This is a sponsored post for Kellogg's Chocos #Khuljaye
Bachpan Campaign and was first published on MyCity4Kids.com
It’s that time of the year again – the end of another year,
the final month on the calendar – and officially, winter! In fact, since the
unprecedented rains in neighbouring Chennai a few days back, winter seems
to have arrived a little early for Bangalore this year; with a slight drizzle
and an unmistakable chill in the air.
For the last couple of years, since my little one was old enough
to read independently and help around the house with simple, small chores; we
started a few traditions for the winter holidays that bring with them the joy
of togetherness and the much needed family time - we bake, have family movie
nights and generally spend time having fun together when the school gives us a
week-long winter break. To be honest, Christmas is not a festival that we
celebrate at home; but hey, it’s a welcome break no less!
This Friday, as I drive back home from a meeting, the
streets are slick with drizzle, and I can already see beautifully decorated
Christmas trees peeping from shop windows. Enticing, standing tall, they
shimmer in their Christmas glory! The festive spirit is in the air and I smile
as I turn into my lane, thinking of the all the time I am looking forward to
spending together with my family.
Yesterday when I picked her up from school, my little one
told me that she wanted to bake some choco-chip cookies this weekend; and asked
if I knew how to make an orange cake! She also reminded me that we had decided
a few weeks back to plant some tomato and chili plants to start our kitchen
garden; but of course, we never got around to that.
Facing deadlines and looking at the weekend as an
opportunity to finish up with some pending work, I had told her, sure I would
bake the cookies over the weekend and also look up the recipe for the orange
cake she wanted; but that we will have to bake it the next weekend or better
still, during her winter holidays when we would both get a lot of time.
She was disappointed. So she changed tactics and offered to
help me; said she would read out the recipe and help with the cookies and the
cake, if I agreed. But then I felt bad denying her joy because of my work and my deadlines.
So I decided to give in; and so, today we are having our ‘movie night’ to
kick-start the weekend; and we have some interesting movies lined up.
Tonight we are watching Home Alone I and II!
These are movies from my childhood, movies about family, love, togetherness,
holidays and the spirit of Christmas! Movies that I have watched with my little
one numerous times; and yet, which make me feel amazing every single time we
watch them!
Just before bed, we read Well Really, Mr. Twiddle by
Enid Blyton. My little one loves humour, and this hilarious book about the exploits of poor old Mr. Twiddle are
just what we both need before a good night’s sleep!
The next day, Saturday, I actually plan to sleep in late.
But at 7AM on the dot, my little one is next to me, waking me up, reminding me
that we are planning to spend the day gardening, baking and watching some more
movies!
So, the first order of business, we cook breakfast. My
little one loves pancakes, and we make special buttermilk n oats
pancakes today, the recipe for which I have printed out earlier; and
which she reads out to me.
After breakfast, it is time for me and my little one to don
our gardening hats and unleash the magical wonders of nature resting in the
soil. We enjoy precious bonding moments planting the seeds, playing with the
sprinklers and finally, with filthy hands and shining eyes, we get back in as
the sun starts getting stronger.
Next up are the batches of choco-chip cookies that go into
the oven – again, with my little one reading out the recipe and helping with
licking the mixing spoon clean :)
We are pretty bushed by the time we finish with the final
batch of the cookies, and decide to take a break by finishing up the last
chapter of The Mystery That Never Was that we’ve been reading
in the afternoons, most days.
In the evening, Dad joins us as we go to the park and then
we all go for an ice-cream sundae! We then rush back home for the next set of
movies – we are watching Finding Nemo today; and Kung
Fu Panda! And by the time Po defeats Tai Lung, my little one is softly
snoring away.
Sunday goes in a blur, with us baking the orange cake and a
batch of apple brownies that I threw in, just for the heck of it (well, for
one, I really did feel bad about having said no to her earlier; and two, I just
can’t resist baked goodies!) Later we visit the library and rent out books for
my little one and me.
On Sunday night, after reading a few chapters of Enid
Blyton’s Circus Collection that we rented out today, my little
one hugs me tight and kisses me good night. I ask her if she had fun and she
says yes! I ask her what was her favourite part, and she says, all of
it, because she and I did everything together!
I smile and hug her tighter. I realise I have enjoyed this
weekend a lot too. And as my little one doses with a smile hovering on her
lips, I understand what it was that made this weekend so special – it was the
bonding moments we enjoyed together, it was the joy of togetherness that made
this weekend exceptional!
And just like that, I am glad I decided to give in to my
little one’s demands and spend the weekend with her. I know she will grow up
soon and then I will be left with the same work and the same deadlines which I
face now. So by spending this valuable time with her, I am actually giving
myself some amazing memories for later! And in the process,
I understand from this lovely “khulajye bahcpan” weekend we had; that together
is the best place to be!
#Khuljaye Bachpan
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