Plastic chicken out, back rubs in

A little bit o' news from life in the Spotts house. This morning our friend Chandni arrived by train at 5am from Goa. She's been Libby's friend for over a decade, was in our wedding, etc. and generously agreed to live with us and help with the kids for about 2 months. We're thrilled. Soon Asha will be walking and baby Bella in a predicatable sleeping pattern, but until then, life is very busy for Libby and extra hands much appreciated!

In other news, Asha has officially discarded her favorite toy from the last two months: a plastic/toy fried chicken leg. She now prefers climbing up on the couch (a new thing) and 'reading' books. She also coos at her doll.

Shane -- who isn't always touchy-feely -- has been requesting lots of back scratching lately as he falls asleep or lounges downstairs. He's fighting a cold and low grade fever, too. He is the king of using Libby's laptop to access starfall.com (a educational website to which we just bought a subscription). He'll officially start pre-school in June.

Lukas continues to make amazing speeches and tell relatively complex stories. At 2.5 years old, he's truly articulate. A few days ago when mommy said, "You're so sweet I want to eat you," Lukas replied with a startled look on his face, "Mommy, don't eat me! We eat chapati and rice and yogurt." (Chapati is a flat Indian bread.)

Bella is entering the last (we hope) of the 'fussy' weeks in normal baby development. Overall, she's eating/sleeping fine and just a bit grumpy for a few hours each evening. We had an 'emergency' on Friday when the baby swing quit working and I searched the town for a new one.

At the end of most days we're exhausted, but truly happy with our four awesome, beautiful kids.

A million details to remember in India

It was really great having Libby's mom here with us for 2.5 months. However, in explaining how our house works, I realized how many small, inconvenient details exist in our daily lives here. It's not a complaint, just a fact. Here's a room by room guide.

Kitchen: don't forget that you can't run the microwave and toaster at same time or circuit breaker will trip, to turn on water pump for 20-30 min each day (to get water up to roof tank), to listen to pump -- if it runs dry it will burn up! to cover garbage to discourage cockroaches, to put honey in bowl with water or ants will get to it, and more

Bedrooms: don't forget to turn on/off ceiling fan when you leave the room, turn on/off the air conditioner, close the door to bathroom (and windows) when A/C is on.

Bathrooms: jiggle the faucets to get the water to turn off, turn on the water heater for hot water (and don't forget to turn off)

All rooms: don't forget to open windows at night and close them by 10am to keep the cool air inside, when you open/close windows you must be sure the velcro screens are resealed (or risk mosquito invasion), turn on the switch by the outlet if you want to use an appliance.

And more. You get the picture. Could some of these be fixed? Probably, but most aren't a big deal...until they are all combined! All I have to say: when my memory starts to fade, I will have a hard time living here!