R is still into Old Macdonald. A couple of nights ago he initiated the song with an "Ayi ayi O", and guided me through the rest. It went like this: Old Macdonald had a farm. E I E I O. And on that farm he had a... He said "mooooo". ...cow. E I E I … Continue reading The Old Macdonald story part four
Category: Following the music…
Downstairs from our apartment there are a number of small speakers dotted around the garden, playing traditional Chinese music from the 80’s. L and R discovered them. They hang out close to the music, sometimes dance, sit and listen, and wave their hands around conducting the musicians. They go from one speaker to the next.
Boxes
Jiddo aka diddo and Teta, L and R's paternal grandfather and grandmother took us shopping in Paris a couple of weeks ago.The children needed shoes. We returned to the hotel with sandals that looked nice and fit well. They came in cute little shoe boxes. Maher's friends offered L and R clothes that were elegantly … Continue reading Boxes
One day
Meg and Eoin drove from Chengdu to Cape town. This is a four-minute video of some of the smiles along the way. I still can't believe they did it! Catch the little boy running back and forth under Meg's back bend.
Happy birthday Nanu in song mode
Here goes: Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday dear NANU, Happy birthday to you...!
Vande Gurunaam…Reggae version
The "One day Gurunaam..." version of the Ashtanga opening mantra (chanted before every practice) is an old joke now. I've heard many teachers make it. No idea who started it though. Madonna has her Shanti-Ashtangi dance version. Here is our Bob Marley inspired one: Everyday Gurunaam "One day Gu-ru-naam To-day Gu-ru-naam To-morrow Gu-ru-naam E-ve-ry-day Gu-ru-naam … Continue reading Vande Gurunaam…Reggae version
One-and-a-half
R and L are now officially a year and a half. Their love for music and dance is growing with them. R has a very cute new dance move. He shakes his head and shoulders very fast and then swings his arms around freely. Leila does cha-cha-cha type steps around the house. She also goes … Continue reading One-and-a-half
The Old Macdonald story part three
R climbed out of our bed this morning, still warm with fever, saying "ayi ayi". Same thing he said running towards xiao He when she entered the door. He picked up the cover of a Baby Einstein DVD he loves. There is a section on farm animals with his favorite theme song. He wanted to … Continue reading The Old Macdonald story part three
The Old Macdonald story has a part two
A few minutes after I published the last post R woke up from the night's sleep. He had high fever. 39C. He took some medication and drank 200ml of oral rehydration salts, bit by bit. That should help for a while. The sequence went like this: a week ago R got a cold. L caught … Continue reading The Old Macdonald story has a part two
Old Macdonald’s “E I E I O” inverted
Rahul sings the chorus "Ayi Ayi O". Ayi in Chinese means aunt. It is what he calls one of his most dear people xiao He, his nanny.
Bob Dylan in Shanghai
A couple of Fridays ago we flew to Shanghai, hung out in a hotel room for a few hours, then took the crowded peak-hour metro to the Shanghai Grand stage. Bob Dylan was performing. The crowds in the subway on a Friday evening could overwhelm anyone. I don't know how L and R made it without … Continue reading Bob Dylan in Shanghai
Natasha Devalia 