Bangkok Week 887

June 26, 2025

At long last, the bitter-sweet moment is here: Arlo’s last day of Kindergarten and Annabel’s, after 4 years. What a 4 years it’s been!

Oh, and we also went cycling, took an outing to IKEA, had a pajama party, and more.

Welcome back! Exhausted from last week?

Something's afoot in the garden this morning - watch out!

Lucy is ready to take on the big kids' side.

Friday afternoon energy-buster with Juma.

The last time doing the Friday afternoon tuk-tuk ride home from school / work!

Lucy drew a (surprisingly) wonderful bear.

It's the last day of school for St Andrews today, so the families threw a neighborhood party.

Pointing out a mushroom.

Squabbling over Clementine's toy.

A quick game of duck-duck-goose, before the rains came.

Taking good care of the flowers he received at graduation.

Practicing piano. It's two hands now (but not yet at the same time).

Self-tracing of her foot.

The house at the entrance of the moo baan has cleared out all the growth. You can actually see a house now!

Lucy's favorite way to get to swimming.

Two monkeys taking apart Lucy's chair. (Rather successfully, I might add.)

Practicing for the thank-you card that we're going to make later.

Waiting patiently for 2:15.

Practicing their breast stroke arms altogether.

Fun afternoon outing on the train...

... to Dasa Book! Where Lucy spotted an author with the same name!

And then playing at Benjasiri: we've not been in the late afternoon before.

They know that IKEA is right next door: so up we go, for dinner!

"Teacher Selly has this water bottle!"

Arlo comes for the chicken nuggets, and Lucy for the rice and fries.

Gourmet Nordic dining!

A new calm-down corner?

For 84 baht? Who can resist?

These guys were well-behaved (and agreed not to get another stuffed animal) -- so ice cream it is!

There's only one place to eat the ice cream cones.

Last leg of the journey home. It's very dark, and well past bedtime.

Reading some of their new books from Dasa over breakfast.

Lucy monkey, showing that she knows how to get dressed by herself (but chooses not to).

Still working on that card.

Practicing her yoga.

How many flowers can you wear, Lucy?

Headed to Max Valu in style.

All of Lucy's favorite things: marshmallows, gummies...

Very interested in the frozen (dead) fish.

No trip to Max Valu -- I mean, the "ice cream store" -- is complete without ice cream!

Queen of the MuvMi.

This game of Jenga is going to go well.

There you have it!

Dad found this giant guy munching through the garden.

Even though we happened to have a ruler on hand, it doesn't do justice to the size of this snail.

Lucy is amazed!

We're back to Nong Bon park, for a ride around the lake with Aya and her family.

Let's go, Lucy! You should be familiar with this one now.

Stopping at the western edge of the lake, while waiting for Lucy and Dad to catch up.

Coasting. "Do like this, Mum! Lift up your legs!"

Feeding the fish, after crossing over the giant bridge by foot.

There were *a lot* of fish!

Capturing the exact moment when Arlo slipped and fell in the mud.

Hooray!

Lucy and Aya checking out a giant (fresh water?) shell they found.

Cheese! Say, "cycling!"

Everyone seemed famished by the time we returned to the car park.

Snack time!

Is this a sign that it's time for a haircut, Arlo?

Chocolate dorayaki for breakfast. Yay!

Enjoying inflating all the balls.

Heading home via tuk tuk (one last time, for real) and starting to clear out his cubby.

Writing practice at shower time.

Reading to himself after lights out.

Tuesday morning, the bike repair shop is open.

The bike is safely up on the jack.

Working hard.

Somehow, the tree looks smaller. Or have these kids just gotten bigger?

Happy birthday, Teacher Selly. Actually, it's a thank-you gift, but that's the only wrapping paper we have!

One of the last Nursery pick-ups for this monkey.

This one knows how to pull a good face for the camera.

Folding an envelope.

Uh oh! Arlo is almost as tall as P'Toi!

No, we didn't just forget a step this morning: it's pajama day for Lucy.

But first, I think someone is up to no good.

Drawing a diagram of his bike repair shop (see next photo)...

... "Don't come". Yes, as expected!

Over on the Nursery side, the Pajama Party is in full swing!

Full PJ attire (for Mum) supplied by airlines.

"Bananas in Pajamas" march.

Storytime...

... and snack time with friends.

What a fun way to wrap up the Nursery year.

Oh no, oh no! It's another bitter-sweet milestone: Arlo's taking home his final learning journey today!

But what a wonderful one it is. (Complete with Atelier book this year.)

Lucy decided to take Pajama Day to the extreme.

Can you find Arlo?

Here's a hint!

Ohhhh no! It's finally here! The last day of school!

Lucy will see these bikes again...

...but I'm not sure Arlo realizes this is his last morning in the garden!

Making the most of it.

First day of school, last day of school.

Going out with a bang: one last Lilies shot on Pajama Day (but Arlo didn't want to get his sweaty, so he'll change later).

First day vs. last day of school for Lucy: what's changed is the sass (I mean, confidence).

Walking out with confidence... and a worn tiger.

First day / last day! (If nothing else, the school introduced her to face paint!)

Climbing the walls? I think it's time to move up to the big campus.

Waiting patiently for Arlo's side to let out.

1 o'clock: the kids are free for the summer!

Arlo *finally* let's P'Toi pick him up. After 4 years.

Getting in one last swing.

Too sad to smile.

This was cute. Everyone trying to lift everyone else.

These boys will miss each other.

First day at Annabel's (January 2022) vs. last (June 2025). What a difference ~4 years make!

Wrapping up the year with a K2 party, before the kids go separate ways.

There was a (professional) face paint artist.

Lucy got this beautiful rocket...

... which she can't stop admiring.

And Mum got a cute bumble bee.

Going in for another one (totally on her own, I should add).

Having some quiet time by themselves.

What a fun way to end the year! Thanks to the parents who organized.

Big hug!

Wait. One more face paint for Lucy.

Looking good, Lucy.

Exhausted from the day (the year?) someone fell asleep on his own, well before bedtime.