Bangkok Week 751

November 17, 2022

Arlo tries his hand (ahem, his foot) at football; Puu and Yaa come to visit; and Mum travels to Paris for a week in the much awaited last of her fall trips. Everyone survived and remained healthy!

What? It's Friday again? Well, happy Friday!

Someone's practicing her perch position.

Swimming lesson Friday!

Silly Lucy. We're not supposed to be drinking from the elephant's trunk!

Underwater she goes!

You want me to do what?

Sorry coach, but I ain't here to crawl.

Lucy is naturally buoyant!

Big grin!

Someone's happy about the afternoon.

Someone's eager to start the weekend!

Celebrating Saturday with m'kiddos.

Oh! Where are we headed so early this morning?

A trial soccer class for Arlo.

He was a good student...

... and quickly picked up the drills.

Lucy was a patient spectator.

Kicking the ball amongst the cones.

When the coach asked who could demonstrate how to do hopscotch with the hoops, Arlo raised his hand and surprised us all!

Practicing scoring on Dad.

Arlo gives "standing in the goal" a whole new meaning.

Our little athlete was tired and hungry afterward, so had a mid-morning ice cream.

Lucy's thinking, these toys remind me of my Jumperoo for some reason...

Arlo is waiting patiently...

... for Yaa and Puu's bus to arrive!

Everyone is happy to see Puu and Yaa. Lucy is showing them how well she can eat now...

...and Arlo's showing off his toys and pumpkin.

What else can we show them?

Wait, who's that behind me?

Lucy shows off her trademark side-lie.

A very casual walk around the block.

Oh my! No wonder Yaa's back hurts!

A delicious feast of freshly-made curries and Tibet leftovers.

Hanging out with Puu, who's going home at 9:30am today.

Reading the very cool lift-the-flap book together.

What? You're leaving?

Say it ain't so!

Puu and his grandchildren.

Lucy is enjoying Yaa's company. She's not going anywhere, right?

Say cheese, everyone!

Arlo's made himself at home with the spare bedding.

Lucy the entertainer.

Sitting pretty (although this outfit is prone to the Nip Slip).

Getting in one last round of volley balloon before leaving for the bus station.

Ooh. Lucy never has such unfettered access to Arlo's hair!

Waiting patiently for the last good-bye.

Bye bye, Puu. Safe ride!

Arlo is pleased by the trip. He got two donuts out of it!

Back at home, Lucy is rediscovering her play mat.

And the dangling ring from her play gym tastes great.

Arlo's helping to entertain Lucy (and pick up her toys when she drops them).

Selfie with my cute baby doll!

Who stole Dad's glasses? There are (at least) two possible offenders pictured here.

Arlo was quick to remember that he had a strawberry ice cream in the freezer.

See the resemblance? I'll keep this one with me while I travel!

Who's looking cute?

That's right. Give us some teeth, Lucy!

Taking Yaa to the farm (for the first time).

Arlo's such a pro on his bike now; he zooms off ahead.

Hmm, ducks. What's going on here?

So serious about biking, he can't stop for photos.

Yaa, with her enthusiastic hosts.

Showing Yaa how to feed the goats and sheep.

Unfortunately, none of them was interested in what Arlo had to offer today.

But the little lamb was very cute.

Arlo barrels ahead through the tunnel.

Everyone in the tunnel!

Arlo tries his first ever plum. He ate it up!

Lucy is in shock to be sitting on the grass again.

Dad's a pretty funny guy!

Smile, picknickers!

It's Monday morning, and Lucy's first day without Mum at home.

It's also the 14th, and Arlo turns 3 years and 2 months old today.

Lucy's totally confident about being without Mum this week.

Shuffling along for his walk wearing flip flops 2 years too small for him.

Confident as a watermelon on Tuesday.

Wefie of m'boys.

Sharing his evening ritual with Yaa.

Happy Wednesday! And surprise, school is closed for the rest of the week!

So Dad and Arlo head to the park.

Stopping to smell the flowers -- literally.

It's sunny on the playground!

And building a very elaborate train track.

Who's got big eyes?

Even bath time is a learning opportunity!

Spending some time outside on Thursday morning.

Arlo's putting himself to good work watering the flowers.

And Miss Cutie, meanwhile, is living up to her name.

Lucy, is that the bottom of your dress?

Eye on the prize, the panther quietly crouches in wait. The right moment will come. Patience in a virtue.

Giving her brother a good whack on the face.

Good night, Phra!

Meanwhile, Mum makes it to Paris on Monday morning. Here is Monsieur Bic, greeting the passing traffic as it crawls by.

Mum's reached her destination: Château Des Mesnuls south-west of Paris.

Little did I know, this is the bluest the sky would be all week.

This wing contains many bedrooms. It just so happens that the room with the open window is mine.

Now, the room is ready. What beautifully high ceilings. (Although I'm glad I don't have to sweep the cobwebs!)

The "Green Room" (where we had dinner every night).

The "Yellow Room", where we enjoyed evening Aperitifs each night.

The one time all week the sun was shining through the windows!

The "Red Room" (where we only every passed through).

TV or 17th-century painting? It's hard to tell!

Grand marble staircase.

And the rear of the Chateau.

There was a nice wooded path on the property.

And a large "lake".

Sunrise on the Wednesday morning.

Mais bien sur! A croissant for breakfast. Melt-in-your-mouth fresh!

Chased this tractor for days to get a photo for someone!

And one final (but late!) picturesque sunrise.

Aha! And just in time to bid us farewell, the blue sky returned!

As we headed back into Paris for Thursday night, the sun hit the Eiffel Tower in a remarkable way.

Getting in a quick walk before the sun sets.

The famous Bassin Octogonal at the west end of the Jardin des Tuileries.

The ducks and geese are enjoying themselves.

Tuk tuks wait for tourists in Place de la Concorde. We didn't see those in Madeline!

Strolling through the jardin.

The Grande Roue De Paris. Which I don't believe was there last time we visited...

Toward the Louvre, which seems to be undergoing some renovation (at least on the exterior).

More Grand Roue and gardens.

Walking along the Terrance du Bord de l'Eau.

Musee d'Orsay, and some more modern art in the foreground.

The boat cruises were still operating.

The Pont Neuf intersection nicely lit up.

Looking back at the Pont Neuf, from the island.

Sainte-Chapelle. Not as impressive as from the inside!

Ooh! We must be in Paris!

Patriotic police station.

And poor Notre Dame, well on her way to being repaired.

She'll be stronger and healthier than ever!

Reconstruction has been ongoing for a year now, and they are targeting completion before the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The original structure was left largely in tact.

The evening ended in rain...

... and a tasty dinner at this cafe. See you soon! A bientot!