Bangkok Week 886 — Mika's Photos

This week probably takes the cake for the busiest, most fun-packed, emotional week in the books. We started with the final school assembly & performance of the year; woke up early on Saturday for the Rainbow Run (and completed the 3k altogether!); had a playdate with Fuku and family on Sunday; attended the St Andrews new student orientation on Wednesday; and then attended Arlo’s Annabel’s graduation on Thursday! What a journey this week represents!

It's Friday, and Lucy is bring her emotional support menagerie to school.

Taking the time to check out all the displays and projects... including the Year 1 woodworking.

Professional photo of Arlo's class's airplane work.

Waiting for the assembly to begin.

At long last, here come the bees!

Brave Sehej, to start the show.

Here comes Arlo the bee, who looks rather like a hornet.

Talking about how bees see colors.

Do they see colors like we see colors? No...

And here comes the rest of the colony.

We love our bees! Save the bees!

Singing the bee song.

There they go, posters and all.

I can see why performing in front of this crowd would be intimidating!

Quick peek in to see his latest flying contraption.

Lily bees family photo!

Taking great care while feeding the fish, one bit of food at a time.

And now, it's a super early [6am wheels up] start on Saturday morning for the Rainbow Run.

We're here, and it's rainy - but Arlo and Lucy both exceeded our expectations by getting up and out on time!

Warming up on the way across the park, to the start line.

It's a much greyer day than last year, but hey - that means it's much less hot, too!

Look who's here! What a surprise!

Looking fab - but are we ready to take on 3km?

It's early. It's wet. It's raining. Let's go!

(Lucy lasted about 10m out of the stroller. Better to call it early, I guess!)

Arlo made a good attempt at running.

This trio stuck together (at a good jog) for most of it.

And these two alternated running and walking.

We made it!

That's the farthest I've "run" in years!

Getting her medal - Lucy looks like a VIP!

And here come the other two, a few minutes behind.

It was pouring when the crossed the line - but all the more refreshing.

Proud smile! He completed 3k!

With K. Rose, the founder of the Rainbow Room.

Fist bump.

Ice cream break. Nothing better than ice cream at 7:30am!

With Joe, the featured musical act - whose family didn't quite make it in time for the 3k.

And finally, lining up for the 50m dash.

(As if one 3k race wasn't enough for the day...)

Little kids first...

... so it's Dad and Lucy in this first heat.

Go, Lucy, go!

And now it's time for the "big kids". Arlo wanted to race with the big kids.

He was probably the smallest (or certainly the youngest) "big kid" on the starting line.

Ready?

Go!

Granny cheeks in the background, as Arlo sprints the 50m.

He did well, finished nowhere near back of the pack. And didn't scrape any knees either!

Proud of my big boy!

Meanwhile, Lucy is on her 2nd ice cream of the morning.

Arlo really wanted a 'pacer' balloon (from the 10k).

The band is finally on!

Watching Nari's dad play.

Enjoying her *third* ice cream...

... and dancing along with the music.

Colorful family photo!

Look! Lucy featured in the Ete (Ice Cream supplier) facebook post.

It's not a bad picture of her. But they missed her 2nd and 3rd ice creams.

Now that we're here, and we have the whole day ahead of us, let's enjoy the wildlife.

Lots of critters were out, thanks to the rains.

Watching extremely moss-covered turtles swimming around.

Walking through the 'Asian Garden'.

Energy left to do a rocky scramble.

King & Queen of the hill.

Why hello there, little millipede buddy.

Home by 10am - with the rest of the day ahead of us!

This provides exactly the right level of entertainment we need right now.

Lucy doesn't want to nap (even though Mum does) so we'll keep ourselves awake with a trip to Makro.

Here we go, all geared up!

Eggs, rice, peanuts and M&Ms. Looks about right.

Using his problem-solving skills to recover the pacer balloon that floated a little too high.

Almost forgot: today is the 14th! Someone turned 5 years and 9 months old today!

Ready to tackle Sunday; although Mum is decidedly not.

Gerald and Piggie have very similar PJs to Arlo and Lucy. What a coincidence.

Found at the bottom of the oven: French Fries that have probably been in there for too long.

Working judiciously on cookies...

... that turned out to have probably been a bit rancid. (they were from a mix that was... expired.)

Off to her make-up swimming lesson, while Arlo goes to Piano.

And if that weren't enough, it's a playdate at Fuku and Yoshi's condo.

A compact but highly functional living arrangement, designed for Japanese families.

Enjoying a dip at their pool. It had a great view of our old neighborhood!

The big boys.

And the Nursery monkeys.

Enjoying popsicles that Lucy wanted to buy at swimming (for everyone)! A very smart choice, Lucy!

And winding down the day at the playground at home.

His elaborate city.

This is what happens when he bathes himself.

More stencil work before bed.

It's the last full week of school for the year: bring it on!

Hanging out with P'Mali, who's encouraging Lucy to improve her skills.

More dainty feeding of the fish.

Working hard and keeping busy.

Another special creation, from multiple angles.

Bouncing together for one brief moment in time.

Have we mentioned that a bird couple made their nest in our bathroom exhaust fan, and they seem to now have babies?

This guy hasn't bloomed in ages.

Special evening out on the town -- parents get-together and farewell drinks for Principal Mimi.

Starting his day on the right foot. I mean, right cactus.

It's a special morning for all the St. Andrews-bound kids: orientation!

We met Aynur & parents at nursery, and drove them back with us.

So cute, and so grown-up now.

Putting on a test uniform shirt, so he can have his ID photo taken.

So cute seeing them all in uniform.

Feeling grown up: helping themselves to the snack table.

Cheese! This one is important!

What a great little Annabel's gang - so glad to be moving over togther!

Speaking of Annabel's, time to head back to the Nursery!

This big girl is taking home her first learning journey today.

Happy that the whole nursery gang will be staying next year.

Very proud of her leaning journey, and happy to look through it together.

The cards for Teacher Selly and P'Toi are done! (Just in time...)

Taking herself very seriously this morning for school.

Lots of recycling to take care of.

It's the big day -- Graduation Day -- and so the garden is empty (and cordoned off).

Lucy floating above the trampoline, enjoying the empty garden.

It's Dad with Lucy's head.

The exceptionally bitter-sweet moment has arrived: Kindergarten (and Annabel's) graduation.

Can't imagine a better class to have wrapped with!

Here come our Lilies.

Everyone's looking so cute and grown-up.

(And we've made good use out of Arlo's wedding outfit.)

Wouldn't want to be too serious.

The two bowtie boys, having some fun.

Here they come, parading in.

Lilies waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin.

To the school's credit, they waste no time.

Getting the little "diploma" from Annabel herself.

And final handshake with Principal Mimi.

Yay, Lilies!

Waiting patiently while the (decided larger) class of Tulips goes.

Having their very cute poetry slam / battle of the words.

Tossing the hats: clearly a highlight of the day for them.

A million thank yous to Teacher Selly and P'Toi for the amazing year!

Extended Lilies family!

Giving the giant card from the whole class to Teacher Selly.

And to P'Toi.

So excited to point out what they each made.

Got to sneak into the Lilies class photo.

With buddy Martin, who will be going to Bangkok Prep next year.

And Brooklyn, who will be going to yet a different school.

Relaxing with Fuku after a high-octane morning.

Oh, we almost forgot to take a photo with Arlo!

The two bowtie boys.

And then, it was time to pick up this monkey, who's wearing 4 socks...

... and wanted to ride home like this.

Arlo's final board game ECA: he made his own puzzle.

And that's a wrap on the uber-long, uber-busy, uber-fun week!