Aadyaa is turning six tomorrow. Her infectious enthusiasm has had us all work overtime to prepare for a party. She has worked, opined and supervised many aspects of this event and I can only learn from her attention to detail.

I feel proud, emotional and excited. I never thought I would be the kind of mum who gets into a tizzy over organising a birthday party. But it’s not the stress, it’s the creative juices that drive me. A few moments before midnight and a few years before Aadyaa gets into the routine of bringing in her birthday the night before, I’m pondering…

I have, many a time, longed for time away from my kids. I still do. But with Udai turning 10 later this year and Aadyaa turning six, finally all that stuff the auntys and more experienced mommy friends warned me about is coming true. My babies are not going to be babies for much longer. I see, in my minds eye, Aadyaa’s turn to independence, I see her grow and move away, no longer my shadow. With Udai, the transformation is already underway.

I want to clutch at these experiences now. Laugh with them, play, do stuff together, nonsense stuff. Roll in the garden. Today evening, we were dancing in the lawn, some imaginary ballroom scene! Time is flying by and perhaps I want it to slow down.

Gosh, so much mush! It doesn’t sound like me, even to me! Sugar high perhaps. Insomnia definitely.

Go to sleep Mukta and happy birthday Aadyaa!