We were blessed with a gift from heaven Life has not been the same ever since As this is the day I gave birth to our 3 rd Prince We soon found out that he was not Prince but KING Ali! The self-proclaimed Monarch of our family, He uses his pointer for his commands And is used to getting everything that he demands He wants phones, balls, brooms, toothbrushes and books We all give in due to his adorable looks He has rosy lips and beautiful eyes that shine Light brown curls and chubby cheeks - absolutely divine He is Royal – the ruler of our heart, After all, he has been a King - right from the start!

10 tiny fingers, 10 (extremely) tiny toes Big bright innocent eyes, and a cute little nose I can’t believe it has been 10 years since I first looked at those You were my first baby my first live toy Who has quickly transitioned to a handsome big boy! You have so much knowledge, far beyond your years Yet you are so childlike, sometimes it brings me to tears You have all the information about cars, phones, tumors and Cancer However, packing your bag and making your bed is too much to ask for You know it drives me crazy when you jump on a bed that is already made “Common Isa you are now a DECADE!!!” But then you will surprise me with a strawberry smoothie or lemonade The thing I love most about you is your respect for elders and gentle mannerisms You don’t talk back and maturely deal with criticisms I am so glad you are there for Yusuf and Ali to look up to We would be so incomplete without you 10 years ago, today is the day you came 10 Big Fingers, 10 Huge Toes

While I am filling up a glass of water,  I drop a piece of ice. Yusuf picks it up for me, knowing that I can't bend down and instead of putting it in the sink, he puts it on his head, imitating the Ice Bucket Challenge. Yusuf: Amma mujhe Ice Buckets karna hai. (I want to do the Ice Buckets) "Sab log Ice buckets kiyoo karte hain?" (Why does everyone do Ice Buckets?) Knowing it was a very valid question, I didnt feel like answering. Partly because I was not sure how to answer him and partly because I was feeling miserable. Me: Yusi, Amma does not feel good! Yusuf: Aapke paas baby hai na! (Since you have a baby inside you) His theory was pretty accurate. Me: Ajee can you drop me to work for a couple of hours tomorrow, I have this important meeting with the whole team including the CPO and I don't think I will be able to drive. Ajee: Are you insane Ayesha you can't go to work tomorrow, you need to work from home. Me: Yeah you are right, the baby cou