Birthday

Ayush Ayush Ayush Ayush AYush AYUsh AYUSh AYUSH
Do you see that Ayush has started growing? To me Ayush is the most valuable child as on date. We have to watch him growing. His birthday was celebrated on 25-2-10, as he entered his third year of survival in this world. We set out to be part of his Best Ever wishers on that day.

We left for Bangalore by train on 23-2-10 – Intercity Express and, reached his place by 8.50PM by an auto. Ayush was waiting for our arrival outside the building gate and cheered at us as we got down from the auto. This time, we managed to reach the building without much trouble. The auto driver was also a decent fellow.

We had some un-consumed food from our stock of railway trip stuff and ate it for dinner. Ayush received with an expression of THANKS – two packets of banana chips and chocolates. Ayush wanted to open the chips packet and take few. Sheeba gave him few but Ayush insisted for some more of it and given.

Ayush refused us permission to take over his bed. He kept telling NO THATHAPPA every time I clarified for taking his bed. He showed us the moon and stars, and other objects usually appear in a night sky. He asked me to OFF the light and close the door to see them clearly. He also showed us the glowing bed sheet and pillow covers. Later, I managed to sing some rhymes / ABC, 123 etc to set him for sleeping. He confirmed in full throttle NO DAY CARE TOMORROW (i.e. on 24-02-10) He made us understand that he will be in our company for that day.

On the next day, Ayush got up early and enquired about Aunty – PATTIAMMA and was happy to see us around in his bed room. He realized that we deserve his bed. On this day-24-2-10, Ayush made me draw as many pictures as possible on the large sheet with water pens. (Sudhin’s gift to Ayush). Ayush kept thinking and each time I drew something, will tell me some name for me to draw next. He kept changing – cat, car, truck, bus, aero plane, fish, train, flower, duck, star, moon, square, butterfly, and many more. We spent a good two hours in this activity. Ayush knew how to turn open the cap of the pen- I was surprised as this one is clockwise and he knew exactly the way it worked and went to the tap to fill water.

He has learned a lot by observing and imitating others who performed any act / talking or doing some work. I took him out in the evening along with his cycle to the basement. He literally pushed everyone who tried to touch his cycle along with a big NO, don’t touch.
He was excited as the other children rode their cycles, and nearly ran with his cycle dragging it as his legs are still short to reach the pedal with rotating force. As we waited, Sheeba arrived in her car, and you should have seen Ayush’s happiness/ excitement and associated noise with affection.

We went up, and Ayush had his share of eatables, soft drinks and played with me. He watched cartoons, Rhymes, and music program on T.V. On this night also, I had to make him sleep. We the grown ups spent time talking / discussing few familiar matters, reviewed the program the next day.

The next DAY being Ayush’s birthday, we went to Lord Siva temple next door. Ayush tried to take away the money Aunty placed on the platter of the priest. Ayush - also, did not drop the rupee coin on the platter either. The priest nearly taken aback and was almost about to return the money to Ayush.

Later, we went to TOY shop. (You can see him in tears). We wanted to buy him either a car / or a bus in WHITE. But we got both and Ayush liked them. The deal did not stop there. He grabbed two Auto rickshaw toys – one per hand. Some how made him to return one. Gradually, Ayush became happier and smiled at all of us.

We took some rest, and prepared the hall for receiving children for the party. Ayush tried to blow the balloons with all possible methods.- See the picture. Then I took his hand jointly and pumped air into balloons. Ayush said several times, MOMMY SEE I’M DOING showing the action of air being filled. I like his persuasion in similar situations – not to give up easily.

Ananth collected the BIRTHDAY CAKE with the surface of Mickey Mouse. Ayush enjoyed the party. he was more excited than normal. His fear of balloons disappeared... As he took one by one each balloon, and told each one to - TAKE IT.

Ananth’s parents and grandmother also arrived and blessed Ayush. They left after an hours’ stay. All guests were served with piece of Cake, large samosa (Punjabi type), Gulab jamun, soft drink and

Later we had a go and finished most of the items. Some, I reserved for the next day’s railway journey back home. Ayush was curious and cheerful as he received lots of gifts which included a flash gun. Ayush took it for another bubble machine and kept trying / triggering to see if any bubble was coming. I told him NO and he won’t agree. Later he slept singing nursery rhymes.

The next, day, we got up by 4AM and completed routines and took the call taxi which was booked earlier – to Bangalore City Railway Station. We managed to pass the 7 hours of travel time by talking about Ayush. We were so sure, that Ayush will look for us next day and make noise when he realizes that we were long gone.

After attending Ayush’s birthday, I realized that he is growing, learned a set of rules, and very possessive by nature. My wish is that Ayush be guided properly, the best way, for him to become the Best Ever grandchild as on the day. In no time, we want to see another grandchild to outwit Ayush, and compete with him so that they sail through healthy competition as they grow day after day.


May be one day this will be read by Ayush himself and I wonder what he will conclude of me then.


V.Sivasubramaniam
28-02-2010