Bangkok Week 734

July 21, 2022

Another packed week: a playdate with P’Kate at the park, a visit to the geodesic cactus dome out at Rama IX park, Lucy turns 4 months old, and we all experience end-of-days floodwaters. Never a dull day!

Welcome back! Arlo's still working on how to best wear goggles.

Lucy's getting some peek-a-boo time in with Dad.

Oh no! What's this?

The Jumperoo is back! (Bella wasn't around the first time to witness it, so it's new for her.)

Lucy's ... overwhelmed.

Well, it's comfortable...

... although she's not totally sure what she's supposed to be doing.

Spotted at a DIY store: house numbers. But too bad if your address is 68! Or 94...

Same problem with the birthday candles. I guess you only get to use digits when you get too old for individual candlesticks.

Arlo's home from camp, and -- no surprise -- eyeing the Jumperoo.

But there's a new surprise waiting for Arlo at home!

His very own pair of sunglasses!

He's figured out how to push them out of the way.

Here's another place to keep them when not in use.

And here's Miss Chubby Cheeks.

Just practicing tummy time from her favorite vantage point.

Getting strong with the head-turning, too.

All ready for his afternoon walk!

Oh my! Who's this stylish man approaching me?

Look, Lucy can walk in style, too.

He's got his eye gear for riding the motorcycle, too.

Some early morning gardening, before it gets too warm.

Learning about the food pyramid (or whatever they call it) in Chirp Magazine. Pretty sure the 4 plate segments are not all meant for mixed nuts.

Good morning, missy! Someone's smiley and happy to be getting her breakfast.

And where are we off to, so early in the morning?

Of course! The park!

Lucy's familiar with this place by now.

And Arlo is off to the races, in no time at all.

Wefie with just the ladies.

Practicing our tummy time in the grass.

Uh oh, here come the boys! Watch out!

Just enjoying our picnic.

And just in time to play bubbles...

... Kate and her family show up to join in the fun.

Arlo's style of bubble-chasing is much more passive compared to Kate's.

Going after the bubbles using his own wand.

And time for a break. These kids know just what to do for the camera!

P'Kate was very generous, and gave Arlo and Lucy some toys she no longer plays with... like this steering wheel.

Well, that's it. Nothing can top this steering wheel!

Having a picnic before heading out.

Stopping to check out the "funny flowers" on the way back to the car.

Too pooped to walk the whole way back by himself.

And of course, helping Dad drive home.

Someone is content!

Tried making a round fried egg for dinner. Could've been better, could've been worse.

Lucy's hand-eye coordination is improving daily.

And she's practicing the skills needed to roll over.

She still enjoys tummy time.

You can do it, Lucy! Just swing that big thigh over.

Meanwhile, Arlo's found the most efficient way to spin his pinwheel.

Pretty Bella, posing for the camera too.

Hanging out with Dad in the water.

No wait, they're all sitting in a boat, and Arlo's at the helm.

And now, they're all in a car!

Hold on tight, everyone! This driver looks a bit crazed!

Aww. Miss Cutie Pie and Dad.

The boys carefully observe their subject: is she having fun?

Arlo doesn't have swimming today, so we're taking a special Sunday morning trip...

... to Rama IX park! The park that's always excruciatingly hot!

Today we're here exclusively for the cactus dome.

Last time Arlo was here (with Granny last fall) he wasn't into cacti yet.

So many cacti to see! And so many *big* ones!

But *man*! This is one hot geodesic dome!

Lucy doesn't get what all the fuss is about.

Woah! This one is covered in both prickles and leaves!

Aww! They have lots of tiny ones, too.

Taking a break from the hot hot dome to check out the ones outside.

One last hurrah inside the cactus dome.

Getting a boost from Dad.

Pointing out the beautiful purple flowers.

And making a quick stop at the enclosed garden before heading back. Arlo likes the big fish.

Unprompted, Arlo pointed out that last time he was here was with Granny!

Lucy's never seen leaves so big!

Posing with the golden Sala...

... and making a quick stop at the playground.

Standing all by himself on this tall tree trunk.

Whoops, sorry Mr. Turtle. Thought you were a rock.

Found a "little bench" and decided to try it out.

And couldn't help but try the bikes in the exercise area before heading home.

Oh no! It's a Dad sandwich!

Back at home for lunch, Lucy practices sitting at the table.

These toys with wheels are pretty fun to bat around...

... but Lucy can only get away with it while Arlo is napping!

Crawl to the monster truck, Lucy!

Comfortable hanging out on Dad's shoulder.

Oh my! Someone has taken it upon himself to decorate the palm tree.

Getting some end-of-day fresh air on the balcony, too.

Another day, another attempt at the Jumperoo.

Taking stock of his laundry clips. How many different kinds and colors?

Hanving a good laugh.

Showing Lucy how his pinwheel spins on its own in the breeze.

Not looking totally comfortable on this picnic mat.

The next morning, while washing Lucy's usual mat, she's camouflaging herself with the bearskin.

Oh, there's Lucy. Couldn't see her before.

It's pirate week at camp! Arlo is enjoying the giant wooden boat.

Saying hi to Lucy after getting back from camp.

Getting in a bit of tractor time while Lucy sleeps.

Arlo's very good at helping Lucy play in her Jumperoo. (Or, playing with it for her?)

And helping her play with her ball.

Lucy, where's your ball gone?

Intent focus on the prize. But can't quite get there yet.

Arlo's finishing his dinner next to Dad; and Lucy's watching intently.

Someone knows how to pose for the camera!

The sunglasses help the milk go down faster.

Breakfasting in style

Row-row-rowing his boat again.

A new surface to practice tummy time.

The tractor is *just* out of reach.

Yeah Mum, this is what I think of tummy time!

Big smiles. This is better.

Oh! Someone made a Pirate's Hat at camp today!

And he knows just want accoutrement goes perfectly with it!

Lucy's getting very good with her toy bar.

Showing off her two-handed punch.

Everyone is practicing their kicking. Kick-kick-kick!

Lucy looks incredulous -- you're making me do this *again*?

A supercar was parked in the next soi. Arlo couldn't get enough of it.

"Just resting" and looking at the super car.

The next morning at school, Arlo's found the perfect vantage point.

He's become a pro in the kitchen.

Using all the pots and pans, and the sink...

... and just scooping up his ingredients off the floor!

Happy 4 month birthday, Lucy! Where are we taking you to celebrate?

Oh no, Mum. This looks like the hospital!

That's right, Lucy! Here for your 4-month checkup!

Making the most of our wait: getting in some tummy time!

Still looking pretty small on that exam table.

And to celebrate Lucy's birthday, Arlo gets to enjoy an ice cream cone.

He's getting much better at eating a cone without dripping.

Happy 4 months, Baby Lucy!

Time is flying! Look how you fill out that chair now!

And just in the nick of time, she's figured out how to grab her toys!

An important 4-month milestone.

Celebrating in style!

He's figured out that a newly-wiped chalk board makes a great ice rink. The Zamboni even leaves tire tracks!

Hanging around, waiting for bed time.

The two monkeys, waiting for a bus.

Ending the day with a bang: the worst flooding that Bangkok has seen in over 10 years!

Almost every house in our Moo Baan flooded. We've certainly never seen the water this high!

The flood flowed all the way back out to the main Ekkamai 12.

The next morning, Arlo assesses the damage.

There's no way he's going to camp today!

The Granny's son had to come visit in a Jeep today; his normal Jazz would've never survived.

Water's still knee deep, more than 14 hours after the rain began.

Well, Arlo's cactus is thriving.

Here's the cactus flower; I know you're itching for an update.

Well, Arlo and Lucy get to hang out all day together now.

Kiss for Lucy!

It's very apt that Arlo's driving his boat around the living room today.

Enthusiastically welcoming Lucy up from her nap.

Hugs for Lucy! Never mind that she can't breathe!

Nom-nom-nom. This tractor is delish!

Learning to play with her tongue.

Having a good (but refined) laugh with Dad.

And a good chuckle with P'Noi, too.

Everyone's enjoying our newest book (Tyrannosaurus Drip).

And Arlo reenacts a scene in which a lizard steals a dinosaur egg. Carbon copy, if I say so myself!