I haven't been updating the blog for a variety of reasons. Mainly because I've been busy and/or stressed. Last weekend in India we spend in Leela Kovalam resort near Travandram. It is a first time we tried to have vacation with friends. It was great to see them. On the other hand, I missed the opportunity to spend time as a family. I did have a chance to relax. The spa was lovely. Kids had a great time moving between the beach and the swimming pool.

On the way back we had a stop over in Abu Dhabi. I like it a lot more than Dubai. It is a calmer and cleaner place. It was great to see our friends there.

Last week in India was very stressful. We got a very unexpected phone call from London. Last year I put Big Munchkin on a waiting list to a few private schools. I did not expect to hear from any of them now. The idea was that in a two or three years a space would open up and then we can have a choice of whether to transfer Big Munchkin or not. Unfortunately or fortunately, the space have oped up now, and we had to make a decision. If her current state school was a bad one, it would have been an easy decision. Her state school is a very good one. So, it made a decision very hard to make. We spend a lot of money and effort in getting her to the state school and changing it all now is difficult. After many arguments and discussions and comparison-analysis of both schools, we decided to move her to a private school. Academically the private school is better, but I am terrified that Big Munchkin is not going to be as happy there as she was in her state school. On a positive note, Big Munchkin would still be at the nursery in a state school as she is only suppose to start school in January. In a private school she is starting an actual school - reception class - right away. So, we technically have one term to move her back to the state school if she is not settling in the private one. It is a dicey move and I still have to discuss it with the state school, to make sure that they would keep her space open for January just in case. But I think it should be doable. It is a not very nice back up plan from the perspective of the school administration. I am sure they'd rather allocate that space to a kid who would definitely take it, but I have my own kid to think about. As soon as the state school reopens next week, I have to have a serious chat about it.

It's been around ten days since we came to India. The trip was not too bad. Though I am really glad I did not travel alone with two kids. Little Munchkin had a minor tantrum right in the beginning of the first flight. After that he was fine. In-flight entertainment system was really good. Big Munchkin was occupied for most of the flight. The change in Abu Dhabi was quick and relatively painless. Right at the end of the second leg of our journey both kids manages to fall asleep. I was very glad I was not alone (again) as we had to carry both of them.

First week of being in India was downright boring. My DH was working. He managed to book our flight forgetting that he only booked two weeks off work. So, he spend the first week ‘working from home’. I ended up dealing with the wort part of jet lag and putting kids to sleep on my own. It was not too bad as my DH did try to help as much as possible. Still, he did have to work too, so there is no way we are going anywhere again if he is not on official vacation.

On Sunday we went to Guruvaoor to visit a famous and very old temple located there. On Monday was my DH’s mother’s birthday, so it was a sort of present for her. We ended up visiting various relatives on the way, which made a three hour journey into a a full day ordeal. The hotel was very decent. Kids behaved well. Unfortunately, they were not allowd into the temple. I knew as a non-Hindu I would not be allowed in, but I really wanted the kids to go. I really hate it when the temple associations install these rediculos rules. We could have just got my sister-in-law to tell that they were her kids and her husband was white and not the other way around, but because the temple follows the religion by the mother’s side they were not allowed to get in. Out sense of solidarity my DH did not go in either. I feel kind of sad about it, but he says that he has an understanding with God about it, and he does not like a bunch of politicians (e.g. the temple association) acting like gate-keepers to God.

Now we are back to Alleppey. On Thursday we are going to Travandram. We’ll stay with my brother-il-law there for one night. On Friday we are moving to a nice hotel near the beach. Few of other friends are coming there as well. It is going to be a little reunion. My in-laws decided not to come with us, as they feel that the place is too posh. It is unfortunate, as I was hoping for some safe baby-sitting services. Stil, I am sure it is going to be fun.