HOLI 2025

Holi 2025 is a special Holi just because my twins actually understand what the festival is. 

This time we also witnessed the MOON.

Holi is a spring festival filled with lots of colors and joy. Where everyone burnt all negativity in Holika Dahan and played with joy, laughter, and love. There is immense positive energy flow on the day of DHULWAD.

WHAT IS DHULWAD?

Dhulwad is a Marathi word—actual Holi people played with color. On this day, actual people used to color the Dhul (mitti) of Holika Dahan.

I got this information from my father. He told me how madly people enjoy it, and we have to enjoy it too. Because we stay in India, we have to celebrate each festival with joy. 

Water, color balloons, pichakari, and permanent black and silver colors are all my favorite things. Introducing everything, my kiddo is my favorite activity. 

This is my second time where I again became small and played color with them. For the last two years my Holi was confined inside the home, but this year I am grateful to the universe that I actually go out and enjoy. (A little bit, but that matters to me most.) 😊

Taking pics is mandatory nowadays to flaunt on social media. But frankly speaking, this time we both intentionally did not take a mobile with us. We mindfully enjoy the festival with friends and all the little kiddos. And so there are no photos, and I did not have any regrets. Rather, I clicked a few pics when we were at home after playing Holi. 

Question of the day 

How do you play Holi? For social media pics, did you really enjoy them?

 

10 FAVOURITE BOOKS I READ IN 2024

This is a long post so grab your coffee and then read. I wanted to publish this post in January the first week but somehow it delayed. I guess reading is always easy, but documentation is quite tough. 

2024 is the year  where I achieved my reading goal. Reading makes me happy and actually it is a stress buster for me. I never keep any record so this time I decided to write my favourite books I read in 2024 which may be helpful for you too.

10 FAVOURITE BOOKS I READ IN 2024

1. POSITIVE PARENTING by REBECCA EANES: 

GENRE: Parenting 

RATING: 5/5

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Actually, I don't believe that books teach us about parenting. But I learned the psychology of children. It stresses more on how to behave with your partner and kids. Eanes shares her hard-won wisdom for overcoming limiting thought patterns and recognizing emotional triggers, as well as advice for connecting with kids at each stage, from infancy to adolescence. This is one of the books every parent reads who are struggling to connect with their kids.

2. NO DRAMA DISCIPLINE BY DR. DANIEL 

GENRE: Psychology/Parenting 

RATING: 4/5

No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears—without causing a scene.

 I like the way the author uses everyday situations to show the parents how it can be handled. Moreover, it is emphasized on the child's brain. The kids behavior is dependent on the working of the child's brain. That is most insightful for me as a parent.

3) SITA: WARRIOR OF MITHILA—BY AMISH 

GENRE: Historical 

RATING: 4.5/5

This is the second book in the Ram Chandra Series. A sequel that takes you back. Thrilling adventure that chronicles the rise of an orphan who became the prime minister. And then, a goddess before the beginning.

Ramayan has a special place in my heart because of my father. He told me a different story that is not shown in any of the epics. And Amish did the same job. His writing style is so simple and intriguing. I always wonder, who is SITA? The great warrior and intelligent princess. Amish changed my whole perspective to see the SITA. 

4. HARRY POTTER 2 : SECRET OF CHAMBER BY J. K. ROWLING 

GENRE: Fantasy/Fiction 

RATING: 5/5

Harry Potter's summer has included the worst birthday ever, doomy warnings from a house-elf called Dobby, and rescue from the Dursleys by his friend Ron Weasley in a magical flying car! Back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his second year, Harry hears strange whispers echo through empty corridors - and then the attacks start. Students are found as though turned to stone.

This book is more fascinating, especially the fight between Harry and the giant snake.

5. HARRY POTTER 3 (THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN by J. K. ROLLING) 

GENRE : Fantasy/Fiction 

RATING: 5/5

I love this book because finally he found his godfather. Harry and Hermione time travel, and Dumbledore's attempt to save the lives of innocent people is admirable. 

Some thrilling moments are like Harry's first ever Divination class, where Professor Trelawney sees an omen of death in Harry's tea leaves. But perhaps most terrifying of all are the Dementors patrolling the school grounds with their soul-sucking kiss. That is the most horrible thing I read. 

This book is for everyone. I will suggest first you read the book because your imagination works terrific and then watch the movie it will be more thrilling. 

6. BLUE UMBRELLA by RUSKIN BOND

GENRE: Fiction/Children 

RATING: 4.5/5

This is the first ever book I listened to on audiobook. I love the narrator and am so able to listen to it. Otherwise, my earlier attempt at the audiobook had failed. I put it on speaker so that my kids also enjoyed the book. 

The story of little Biniya and her village members. In exchange for her lucky leopard's claw pendant, Binya acquires a beautiful blue umbrella that makes her the envy of everyone in the village, especially Ram Bharosa, the shopkeeper. 

This story inspired children not to be greedy. Best book for adults as well as for children.

7. THE GREAT TRAIN JOURNEY By RUSKIN BOND: 

Genre: Fiction 

Rating: 4/5

I like these books because they are all about train journeys, which are my favorite. 

Ruskin BOND always loves to travel by train to admire the beauty of India's diverse landscape. The Great Train Journey is a story of a boy who travels from Dehradun to Delhi. The main highlight of the story is the people he meets during his journey. The collection of 14 short stories consists of comedy, thriller, and adventure.

8. FALLING IN LOVE BY RUSKIN BOND 

Genre: Romance

Rating: 3.5/5

It is a collection of short stories mainly concerned with Ruskin Bond's emotions. I like the book because some parts are real stories of Ruskin Bond's life. The story is easy to read—simple language and romantic. This book has other stories also, which are the part of other books of Ruskin Bond.

9. YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND by AJAY PANDEY 

Genre: Non fiction 

Rating: 4.5/5 

Ajay is a sad person who did not find any interest in living a life after her wife's death. At his office mate's request, he was ready to attend therapy, where he met Bhawana... How she interacted with him and changed him is impressive. It is like you have a friend with whom you just sit and talk. But she was his best friend in every aspect. 

10. HER LAST WISH by AJAY PANDEY 

Genre : Non Fiction 

Rating: 4/5

Ajay's wife is HIV positive and is going to die in 6 months. Ajay tried every possible way to save her, and he also wanted to fulfill her wish. That wish she actually wrote when she was fully drunk. But still, how an introverted husband fulfills his wife's every wish, which was almost impossible for him. The story covers the perspective point of the husband, and it also has a point of view of closely connected people. All in all, I will say the story is filled with love, trust, emotions, and respect. 

Marathi Books Recommendation for toddlers 

Favourite Books for 7 to 10 years 

CONCLUSION : 

I was avid readers. Since my twins born I hardly got any time to read. Year 2024 where I decided to start my reading journey and yes, I achieved. I found two new genre and also two new platforms of reading - Audiobook and Kindle. But honestly I love to read physical book - to stay away from screen. 

Question of the day 

Do you set any reading goal for the year? Have you read any one book from the above list? 

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This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla

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DIWALI 2024

I know it is Dec 2024 and I am editing diwali blog post. Because we had been on zero screen mode for the past one months. For kids and so for me. This post is in my drafts and it is a memorable post. I am updating this Diwali 2024. 

Diwali is always special to us. From the last two three years we didn't celebrate this festival so this time we a celebrated with family specially with siblings.

This is the third diwali of my twins. This year they watched everything that mom and dad do. Right from cleaning, making mithai, Rangoli and lighting diya, lantern and. Lighting, everything fascinating to them. The most repeated questions my Siya asked, kay karate mummy? 

She loves to eat shankarapali, my attempt to feed them healthy sweet so tried whole wheat shankarapali which turned out so.. so.. average but it tasted good. I made only 1 tin and it was finished. I was happy that my kids loved it.

Ira liked to wiped out the whole rangoli with her feet and so I managed to draw this rangoli only.

Akashkandil finally installed. This year I worshipped my daughters as they are the main LAXMI in my house and heart of my house. 

This year is a special bhaidooj with all siblings. Means our kids. 

The house was  filled with kids, sweets, gifts, firecrackers and love. We all missed our father very much. 

I hope your life will be illuminated like this Diya forever. Keep the spirit of love and happiness over haters. May gather together always at this special festival and celebrate it with lots of love . 

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©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

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SIYA TALE - STORY TIME

सिया ला पुस्तके खुप आवडतात. माझ्या जुळ्या मुली चार महिन्यांच्या असल्यापासून मी पुस्तकं वाचते. Read aloud. दोघींना खुप आवडतात त्यातली रंगीबेरंगी चित्रे, अक्षरे, आणि गोष्टी सुद्धा. 

आपण parents जसे मूलांना मोल्ड करू तसे मुले ग्रो होतात. मला आश्चर्य नाही वाटत जेव्हा माझी सिया मला पुस्तकं वाचून दाखवते. 

तिचे तसे सगळीच पुस्तकं आवडती आहेत. पुस्तकाची हलत बघून कळलेच असेल किती पुस्तकं वाचतो आम्ही. आता ती फक्तं अडीच वर्षाची आहे पण तिला पुस्तकं वाचायला आणि गोष्टी सांगायला खुप आवडते. 

Peppa pig हे आमचे फेवरेट पुस्तकं. 1000 वेळा तरी माझे वाचून झाले असेल. ना, मी कधीच कंटाळत नाही तेच तेच पुस्तकं वाचायला. उलट नवीन प्रकारे तिची स्टोरी सांगायचं प्रयत्न करत असते. आणि त्याचा परिणाम माझ्या मुलींना स्टोरी आणि त्याचा आशय सुद्धा कळतो. तर बघा आता सिया ही पेपा पिग चि स्टोरी कशी वाचते आणि कशी सांगते तिच्या मम्मीला. 

मम्मी डॅडी पेग चे ग्लासेस हरवले. तो पेपर वाचतो. 

जॉर्ज आणि पेपा टीव्ही बघतात.

Sometimes she speak english...  Yaa mummy , Peppa is looking for daddys glasses. 

She goes upstairs.

पेपा वर चालली.

पेपा बाथरूम मधे शोधते.

आणि मग आम्ही फक्तं चित्रे बघतो आणि पाने टर्न करतो. 

शेवटी शेवटच्या पानावर आल्यावर,

Wowo mummy डॅडी पेग ला ग्लासेस मिळाले.

मी विचारते कुठे होते त्याचे 🤓 ग्लासेस?

सोफ्यावर होते मम्मा,

डॅडी पेग त्यावर बसला होता.

आणि मग ती मला हायफाय देते. 

मग मी पुन्हा विचारते कसे मिळाले ग्लासेस?

पेपा ने शोधले सगळीकडे.

मी विचारते कुठे कुठे शोधले?

पेपा बेडरुम मधे जाते,

पिलो खाली बघते,

But glasses was noth there.

मग ती bathtub मधे बघते,

But glasses was not there,

मग डॅडी पेग सोफ्यावरून उठतो 

आणि ग्लासेस तिथे असतात.

आणि मग सिया लास्ट page turn करते आणि बोलते 

THE END

आणि आमची स्टोरी संपते. 

तुम्ही वाचता का तुमच्या बेबी सोबत स्टोरी? तुमच्या बेबीना स्टोरी आवडतात का?

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SAEE TURNS 11

And finally, she entered the double digit. An 11-year old growing girl is kind, lovable, and sweet. 

Saee turned 11 years old on 14, August, Wednesday. Excitement has been on a high level since August's first day. I still remember a small baby saee, a toddler saee, and now my little doll entered in double Digit 😊 She has changed so much when I see her.  I can see an independent, travel-loving,  extrovert, social, active, and, creative girl who loves her family and friends. I can see baby saee, toddler Saee and now fully matured saee. Blessed to have a girl like her, GREATFUL! 

Saee suddenly grew into a big girl when her twin sister arrived in our family. She was tiny, but she loved her sister so much. I can see mature growth during these last 3 years, and I feel my daughter is moving away from me slowly.

SAEE BIG SISTER: 

Big sister Saee is the best. I am really blessed to have such a sincere, kind, loving, and creative big sister. 

As big sisters, we never imposed any responsibilities. In fact, I adore that she took on many of on her own. Being in a nuclear family, she understands many things. She understands the family values. And her whole world is her mummy, pappa and twin sister. 

As a big sister, she always behaves like a mature girl. She love both twins and, at the same time, play with them too. 

I want to mention that siblings dispute is there too. My little toddler irritated her purposefully, and she does love her too much. Sometimes Saee finds it difficult to handle little sisters, and sometimes she handles them very well. Which surprised me a lot ! The bond these three girls have with each other fills my heart. 

11th YEAR BIRTHDAY PARTY : 

This year's birthday party was special and filled with surprises. She wanted to have a magician, and when she asked, we denied it. ( Due to some reason) Later, at her birthday party, we surprised her with a magic show. 

Today's generation is made up of BTS fans. Her father ordered a BTS cake . She was about to cry. And so, not having appropriate pictures.

The last surprise is a dance party. Adults as well as kids, we all had a blast. The dance party songs were Zingat, Gangam Style, Nagin Dance and the list will go on. The birthday party ended at 10:30 which is quite late. I forced everyone to go. 

We enjoyed this party  mindfully and so I didn't have any special pictures or every pic. And you know what I don't have any regrets about that. 

RANDOM THINGS ABOUT BIRTHDAY GIRL: 

Saee loves her school so much. Her favourite thing is to go to school with friends and have non stop chitchat. Sometimes I have to force her to stay at home for rest. 

Her favourite subjects are English, Science and Marathi. I am surprised when I saw the love for Marathi Language. Apart from that she love to draw, filled her diary with lots of interesting stuff and doing craft. She still love to share all little things with me, about school, teacher and friends. She adore her teacher and sometimes don't understand mean behaviour of some friends. She is far away from the jealousy and competitiveness.

The most important thing she is adorable and favourite of all school friends and some teachers too. She is favourite among her siblings.

Favourite Fruits : Apple, Banana Pear Plum, Mango, Watermelon Almost all fruits.

Favourite Fast Food : Pizza, burger, sandwich, shawarma, Frankie, Cookies, cakes.

Favourite Healthy Food : She is purely non-vegetarian. But love homemade food most of the time. 

• Biryani, except veg biryani. 
• All kinds of egg dishes. Egg omlette and egg burji , egg curry the favourite.
• Mutton rather than chicken.
• Paneer - all kind of paneer dishes
• Kabab - all kind of chicken kabab. 
•  kheema and vajadi too. 
• She doesn't like to eat Chinese at all. 

Her favourite books  : 

• Geronimo Stilton 
• Dork Diary 
• Sudha Murthy lost the temple 
• WHY (science book / science wikipedia)

Favorite Screen Show : Currently not so in screen but watch these only. 

Aayu piyu show

Narima Art Gallery 

Naruto - Anime 

Movie - still not into

Favorite Musical Band :

BTS

Black Pink

Favourite Song: 

Hindi song: Kashmir main tu Kanyakumari 

English Song : Middle of the night.

Butter, Pink Venom

Favourite Outfit : 

Her defination of fashion is comfy clothes: 

Jeans 

T shirt 

Leggings 

One piece 

Pyjama

Loose t- shirts

Korian Tops

As a growing girls still she don't like to have a make up and I am really happy for that.

Favourite Colour : Purple and Black

Favourite Animal : Rabbit 

Wake up and sleep time : 

Wake up on 6:30 am and sleep generally 10 : 30 pm

LIKES : 

Sleeping 

Karate

Badminton 

Carrom

Drawing 

Crafting

Diary Stuff

Playing with twins

Siblings and cousin 

Whistles 

Roming around neighbourhood with friends 

Non stop chitchat

School 

Eating 

Making omlette 

Toast bread on gas

Taking selfie

It been 11 years that you made me "Mother" First born child is always special and we both love you so much till. 

Yes, pre teen era has started and sometimes it is difficult to understand but we as a parent also learning and growing with her. 

"Be the best version of you "

And stay humble and kind person as you are already. 

Saee turns 10

Saee turns 9 

Saee turns 8 

I saw the changes in her since her childhood. When I read it back it filled my heart with love and bring tears in my eyes. Glad I restored all these milestone on my blog. 

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©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.

 

 

 

 

नो स्क्रीन डे ( ७ आणि ८ मे २०२४) नो SCREEN DAY

दोन दिवस झाले आमचा टिव्ही बंद होता. कारणं रिमोट बंद होता आणि म्हणून आम्ही नो स्क्रीन डे साजरा केला अगदी आनंदाने 😄

तसाही माझ्या घरी स्क्रीन लिमिटेड वेळेसाठी असतो. जर माझ्या ट्वीन खूपच त्रास देत असतील आणि किचन मधे जर जेवण बनवायचे असेल तरच काय तो अर्धा पाऊण तास टीव्ही चालु असतो. त्यातही दोघी सुरुवातीची दहा - पंधरा मिनिटे मन लावून बघतात आणि नंतर खेळणी सोबत खेळतात. पण टिव्ही चालु असतो. (Background) Not a whole day

(तुमच्या माहितीसाठी माझ्या twins २४ महिन्याच्या आहेत आणि मोठी १० वर्षाची मुलगी. )

या दोन दिवसात खूप छान अनुभव आला. त्यांनी एकदाही टिव्ही लावं असे सांगितलं नाही. Infact त्या दोघीही खेळणी सोबत समरसून गेल्या होत्या. वेळेत breakfast, lunch and dinner हि केले आणि खेळा मुळे त्यांना झोपही चांगली लागली specially दुपारची झोप. उठल्यानंतर आम्ही खाली ग्राउंड वर पण गेलो. सहसा मला एकटीला त्यांना नेता येतं नाही पण त्यादिवशी पप्पा घरी होते म्हणूनच आम्ही गेलो. तिथेही त्या खूप दमल्या. धावून धावून दोघींनी पप्पांची सुद्धा exercise केली.

तर दिवसभर आम्ही नक्की काय केले. ना, मी किंवा दिदी सारखे त्यांना entertain नाही करत. खेळ खेळताना सोबत बसतो आणि थोड्या वेळाने हळूहळू त्यातून बाहेर पडतो. दिदी त्यांच्या जवळच असते कारण सतत तोंडात काहीही टाकण्याची सवय अजून आहे. But mumma येत जात असते.

माझ्याकडे लिमिटेड खेळणी आहेत. त्यातला त्यांना आवडणारे blocks. टॉवर बनवणे हा त्यांचा आवडता खेळ. उंच असा टॉवर बनवतात दोघीही माझ्या मदतीशिवाय. I am proud of it.

व्हेजिटेबल आणि फ्रूट हे सुध्दा आवडतात. सगळ्यात जास्त सियाला pretend Play आवडतो. तिचा छोटा बाबू डॉल आहे. त्याला जेवण भरवणे, त्याला अंघोळ घालणे, त्याला झोपवणे हे तिचे फेवरेट टास्क. ती स्वतः खुप एन्जॉय करते. त्याला झोपवताना आम्हाला शू शू करून शांत बसवते आणि बोलते baby is sleeping, shuuu! ...it melts my heart. 

इरा स्वतःच्या दुनियेत जास्त मग्न असते पण सहसा ती ही सियासोबत खूप छान खेळते. डान्स हि दोघी मिळून खुप छान करतात. तर पूर्ण दिवस आम्ही कलरिंग, ब्लॉक्स, आणी खूप सारी पुस्तके वाचली. पकडा पकडी आणि लपाचुपी खेळलो. खूपच मज्जा केली घरातच. आणि म्हणूनच एक किंवा दोन दिवस तरी नो स्क्रीन डे साजरा करायचा असे ठरवले. ईथे स्क्रीन म्हणजे फक्तं मोठा स्क्रीन टिव्ही हाच आहे. मोबाईल अजून मी देत नाही त्यांच्या हातात. 

तुम्ही सुद्धा महिन्यातून एकदा असा नो स्क्रीन डे कराच आणि मुलांसोबत कनेक्ट राहा. 

CR : MemoryFlies 

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©Neeta Kadam. This article and image are the property of Memory Flies. Any unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author is strictly prohibited.