June 12th Ananda Mela

Comments:  
Rashmi aunty and Kusuma aunty:
Ruchi aunty and Meera aunty:
Today was the grand finale of the balavihar year.  We had practiced rigorously for the last couple of classes and had met some extra sessions for practices as well.  It all culminated in our performance on stage today.  We had asked all the parents to assemble with their children at 11 a.m. for our 11.30 performance.  Promptly, we met all the thoroughly well dressed children by the tents!  Children, each one of you looked so adorable in your colorful costumes!

When our class was called on stage, the children went up in a very orderly manner.  They lined up nicely and lo and behold, they were ready to perform!  With their dialogues, two of the children introduced their class as well as what they would be presenting.  They all took the cues so well and started simultaneously, without missing a beat!  They chanted the 'eka shlokI raamaayaNa' with appropriate actions that, the meaning of the verse became self evident.  Then, another child came up and introduced the bhajans they were going to chant.  The raama bhajans 'aatmaa raamaa...' and 'aatma nivaasI raam...' came out very beautifully.  The audience was clapping along with the children.  Then another child came up to introduce the hanumaan bhajan they were going to sing.  Everyone had picked up their 'shrI raama' flags by then.  They all sang in unison, 'aanjaneya veera hanumanta shoora...' in one voice and raised their flags to the tune.  (That one has always been their favorite one ;).  At the end, they all took a bow at once and walked down single file, to the loud applause from the audience.

You gave your best and performed so well.  You were all so disciplined and a well behaved group of children too.  Children, you all made us very proud! Thank you for being such an awesome bunch and parents, thank you for letting us work with your children.  We are going to miss them a lot next year :(.  They have all done a great job and will be moving on to second grade...  You will remain in our fondest memories as one of the best classes ever!  Give us a shout out when you see us in the corridors next year.  You would have all grown so much and become taller by the time we see you again :).  Enjoy the summer break and come back next year for another fun filled year at balavihar!!

Take care everyone!  Hari Om!!

June 5th Class

Prayers:

* ॐ सहनाववतु - Om sahanaavavatu (My prayers, pg. 6)
* वक्रतुण्ड महाकाया - vakratuNDa mahaakaayaa
* सरस्वति नमस्तुभ्यम् - saraswati namastubhayam (My prayers, pg. 44)
* गुरुर्ब्रह्मा - gururbrahmaa (My prayers, pg. 9, 3rd shloka of 'gurustotram')

Meditation: None

Geeta Chanting: Chapter 11, shloka 1 - 14 

Story: The talkative tortoise

Words of the week: Review of many done so far

Likhita japa: None

Activity: None

Game time: Stories by the children!

End of class:

• ॐ पूर्णमदः - Om poornamadaH.

Comments:

Rashmi aunty and Kusuma aunty:
Ruchi aunty and Meera aunty:

Another rocking day as we come closer to the grand finale!  It was officially the last day of balavihar 'classes'.  We will be having our final day on June 12th, at the Chinmaya Ananda Mela.  It will be held at the ashram premises.  Our class will be performing on stage, for which we have been practicing rigorously.  We had a practice yesterday at the ashram.  Thanks to all the parents taking interest and bringing the children for these extra practice sessions.  We will be having our final rehearsal on June 4th, Saturday at 10 a.m. at the ashram back office room.  Please make sure the children arrive on time.  We need this extra time for them to give their best on stage. 

With what we have seen so far, the children are doing a wonderful job!  We are so impressed with their eagerness to listen and learn!  Makes us want to come back with more for them :).  Today, we did several practices, along with having loads of fun.

For a break, we listened to the story of the talkative tortoise.  We concluded that it is not essential for anyone to keep talking all the time.  It almost seemed like the story had an effect on the children instantaneously.  They all became even better listeners suddenly :). 

We went back to our practices again.  After doing a wonderful job, since we had some time to spare, we had an impromptu story telling session by the kids!  They came up and narrated such wonderful stories and concluded with appropriate morals that we were so impressed!  Made us sad to think that we will be missing these wonderful Sunday morning get-togethers soon :(. 

Children, you have been one of the best classes we have seen!  Keep up the good work and become wonderful young people!!  Parents, our hearty thanks to you all for giving us the opportunity to work with your kids.  Hope your experience was just as wonderful as ours!  Hope to see you around.  Children, you are always welcome to stop by our classes and say hello, we would love that :).