Three Years

That's a picture of my three year old. Wow, three years! I can't believe it. Calvin looks SO old in this picture to the left, but I know he's still my baby boy. =) We've had a really great day of birthday celebrating. We try to celebrate the kids' birthdays around lunchtime so that they can have most of the day to play with their new birthday gifts. Today, was no different. The last couple years I have tried my hand at making the boys fun, amusing cakes...and so that leaves me in the kitchen, the morning of, frantically trying to ice a cake that won't co-operate...but it's always worth it when they see the creation. Most of you probably know that Calvin loves all things "racecars" so I recruited Paul to help me make a cake for him. I was still the one frantically icing the cake, but at least I didn't have to worry about the shape...Paul did the hard part! =)

Now that PJ is a little older and understands more about gift giving, he, too, was frantically making a gift for Calvin this morning. He made Calvin a racecar out of Legos. I must say, Calvin was very pleased...pictured at left is PJ helping him open the gift he gave him and Calvin is saying, "wow!". It was precious!

Calvin had a little problem blowing candles out, but with PJ and Daddy helping, they didn't stay lit very long.

And, here's the finished cake. The only problem now is that we have LOTS and LOTS of cake!

Thank you to Grampy and Grammie for the Star Wars Legos (both boys had eyes as big as saucers when they saw them!) and the books.

And, thank you to Pappy and Nanny for the soccer jerseys. He loves wearing soccer jerseys. I will try to send you some pictures of him wearing them. From our family, we got Calvin a toy car Sherriff from the movie, Cars, and we also got him a service center for all his matchbox cars. I found this service center at a toy store and it brought back many, many good memories of my own childhood. My brother had a similar service station and I remember playing with that thing for hours with my brother. I thought and hoped the same would be true for our boys. So far, my thoughts and hopes are just as I suspected. They have not stopped playing with it. =)

As I write this, they are ending the day with a sword fight...and then it will be time for bed!

This weekend...

Today we installed two deacons and one ruling elder at church! Pictured from left to right is Mac, Chai, and Pat. Mac and Pat are now deacons and Chai is a ruling elder. Dr. Natee is to the right installing them as leaders of New Community Fellowship church! A very exciting day, indeed. Thank you to all of you who are faithfully praying for godly men to lead the church here...keep praying and be encouraged as He is hearing our prayers.

Paul took the boys on a little ride yesterday to the store to buy some ice cream. PJ has now graduated to riding on the back and Calvin now sits in the little seat on the front. They LIVE for this!

Friday, we joined the Bangkok homeschooler's group at the Dusit Zoo. We did a photo scavenger hunt. This picture is not of everyone in the group...maybe half? The ages range from 1ish (do they count???) to 12. We're not all missionaries and we're not all Christians but this picture we all happen to be Christians! I can't thank God enough for His bringing this group together. It's a lot of fun to go hang out with other homeschoolers!

So, the zoo itself was really nice. We had never visited this zoo before. Because we had a group of smaller children we didn't get to see all the animals. I am hoping we can take another trip there to see more of the zoo before heading back to the US...but we will have to see on that! Favorite animals that we did see? PJ's favorite was none other than the panther...and she was active too. You could see her spots even though her coat was black. And Calvin liked the hippos.

Pictured here with the bears are PJ and his new friend, Ethan. Ethan went along with us to the zoo while his mommy stayed behind with a sick little sister.

The kids lined up by the sign for Bird Island. The kids LOVED the birds. PJ saw a hornbill (my favorite bird here) and they also saw some peacocks and the male displayed his beautiful fan for the kids as well! I think the excitement of screaming kids got his attention. =)

PS: The cooler weather has left us...nice and steamy hot again...but it sure was nice while it lasted!

in case you didn't believe me...

I've mentioned the cooler temps several times now in previous posts, but I thought I would provide some proof of the fact that it has been cold here in BKK. Now, for many of you 70 degree weather is the perfect weather for you...and perhaps I will feel that way again someday but for now, we are totally adjusted to life in Thailand...and 70 degree weather is COLD! So, the kids have been bundled but I will admit Calvin has been the least bundled...the kid is a steam engine! Top picture is of Adele with jeans and a sweater on reading books. The jeans were PJ's when he was young and needless to say they are a bit big, so I had to cuff the legs a bit. She wobbled around in them alright though and it kept her warm! I tried socks but they weren't skid proof and it was just too dangerous and it was before I realized I could use the booties Grammie got herl see bottom photo!

And the second picture is PJ doing schoolwork with his hooded sweatshirt. The last picture is Adele with jammies Nanny and Pappy sent her and a new pink bib Grammie and Grampy gave her for Christmas. I will also add she had on a onesie underneath it all! Adele loves kicking her feet around with the booties because they make noise. They don't stay on long anymore. =)

In the four years we've experienced Thai "winter" this is by far the loveliest and longest lasting. The only downside is remembering how cold things get in the good 'ol US of A and I find myself wondering how am I going to live thru it? My fingers have been freezing doing dishes here (no hot water from the tap in the kitchen sink) and the cold has even deterred me from showering...I know it sounds silly but it's true! It's just too cold!!! As Paul reminds me, we will be returning when it's summer...so hopefully we can ease into the fall and winter, but I know that I will be freezing in PA this summer!

Motorcycle Mary

Miss Mary arrived safely back to Thailand nearly two weeks ago. The day she got in she had supper at our house. Our truck was getting serviced and it was dark. We had a bit of a dilemma. We did have a few other options. Option 1 was our own motorcycle; Paul could take her back and options 2 and 3 were using a motorcylce taxi or a taxi car (neither were good options in our opinion). Mary had been on a motorcyle once before and it was just for a short distance but she was gung-ho to try (jet lag and all!). So, we got her a helmet and they were off.

We're glad Mary's back. Her father passed away two months ago and so she went home for his funeral and also to take care of some of the estate stuff. I must say, we're glad to have her back!!!

For the Grandparents and other interested parties

Well, here she in high gear. Adele steamrolls right thru life these days. Today she took my camera bag, swung it over her arm, walked to the door and told me, "bye-bye". She's growing up...too fast!

New Friends

A few weeks or even months ago, I met a lady at the local park. She is Thai but her husband is an American and teaches at one of the nearby international schools, the exact one that our teammates kids go to and our beloved Miss Catherine teaches at as well. Anyway, as we chatted and I told her I was homeschooling PJ she said she has a friend who also has a 5 year old she was homeschooling and is a missionary and lived just down the street! I was amazed. So, last week, Gina, my new friend, called to see if we could get together. They came over and the kids played and this week we went to their place. Gina has a son, Ethan and a daughter, Lydia. Lydia and Adele could pass for twins...and in fact when we are together I keep confusing the two of them because they are about the same size, both usually dressed in pink and have blond hair.

We played at their neighborhood playground for a few minutes before we headed home and the kids just loved running in the grass and climbing playground equipment. As you can see, the girls both had on long sleeves due to the "cold" weather we're having but the day was gorgeous to be outside and playing. It's been fun getting to know these lovely folks and I look forward to a few more months of special moments like yesterday brought. I just wish we had met three years ago!!!

Wintertime in Thailand

Well, it's that time of year here in Thailand when the temps drop to upper 70s with a nice breeze during the daytime and at night the temps drop even more. We have to put on socks in the morning to keep our toes warm and even a sweatshirt until mid-morning. Yes, it's wintertime. Last year Winter passed Thailand over. I think we had about three days of cool temps and then summer came back with a vengeance. This year we've enjoyed several weeks of nice weather. It's been a nice respite. We've enjoyed some beautiful winter time fun at the local parks as of late. The boys have enjoyed watching for wildlife and kicking balls around and playing on playground equipment some this holiday season. It's always good to get outside and it's even nicer when you have a beautiful park in which to go. Yesterday we headed to the King's Park and Abe decided to come along. By the way, thank you for praying for Abe. Please continue to pray for God to heal his body and restore his body to good health. He will be leaving us for Chiang Mai, Thailand tomorrow afternoon. His departure will leave a hole in our home, that is for sure and he will be missed. The boys have acquired yet another uncle to call their own and will miss him sorely. As for Paul and me we will also miss Abe and the encouragement (and his jokes!) he brings to our home. We are so thankful for the opportunity God has given us to serve him and give him a home away from home.

As to the children, they are growing strong. PJ, now 5 1/2 had his first dentist appointment the other day and he did great! No cavities and he couldn't wipe that silly grin off his face when he saw Tom and Jerry cartoons playing on the video screen above the chair in the dentist's office. He continues to persevere in reading, writing and arthimetic and is doing well. He loves math, I just wish I had an equal love for it! =) His favorite book is a book about a pre-historic animal called Plesiosaurus, the Swimming Reptile. PJ roams around the house pretending to be dinosaurs of different persuasions, roaring and generally making a roucus! Paul is reading him The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder and each night's reading is greatly anticipated by PJ and Daddy both.

Calvin is also growing big and strong. He loves all things racecars. If you have a conversation with Calvin he most assuredly will tell you about racecars, in some form or other. He spends his days racing his little cars around a carpet in our living room that he transforms into a racetrack. He has a growing interest in school as he sees big brother reading, writing and doing his math. He enjoys counting and loves the number 6. =) Calvin continues to be a joy with a very laid back personality on most days.

And, finally, Adele Grace, is the little fire cracker in our home. We are discovering that she already knows how to tease and cause great distress to her brothers...just to get a reaction out of them! She is walking all over the place these days and holds her own next to PJ and Calvin. She says a few words like, "ba" which represents both "bottle" and the Thai word for "let's go". She enjoys a good sword fight with her daddy and brothers (like I said, she holds her own, that is for sure!!!) and is generally a pleasant little girl.

As we walked about yesterday at the park, we spotted some wildlife that I'd like to share with all you readers out there. The bird is a Coppersmith Barbet. He is beautifully marked with a patch of red on his neck and head. We also saw the frog enjoying the view from a lily pad (can you spot him?!)