A gift any kid would love...to eat!

I recently discovered that a long-time family friend makes these cute chocolate toy boxes, as well as other sweet treats. I ordered one for a friend's birthday last week, and filled it with M&M's. The birthday girl loved it, and took a huge bite out of the lid right immediately after opening it! I also ordered one for my niece, who will celebrate her 5th (golden) birthday on Sunday. The cover design is standard, but I had both toy boxes customized with the child's name, age, and the little flowers on the sides. For $5, it's a pretty sweet gift ($4.25 for the box and .75 for customizing).

If you are looking for unique candy gift ideas, I highly recommend you check out Lisa's website: http://littlegnomecandies.com/.

Fun with Family

Getting older isn't so bad when you get to celebrate it with your family.

Our Diwali Celebration

On Saturday we celebrated Pankaj's birthday and Diwali with my family. Even Baby Justin came to join in the fun, although he slept most of the time. We had a nice big meal of spaghetti and meatballs and had cake and ice cream for dessert. We didn't light fireworks this time, but we did incorporate the tradition of Bhaubeej gift giving which is typically done on the 5th day of Diwali. Since Samedh's cousin-sisters were already visiting on Saturday, we had Bhaubeej a little early. Samedh gave each one a small activity book and chocolate caramel candy. Then the little guy wished them a Happy Diwali. Samedh is supposed to vow to protect them, but he'll understand that more as he gets older (and bigger). Right now, the "mother hens" are very protective of him:)

Earlier on Saturday, Pankaj, Samedh, and I attended Lakshmi Puja in Grandville. We arrived just in time for the cultural program and songs, which Samedh enjoyed very much. We had a small lunch before we left, and Samedh helped himself to one of the bananas that had been blessed by the priest who performed the puja.

Happy Birthday, Happy Diwali!

It's Diwali...
It's also Pankaj's birthday, so we had lots to celebrate today. We put up lights inside the house and out, and added a few diyas and lanterns. Our first blessing of the day came when we returned home from running errands (Pankaj took the day off). Friends of ours left a beautiful Diwali card and gulab jamun sweets on our front porch. Samedh looked at the sweets and immediately informed me, "I need this." It was right before lunch, so that wasn't happening. It wasn't until later in the evening that we all sampled them. They were delicious!

Later in the afternoon, the three of us drove down to South Haven for lunch at Clementine's. The last time Pankaj and I had been there was right after we accepted Samedh's referral. On that day last year, we brought our referral papers and Samedh's photo along and the "three of us" had lunch. Samedh enjoyed the restaurant, especially because we were sitting pretty close to a huge moose head mounted on the wall. He loves moose, elk, and deer (I just dread the day when I have to explain to him how they got up on the wall...)

In the early evening (it gets really dark early these days), Samedh and I stood among all the lights on the front porch while Pankaj lit two fireworks fountains. We only lit two so we could save more for tomorrow when my family comes to visit. After we came back inside, Samedh did some Diwali crafts and colored a Lakshmi, Hanuman, and Shiva with his crayons. I glued the Lakshmi to colored cardstock and we'll display that tomorrow for our Lakshmi Puja at home.

We'll also be attending the Lakshmi Puja sponsored by the West Michigan Hindu Temple tomorrow morning in Grandville. The temple is still under construction (only about 70% complete), so everyone still meets in the banquet room at a local hotel. Samedh is excited to go, and asked if there will be flowers, diyas (lights), and songs. I assured him there will. It's cute to hear him pronounce "Lakshmi puja" - - he calls it "Lucky puja". Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity and brings good luck and fortune to all in the new year. So he's got the "luck" part right:)

Lucky 7

Olivia

Celebrating 7 years

Survivor of 2 surgeries, 2 casts

"Gentle Bruiser"

Bird lover

Niece

Goddaughter

Friend

~~~~~

Happy 7th Birthday, Livvy!

(Olivia's birthday was February 10th)