Today we had to submit her term-two home project. It may sound too much for a kindergartener, but its all about spending family time together.

Topic: Garden Cafe.

Every evening when we make Chai, she pushes the dining chair towards the kitchen table and eagerly stands to add Chai Patti (tea leaves) and see the water bubble (boil).

Next, we add milk and sugar, strain and Chai is ready.

Anyway, this procedure is not the highlight.

A million gazillion ideas, observations, investigations and following Ms.S’s behavior and trying to be all strategic later, I figured the one thing we do best together is make CHAI (TEA).

The project was supposed to be a documentation of the process which she likes or includes herself in.

Couldn’t be anything better. She already knew how to make it, now to demonstrate it we:

1. Went and got a dummy tea set.
2. Made tiny ingredient stuffed Ziplocks. (water + Tea powder + milk + sugar)
3. Set her table
4. A tiny stove, pot, spoon, strainer, 2 cups, and saucers.

On the other hand, husband and I made a big sheet with shabby drawings and another set of zip locks explaining the process.

Last night we made her rehearse like 29 times and I remembered how my mom used to stay up late with me for my projects. The same zest and excitement I saw myself going through.

We slept at 1 am. Today morning she woke up so excited I did not have to call her out a second time. She got ready in ten minutes flat. Singing and giggling all the way.

I miss mom. I really hope Ms.S. will miss me the same way when I won’t be around.

I desperately want to write a metaphorical poem about tea and life, but ill let this experience be, refreshing and sweet.