Pictures and other random happenings

Micaiah finished the Hooked On Phonics Kindergarten curriculum. He loved it! He flew through it and almost every time it was he who initiated doing it. Orin also loved to help Micaiah as he read his books. There was a point where I almost let Orin take over and do all of the lessons with him and teach him to read. Seriously, I didn't need to be there. Or maybe I'll just home school Orin and then have him teach Micaiah and Sora. He loves to impart his knowledge on others. :) Anyway, back to Micaiah. We had a big day for him when he was done. We got ice cream, went to The Sizzler (a "fancy" restaurant for Chiang Mai standards), watched Star Wars and got him a little car at the store. He worked hard for 4 months so we wanted to celebrate. I'm just bummed that we didn't bring the 1st grade curriculum!

Football season is back. The boys watching their first Saints game. It's nice that NFL has a special subscription for people who live overseas. The bad part is that they know it's the only way people can see games and totally take advantage by charging an arm and a leg.

Me with my language tutor. I'm still enjoying studying Thai 3 days per week. I've definitely got a ways to go but I still feel like I'm slowly making progress. In the next couple of months I'll probably cut down to two days. I'd really like to have more time to do some volunteer work. But I still know that it's helpful to keep learning too.

These things are fine in a museum pined to a board but finding one in your shower is not quite as fun. And since my husband hates bugs (at least some bugs) more than I do, I was in charge of getting rid of it. Oh, joy. Bug spray didn't do much. I ended up using a cup/plate and throwing it over the balcony. {shudder} But at least they are slow. I still think I'd take it over a big roach. We just need the other boys to get bigger so they can be our bug killers.

I know this is probably a very "typical" thing for kids to do but I thought it was cute that they set up their Lego's, Star Wars guys and cars to watch TV with them. It is a good example of their favorite toys these days.

I found Sora in her room one day reading to her baby. She's such a girl. :) She sings to it, puts it to sleep, feeds it (bib and all) and I guess now she reads to it. If she could talk she's probably have a name for it too!

Sora had her developmental evaluation this week. She did really well. By that I mean that she "played" with the evaluator and cooperated and I feel that she got an accurate of where she is at 28months old. I've never seen any type of evaluation so it was fun to see how she got Sora to show her what she could do. The good news was that she said she thinks that Sora is where she should be with her "receptive language." She follows commands, does pretend play, etc... Her "expressive language", on the other hand, is at least 9 months behind. No big surprise. The therapist is actually just here for one year. She's working at the school down in the South of the city (where Orin was initially going to go to school). It's almost 30 minutes away which wasn't fun to drive two days in a row and I was dreading have to go there multiple times a week for therapy. But I was happy to find out that she'll actually come to us! I guess it's better for the child to be in her own environment to get the best results. I'm all for that! The therapist is super nice and works in the US as a therapist with kids with hearing issues! How amazing is it that God has her here in Chiang Mai for the one year that we'll need therapy for Sora? I'm excited to get started and hopefully eventually be able to hear what is going on in that little head of Sora's!

Have I mentioned that she's potty trained? I didn't really plan it. About two months ago I figured I'd see what would happen if I let her run around with no diaper for a few days. I was so sick of poopy diapers. She seemed to be "getting" it so I stuck with it. It took her a bit longer than the boys - but to be fair, one was 3 years and the other was 2 1/2 when I potty trained them. She was 26 months so I wasn't sure if she was ready. Also, I wasn't as incredibly committed and I probably confused her by putting diapers on her sometimes when I didn't want to deal with it. She was great at home but went to the bathroom constantly. Since she can't talk she'd mostly just go to the bathroom when she wanted to. She was great at knowing when she needed to go but didn't understand that she could hold it in. This is why I was inconsistent because I put diapers on her every time we left the house. And the fact that she wasn't great at communicating when she needed to go. But over that first month she slowly spaced out her trips to the potty and I started venturing out in underwear (with plastic pants over them of course). We also figured out a way for her to tell us when she needed to go. She pats between her legs and will try to say "peee." She still doesn't know how to communicate what she's going so I never know what I'm going to see when I go to wipe her. ;) It's also really nice that it's perfectly acceptable for kids to pee in public and I've taken advantage of that for sure! She's peed in more parking lots more than the boys! It wasn't until about a month ago that I finally felt comfortable saying that she was completely potty trained.If they have more than one or two accidents a week than they are not potty tried. She's had maybe two in the last month so I think she's doing great. She goes to the nursery at church in underwear as well as staying at home with the babysitter (it took a long time for me to do that because I was worried she'd sit on the couch and have an accident). I still used diapers at naps and bedtime though. And I'm sort of sad about it. I wasn't really prepared emotionally to have no more babies in diapers. It's sad especially knowing that it could be the last of diapering for me!

We've found a couple of pools around town that the kids really like to go to. We try to go once a week or so. This one is really fun because it has these boards for the kids to jump off of.

We usually swim with M which makes it much more fun for me. Not sure why Sora is making a face...
Jumping with a friend!

Sora really loves that purse and brings it almost every time we leave the house. I guess she wanted to be ready right after her nap!

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A fun way to say goodbye

We've been so blessed to have made a few good friends here. And it's even more fun when those friends have family come into town and we can gain a couple more friends. Our kids love M, and when her sister (M also) came into town it didn't take long for them to think she was pretty awesome too. M was here for six weeks and we had fun hanging out with her at the zoo, the elephant camp and other fun places. She also babysat for us a couple of times which was not only brave of her, but a special treat for us. The night she was leaving to go back to the US we had them all over for dinner and desert. And afterwords they sent up a lantern. It was special for us to get to be a part of it.

Lighting those things can be a lot of work!

The kids like to name our lanterns. This one they named "hoop." But then about 5 minutes later they started calling it what sounded like "whore." Um, we tried to convince them that they named it "hoop" but it was no use. I asked them where the heard that name and they said the made it up.

Letting it get nice and hot and fill up with air.

The kids really enjoy it...from a distance. They like to help but get so nervous when the they get near fire (which I happen to think it's a nice fear to have) :)

R has found a spot in Sora's heart (and that's not easy to do!)

About to let it go...

And it's off!

You can still see the tiny speck far away.

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Spontaneous day at the zoo

And by spontaneous, I mean we were dropping Damien off at work and I asked Micaiah if he wanted to go to the zoo. He said yes and we were off! So we dropped off daddy and headed there. I don't think I've been to the zoo with just me and the kids in - well ever. We're always there with friends. Sora, Miciaiah had a great time. I really need to do it more often.

We decided to ride the monorail. We've never done it before but we should have because it is so cheap and fun!

It stopped at four places so we got out and walked around and saw the animals at each stop. I liked this sign. Obviously, it was a confusing translation. But I had Damien read and this is our take: "If you ride the elephants today than you will be able to meet a small, newly born elephant." Then, at the bottom where it says "soon" I think it's supposed to be translated to "right now" or "immediately." Of course, that's only our amateur translation but I have a feeling it's at least a little closer than the one they have up there. :-)

The zoo is FILLED with school groups. They are so cute and always dressed in a bright color.

Both of them are actually smiling if you can believe it. We definitely need to work on those fake smiles!

Somebody starting to get tired!

I love that there is a 7-11 in the middle of the zoo.

Sora is deathly afraid of birds in cages. We can go in a aviary and she doesn't have a problem but if I make her go close to a bird case (big or small) she freaks out. It's actually pretty funny.

We found a really fun animal show. I was trying to get a picture of those animals walking on the pole at the top of the picture but I think Sora's face is pretty funny too.

Someone else pretending to sleep.

And she was done. As we were walking to the car she had a meltdown. At least we were already on the way out. She wasn't too thrilled I was taking pictures of her crying either.

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Neither my tears or my bad Thai could get me out of this ticket

First of all, I'm 33 years old and I don't understand why I still can't stop myself from crying when I get in trouble. Mainly I mean get in trouble with the police. (I use the term crying loosely, I don't sob or anything, but red puffy eyes and a few falling tears). It's so annoying. I thought by now I'd have more control over my emotions.

I've actually got my first ticket last year. I'd been pulled over quite a few times (maybe 7 or so) over the last 17+ years (I've been driving since I was 15) but never actually gotten a ticket. Ironically it was the first time I was pulled over by a woman. Those male cops are much for sensitive to female tears I guess.

Well, today I got my second ticket. And I have to say, quite a bit difference experience than getting my first! (although tears were involved in both). I stopped at the market on my way back from Thai class. I just wanted to get something really quick. I was gone literally 5 minutes, about 50 feet away. As I was walking back to my scooter I see a cop chaining up the wheel. Ugh, I knew I was in trouble but I had no idea why. This was when I hoped speaking Thai to him might help a little. But nope. I asked what the problem was and he said I couldn't park there. He pointed to a sign and said it was for buses. Ah, well, if I could read Thai that sign would have been helpful. I told him I couldn't read Thai. He pointed to the yellow/white stripes on the curb. I told him I didn't know. I tried SOOOO hard not to cry. The tears still came a little. Thankfully he wasn't mean or I might have lost it. Actually, I think I could get away with crying and people not noticing except for the fact that my nose and cheeks turn bright red. My farang skin betrays me.

So this is where it gets interesting. I guess ignorance of the law does not excuse breaking it (a cop told that to Damien once when he got pulled over). The cop tells me it's going to be 400B (he probably just made it up on the spot) and that I should get on his motorcycle. For a few seconds I was totally confused. What? Then I realized he was going to bring to the police station (about a mile away) on his motorbike. I had a moment of panic not knowing what to do. I've ridden on the back of a motorbike exactly two times before with a friend. Sharing one with a stranger was not my idea of fun. In Bangkok they have motorbike Taxi's and the ladies always ride side-saddle behind the drivers. I wasn't sure if this was what was called for at this moment but I have a hard enough time balancing on the back sitting normally...and I was not ready to embarrass myself more by falling of the back of a police bike. So then I go to grab my helmet and he tells me not to do it. At this point I couldn't think straight. It's the law that the driver has to wear a helmet but not the passenger, so I guess that translates to the passenger doesn't need a helmet especially for such a short ride. I'm sure he thought I was doing it because I thought that I was supposed to but in actuality I was just doing it because I didn't want to die!! But he was so insistent and I was SOOO not in the frame of mind to think for myself that I just got on. THAT, I would never do again.

So we head out to the station. Even better he decides he wants to have small talk while we drive...in Thai of course. I'm trying to understand his questions while we drive and respond in a somewhat intelligent manner. He asks me if I have a driver's license. I panic again. I have one, but I haven't gotten the special one for motorbikes yet. Ugh. I was scared it was going to be even more expensive. But I told him I just recently purchased the motorbike - by this point I think he actually had pity on me because I do think he could have given me a ticket if he wanted to.

We get to the police station and I have to go to the ATM to get cash. I can't remember my stupid code because my mind is spinning so I just stand there for 2 minutes like an idiot. I'm also trying to convince myself that this is funny and that I should stop tearing up. Luckily have the number in my purse (bad I know) but if I didn't I may never have remembered it. I go inside and wait. At this point trying not to make eye contact with anyone so they don't see my tears but I'm also trying to figure out a way to take pictures. I really wanted to but in the end decided it wasn't appropriate. I wish I had more guts. :-)

They get out their big book - no computers - he writes a bunch of information on the page. Never looks at my license and just asks me where I live. (I'm not sure if it's because he was curious or if he needed to write it down). He wants to have small talk too...Where do you work, where do you live, how long have you lived here, etc... Fun stuff when I'm doing all I can not to totally break down (ugh, why am I such a girl in these situations?) I give him the 400 baht and he literally pulls out his wallet to give me the change. I sign a few places and he says I'm done and points to the cop outside waiting on his motorbike to drive me back to my bike. Oh, joy. Again, more small talk on the way back.

And that's that. I now have a record in two countries but I have a feeling no one could find this one if they even tried. I'm still bummed that I don't have pictures. As I was sitting paying my ticket there was a Thai women next to me also doing hers. I felt bad for her because to me, being out $13 is a bummer but to her it could be a couple of days pay. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if I got the Farang ticket price. When I got home I told the babysitter the story. When I told her 400B she seemed shocked in the sense that it was a lot of money for a ticket. She also laughed of course (or maybe it was at my bad Thai as I told the story). But I know for her that amount would be a huge loss if she had to pay that amount.

By the way, Damien was a little creeped out by it and asked some guys in his office what they thought. They said that the the police will chain up your car or motorbike until you go and pay the ticket. So the cop was probably try to do me a nice favor by bringing me there to take care of it right away so I could get my bike back. And I have to say, both men that I had to deal with were incredibly nice and professional and I'm so thankful for that.

So I survived my first (and hopefully last) time being hauled in by the cops. And I have the ticket to prove it.

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Chiang Dao, Thailand

About an hour and a half north of us is a fun little city called Chiang Dao. We went there about a month ago because we heard there were some fun caves (which they were). Some friends had also gone to a little resort that has a reputation for having awesome western food. Last weekend we all decided to go up for the day. Unfortunately, Damien woke up sick the morning we were leaving so he stayed home to rest.

There area lot of little things to visit up there. We walked up a monastery - 509 steps. That's a lot for someone whose out of shape carrying an almost 30lb baby on their back. :-) It was worth the view at the top.

I love that the kids know to be quiet and respectful.

We went to some hot springs which were really some pipes coming out of the ground pouring into some homemade cement round bathtub-like things. I should have taken pictures. It was a pretty interesting setup. But there were some local people there and we sort of felt like were crashing the party. But it was right next to this great stream. It was moving pretty fast but was also mostly very shallow. The boys could have played all day!

We went back to the little resort for dessert. There were some cute little kittens and cats that the kids loved. Damien and I never would have even noticed the cats so it's nice that our friends are animal people and help our kids have some pet time.

Poor Mr. R gets practically run over as the kids try to get to the cats. :-)

When we went to the caves a few months ago there was a little boy who followed us around and asked to take pictures. We kept taking them since we felt bad saying no. What we didn't realize was that he was going to run back and print all of the pictures and expect us to pay for them. Woops. The caves cost about $2 and the pictures cost 5x that much. But now we know! I finally scanned a few of them in. The caves were a really fun experience. Although the cave isn't incredibly well preserved, it's also not very developed. You have to pay a local person to "guide" you through them with their hand-held lantern. There were a few pretty small spaces to crawl through which Sora did not like at all. It's good that we had the guide to help us know when to stop at hundred foot drops offs!

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