Top of my 'To Do' List

Since landing back here in Bangkok in early August, I've had a running 'to do' list that just won't end. I'm sure you've had the same! It's just another time of year that calls for many, many tasks. The kids are back in school, all the fall activities are starting up, and it's time to start planning all of our getaways for the coming school breaks. On my list for the last month as been posting to the blog. I figure that most of my readers come from facebook friends and I do update my page fairly regularly, so you all know we are alive and well. That will just have to suffice sometimes!

I see my last post was June 18 and picking up where I left off does not particularly appeal to me so I'll just start with a quick shout out to all the family and friends we saw in the US this summer! Thank you everyone who hosted us, fed us, met with us, provided beds and washing machines for us, tour guided for us, hugged us, and made us feel so welcome and loved in each US state along the way. We love our home leave and I swear you make it harder and harder to depart every time!!!

Our leave this summer included stops in New Jersey, New York, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. Happy reunions, cuddles with a new niece, birthday celebrations, running, big cities, and small town fun. A true whirlwind but oh so much fun! The wheels are already turning thinking about our next summer destinations.

But before summer comes around again, we have a school year to enjoy. D, a 2nd grader, is loving school and her list of after-school activities; swimming, Girl Scouts, jazz dance, and gymnastics. She's opted out of violin for now but may add piano. C, in Pre-K this year, will participate in swimming, cooking, and soccer. Both kids are enjoying play dates with classmates and neighbors.

I have a busy year ahead leading D's Girl Scout troop and teaching C's religious education class. I'll also apply to substitute teach at the school. Looking forward to all of it.

We're all excited to see any and all visitors who might find a Thai vacation in their plans. Love being able to provide an amazing vacation to all who brave that long journey. Paradise awaits!

Hoping everyone is enjoying their September and all the busy-ness that comes with it!

Bailey the Dog

We are dog-sitters! The kids and I (and Tess) have taken in our friends' pooch, Bailey, for a week. I knew the kids would enjoy it but I had no idea just how much they would love caring for, feeding, walking, playing fetch, and just LOOKING at Bailey. It has been absolutely hilarious.

C is convinced several times a day that Bailey is sad (even though she is just laying there, perfectly content, watching the kids play) and he is always trying to cheer her up. He's gone tearing across the house with her bowl full of water convinced that she was sad due to thirst. He's tried to feed her extra servings of dog food (which I have stopped). He's gone and taken a stuffed wombat and danced it all over her head and back. They play fetch in the driveway at least twice a day. But what really seems to work is a song and a "back rub." Click the title for the video.

C's Song for Bailey, entitled, "Dog"

Dogs like dog food

Dogs like water

Dogs like everything them like

Dogs like naps

Sometimes them need to take walks

Dogs like everything them like

Sometimes them be sad

Sometimes them not be sad

Dogs like everything them like

The end

Today I started saying that Bailey looked sad, just so I could hear C sing it again! :)



Party Time, Finally

At long last, this past Sunday was D's day to celebrate her 7th birthday with her friends. Her party idea of choice was karaoke, and her sweet girlfriends came to sing, dance, eat, and accessorize!

Party rockers in the house today!

Kid brother was in the party mood too, stealing a few girls away for a round of Go Fish. Ladies man!

 The girls sang along to all their Kidz Bop favorites and we took video of each performance for them to take home on a CD. They were adorable and so much fun!

So glad D finally got her party!

Music Share

The end of the school is an entertaining time. The past couple of weeks have been full of events where the kids get to show off all the skills they have been learning this year.
Today was D's Music Share. The students are given an opportunity to perform something for their classmates. D danced to "Baby" by Justin Bieber. See her shake her groove thing at the link below.

http://youtu.be/AX0N1kk9v6Q

As if a dance number wasn't enough, D also wanted to share her violin skills. Yes, it's true she has only had 3 lessons, but when you are 7, you are fearless, and absolutely certain that your classmates want to hear a random combination of notes on your violin. That's what they got- and it was a fine show!

http://youtu.be/rA4vxAsblWw

Exotic Flavors

One of the wonderful things about living in different places is the opportunity to try all different kinds of foods. There isn't much that T and I won't eat, and the kids like most things too. Tess cooks great stuff for us, a great mix of western food as well as Asian cuisine. We also love all the different herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables available here.

Last week, D asked if she could prepare a fruit plate for us to eat after dinner. Sure! She went off to the kitchen and got to work. She later appeared at the table with her beautifully plated creation.

Cantaloupe, grapes, rose apple, and crumbled chocolate Easter egg. I am sure we'll see it appearing on menus soon!

A few months ago I noticed a new product at our local grocery store. I picked up one, just for kicks.

 Yogurt, with ham, carrots, and corn.

It was in the fridge for a few days when C came home from swimming wanting a snack. After I photographed it, he devoured it! I wasn't even brave enough to take a taste this time. Shame on me!

Good Morning Baltimore!

This past weekend were the After School Dance performances here at ISB. All of the dancers were fantastic- but I do have a favorite. ;)

 1 pretty one, and 1 silly one, as promised.

 The girls keeping busy before they are called to perform.

D's jazz class performed to "Good Morning Baltimore" from Hairspray. They were cute and spunky and danced very very well.

Oh, oh,oh, woke up today, feeling the way I always do....

Great job dancers!!

Celebrate!

Today was D's 1st Grade Poetry and Music Celebration at school. I recieved a formal invitation to hear the children reciting their own poems and sharing the songs and games they've learned in music class this year. The whole class did an amazing job!

D recited her original poem,

 "My Favorite American Fruit."

Peaches

Peaches

stacks of them.

Cherries

Cherries

packs of them.

Peach pudding

Peach pudding

pots of it.

Cherry pies

Cherry pies

lots of it.

Yum! Yum!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqQ_zPGYeuU&feature=youtu.be

Nearly all of her poems were about summer memories from our time in the US last year. I think she's really got summertime and the USA on her mind!