Part 1 of Summer 2012 - The London Olympics

 

Niño has been dreaming big and imagining even bigger. My only regret is I am no longer as prompt with the camera as I was last year. But the Olympics have been playing big on his heart and mind as he watched the opening ceremony with wide eyed awe and wonder. And then went on to make Michael Phelps his hero and Gabby Douglas his heroine ;)

So he planned an opening ceremony with all the props at hand. A gun shot was fired with his toy gun to mark the beginning of the ceremony. He then switched off all the lights and switched on the light of his toy projector and started rotating a Rubik cube in front of the projector light in order to get a flashing disco lights effect; realized that the cube is opaque and only gets him shadows, got some Ikea translucent kind of different colored bowls and got the desired effect. He had then orchestrated a band with the instruments they have which included him on the violin and Chica on the piano and I and A were handed over maracas and tambourines. I was then duly asked to play some marching music on youtube as he handed us handouts of names of countries with their flags - which he had carefully drawn beforehand. I was to represent India, the father son duo were from USA and the sister was from Russia because she is a good gymnast. The Atlas was seen outside and this was the time I realized it had been taken out to draw Russia's flag. Finally I was asked to play the British National Anthem and the climax had to be a self done Light Saber show because of course he can't let his absolute favorite thing down by not including it in the ceremony.

And ever since Swimming competitions have been going on in the home and outside - never mind that a swimming race just means running inside the pool from the 3 feet end to the 4 feet end :) (Swimming has eluded him by far). Plans are made as the Big gang of children meet every evening either in the pool or while biking for the next day's events of their very own Olympics. Tennis, Basketball, Track and Field have all been held in one way or the other.

While I wish I had taken pictures of Niño doing all this, this year; I will share here pictures from his fascination with the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi while we were there in Oct 2010.

Weightlifting - a hot favorite! Don't miss the expressions and the weight - 225 kgs, in case you are wondering ;)

He's a pro at getting the body language and the expressions just right! 

And these are the current cool dudes and wannabe Olympic swimmers!

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Soon enough...

You know what, after months of being away from the blog, except blogging about the events or the places we have enjoyed, currently I am in a frame of mind where I want to savor my kids wholeheartedly and completely and delight in the joy they bring to my life. Because now is the time with the new school year beginning, children of relatives and friends who are ready to fly the proverbial nest, to pursue their studies away from home, often cross country now, the things their parents have to say, the feelings they describe they are going through, the emptiness which is so evident in their hearts and minds, the few more days they are longing to spend with their children who are soon going to be far far away, it tugs at your heart, especially if you are mother with kids who are growing at lightning speed. The first thing you do is place yourself in those parents' shoes and feel what they feel, knowing that soon enough you will be them. Knowing that soon enough the very fights with your kids you crib about will exactly be the ones you'll crave; soon enough the physical and the mental work it takes being a mom of two young children that seems too much now would be the one you'll realize to be the sweetest, most enriching and most satisfying thing you have experienced in your life; soon enough the hugs and the kisses that are now so abundant that you often take them for granted would become rare luxuries because soon enough its going to be your kids leaping and taking flight out of your nests and eventually making their own.
Why don't I write about all these moments more often when I started this blog for just that, a tether to hold on to for just those 'soon enough' times. Well, as of now I resolve to and I will. I just want to keep the tone of this post philosophical, so whats been up with us would be the content of the next post which will come up pretty soon!

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Kids drive the Action in "Improv Extravaganza Explosion!"

We caught Second City Theatricals' "Imrov Extravaganza Explosion!" at UP Comedy Club in Chicago city this past Saturday. High energy and hilarious, the show, featuring The Second City's performers, is an hour of interactive, family-friendly improvisation and sketch comedy pulled from ideas straight from the audience, and made up on the spot. So while a part of the audience said their favorite movie to watch was let's say Cars and favorite thing to do was listen to Justin Bieber, the performers came up with a catchy rap right there with just those ideas. There were impromptu short skits, pretend video games played on stage with the audience as the participants, all in all a lot of hilarious fun. Members of the audience were invited on stage too for a couple of items again leading to rip roaring entertainment. Some of the acts were so innovative like this one act where a group of pre-teens were invited on stage to participate as two actors talked about their visit to a history museum and the focus alternated between them and the pictures they took there depicting hilarious scenes acted out by the pre-teens. It was so funny to see those kids barely contain their own laughter as they froze acting out those photographs. Kids starting from 5 to those in their teens seemed to be enjoying it as also the adults. Lunch was available during and after the show for an additional charge (kids and regular menus are available). It was a very fun experience to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday in the city famous for its shows and theater.

The actors on the day we watched the show, actually from a rotating cast of 10 actors, included


·         Ross Bryant

·         Chelsea Devantez

·         John Hartman

·         Hans Holsen

·         Becky Poole

To know more about the very funny and the very talented actors and to catch a video, click here. Also available on the link is ticket information. Second City Theatricals' G-rated "Imrov Extravaganza Explosion!" runs at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave, 3rd Floor, Chicago, Saturday's at 12 noon now through Dec 29. Tickets are $11. Doors open at 11 am.

Parking info - Metered parking is available on both North Avenue and Wells Street in either direction. Parking is also available for a fee at Piper's Alley Self Park Garage - 230 West North Ave. Other paid options include Treasure Island – 1639 N. Wells St and Public Parking – Corner of North Ave and North Park. We were able to find street parking on North Ave without too much difficulty.

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Have you been to the Cirque Shanghai yet?

..If not, next Wednesday, July 25th may be the day you would want to hit the Navy Pier. Not only is the Cirque Shanghai absolutely stunning this year, in addition Navy Pier will be hosting a wonderful firework display that is dedicated and inspired by Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon. This will take place during Navy Pier’s regularly scheduled fireworks Wednesday, July 25 at 9:30 p.m. The fireworks will be set to the Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon music and incorporate themes from the show.

In addition to the fireworks Navy Pier has a couple of special offers that are a great way to experience Cirque Shanghai, especially the Navy Pier Fun Pack. The package is a great way for a family to get a taste of what Navy Pier has to offer. Since Cirque Shanghai will be at Navy Pier’s Pepsi Skyline Stage until September 3, there is still time left this summer to make great use of this package.

Package Details
The Navy Pier Fun Pack — Includes Cirque Shanghai Emperor’s Court ticket, Ferris wheel ride, Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Lake Tour and a $5 Pepsi® Skyline Stage concession voucher. Only $26.50 kids/$41.50 adults. To purchase the Navy Pier Fun Pack, visit Ticketmaster.
One (1) Cirque Shanghai Emperor’s Court Ticket. This premium seat gives you an unforgettable, up-close and exhilarating theatrical experience!

One (1) Ferris wheel Voucher. View Chicago’s beautiful skyline from Navy Pier’s 15-story Ferris wheel. Visitwww.navypier.com for more information.

One (1) Shoreline Sightseeing Skyline Lake Tour Voucher. Relax and enjoy all of Chicago’s fabulous lakefront sights with a convenient half-hour boat ride from either of our two Navy Pier docks. Visitwww.shorelinesightseeing.com for more information.

One (1) $5 Pepsi® Skyline Stage Concession. 

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Be ready to gape for an hour...

...at the Cirque Shanghai this year. That's what I did this time, mouth wide open is how Chica saw the entire show and gasps of disbelief is what one heard several times among the audience as the Cirque Shanghai crew continued to amaze and live upto expectations they set last year and in fact go beyond as they defied all gravity and twisted and turned and flew and tumbled and juggled. I mean just look at the picture below and tell me how can one possibly balance all those chairs with a person next to every chair handing out her hand so casually for the next one as if asking for a cupcake to set on a plate. And then performing all kinds of handstands and other gymnastic moves on top of  these chairs. 

My kids felt another of the coolest acts was when these acrobats kept jumping and tumbling through these different hoops, one at a time at first, then in well co-ordinated two's and three's and finally bodies twisted together. Awesome and cool and wow is what was heard all the time!

Very lively stage, dazzling costumes, an affable crew and the breathtaking acts - I recommend the Cirque Shanghai very very highly!

For a preview of some of the acts, check out the following video

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND TICKET INFORMATION

“Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon” performs May 24 – Sept. 3, with regular run performances as follows:

• Wednesday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m.  

• Thursday at 2 and 8 p.m. 

• Friday at 2, 7 and 9 p.m. 

• Saturday at 2, 6 and 8 p.m. 

• Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m.

The schedule on Wednesday, July 4 is 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m, since the Navy Pier fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.There will be additional performances Tuesday, July 3 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 3 (Labor Day) at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Tickets are $15.50 - $29.50 and are available by calling 800-745-3000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com/shanghai. Discounted tickets for groups of 10 or more are available by calling GroupTix at 773.327.3778 or visiting www.grouptix.net.   

A Tip : With kids' summer vacation on, plan on going on a weekday if possible for considerably cheaper tickets!

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Chagall for Children Opening at Kohl with Cirque Shanghai

On Tuesday June 19, cast members from Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon will be attending the Kohl Children’s Museum opening of “Chagall for Children” for a special performance celebrating Marc Chagall’s famous painting “At The Circus”

I had written about Kohl Children's Museum's one of the most popular exhibits in history - Chagall for Children starting June 18. Seems like a fabulous, very hands on exhibit for children already interested in art and even better to get them more interested with all these interactive, multi-sensory stations.

Also Cirque Shanghai which continues to thrill audiences of all ages at Navy Pier since May 24 and impressed us last year with their charming and amiable crew. My kids can't wait to go back to watch it tonight.

So a rendezvous of the two, to me, sounds like a perfect outing with kids out from school on a hot summer day.

The schedule for the day is as follows:

9:45am – Children are invited to participate in the creation of a large sidewalk mural echoing Marc Chagall’s paintings.
10:00am – Opening of the “Chagall for Children” exhibit.
10:30am – Performance from Cirque Shanghai cast members including Contortion, Juggling and the “Roly Poly.”


“Chagall for Children” runs through September 2.

“Cirque Shanghai: Year of the Dragon” runs through September 3.

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NOW is the time to vote to end Female Foeticide!

Friends, please take a minute and vote for an extremely noble cause! To empower the girl child! To educate them! To empower women to earn a living and their dignity! To raise award money for a dear friend's NGO which does all this and more! Spare a minute for a noble cause!

The Beginning to an End to female foeticide

Impact Award 2012

Help support this entry, The Beginning to an End to female foeticide, in Impact Award 2012.

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