And yes! In the middle of Mumbai and Bangkok happened P’s first sleepover at school. They had to carry sleeping bags to school and everyone from grade 3-12 was at school in a big big party. The kids were soooo excited. So was I! But I was also nervous. Coz in my past experiences with P going for sleepovers, I have always got a call in the middle of the night either to pick her up or saying that she can’t sleep. And I have had to talk her into going to sleep. So I was worried I’m going to get a call from her teacher saying that she is not able to sleep! It was also the first time I had gone without talking to her for more than 24 hours straight. At least knowing that I don’t have the option to. It was a new experience for me too. I woke up 2-3 times during the night thinking if she is sleeping peacefully or not. And the next day…. we all went as a family to the bus stop to pick her up. It was like we were welcoming her home after a long absence 😆. She was good! And happy! And sleep deprived 🙄 she said they slept at 12 and had to wake up by 6 coz they had to get ready, have breakfast and leave school by 8. But they had an awesome time. The kids had a complete ball and are anticipating that they are going to get to be awake till 2am next year!!

I like this little thing their school does. First whole week of the new academic year is of fun and activities and bonding with the new teacher and new peers. The kids get comfortable with each other and the teacher. And at the end of the week they have a carnival and sleepover in school. The kids simply freak out and have a party! They also get the senior students to build something new in the school campus. Year before last it was a climbing wall. Last year it was a tree house. I don’t know what’s new this year. When they send us the video we will know. It’s also new format for the 3rd graders this year. They don’t have an assistant teacher any more and neither is there any didi to assist them with lunch and washroom. Their classroom also always had an activity area and one main study area. Now from this year they don’t have an activity area and they have lockers to keep their books in. This is a whole new responsibility for them! They have to maintain their lockers and look after their keys. And also take care which books are where.

P is excited to take on these new responsibilities. Makes her feel more grown up. I’m sure the others too. Having a key which they have to take care of is like feeling important to them. I’m thinking I must start something at home also. Give her a new responsibility for something. Like this is your job. Let me see what she can take up. Will have a chat with her also.

But currently it’s all party time at home also. Bua and cousins are over and they just can’t get enough of each other. The house is a madhouse sometimes. P and one of her girls is the same age. The other being 6 yrs older. So P and cousin are inseparable and A has older cousin to keep her company. In fact 2 days ago it was Bua’s birthday and the 8 year olds planned a party with decorations and games. They wanted to plan the food also but finally gave in to our requests that we can handle that department. It was such a fun party. It was just us family but we enjoyed the games they made us play and the end was a double cartwheel show by them.

She also starts after school sports this year! Which means an extra 2 hours twice a week. Some are skeptical (mainly because of the additional hours) but I feel it’s the right age to introduce them to a sport. She is enthusiastic about badminton currently. But if I don’t fuel her enthusiasm it’s going to die down. I’m lucky her school is giving her the chance. It might help her to pick a sport at least as a hobby if not as a career.