Bangkok Week 773

April 20, 2023

We continue our Songkran celebrations this week. We also celebrate month birthdays for both Arlo and Lucy; bid farewell to Granny; and wonder how two weeks of school holiday can possibly feel so long!?!

Welcome back to Songkran! Arlo also turns 3 years and 7 months old today!

Songkran shirts - also one of the better sibling photos I've managed in a while.

The taxi driver is back.

Despite being a very serious taxi driver, Lucy is still fascinated.

This afternoon's Songkran entertainment is at Donki Mall.

A big inflatable water slide and pool.

Arlo's excitement far exceeded my expectations.

Enjoying himself!

Riding a flamingo in the pool.

Unphased by all the older kids playing around him.

Taking a breather.

Enjoying the spray.

This is joy.

Next time, we'll bring goggles.

This is the fly, flying around the pool.

Hard to take a selfie around here!

A few final minutes of swimming.

Just a little bit wet! But I'd call this outing a success.

Today's other success story: we finally got a new vacuum cleaner!

Arlo approves!

It's the last day of Songkran, and we've come to Mega Bangna to celebrate.

Helpful big brother is doing Lucy's hair.

Granny treated everyone to ice cream while we waited for the water play to start.

Cheers!

Lucy's first ice cream cone.

I'd call that a success!

It's almost splash time!

There was the slide zone...

... and the float zone.

Poor Lucy didn't pack swimming clothes -- so in she went in her street clothes.

Riding the banana boat together.

Taking the banana boat very seriously.

Enjoying the big covered boat.

Trying the hamster wheel -- with little success.

And over to the slide side for the big boy. (Shh, you're supposed to be 5 years old to play on this side.)

Warming up with a short slide. Splash!

This is fun!

On the other side, Lucy is having lots of fun too.

Upgrading to a bigger slide.

Splash! Arlo must have gone down this slide at least a dozen times.

Practicing his crocodile crawls.

Branching out on her own.

And bouncing with Dad.

This is fun!

And the biggest of the slides Arlo tried.

Saving the best for last.

An hour queueing well spent! But is this hour of play over already?

Lucy didn't want to get out of the water, either.

This is not the face of disappointment or grump; he's just experimenting with the camera.

Speaking of, our budding photographer has a knack for getting great smiles out of people.

Someone's realized that tomorrow is Granny's last day. Boo hoo!

Special farewell dinner, thanks to Granny...

... delicious veg sushi!

Some farewell photos while the lighting is good.

Yeah, who am I kidding. It's impossible to get this lot of 3 to all smile in the same photo.

Lucy-in-a-box: the less-startling version of her cousin, Jack.

She seems to be wondering what she's doing in this box.

A quick trip to check out a new Tops in Thonglor.

It's Lucy's first time riding in a shopping cart. She seems to like it.

Spotted: a robot all dressed up for Songkran.

The Tops is in a brand new mall right on Thonglor.

Lots to see -- it's a funky little building. With indoor garden.

Checking out this mini-theater seating before heading back.

Arlo's enjoying the exploration.

Come on, Granny! You can only read one book at a time?

Last hurrah: a trip to the ice rink.

Should've taken this as a sign: someone wasn't really in the mood to skate today.

Even one-handed skating was a chore.

He spots the photographer.

Let's go, Arlo, you can do it.

Negotiating getting off the ice early.

Help, Granny. Get me off this ice!

Arlo's favorite part: snacks and Zamboni.

Hmm, I guess he really was tired.

Actually, he fell asleep on the car ride home! Poor guy.

Let's see if Lucy can finger paint without eating it: Episode 2.

Verdict: no, and no.

Well, she looks sated.

One last trip around the neighborhood for Granny.

Quick-and-easy dinner: Beyond Burgers (a bargoon from Tops that morning). Look how realistically they cook!

Writing in his passport while others enjoy dinner.

Lucy has her first taste of dijon mustard -- and she loves it!

Final hugs for Granny.

Everyone's in their PJs now: dragging this on!

Bye for now, Granny!

Oh wait, one last *CHOMP* from Lucy.

And she's off!

Look who got dressed in matching outfits -- completely independently.

Two very serious faces wondering: where did Granny go?

Well, thanks to Granny, we have this wonderful new drum!

Tap tap!

The dreaded passport photo process for the pickiest country in town: Canada.

We went with two different photos: let's hope one of them meets the standards.

The funny flowers are in bloom again!

Team bedtime.

Face plant.

Where. Is. P'Noi?!

What!? On our own today?

Arlo wanted to see his latest passport photos, after seeing Lucy's.

Entertaining himself -- and his sister -- from outside.

Sore throats abound.

Practicing his penmanship.

Hanging out with Dad, the speed reader.

When you don't have enough hands, Lucy has a solution.

Working on his boat.

Dinner with a view.

Also known as a balcony picnic.

It suits Lucy just fine.

Entranced by the neighborhood kids playing badminton.

Caught red-handed, Lucy! Now I see why you like this seat so much! Poor plant.

Thursday morning: helping herself to breakfast.

It's a good day, P'Noi is back.

It's also Lucy's 1 year + 1 month birthday. Measure up!

A local butterfly was really into the citruses this morning.

And our pin cushion cactus is right on schedule with its monthly bloom!

Enjoying a delicious cream bun from the Canadian embassy.

Lucy too, but she ended up wearing much of the cream.

Soon time to learn how to scoot!

And we end this long week with a spelling lesson with the master.