Bangkok Week 862

January 2, 2025

Happy 2025! It was another very busy week, as we wind down our year-end holidays. Arlo finished his Lego masterpiece; we had play-dates and get-togethers with 5 families; went to the park, Happy & Healthy Bike Lane; and celebrated the new year with glow sticks and sparklers. Bring it on, 2025!

Welcome back, from our little narwhal.

Lucy's showing how she can get dressed all by herself. And she's very proud!

Arlo's steadily working away at his Lego fire station!

He built this huge, colorful castle while we were out.

Arlo and Lucy got sweet Christmas cards in the mail from their teachers! How lovely.

It's coming together!

Come hell or high waters, he will finish this fire station today!

Done! What an impressive feat by Arlo!

The finished project!

Taking a break for some physical activity.

Evening hugs (tackles) for Granny & Grandpa.

Lucy wanted to try on her (new) outfit for tomorrow the night before. Dressed herself, of course.

Getting a head-start on the Learning Journeys, having learned the hard way in past years.

Lucy the monkey, was very proud of herself. "Like a swing!"

Enjoying the winter air at the playground.

Lucy was massaging Arlo's face.

And drawing with chalk, while waiting for Nimo to arrive.

Great stomp rocket action shot.

Here's Nimo, for a long-overdue playdate.

Lots of board games!

And of course, some stomp rocket fun.

Arlo was eager to sort through the seashells we brought back from Rayong.

And then he turned (a small subset of) them into Shell People.

Proudly showing his art to Dad.

The two cat ladies.

Enjoying a "Mexican" dinner for a change.

It's Saturday! That means it's movie night!

Arlo wanted Joke for breakfast, so Joke he got!

Time for another exciting playdate: with P'It, P'Ut, and P'Kate.

They like to play (board) games, too.

And trying the stomp rocket, of course.

Hungry appetites after all that playing.

Hanging around at the playground.

All the children together - how many monkeys can you fit into one photo?

I think it's been 5 years since this group was last together!

Arlo is impressed by P'It's Rubik's Cube skillz.

And trying our newest game, Cat Taco Goat Cheese Pizza.

And Pigs in Pants.

Winding down the busy day with a visit to Makro.

Thank you for the delicious dinner, Granny!

Tumbling backward into Monday.

Lucy's really into puzzles to start her day.

New outfit. "Like P'Kate!"

Uh oh! Aphids galore!

Expert breakfast-eater.

Everyone enjoying watermelon.

Concentrating on peeling his orange.

Trying the "water blast treatment" to get rid of the aphids from the avocado.

And how timely; here's a lady bug to help.

And observing how the water pools on the leaf.

Dad, Granny, and Arlo went to Dasa Book, and came home with quite the haul!

Enjoying the last of the cookies from Nimo and his mum.

Someone getting ready for the New Years' Eve bonanza.

Inspired by Christmas gift-giving (maybe?) Arlo wrapped this toy all by himself, and labeled it for Mum & Dad.

Happy New Years' Eve! Last morning of the year!

Soon Lucy, you'll have outgrown that step.

No better way to spend the last morning (with lovely weather, no less) than at the park.

No free ride for Granny!

Look at this monkey.

Lucy needs a turn, too!

Sliding together, "like at the waterslide" in Rayong.

Another monkey...

... who's surprisingly strong!

Perched on top of the tunnel, of course.

And saying good-bye to 2024 with a healthy dose of ice cream!

Yum, Swensens!

This boy loves his bubble gum!

Bottoms-up, Lucy!

Hard at work on a very detailed truck drawing.

It's actually a two-page compilation. Beep, Boom!

Playing his newest board game with Grandpa.

Grandpa approves, even though Arlo wins!

And closing down the year with a neighborhood party.

The Last Supper :)

This crazy driver monopolized Thomas & Nancy's car.

The sun sets on 2024.

Disco at Clementine's house.

And sparklers! Wow!

Lucy doesn't know what to think!

Arlo tried writing with his. So cool!

Winding down before bed; bye bye 2024!

Here it is: 2025! And we're off to a rolling start!

More cards with Grandpa...

... and this one is keeping busy, too.

Off altogether via tuk tuk...

... to brunch at Holey Mothership.

Another detailed truck drawing for Arlo while he waits for lunch to come.

Bon appetit!

Neutral (?) about Turkish Eggs.

Peace to the new year!

Heading home...

... and waiting to see the garbage men (whom we just saw at Holey, too).

Since the Legos weren't challenging enough, starting the micro bricks.

And helping dad with the car tires.

Arlo took full responsibility for the tires, and they turned out great!

And we're celebrating 2025 with a trip to our favorite...

... Happy & Healthy Bike Lane!

Arlo wanted to only use the balance bike again.

And Lucy is getting quite advanced with her balance bike skills, holding her feet in the air for extended periods now. (Or resting them on the bike frame, and saying she's "pedaling".)

Although Lucy took comfort in knowing where Arlo was...

... she was often on her own, as Arlo zoomed ahead and lapped her!

Lining up together to take off downhill, before the track is too crowded.

Using the two-foot tandem technique.

Holding her own.

"Pedaling."

Two speedsters.

Trying out the "Adventure Park".

This one is taking a break with Granny...

... while this one enjoys his offroader.

Somehow, the track is still empty!

Here she comes!

Heading off into the sunset.

This guy is showing off his advanced skillz!

Refueling with fries and smoothies (everyone enjoying Granny's) before heading home.

Look at this toilet-trained warrior!

Beautiful first sunset of 2025.

Dad on Lucy wake-up duty this morning, and she suckered him into reading a book.

Taking matters into her own hands, since Mum & Dad keep forgetting to pump the tires.

Lunch with Alba, Ines, and their family! What a treat to see them while they're visiting from Spain.

Lucy & Ines got on well, even though they don't remember each other.

It was impossible to get a single good shot of all 4 together. But we did get *LOTS* of funny outtakes. Enjoy.

Enjoying quiet time with some concentration.

And closing off a busy day with a play date & car wash with Thomas and Nancy.

These two boys independently "cleaned" Chris's car really well.

Meanwhile, the ladies looked at the cats...

... and played with the dolls.

Lucy came over to help the boys, ultimately.

Done! Time to clean up shop, and see you next week!