birthday fun Archives - My Inner Shakti

Four Year Old Birthday Gifts

I got quite a few requests on Instagram to share what we (me/Vishnu + family) got Kaiden for his 4th birthday. He’s quite the lucky boy in that he got some fantastic presents, ones that are toys but also serve an educational purpose in some way shape or form. As I’ve shared before, Vishnu and I don’t like to keep too many toys in the house, so some of these are to replace ones we got rid of prior to to our move. And truthfully, Kaiden would rather play with a stick or a rock over an actual toy! But we’ll see how he does with these over the next few months.

I hope these inspire you in some way! Let me know if you have any questions.

Super Hero Action Figures – Batman (his fav!), Spiderman, Iron Man

Board game – Chutes and Ladders

LEGO Classic Medium Bricks

Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register (another fav!)

Book – Olive Marshmallow

Book – The Boy with Big, Big Feelings

Backyard tee ball set

Velcro throw and stick paddles + ball

Indoor bowling set

Frozen table

Lincoln Logs

STEM Master Building Toys

KiwiCo Science Kit – Chemistry (3 in total)

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This is FOUR!

written by Parita 1 Comment

My little guy is FOUR today!

I know it’s so cliche to say, but it really does feel like he grew up in a blink of an eye. I still remember everything leading up to his birth as if it happened yesterday. I remember the exact moment we heard him cry and when the nurse placed him on my chest. I remember taking him home, and Vishnu driving like 30 MPH down Chicago Avenue.

And then boom!

One day we wake up and he’s FOUR!

Kaiden is truly the sweetest boy with the biggest heart. He loves everything and everyone, and my favorite part is that he isn’t afraid to show it! He wears his big old heart on his sleeve.

He’s kind and loving and smart and sassy and emotional and fun and still very much a mama’s boy!

Happy birthday, K! I hope your day is magical, special, silly, fun and so much more! We love youuuuu!

This is 33

written by Parita 18 Comments

Today is my 23rd…I meannnn 33rd birthday!

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a huge birthday person when it comes to my own. But I will say, ushering in 33 was pretty fun.

The weekend started with a dentist appointment (not fun). But no cavities (fun?!). On Friday evening, Vishnu and I had dinner at Grange Hall Burger Bar. Vishnu really enjoyed his burger, while I, unfortunately, thought my otherwise amazing veggie burger was severely under seasoned. We did enjoy some delicious Parmesan waffle fries though!

On Saturday morning, I joined my coworker Lamia and her friends for the Women’s March on Chicago. You guys, it was the most amazing gathering of passionate, smart, energetic, and wonderful people – women, men, children. I can’t even explain how meaningful it was to be part of something so much greater than myself. The energy was truly contagious. I know this is the start of something very powerful. Watch out world, nasty women are on the rise!

Other signs I got a kick out of…

On Saturday evening, we had friends over for dinner (the make your own taco bar turned out great!). While we didn’t play any games this time around, we definitely talked a ton. So much stuff to discuss! Saturday was a late night…we didn’t go to bed until after 1:30. Who are we?!

Sunday started with a walk to Michigan Avenue to return a few things Vishnu bought over the holidays. We made it home just in time to watch the Falcons secure their spot in the SUPERBOWL (with a side of Ben & Jerry’s)!!! SO EXCITED!

Sunday ended on a high note as Vishnu (and I…kind of) finished up a DIY project for our bedroom. I married a pretty talented and crafty guy!

Looking back on the weekend, I feel like I ushered in 33 in the most perfect of ways. My wish for the rest of the year is lots and lots of self love/care/trust.

What did you get up to this weekend?

A Special Birthday Weekend for Two Special Guys

written by Parita 3 Comments

Even though I sometimes suffer from a’woe is me’ attitude, I know I’m a lucky girl. Take this weekend as an example.

Vishnu and I hosted my parents and Vishnu’s parents and brother so that we could celebrate both our dads’ milestone birthdays together as a family. My dad turns 65 tomorrow, and Vishnu’s dad turns 70 just a couple of days later!

With Vishnu, Aekta, and Niel’s help, I created a mini itinerary for us. I figured a good balance of sightseeing, rest, and good food would make everyone happy, especially the birthday boys.

I’m not going to lie…coming straight off the plane from London and entering into a long, busy, full weekend was a bit nuts! But seeing all of these faces made it that much easier!

Vishnu was in charge of dinner on Thursday night (re: the night everyone flew in), and because we wanted something easy, he decided to order Bombay Wraps. A great idea on his part because they were a huge hit! My personal favorite is the chickpea wrap – so flavorful!

Friday started nice and early, which is a good thing because that gave us plenty of time to eat breakfast and get ready. Our first stop – the Willis Tower. This was everyone’s first time visiting in 20+ years, so it was a lot of fun walking around the sky deck, taking pictures, and nervously walking on to the ledge!

We stopped for lunch at Cafecito before heading to Millenium Park and The Bean. Again, lots of picture taking…

After getting my mom and Vishnu’s mom an Uber (they were tired!), the rest of us decided to take the scenic route home. This included a walk down Michigan Avenue and a stop at the Ghirardelli cafe because Niel was craving a milkshake (for anyone who cares, the Nob Hill shake is AMAZING).

We rounded the night off with dinner at Opart Thai House (yes, again!!). So much yum!

Because I knew everyone would be a little tired from the day before, I didn’t plan much for Saturday morning. Lunch was at Frontera Fresco and so delicious. For our first activity of the day, we rode along the Chicago river on an Architecture Boat Tour and soaked in all of the beautiful sights.

And then we stopped at Ghirardelli once again for more ice cream!

Saturday night involved pizza (Lou Malnati’s), cupcakes (Sweet Mandy B’s), and board games (Scattergories and Taboo). However, my favorite part of the night was surprising our dads with birthday decorations, cards, and a whole lot of love!

Sunday was a free for all. The boys wanted to go to the Field Museum, and the girls wanted to go to Devon St. (where all of the Indian shops/restaurants are), so we split up and conquered the day!

Devon was a fruitful trip for me because I now have all the spices, grains, and lentils I need to make Indian food (or so we think!).

Our original plan was to take the family to RPM for one last hurrah, but we decided to save that restaurant for a future trip. Instead, my mom and Vishnu’s mom made a tasty home cooked meal, which honestly surpassed everything else we ate the entire weekend!

And then it was Monday…the day everyone left us!

Like I said before, weekends like this remind me of how blessed I am, specifically when it comes to family. I’m so thankful for all of the wonderful humans in my life and can’t wait to see them all again soon!

I’ll end this post by wishing both our dads a very happy birthday! So glad we celebrated your special milestone birthdays in Chicago! Love you both!

And with that, I plan to reset my habits tomorrow. This means everything changes for the better (hopefully!) – food, organization, fitness, sleep, etc. The past few weeks (months?) have been a little decadent in one too many ways. Not a bad thing at all, but I need a bit more ‘normal’ in my life. Wish me luck!

32 Lessons in 32 Years

written by Parita 25 Comments

It was my birthday this past weekend! To be honest, I’m not a huge birthday person. I love celebrating other people’s birthdays, but I don’t like making a big deal out of my own. To put this in perspective, I was more excited about MIS’ birthday!

Of course, Vishnu wasn’t going to let it pass by without some sort of celebrating. I woke up on Saturday morning to the sound of Vishnu entering the apartment after his night shift. He usually comes into the bedroom right away to give me a kiss, but instead he started rummaging around in the kitchen. I got out of bed after a few minutes to see what was up. Well, what was up was a cute little cupcake, a birthday balloon, my favorite dark chocolate, and the sweetest husband in the world singing happy birthday!

[Vishnu’s original plan was to bring the cupcake to me in bed, but I woke up and ruined that plan. I felt bad, so I got back in bed and let him do his thing!]

The rest of the day was pretty perfect too. I ran my usual weekend errands, treated myself to a delicious coffee, and talked to family and friends throughout the day. Later in the evening, we had an amazing dinner experience at a local Italian restaurant (more about this restaurant coming soon!). We ended the night with Meet the Patels and YouTube videos!

And this, my friends, is 32!

I also spent a portion of the weekend reflecting on all the things I’ve learned in the last 32 years (both big and small). Along with the 32 lessons below, I’ve come to realize that I’m much more grounded now than I ever was in my 20s. Despite the bumpy journey, I’m proud of myself and truly looking forward to what this year and the rest of my 30s will bring.

And now, in no particular order, my 32 lessons in 32 years…

Everything in moderation. Even moderation.
Laughter is the BEST medicine!
The grass is greener where you water it.
No one can take your knowledge away from you. Strive to learn something new every day.
The world needs more authentic/genuine/real people. If nothing else, be that.
You can’t love someone else completely until you love yourself completely.
A little reality TV never hurt anyone.
You can’t change other people. You can, however, change yourself. And that may ultimately change those around you.
Always have an attitude of gratitude.
Find something that makes you come alive – a job, a passion project, a hobby – and go after it with a vengeance.
The darker the chocolate the better.
Wash your face every night. Don’t skip this step! Oh and…moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.
A bad day(s) doesn’t equal a bad life.
Your parents aren’t going to be around forever so don’t take them for granted.
Money isn’t everything. In fact, most of life’s precious moments are 100% free.
You’ll never regret saying, “I’m sorry.”
Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.
Always choose the adventure.
Health is real wealth.
When in doubt, less is more.
Your body was made to move.
Choose integrity over all else. Because you will always know.
Travel, both near and far, as often as possible.
Marriage is hard work. And it’s not 50/50. It’s 100/100.
Assume good intent.
Live within your means and save money whenever possible.
Perfection does not exist. In fact, the fun lies in the imperfections.
Listen to your gut/intuition. It can/will guide you if you let it.
Know what good looks like (for you) and don’t settle for less.
Loss, heartbreak, pain, etc. are all a part of life. You won’t be the same after going through it, but you will be ok.
Life is short. Have fun, laugh as much as possible, and love with your whole heart.
Age is just a number!

And just because she’s the cutest, here’s the birthday poem my mom wrote for me! [Thanks, momma!]

What did you get up to this weekend!?

End of the Week Hodge Podge

written by Parita 7 Comments

In no particular order…

1. Vishnu wanted to watch This Is the End last Friday, and so we did. Honestly, I thought I was going to hate the movie, like fall asleep half-way through hate. I’m happy to say that I was so wrong. I actually really enjoyed it and found myself laughing more than I’d like to admit.

Essentially, without giving away too much, it’s about a bunch of Hollywood actors living through the apocalypse. The best part is that they all play themselves. If you don’t get easily offended and like stupid humor, as I like to call it, this is the movie for you!

2. As Vishnu and I were walking home after dinner on Monday, I suggested that we take a stroll around the neighborhood. He agreed. I then suggested that we get cupcakes for dessert, since we had just eaten salads for dinner. He disagreed. I had a cupcake anyway. I offered to share, but my husband was not in a very dessert”y” mood. More for me…and it was worth every bite!

3. By the time Wednesday rolled around this week, I was exhausted. Not just tired but “I wish I could crawl into bed at 7 pm and sleep until7 am the next day” tired. No worries – that didn’t happen. But I did fall asleep on the couch at 9:30, which means that I only watched half of the new Modern Family episode. You know I’m tired when my favorite TV shows get put on the backburner!

4. After over eight years of being together, I finally convinced Vishnu to dance with me to Bollywood music! For those of you who know him, you understand what a big deal this is. Now, it wasn’t romantic dancing nor was it choreographed in any way. It was just the two of us jumping around to old school Bollywood songs in our tiny living room. SO MUCH FUN, and I think even Vishnu had a blast! I’m hoping to make this a regular thing.

5. I finally downloaded the new iOS7 and am loving it so far! I even convinced my sister to download it. And when she asked what the big deal with the new version was…

6. I am currently going through a Friends obsession (more so than usual). I blame Vishnu because he recently got me the complete set of all ten seasons. In the past week, I’ve watched…

The one where Ross and Rachael…you know
The one with the football
The one where everybody finds out
The one with the proposal
The one where Rachael tells Ross
The one with the Halloween party
The one with the lottery (one of my absolute favorites!)
The one with Phoebe’s wedding

O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D!

7. You guys are going to be so proud of me. As I was walking out of our building yesterday morning, the lady in front of me abruptly stopped, turned around, and walked into me. I felt my body tense up, but instead of getting upset over something so stupid and trivial, I smiled and kept walking. Normally, I would’ve said something under my breath and shot her a mean look, as poor sidewalk manners are a pet peeve of mine. So you see, this was huge!

8. Vishnu and I are going to a local Oktoberfest event on Saturday. Unlimited beer sampling, small bites from local restaurants, and a music festival – woo hoo!

9. Next week is a big birthday week in our family. Two of my favorite people will be celebrating the joy of turning one year older! While I won’t be able to celebrate in person with my sister, I’ll be sending lots of birthday love her way! I will, however, be around for Vishnu’s big day – lucky guy! And I have a few fun surprises in store for him. Can’t wait!

10. Happy Friday, everyone. We made it to the weekend!

Celebratory Weekend

written by Parita 16 Comments

I’ve been thinking about the amazing comments from Friday’s post all weekend. Thank you so much for all the well wishes. Your words were reassuring and comforting. I think this move and everything that comes with it is going to be a great experience for me and Vishnu. Gotta keep things interesting, right?!

So, sandwiched between all the sorting and packing this weekend was a bit of celebratory fun.

My boss had a big birthday this weekend and invited me and Vishnu to be a part of it! Unfortunately, Vishnu had a hot date with his books so he couldn’t make it.

Up until Saturday I thought the plan was to have dinner at her condo and hang out. I knew she wanted to keep it low key and small. Around noon, I got a text asking if I could make it to her place by six for hors d’oeuvres. She also mentioned that we were going to see Sarah Silverman, who was performing at the South Beach Comedy Festival. I texted back to let her know I’d see her at six. I’m not a huge Sarah fan but was excited about going to the festival!

I quickly ran some errands, came home, made Katie’s black bean brownies, and got ready.

Side note: I made these particular brownies because my boss’ daughter is a vegan…and because I love them so much! They were a HUGE hit. Every last crumb was gone!

After chatting and munching on some food, we left for the show.

So here’s my honest opinion – I loved the guy that opened for Sarah (can’t remember his name right now). He was a natural and didn’t have to try too hard to make the crowd laugh. And then there was Sarah Silverman. I’m not one to shy away from or get offended by crude humor. Most of the time, I love it. She, however, brought up events and situations that just shouldn’t be a part of any comedic sketch. For example, she tried to make rape funny. I don’t care who you are…rape is never funny. Call me sensitive, but after a few more offhanded jokes, I was done with the whole thing. I will say that it was interesting to hear everyone’s take on her performance. My boss left with the impression that Sarah is one disturbed woman. Ha!

Everyone was starving by the time the show was over, so we headed to Lincoln Road for dinner. Because we didn’t have a dinner reservation, the only place that could seat all 11 of us together was Five Napkin Grill.

If you’re ever in South Beach, I highly recommend this place. Lots of great options for everyone, including a delicious, hearty veggie burger.

By the time we ate, sang Happy Birthday, and devoured a few desserts, it was almost 1 am! I didn’t get home until a little past 2 am. As someone who crawls into bed at 10 pm on most nights, I was exhausted! But it was well worth it. I was so glad that my boss invited me to celebrate with her and her family. They are truly a wonderful and welcoming bunch!