Gupta Invasion

Part of the birthday festivities for the well-aged Gupta include his family coming to town to share some time with us. Nisha, Sandy, Ravi and Vinnie arrived in Tampa around 11:00 AM Thursday morning and Amiya was, quite literally, rendered speechless. It was supposed to be a surprise for Amiya and Vinay, but Vinay found out about it ahead of time. Amiya somehow bought my explanation that we were going to the airport because only the Starbucks at the airport had the coffee I wanted to try. So, we stood at arrivals waiting and waiting and she was growing increasingly impatient because we weren't going to get my coffee (and her hot chocolate). Finally, the Pittsford Guptas came off the train and we found each other - Amiya didn't know what to say at all. Complete shock. Eventually she came around and she has told me no less than ten times that it was the greatest surprise ever and that this is the best weekend she's ever had. So really, all this was for Vinay, but I think Amiya is having a pretty good time, too!

We've spent 2.5 days with lots of fun and laughter - especially on the parts of Kev and Amiya who love the attention and the newness of four people they don't see a lot.

Friday evening was spent at the zoo:

Kev and Vinnie, Amiya and Nisha. It's clear that each kid has a preference, Amiya tends toward Nisha and Kev to Vinnie. Amiya goes for giggles and Kev likes the quiet.

Kev is very confused about who's who - Taoji (Vinnie), Taiji (Sandy), Ravi bhaiya and Nisha didi. So he just randomly runs around kissing and hugging people until he is sure he's gotten everyone. Despite this confusion, he has seemed to internalize that any one of these four is more likely to give him a treat than Mommy or Daddy and that they will clap for just about any silly Kev trick he can eek out.
Nisha, Amiya and Sandy on a camel ride - Amiya was in heaven - not only was she with her favorite cousins, but she got to ride all the rides at the zoo that we could fit into the time frame. What a night!

Ravi with the lorikeets. He couldn't shake the one on his shoulder.

Vinay always gets the juice for the lorikeets - and this time he had no less than four of them on him. Amiya was a bit scared and Kev wanted to kiss them.

More tomorrow, that's enough for tonight!