Other Recent Activities

One afternoon last week we attempted to use up some used flipchart sheets left over from the various conferences we do logistics for.  The "pattern" called for a much larger structure and a much better stapler than we have, but what we accomplished with improvisation was quite satisfactory.  For simply being rolled paper and tape, it has held up amazingly. Although, at almost a week old it doesn't look quite as "crisp" as in this photo as it has been played in, on, and around in our living room almost daily! 

3 Sundays ago when we went to the library for a quiet afternoon, it was anything but.  There was an art fair outside!  But the girls didn't mind as there was plenty to see and do.  Some artists had supplies ready for kids (or brave adults!) to try out, some were painting large canvases on the spot, others were offering quick portrait sketches for donations, etc.  Jasmin especially loved it.  She brought home 2 surprisingly alive watercolor pieces - and a tape and sticker large heart that we had to pay far too much for: she was half way through the activity before we discovered her... she thought everything was free :o)

We started memorizing some verses this year.  But it wasn't long before we realized Jasmin couldn't properly keep up, so we switched her to the Bible Alphabet, so since then we have certainly made happy headway for all of us.  One unexpected side benefit was a discovery of a set of good songs for the verses we are going through.  They are really catchy and we find ourselves singing, humming, thinking them all the time.

Memorizing Bible verse portions

We bought some math manipulatives while we were in Manila in January (we knew were to find them!).  So far they have been great toys :o)  These fraction pieces especially haven't yet been used in math, but much has been discovered in play, I'm sure.

Playing with math manipulatives - butterfly

Grace's cat

Jasmin's sun

When there is nothing else to do, there is always the joy of a digital camera...

Chiang Rai Weekend Part 3

Monday morning our group went to the orphan's local school to have a look-see and to "speak English with the classes."  I opted to stay behind with our girls to give them some down time before another full afternoon and and a flight home.  So really Daddy should be writing this post, but that isn't very likely, so he wasn't even asked :o)  So, his pictures with not much comment...

Art class viewing

Cafeteria

Human Knots in gym class

Head and Shoulders for English class

Music classroom

Guest teachers and class

 

English story time

Back at the hotel/resort, Mommy packed, the girls explored a little, and attempted a swim but it was really too cold (!).  We were picked up for lunch, and afterwards we toured more of the city of Chiang Rai and then headed to the airport to come home. All in all a great weekend. And we did manage to come home more rested than we left Bangkok.

Chiang Rai part 2

Sunday we spent all day at the church.  The 6 under 6 were really looking forward to Sunday School, so were disappointed to discover that it was held before church - all finished by the time we got there.  We kept them with us until the start of the sermon, but it was getting too much for them, what with it being all in Thai and they couldn't really join in the singing even.  So Michael volunteered to take them outside, where he discovered some playground equipment on the campus/compound. So the kids enjoyed "church"!

One of our group is a guitarist, and was more-than-encouraged to join the worship team.  A tall assignment to try following music in a almost-learned language when you don't know the songs, but he did a very passable job!

After church, we shared a meal with the church family in organized chaos.  Volunteers kept bringing around different types of boxed lunches - our table ended up with at least 3 more than we could collectively eat.  All varying degrees of spicy and delicious.  Then a set of tables were cleared for us to do some activities with the church children and the orphans.  Our 6 under 6 enjoyed themselves thoroughly with this!

Bag Painting

Face Painting

Origami

Whirlygigs

And of course, the usual run-around chasey games that don't require much language :o)

As the afternoon wore on, and the need for helpers grew less, Daddy ended up here, taking a catch up nap.  Mommy was more privileged - she got driven to the pastor's house for a nap on a real bed :o)

And this is a left over picture from Part 1...  what most of us thought was honey comb actually turned out to be bee larvae...  We found this out when one of us bought some for the orphans and it was served to all of us as part of our supper!  We were told "delicious!" "Like corn!" etc.  Mommy thought it tasted a little like some kind of meat. Daddy thought it was just sour.  No one of our group ate very much!  So it was left for the intended recipients anyway.

Chiang Rai Weekend part 1

Saturday was our "let's see Chiang Rai" day.

 So, carefully divided into 2 vans along the who has kids line, we set off after breakfast for the mountains.  The 5 under 6s kept us entertained with songs and a running commentary on the passing scenery and what they though they would see (big horned sheep, and the like!).

The first stop was the Princess Mother's garden projects. it felt like we walked through acres of beautiful gardens built into to mountainside.  It was a surprise to us to see so many familiar flowers of the temperate climates of "home": lupins, pansies, roses, etc. mixed in with the orchids, frangapani, and other "exotic" flora.

Steeping stone crossing

 The girls had fun exploring the gardens: there were stepping stone stream crossings, bamboo swing seats, hanging vine bowers, climbing rocks, favorite flowers, tadpole ponds, a swan to befriend, and plenty of photo opportunities!

Rock for resting mountain deer

hanging vine bower - the under 6 crew + 1

Grand finale gardens

Jasmin hurt her foot Thursday morning, losing the skin on the top, making it rather difficult for her to wear any shoe. So we wrapped it well and put on a sock of Mommy's.  Worked fine - until we got to the path that ran under fountains...  She managed to get plenty of Daddy time being carried too :) 

Jasmin's favorite flowers - yellow roses

pink orchids

Mommy's favorite flowers - just because they're a brilliant blue

Grace tried so hard to befriend this swan.  It tantalizingly swam back and forth next to its platform and the edge of the dock, always just almost within touching range.  Grace was very persistent and patient, but the swan was not cooperating.

Swan

After the gardens, we went to the more practical side of the projects, and were given a tour of the cloth weaving factory.  They do everything here, from the dyeing to the finished product for multiple items from carpets to silk scarves.  Grace was so curious to see all the steps, she was disappointed that we could not visit the dyeing vats! But, getting to try spinning the bobbins made up for it!

All the girls got to try their hand a spinning!

 

The blur of a fast weaver

After this, we visited the Golden Triangle.  There actually is a golden triangle at this point on the Mekong river where the three countries meet! There is also an excellent museum there on the opium trade and drug use in general.  We went through it, but the girls had all more or less had enough by then, and ran through.  Fine by us parents who were wondering how on earth to explain drug abuse to them!  Then, the kids' van went back, and the others went on to visit the market town on the border with Myanmar. A very full day!

A week of Meetings

This week has been long and chaotic from a home point of view. Mommy and Daddy both had all day meetings to attend all week. Differing from last year, babysitting was tough to piece together, so Tuesday and Thursday the girls had to come to the hotel with us.  Worked out fairly well actually (except the complaints from Grace of having to get up early!)  Grace quickly made friends with the hotel staff assigned to the gathering and got trips to the kitchen for her and Jasmin for chocolates and ice cream, and at one point Mommy came out of the meeting to discover three or four of the staff on the floor playing with them!  It also gave Mommy a good excuse to not be in every session so she got rest and movement for her pregnant tummy as needed.

Jasmin added spice to yesterday's morning with a bike accident.  She managed to get her foot stuck in the wheel while we were going... the top of her foot lost a fair bit of skin and had road grease and dirt rubbed in, but the foot itself is fine. She wouldn't let mommy try clean it with the cold water and cloths in the bathroom of the hotel, so we waited until the hotel clinic was open. Then, she was really brave and let the nurse clean it with only whimpers.  Since the nurse actually cut off bits of peeled skin, it is probably best that we went to the clinic - not sure Mommy could have gone that far in caring for it!

Today the girls and Mommy are at home while Daddy has one last day of meetings. We are trying to catch up from being out of home all week - and trying to prepare well to fly to Chiang Rai tonight for the weekend!  Looking forward to being away from the city for a bit.

Big Day for Baby Hu

Baby Hu is confirmed to most definitely be a boy today :oD  Seems to be growing big as well - I was given a new due date 10 days earlier than the previous 2 ultrasounds!

Also today was the first time Grace and Jasmin felt him kick... the look on Jasmin's face was priceless!

Butterflies and Ballet

It seems to be butterfly season right now.  We're loving it!  But still it is quite difficult to catch more than a glimpse of the beautifully painted dainties.

At New Years, the mall in which the girls go to ballet closed for renovation (!)  So the ballet school moved to the nearby office tower.  One bonus is that now there is enough waiting room for parents - and uncurtained windows in the studios.

Hands On

"Enjoying" an extra at OceanWorld Monday.  We had a visitor with us, and, of course, the best thing to show a visitor from the girls' point of view is to give them a high-volume whirlwind tour of their favorite place in Bangkok!  

 Despite the expression on her face for the photo, Grace actually was quite fascinated, and kept going back for more feels.

Jasmin, on the other hand, was more than content with a few lightening quick touches - which we couldn't catch on camera!  She'd much rather touch the starfish...