The boy that melts Hilary Swank's heart

This is Chander in all his glory last night at dinner. He loves salsa, the hotter the better. I was compelled to take his picture only after he dipped a spoon into the salsa bowl to get a big bite.
On Wednesdays I get off work early, so we head to the Brentwood Country Mart, a little shopping center w/ outdoor restaurants. They have the quarter mechanical rides that Chander loves to do. It's the one thing we do just for him. Quarter rides and chips and salsa are all this boy needs to be happy! Mickey Mouse and gymnastics rank up there too. We were at Disneyland on Saturday and Chandie got to meet Mickey, Goofy and Donald Duck. Avani was so excited to meet Rapunzel and Flint Lockwood. Big day for the kids and the best thing about Disneyland is that the kids have a blast no matter what so it makes it really easy for Darsh and I to kill the day!

Here's a celeb update a little late but still great. A week or so before Christmas, Chander and Megan (my cousin, also the kids amazing nanny) were having lunch at Cafe Vida. They sat next to Hilary Swank and her mother (Megan didn't even know who she was) and had an ongoing conversation throughout the meal. Of course, Chander was being adorable and captured her heart! Well, a week after Christmas, Avani and I are having breakfast at Cafe Vida and we sat next to Hilary Swank. I wasn't going to bother her, but within 5 minutes of sitting down, Hilary began asking Avani questions. Avani had ordered chocolate milk but was delivered plain milk. Avani called over the waitress and reported the mistake. Hilary wanted to know her age and birthday after witnessing that. They were born 1 day apart, so started the Leo conversation about being outgoing and loving the spotlight and even how Avani reminded Hilary of herself. I then told Hilary she had met my son a couple weeks ago and she then told me every funny thing Chander did at lunch that day. We talked for 30 plus minutes as if I were talking to my sister. She was so nice and down to earth. At the very end of the convo as we were about to leave she told me I looked liked Julia Roberts. She asked me, 'if paparazzi follows me?' She was kidding of course but how funny that Hilary Swank asked me that. Hopefully we'll run into her again soon. I know she'll be excited to see the kids and I'll sure be excited to see her!

Mallie Jane Andrews

Kelly and Charles had little Mallie tonight at 5:40 pm. She checked into the hospital last night, I guess I should say she went to the hospital last night at 7 pm. She was emitted at 11, they found her a room at 2 am when she was dilated 6 cm, her water broke at 9 am and then they waited and waited and labored and labored and finally Mallie arrived. Precious, beautiful Mallie, we love you!!

I saw Julia AGAIN

It seems I'm only motivated to post when I see famous people.
It's just so exciting!! Yesterday, my BFF Gay pulled in front of my work, Hilites on her way to grab a quick bite. I joined her for my second lunch that day at Cafe Vida. We were chit chatting when I noticed that Danny Moder (Julia Roberts hubby) was sitting behind us. It was obvious he was waiting for someone and I wondered, 'is she coming next'? Five minutes later, in walks Julia. I'm not buying into the tabloid rumors. They were really sweet together...happy indeed. Next I noticed paparazzi and wondered if they followed her from somewhere. Turns out, the paparazzi were for Jennifer Gardner and Ben Affleck who were getting their nails done across the street, at Lemon Nail Spa, which I love. I'm bummed I didn't get a peak of them as that would have been equally as exciting. I love seeing these big timers in my village, guess it's their village too. I'm just shocked that we moved among all these celebrities. If I was trying to plan it, I couldn't have done it better, guess that's what they call luck. I'm just cracking myself up over how giddy I get when I see these people. It was never this cool to see celebrities at The View. Something about it being random makes it so fun!!!
check out www.christydesai.com, my work blog that has all my info. I started working at a salon (hilites) 1/2 mile away a few weeks ago. I really enjoy it and I love being close to the kids, home, cafe vida, avani's basketball games and the best part I decide when I work. Which at the moment is 6 days a week so I can build but I'm 1/2 mile from home so it's doable!

Promise one day I'll post something about the kids and not a celebrity. Give me another 6 weeks though!

oh man

the pics cut in half...it might be a copyright thing. well, it's a good tease. better check them out at www.jlyare.com

i'm in love w/ our family photos!!

we got family pictures 2 weeks ago and i love them. jylare smith in orange county took them. i was equally impressed w/ her personality and photography talents. she was awesome, just awesome with the kids. of course they wouldn't cooperate but you can't even tell in the pics. she did a great job wrangling them. i couldn't be happier w/ what she captured. the second picture really warms my heart. you'll be seeing some of the pics again on our christmas card in a few months! look at me, already have the pictures ready before halloween, man i'm on the ball! if you want to see more of her work and you should because it's great, check her out at

www.jylare.com

d family ~ pacific palisades

i love my job- i get to meet so many amazing people. i end up wanting to be best friends with all of them. i completely fell in love with this family. they had so much personality, i could have hung out with them all day! and what a good looking group! seriously, come on. beautiful family. christy (mom) is so easy going and so happy. i swear she didn't stop smiling once. and i couldn't help but get attached to the kids- they talked the whole time and wanted to hold my hand as we walked.

they live in pacific palisades (malibu area) on a bluff that looks over the ocean. yes. it was breathtakingly beautiful. we wandered their incredible neighborhood and then went down to the beach for some classic beach shots. i was dealing with some pretty hard sun light but i love how it turned out.

ps. want to hear something fun? christy eats lunch with famous people all the time and her kids play with celebrities kids. oh and her neighbor is giada.

Meet Noodles

He's a one year old Maltipoo and more responsibility than a newborn baby. What was I thinking? Clearly I wasn't. I am now racked with guilt for being a horrible dog parent and feel ashamed for not liking him. Luckily Darshan and the kids love him. No worries, he's loved, just not by me. At least yet. It's only been 2 weeks, my fingers are crossed it will get easier and he will grow on me. The one thing he has going for him is his impressive jumping skills. He gets major air and I like to think that's a family trait!

amazing sunset

Another reason why I LOVE WHERE I LIVE. Drove around the corner on my way to church to work with the youth at 6:30 p.m. This was the view captured from my blackberry. Imagine this in person. Breathtaking to say the least. There was a small crowd gathered and I had to break in the middle of the road and take part. Will be there tomorrow w/ family in tow watching the sun go down. Just when I was beginning to think, nothing compared w/ a Nantucket sunset. Move over Nantucket.

I LOVE WHERE I LIVE!!!!!
also love the photographer being captured in my pic!