The real deal: India

India was 3 weeks of non-stop fun. For M, it was seeing grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins - most of them for the first time. It was an amazing time, with family and friends making a special effort to be there for at least one of the many occasions, and so, some of us were seeing each other after 10+ years! Its hard to capture the whole trip here, so I'll focus on the highlights that I hope M will look back and smile about one day. We landed in Calicut and M and I spent a week there, while R headed to Mysore in a day. We had Valiyachan, Ammama and tons of mamas and mamis. Milind soon attached himself to my dad @home. It was a common sight to see him walking around the yard(shoe-less, with muddy feet), looking for him and screaming "Valiyachan, Valiyachan" all day long. And while we were busy preparing for the wedding and the reception, he was discovering all the things he wasn't supposed to be doing... Headed to Mysore for what was sadly a very short stay, where he flashed his smile more and got his way even more.. Along with Dada and Dadi, he made another best friend - Sunil Mama. Morning, noon and night all we heard was his Sunil Mama, Sunil Mama... His other friend there was Umesh mama - they got along amazingly well. And, he had TWO cars, can you believe that?? Seen here driving one of them. Next stop, Bangalore. Here, much to his delight, he was re-united with his Dubai and Calicut cousins. And he finally got to go to "The party". He had been waking up for the past 10 days and asking to go to "The party". His dream finally came true :) Little did he know that this was only the beginning.

Party 1: Cocktail dinner.

Ready to rock and roll! Party 2: Wedding
Next stop, Calicut.

Stopped at Kadavu resort one morning with all the cousins before all the "official parties". Unfortunately, there was no Appu and Milind had no idea how to deal with Varun and Govi. They are the nicest kids on the planet and he got everything he wanted, he didn't have to fight them for anything! He was totally confused :)

Party 3: Family dinner
His various partners in crime, enjoying a quiet moment without him :)



Party 4: Reception

Seen here stuffing his face with ice-cream while adoring big sisters and brothers look on..Notice the fallen comrade in the background.


A month later(an eternity in toddler life), he is still talking about India, the flip-flops that Valiyachan bought for him, dada car, Appu..