Saturday was Samedh's 2nd birthday. We celebrated with friends and family at a local restaurant, and then joined friends for dinner later in the evening.
It was an entire day of celebration, beginning with our small family puja for Ganapati, as Ganesh Chaturthi (his birthday) also fell on September 15 this year. I attempted to make modaks, an Indian sweet typical in Maharashtra where Pankaj and Samedh are from originally. Modaks are steamed dumplings with coconut, sugar, raisins and cardamom inside. They are a favorite sweet of Ganapati, so I thought I'd give it a try. I grated 2 coconuts myself, only later to discover that Meijer carries fresh grated coconut. That would have made things a lot easier...Maybe next time. Friday night, Samedh left some modaks and glazed donut holes out for Ganapati Bapa (he just calls him "Bapa"), and the next morning Bapa left him some gifts as well. This is a new tradition we are starting for Samedh on Ganesh Chaturthi. The idea is similar to leaving cookies and hot cocoa out for Santa on Christmas eve.
Samedh's party went from 1-3pm, and then my sister Liz and my parents followed us back home to open a few gifts. Shortly afterward, we joined some friends for dinner at their house. Our friends from Novi were there as well, and the kids had a great time playing together. It's almost like the party never ended for them. Except in the middle photo above, where they temporarily took a break. The whole day was very special, with old friends and new, and lots of family. It was the ideal "first birthday party" even though Samedh was turning 2.
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