Holi 2012 at Metairie

This was the 4th time Rishab played holi with same friends at the same place. Sadly this could be the last time as we are moving to Houston.

Rishab chasing his friends at Holi festival celebration in Metarie, Louisiana.

Compared to previous years, this year general games were not organized, but we did end up playing volleyball.

Rishab sharing color with his friends

Checkout posts and photos of 2009, 2010 and 2011.

As always it was fun for Rishab and all of us to get together with our Louisiana friends.  Rishab went home and dad went back to Houston to join his office next day.

Mint plant

We bought a mint plant and i taught Rishab how to water the plant and take care of it.  We also sowed some chilli seeds in another pot.  It was interesting to show him how those plants germinate from the seeds.  

Rishab's Mint plant

Within a week this plant had enough leaves and Preethi used some leaves for making Chutney & i mixed them with lemonade. Now everyday as soon as Rishab comes back from school, first thing he does is check the plants.

Mardi Gras 2012 at Louisiana

2012 Mardi Gras was Rishab’s 3rd Mardi Gras in Lousisiana. Although for us it was no more than a fun filled picnic, For Rishab it was eagerly awaited and very exciting event as he gets lot of toys for screaming at the floats.

We attended 2 parades in Mandeville and this the last one at Metairie on 21st. We went 2 hours early to safeguard our space (Deepak was the first one to go and reserve it for all of us). We played with the football while kids played around. This was a picture taken while kids were waiting for the parades.

Rishab with friends - From left to right Nick, Richansh, Rishab, Aarushi, Inika, Ananya & Anushka

This pony was part of the parade at Metairie.

Rishab whistling at a Pony in Mardi Gras parade at Metairie, Louisiana

Its usually screems of kids that get them most toys so Rishab screemed as much as he could.

Rishab and daddy in Mardi Gras

We did not attend too many parades this year but attended just enough to feel good about the season.

 

Rishab got many swords and other toys along with lots of beads.

Rishab swanking his sword at Mardi Gras

Fact – Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday in french, Last day of the mardi gras is always a Tuesday.

As you can see after Mardi Gras parades, lot of thorws and trash fill the roads. Although road looks like this, Everything is cleaned up in a few hours and city is normal as usual the very next daye

Rishab’s Letter to Santa

Santa’s buzz has been around for a while in all cartoon channels that Rishab watches and now he knows about Christmas and Santa. This year Rishab took some pics with Santa.

Rishab with Santa

We have been asking Rishab to list what he wants from Santa and send a letter to him.

He has been telling us that he will write it tomorrow (he tells that almost every day). He still doesn’t understand the concept of time/date frame yet.

Finally today he wrote a letter. I first checked with him on what he want to write, he told me a long story. I wrote a draft out of it as he doesn’t know spellings of most of the words of this letter.
Then he copied it with his hand writing. Here it is…

Letter to Santa

It sure looked cute. For 3.5 years writing this long letter is a big deal.

I asked him to give this letter to Mailman who talks to Rishab often. Rishab says, “No I will give this letter to Santa”. I told Rishab “You dont know where Santa is so you can give the letter to Mailman and he will give it to Santa”. Rishab replies instantly “I know where is Santa, he lives is North pole!”

—-Update on December 21 – 2011

Rishab’s request was received by Santa Click the link to watch the video by Santa.

Brave Rishab

Aarushi’s birthday was celebrated today at Northshore Gymnastics. As a part of birthday games rishab zipped along the cable.

I was thinking that Rishab wouldnt dare to do it (as one of the girl of his age was scared and came back crying). Rishab handled it very bravely and completed it very nicely each time.

Sweet Family

My sweet family in traditional Indian dress. We were heading to a Pooja (Hindu prayer) in a friend’s house.

Rishab with parents

Although Rishab wasn’t so happy to pose, this was still a nice picture.

Rishab with Robot

Rishab participated in Fashion shows @ Chevron. This was Brian Held of our IT team who was dressed as Star wars robot.

Rishab with Robot

Diwali @ Mandeville, LA

As last 3 years, Diwali function was organized for indian community of Mandeville, Covington and Metairie @Fountain blue blvd. Kids and adults enjoyed the event and was organized very well. Rishab and his little friends were dancing their way and weren’t bothered about what else was going on there.

Rishab and friends @ Diwali 2011

Girls (Avni, Ana, Aarushi & Vaani) danced and entertained all of us. Although we didnt prepare Rishab, he didn’t hesitate to sing his part :).

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Some kids are fearless and go-getters, I guess Rishab is.

Rishab’s photoshoot at home

We tried Rishab’s photoshoot at home today. Rishab is very energetic all the time and its a real deal to hold his attention. Getting the right amount of lighting is also another chellenge. At the end some pics turn out to be real good one. Here is one.

Rishab's photoshoot at home

Fountainbleau park @ Mandeville, LA

Few of us went to Fountainbleau park today.
I could capture some of the beautiful shots of sunset, this was one of them.

Sunset at Fountainbleau park, Mandeville, LA (From left to right - Rishab, Inu & Aarushi)