First Step - Wishing the Wonder

It's an extremely important aspect to enter the vivid world of Parent Trap, to know yourself, understand the inner calling of becoming a mother. It is easy to get pregnant, but to know if you are ready raise a child that's the biggest question. It's a feeling that will come to you, either you have it or you don't.

A springy day in Yosemite.

Not far from the bustling life of silicon valley, is the George Clooney of National parks (as said), Yosemite. Amidst the Eastern Sierra range, is this beautiful valley surrounded by upright stone mountains. It is a popular tourist destination in California. Raved for excellent camping sites, and breathtaking trails sites, the valley is a complete family adventure spot. The splendid rock mountains of Yosemite are gloriously photographed by many famous photographers.

We missed on reservations for stay, but we wanted to visit the valley in early spring, when the bloom and falls are at their best. So we decided to make a day trip out of it. We started early, around 7, and with only one

View of the Valley, Yosemite National park, California

coffee stop, we steered into the valley via Merced.
We decided to take this route as the drive itself is very beautiful. With river Merced riding beside, the way to the valley is blooming with variant of lush green trees, and beds of flowers. We were fortunate enough to witness the magnificent of the spring season.

Once you enter the park, the park map, which is given at entrance, will guide you pretty much everywhere. The valley is a loop, which will take you to all the picturesque locations. And down under all the waterfalls. With the like of Yosemite falls to Bridal Veil Falls, and the magnificent Upper and Lower Falls, the valley is flushed with water flowing from melting snow. Waterfalls are at their best in spring. And their formative names suits the nature of their drama. And don’t miss a family portrait at the View of the Valley.

Another way through the valley takes you to the famous Glacier point, from where you can absorb the dramatic view of the Half dome watching over the gorgeous valley.

We took a day trip so there wasn’t much we could cover, so we decided to stay in the lavish green abode of the valley. Our 2 year old enjoyed every bit of running around in the plush fields, and pounding, the swelled but calm, waters of the Merced River with pebbles.

The place is picturesque in every season, so don’t forget your cameras and extra set of batteries. The memories are unforgiving. Take lots of water, and as much food options along, as there aren’t food options available, except the entries in the hotels and lodges. But of course with toddlers you won’t take any chance. I took his favorites along and he was more than happy.

To stay there, in peak season, and of course there is rarely a dull season there, book way – way in advance. The staying options are unlimited, from hotels to lodges, and even BnBs .

Wear comfortable clothes and super comfortable shoes. The valley is famous for its beautiful trails. Explore them while you can. The trail to Half dome is a test of your fear and strength.  You could bike the valley trails with your kids in tow, or could just sit and admire the profound exuberance of this place.

A perfect day spent. You can find more details at the park’s site.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

Antelope Canyons

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page AZ ( clicked by Sunil Mendiratta)

The curvy faces of this sandstone's natural wonder land is impeccably breathtaking. Whisking elements molded the sand sculptures into whispering wonders. No matter what direction you look, which glare you face, the view just stuns our imagination.

The slots canyon, which is what antelope canyons are famously called, are one of the most photographed and most visited canyons in American Southwest. This place is 
 any photographer’s delight. The curvy finish of the sandstone gives natural light an excellent bender of vibrant colors.

Located near page, Arizona, the upper and lower antelopes are managed by the lake Powell Navajo tribal park. These places may have mammoth tourism value, but they are equally sacred place for the local tribes. And once you visit them, you can easily relate to that spiritual feel. The place and its variant colors have magical feel, which enthralls and excites ones adventure to this place.

The Upper Antelope is the most visited Slots Canyon. Because of the ease of accessibility. The canyon is 100 yards long and variantly changes after each rainy season. The tours to this canyons starts as early as 8am for dedicated photographers, who are chasing the colors or the famous light beams in the canyons. Which starts to peek usually from March 15 every year to roughly October 7^th. The tours of the canyon is nominally priced and is well guided. The place can get little crowded during the peak hours with multiple tours. And no angle is wrong in this place, get as much memory shots for your travel album as you want.

Lower Antelope Canyon,Page AZ ( clicked by me)

The Lower Antelope is equally famous, but little less visited as not everyone can force themselves into the thin cracks to get inside this underground Slots canyon. It is my favorite Slots Canyon. There is a connection you will feel with the spirituality of the place, in this marvelous creation of elements. The canyon is beautiful and has eye popping natural sculpting. This canyon has pretty narrow path, and at some places slot overlaps. It does gets difficult to get ahead with steep man made stairs, and is not safe for claustrophobic. It is kids friendly if either they can hike in, or you can carry them. We took our one year old in, and he had a great time, especially playing with sand. Photographers delight, the light is apparently best during the early mornings or late afternoons.

Drive to Page, or fly to Page, there are plenty of affordable staying options. We stayed in Marriott and Best Western and both were a great stay.

This is place is more of an experience which will make you visit this marvel again and again. My husband is a photographer so he will be here as often as he can to chase the light, and I will be along to experience the radiance of this place. I would recommend adding this place in your bucket list of Travel pins.

Here, one few of the most revieting shots Captured by husband, Sunil Mendiratta.
http://500px.com/photo/29917507/arc-of-hope-by-sunil-mendiratta?from=user_library

Whispering Wonders – The ten little toes.

Aggguuu..it was the first word, or sound my son made when he was 7 month old; and I remember not getting enough of it. I made him say it over and over again. He turned 15 months old, and his little gestures of making me understand what he wants were equally adorable. He started pointing to things and using sound of words to make me understand. The sounds and whispers he creates are magical. And now after his 2^nd birthday he is finally trying to make his conversations.

We as parents are in constant mode of pride with our baby’s everyday achievements. It’s funny to see how little things becomes so important in our diary of being a perfect parent. The same is my story. I’m an obsessed mother, and hence everyday behavior, growth and acts of my son were the pride and joy of my day. But when I started noticing that my son isn’t talking much as other kids it was alarming to me. My biggest mistake was that I kept talking to everyone about my concern, but with my son. The magic of words are the only solution for the kids. There is no doubt that every child is unique and has his or her own understanding skills and timelines; which we can never predict.

What I did to work on it? I started talking to my son constantly. I would talk to him about anything I can think of. I have been working upon his everyday vocabulary since he was an infant, but now I added animation to it. I would climb the tree, to make him understand the ‘tree’, and try catching the ‘cat’ for him to notice. And it worked. He would jump on the ‘grass’, and ask for ‘yellow flower’ every time we crossed our neighbor’s front yard J. And I made sure whenever he spoke I applaud his efforts. Once he started understanding the importance of creating words, things became easier. I made sure he notices the impact his little words would make. Like if he said ‘up’ I would instantly get up or make him jump up. Or whenever he said ‘go’, I would go along with him to make sure he feels that he is heard and understood. And now my son is catching or I may say exploring 2-3 words a day. I’m sure with every child there may be a unique technique. Unlike my son, some kids would copy. Or some would just talk when they wish to.

I guess the science of parenting, of culminating any skill in our child is case specific. And a lead role is played by the patience of determining the child’s personality.

So here’s to all the speech struggling parents; I was one of them a month back. Never compare, Never Give up, and Keep trying new approaches, everything and anything works.