Avi is 5
A very belated birthday poem this is, ah well, I’m glad I’m getting to it now
9 months after his birthday and after my promise made to him
When he had admiringly looked at last year’s (poem), taped on his wall
Ironing out the paper using his little fingers, smoothening the tape et al.
Then life happened, and I knowingly deprioritized the poem, the promise
He never forgets, but he is loving and kind, and would forgive the miss
On his birthday, I said “I couldn’t write you a poem, ah none!”
He turned towards the older one on the wall and said “it’s alright, I’ve this one.”
A few days ago, peering on his wall, he asked “are you still going to write?”
I told myself that this one is worth the fight,
With my indolence and inaction, so here I am, giving it a try
“He is 5, he is 5”, let me first cry!
He is our pride and joy, yes it’s a cliche but true
His actions are guided by his values that are deep
He stands up for himself and his friends, if something isn’t right
He will not be a spectator or sit tight, this lad is for keeps.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
When a younger child was pushed by older ones in school
He offered his hand to help the distressed child get back on his feet
Also confronted the others “pushing and snatching toys is not ok”
He wouldn’t stand wrong behavior, no mister, not even for a fleet.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
A voracious reader, all he needs is a good book
Doesn’t budge from the couch for several hours when reading in his nook
Reads everywhere — potty, car, even while walking (his superpower)
He’s oblivious when engrossed in a book, so quiet no talking.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
Prefers fiction and non-fiction alike, rejoices in thick encyclopedias
Recalls facts and makes multidisciplinary connections to everyone’s surprise
Asks if arachnid (an arthropod class) is derived from Arachne (from Greek mythology)?
If grown-ups can answers his questions, they deserve a prize.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
Never forgets a fact that he has read once
Be it a historical event, personality, natural disaster, city, animal or bug
His teachers joke that he is a great teacher’s assistant
Always the first to raise his hand and share more info about the lesson in tug.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
Legos is another love of his life, filling shelves after shelves with creations
Can build for hours with immense focus and grit round the clock
Also loves building complex plots for pretend plays and imagination
With mixed materials: from Legos, Magnatiles to plain old wooden block
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
Building a vocabulary that make daddy’s GRE/GMAT scores (hint: 99.9 percentiles) seem like change
Loves phonetics and spelling complex words for a challenge
Can’t pass a good maze, needs to solve and get out the other way
If stuck, needs to persevere and keep trying, no sir, can’t call it a day
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
A foodie, who loves trying out new foods
A new cuisine? Absolutely, bring on the proteins and carbs
Fruits and veggies, nay, where’s the fun
To experience a new culture, you need to feast, oh hun!
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
Largely a homebody, fun’s here, what’s to go out for?
Please let me read and build, order new food for me to try
Video call my chachi and chachu for a hangout
When tired, I’ll come to you, cuddle and in your lap, sprawl out.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
To get him out, mention Cal Academy of Sciences or museums
They capture his imagination and gets him all excited
Once there, prepare to keep up with his barrage of information
He’s curious, a sponge, did I mention?
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
Mom and dad need to be alert for whenever he needs them
Whether he’s reading or building, they can be put to a test
If he calls them, promptly should you respond and react
He’s very patient, kind and forgiving, so just do your best.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
A glue that holds his family of 3 together
Mom and dad can get sidetracked and forget their priorities
Holds them accountable to family rules and family time
No meeting is more important, thank you — we can survive without the extra dime.
Look out world, he’s turning 5!
The boss of the house and his parents’ hearts
We can’t imagine our worlds without him
He has brought so much joy and mirth to our lives
We’re so excited to see him grow, all around high fives.
Congratulations Avi on turning 5!
Avi is 4
Dr. Seuss was the highlight of this past year,
Determined to read myself, I started here,
Favorites for reading myself are Oh Say Can You Say,
How the Grinch Stole Christmas and encyclopedia on dinosaurs,
Look out world, I’m turning four!
Can name every dinosaur and every fact about them,
Spend countless hours looking for fossils in our yard, ahem!
Using imagination to build vehicles and structures out of lego,
Often surprising with creativity and improvisation from get-go,
Look out world, I’m turning four!
Shelter in place has been a bliss,
Can march into mama’s ‘office’ when I need a kiss,
It’s the children’s museums — not school — that I miss,
Days seem short with Nita, my fav play partner (& nanny), and books galore.
Look out world, I’m turning four!
Got in a trip to India before Covid hit,
On the horse, with my uncle, the groom, proud did I sit,
Became the big bro to my cousin sister,
Celebrated the start of Namit mamu’s orthodontics semester,
Look out world, I’m turning four!
Still very much a mama’s boy with dada on the sidelines,
He can drop me to school and join for puzzles,
But mama is all I need at bedtime for cuddles,
Want to skip this b’day to avoid getting too big to be carried,
But mama is crazy excited that I’m turning four!
