In between home and home day 8

Today we had an intense morning; Mom in meetings and kids in school. And then, after lunch, the whole team of us went to Art in Paradise and just had fun together! We have loads of pictures...

2D Café coolness

Asian version of Lamppost waste and Cair Paravel?

The fun was good for us as a team, evidenced by the increased volume of conversations in the vans coming back, the laughter over a shared supper, and no one wanting to break up the group by being the first to leave to our rooms.

But now this evening, back to work for Mom & Dad -- and Grace who as a live class to attend tonight.

...Weird to think next Wednesday will be our first full day back in Canada...

In between home and home day 7

 Today:

Aiden discovered that the resident cats appreciate him coming to breakfast! This was yesterday, but today they were all back around his chair again. Of course, now he's fed them bits on purpose.

More meetings for Mom, more school for kids, more great food for all...

Mom saw a greater coucal bird (and sunbirds, doves, and another bird we've yet to identify).

The kids got in a swim as well, so they do get out of the hotel room!

In the evening, Mom got to visit one of the families she is SAFE consultant for.

We had chocolates, cookies, and fudge delivered to us by one of the local SAFE consultant's family for Valentine's Day.

Grace is taking her mid-term exams this evening!

In-between home and home day 6

 Today began the conference week...

meaning

• lots of yummy food at more times than anyone can be possibly hungry for (though Aiden gave it a good shot!)
• Mom was gone in meetings all day and has plenty new things swirling in her head
• the kids buckled down to a calm day of school - with dad for a change - and got a satisfyingly big chunk done despite juggling the sharing of computing devices
• Dad took Grace to visit Payap University to explore the realm of ethnomusicology and delighted to see Grace light up and buzz with enthusiasm of a program at the crossroads of all her interests and delights: music, story, languages, serving God. So, this gal in her first semester of her bachelor's degree already has plans for her master's degree!

In-between home and home day 5

 We began today early...

...by joining the 7:30am English service of our friend's Anglican church! We quite enjoyed the liturgy, partially because we were more familiar with it after our Easter week of liturgical exploration.

We rejoiced today greatly...

...Dad was privileged to be the one to lead one of our friend's employees to Christ after church.

We traveled today slowly...

...After the morning rejoicing, we wandered the streets a little hunting a money exchanger and lunch. We were successful in both, finding a Subway for a more salad based lunch and an exchanger with good rates. Then, a long ride to the airport, long lines though the airport, and a long wait at our gate - made longer with a flight delay. But we made it here to Chaing Mai for the week.

We amused ourselves today widely....

...singing while we waited for Dad, phone games, crochet, drawing, sudoku, random Puppy/Boopie wars, reading, roaming conversations...

...it was amusing to listen in to the kids' wandering conversation along the way today: along with their usual world/story creations, they covered topics like the ontology of video games, the existence of the 4th wall in advertising, and the philosophical definition of audience - not exactly expected topics for casual kid conversation!

We switch gears today...

Mom transitions into SAFE work mode and will "disappear" for the week of staff meetings, while Dad runs the family. Tonight Mom will orient Dad on the schooling that needs to happen - and where everything is packed :)