Making Cupcakes

On Friday we baked chocolate cupcakes for Ansel's birthday party. Ansel really enjoys spending time in the kitchen. Here's our boy mixing the cupcake batter:

Today's Conversation

Ansel: "Momma, where are the bananas?"

Me: "In the refrigerator."

Ansel: "Really? Which aisle?"

Me: "They are on the top shelf."

Ansel: "Oh, I couldn't see! Siena wants a banana too! (To Siena) Say please, baby!"

Siena: (To Ansel) "Peas!"

Ansel: (talking to Siena, pointing to me) "No, baby! The please is over there!"

Bring On the Pomegranates!

Ansel and Siena's favorite fruit is pomegranates. They share one just about everyday. Our housekeeper, Jackline, recently showed me how she gets the seeds out. I used to dread serving up the delectable fruit, but that is a thing of the past. Bring on the pomegranates!

Conjunctivitis

This morning we are staying home from playgroup because Siena woke up with yellow-green discharge from her eye. We called the doctor and he recommended some eye drops. He believes Siena has conjunctivitis, which is contagious. We have to be careful with Ansel, hopefully it won't spread. It is so sad to see her eye closed with discharge. She keeps rubbing it. The doctor said she should be back to herself in a couple of days. We are thankful.

Culture shock. How convenient is it here? We didn't have to take Siena to a doctor, we just described her symptoms. The doctor recommended a medication and we sent our driver to get it. The total cost for all of this: 7.5 rupees (which is about 17 cents.) Our total time spent: 5 minutes. Crazy times.

The Case of the Missing Diaper

On Saturday we were pretty tired after returning home from a long eventful day. On Sunday morning I restocked the diaper bag and realized one of Siena's cloth diapers and covers wasn't accounted for. It was a total of $15 US worth of cloth diapering supplies. Not much in terms of cost, but they are not available in India.

We got in the car to go to church and didn't see the disposable blue bag containing Siena's cloth diaper and cover. Where could it be? We returned home after the day's activities, still no diaper.

Our driver arrived this morning and I showed him one of the disposable blue bags. I asked him if he had seen a bag like that with Siena's diaper in it. He said, "Yes, took bag, Siena's diaper broken, threw it out." I took one of Siena's cloth diapers and covers out of the diaper bag. I showed him and explained, "These are cloth diapers. They are reusable. We put them in these blue bags, keep them, and wash them to use again." Our driver said, "Ha, Ma'am, don't understand." I took the diaper and cover and put it inside the blue bag. I held it up and said, "Please, next time if you see a bag like this don't throw it out. Keep it, so I can wash the diapers to use again." He said, "Ahh, okay, okay." I asked him where the blue bag with Siena's diaper in it was. He said, "Broken, threw it out."

As we drove out of our driveway, I looked across the street where there is an open field. I pointed out the window, "Arun, I think I see it! Is that the bag with Siena's diaper?" His reply? "Yes." I asked him, "Arun, will you please go get the bag for me?" Arun said, "You want me to get it? Okay, okay. Going." Solved...the case of the missing diaper! I have never been happier to receive a dirty diaper in my entire life! I was so excited that I had to call Travis immediately and share my good news. Funny, finding a lost dirty diaper is what I consider good news in India!

First Day With Our Housekeeper

Monday was our first day with our housekeeper. She is a pleasant lady. It was a different experience having someone else in the house all day. It was nice to have the house cleaned while I played with the kids. It will be hard to get used to being called, "Madam." Culture shock! Our housekeeper called out to me all day, saying, "Madam, baby is crying!" "Madam, Baba (not sure what it means but it is what she was calling Ansel) is asking for you!" It was very strange to have someone else telling me as if I couldn't hear them myself. Our flat isn't that big. I can hear them, but when I am attending to one, the other usually must wait. After all, there is only one of me. I felt like she was in my way. The flat is not very small, but the open floor plan made it difficult to be away from her when I wanted my space during naptime. I was very overwhelmed. I debated in my mind if we should even have a housekeeper. It's pretty dusty here, and it is great having clean floors (that I don't have to clean!) I may be able to get used to this. It was wonderful to have a clean house, dinner prepared, and not once have to leave my kids to do housework.

One side note: Ansel is calling the housekeeper "Baba" as well.