2014...

It was a brutal winter this year. We got buried with snow pretty much every single day. It probably started around Christmas 2013 and stayed on till end of March. Summer did not arrive till July. It has been great weather for the past week or so. We have been trying to make the most of it. Biking, Running, Walking, Swimming, prepping for football (flag- football starts next week for both the boys), tossing Frisbees and doing tons of house chores which never end. Both Jay and Vinny are in the same team this year- Oak Forest Patriots. This is Jay's last year playing Flag football. It will be bittersweet, 7 years in the league. He started when he was 7.

I have a fascination for Frisbees. My first encounter with a Frisbee was in 1982, while I was in college. Ajay S. brought one to the hostel and we just tossed it around. I toss the Frisbee around with the kids whenever I get a chance and it is a lot of fun.  It is vacation time and the boys would rather lounge around, sleep late wake up late and play video games. But if I am home things are different, we are outside doing yard work or playing. everything come with a price though... we broke the window pane on our bay window and set us back a couple of hundred $$s. Jay helps with house chores and Vinny tries his best too, as he does not want to be the one to be yelled at for not helping.

Jay had his physical; the doctor has recommended some additional tests to ensure his 6'2.5" frame is healthy and normal. We’ll need a second opinion as he seems fine. He swam all of spring and took part in swim meets. He has developed stamina, endurance and some muscles at least laying a strong foundation for it. It will help him in his mindset, emotional growth, and of course football, volleyball and basketball which he is passionate about. He wants to go to IMSA and we are trying to prep him for that. Both Vinny and Jay got straight A's throughout the year, were honored at the honors reception and were recognized by their teachers and peers for all their achievements. Jay made the school volleyball team and Vinny was chosen as team manager. He is hoping to make the basketball team and his goal is to be the valedictorian at the end of his middle school.

During spring break we went on a weeklong trip to Vegas/Grand canyon (south rim) and Hoover dam. It was a good break and we all had a lot of fun. Shreeja, Madhu and little Dhruv joined us in Vegas and we rang in Dhruv's birthday in Vegas!  Grand Canyon was breathtaking, especially the hike and the morning sun. Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel.

 Jay made the national junior honor society with his excellent track record both academically and otherwise. We all attended his induction ceremony and it was quite an experience.  He will have to continue to work hard and keep up the grades and do extra work to prove that he is really worthy. That should not be too difficult for him.

Both Vinny and Jay played SAK basketball it was a good season for both. Vinny has perfected his hook shot and beats me when he plays one on one. We also play "ultimate championship" inside and

outside the house with no rules- pushing, shoving, biting anything goes. Mostly, he wins. Jay has honed his skills and with his height advantage, it is hard to beat him.

Jay took up swimming reluctantly, but he is quite happy with it now. He wants to continue after his football season is over. He enjoys the challenge and also the benefits. Both of them have really focused on Piano lessons and the years of practice has finally paid off. Jay plays “Home” by Chris Daugherty quite well. Vinny is mastering “I believe I can fly". He continues with his Taekwondo in his quest for a 3rd degree black belt.

We are going for our annual ritual of bonding with nature to Potato Creek in Indiana. We'll be setting up camp and enjoying the activities offered by State Park and Worcester Lake.

We finally got our apartment rented in April after a long wait due to inclement weather. Sometimes I wish, I hadn't rented it out and use it during weekends as it is really close to the beach and in a real nice upscale neighborhood. But fiscally it will put a dent in our pocket. One of the trees in our backyard fell and took out a portion of our neighbor’s fence. Thankfully no one was hurt.

It has been a really strange winter and spring, snow, torrential rains, thunderstorms and floods. Truly, a year to remember. Come to think of it we still have another 6 months to go. In another 3 months the buys turn 14 and 12!

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