Summer 2018 Part 1

For this summer, the plan initially was to cover all of Eastern Europe and Austria. Prague had been on our list for a long time and so were Hungary and Croatia. However, the weather here, turned out to be phenomenally good, that we ultimately decided to stay put.

The last two weeks in July were off to a flying start. The young one had just finished her stage 6 in swimming and the instructor said her technique was so good that she should be able to finish off stage 7 in a week. 

The young one also started swimming just for fitness thrice every week as she enjoyed it so much. (Never competing always enjoying!) But what was astonishing was that she would go to badminton for an hour, swim full laps continuously for 40 minutes,read for pleasure at home for some time and then go cycling with our neighbour’s kid for 2 hours, play with our other neighbour’s dog and come in only after half 8 in the evening. 

She really enjoyed having an active holiday. I for my part made sure she was fed and watered appropriately and for some time I could feel the muscles rippling on her arms and legs :) ( Her eyesight continues to be an issue though :( )

She made friends with all the neighbours in our cul de sac and it was very sweet to see her wave hi to all of them, all grown ups and us sheepishly smiling as we have only ever exchanged Xmas cards every year!

Especially our new American neighbour is so fond of her that she sweetly drops notes in the letterbox especially for her with pictures of their dog and messages from her dog as well!

She went for one week of every day half hour swimming and came back having passed stage 7!

For three weekends she then had a friend S sleeping over at our place, she went for a sleep over with N and one of her new dance friends D came over.  

S and her enjoyed the first sleep over so much that they promptly repeated it the week after. Though both the families had planned a day trip, a sudden scheduling clash made us drop that plan and opt for a sleep over and a full day  with a trip to incredible 2 included, followed by sumptuous home made dinner and cake baking at S’s place.

We all thoroughly enjoyed the baking as well the relishing of the cake afterwards.

We also went to the new Lego land discovery centre with her and another couple. It was exactly as boring as it was in Atlanta  3 years ago exactly to the day!( As google photos helpfully reminded us). But what we did enjoy was the walk along the canal and lunch with the friends afterwards.

One other week, we had another good friend and their new born baby come over. Both R and I thoroughly enjoyed cuddling the new born and another pleasant day was notched up!

Over and above all this she went swimming 3days a week, cycled every day with her friend ( who, if R was not out by the afternoon, will start dropping notes in the letter box prompting her to come out as soon as she can,) In all it was all very sweet.

We had guests coming over from Scotland one week and that week was her bharatnatyam ISTD exam. The poor guests were subject to 3 performances but it all turned out good as she passed with a distinction and 94%

She had also gained a distinction in her LAMDA and singing exams so plenty of kindle books were downloaded and subway sandwiches eaten as rewards :)

As a build up to her birthday we also took her to London for one weekend. I had severe back pain but managed to accompany her to Buckingham palace and the tower bridge walk. I then let dad and daughter spend the rest of the day walking with the dinosaurs at O2 while I  rested.

The next day was planned for Globe theatre ( on her request!), followed by Harry Potter and the cursed child , this time just mum and daughter time...