This week, there are two important events: (1) we visit Trat for the annual family merit-making, and (2) Arlo starts Year 1 at St Andrews! What a brave boy, and a successful first few days (we think…)!
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Starting this week with a subtle rainbow. I guess it rained last night!
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And we're off to Trat! Watch where you're driving!
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Rest stop with this heavy little dino.
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Buy one, get one on these sweet strawberry drinks. Why not?
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We're here! These two waste no time getting down to business.
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Uncle Top saved a pile of sand under a tarp for these guys.
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Lucy can now ride the pink bike here without the training wheels.
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Shaking hands with Bella.
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Watching Aa Top and Aa Nan at work... they probably felt like they were on display.
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Someone's almost as tall as Yaa!
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New magnetic drawing board.
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Checking out the funky lights under Aa Top's car.
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Tong embodies the expression "Non Sabai".
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Evening hair brush by Yaa.
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All ready for the merit-making on Saturday morning.
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Trying to sell lollipops (that he was given as a gift) for 3 baht apiece.
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What are you doing, Puu?
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The monks are here!
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Taking a break from the ceremonies while the monks eat lunch.
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The moment Arlo's been waiting for - the coin throw!
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Lucy needed help and moral support. But next year, she'll be a pro!
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Arlo and his loot.
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Wai-ing the guests as they leave.
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Afternoon endeavour: home-made lemonade (again, to sell).
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But it's... just lime juice. Lucy -- customer #1 -- is unsure whether to endorse the product.
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Lucky kids! Aa Nan has a crushed ice machine and is making them snow cones.
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Arlo's over the moon to see snow!
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Putting the syrup on by himself. (A mistake?)
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Delish, and right up their alley!
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Plain ice is good. Sweet pink ice is great!
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So sweaty and unkempt, he needs a mid-day touch-up.
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"Do I look like Aa Top?"
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Quick visit to the Saturday evening walking street.
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These guys can't visit without buying another tiny cat figurine.
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Saying goodnight to Yaa.
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Sunday morning... swim?
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Inflating the splash pool
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Half pool, half bath. Lots of entertainment!
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Big hug for Bella.
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Showing off the hair clips and hair ties from P'Gus.
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Who can pass up an 8 baht cone at Makro?
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It melted faster than you can say "soft serve". Messy!
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I *think* this is the (very healthy) papaya tree that grew the papaya from which we sourced the seeds...
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Celebrating Mother's Day a few days early.
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Good ice cream cake!
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Enjoying bedtime.
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Monday morning: is it time to go back already?
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Taking all the photos before heading out.
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Bye bye, Tong.
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Bye bye, Nan's restaurant!
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Back in Bangkok, popping down to Decathlon (taking advantage of the light afternoon traffic) to buy new shoes before the school year starts.
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Mother's Day treat from DQ.
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And a late-afternoon swim.
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They brought these rings back from Trat to use in the pool at home.
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They're fun!
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The prolonged Mother's Day celebration culminates in Krispy Kreme treat for brekkie on the Tuesday itself.
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Thank you for the donuts!
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Someone (with a lot of patience) drew a chalk line through the entire Moo Baan. (We went to check how long a line it was.)
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Late afternoon swim: the last one of the summer holidays for Arlo! And giving a boat ride to Clem at the same time.
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The big day has arrived!
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Off to school (bright and early) for his first day at St Andrews.
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Enjoying the short walk.
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After sneaking in through the side entrance, the first step is to collect our ID badges from the Sports Hall.
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Officially members of the community now!
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And we have enough time to spare, that we can explore the playground.
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Checking out the pirate ship and all its features.
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Waiting at the canteen - where students need to be seated by 7:45am.
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Wait - Arlo wanted to go back to check out the "big rock" that he remembers from his Taster Day.
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Take Two! Ready to go for real this time!
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Back at home, this Monkey is wearing a pomelo hat.
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2:30pm pick-up outside his classroom - he did it!
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Seems excited, but we didn't learn much about his day.
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Stopping to buy a Broccoli before heading home.
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In good spirits.
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As promised, Mum made him a flower pot out of pipe cleaners (as seen at the Trat walking street market).
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Nice sunset.
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Building confidence, and wanting to scoot to school. (He just learned how to ride this scooter the other day.)
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Only one more month left of being 5!
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Bedtime yoga: can we make it a new routine?
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We'll see next week. Until then!