Bangkok Week 808 — Mika's Photos

Unfortunately marked by illnesses, this week marks the real start of the holidays! We took a record-breaking trip to Trat (there for not even 24 hours). After Arlo recovered from his gnarly fever, he and Lucy met Santa! And then began preparing for Granny and Grandpa’s arrival!

We begin this week in the car, headed to Trat for the last visit of the year.

Our new go-to pit stop about 3 hours into the drive.

We discovered it has a small koi pond.

We're here!

Looking at the 2024 calendar that Lucy and Arlo brought.

Enthralled by the sliding duck toy from Aa Top.

Hanging out with Bella in one of Aa Top's cars.

Just practicing.

Long lost friends.

Helping prepare the offerings for the monks tomorrow morning.

And then, Lucy rediscovered the giant water pot.

And it was very quickly downhill from there.

The fun culminated with a very early bath for Lucy (and she'd worked up an appetite.)

The next morning, we decide to turn around and head home already. Poor Arlo is really feeling unwell (despite the photos).

So it's time for some farewells...

... and a quick merit-making.

Checking out all of Aa Top's trophies.

Group shot, this time also featuring Auntie Nan.

And can't forget to say goodbye to Bella!

And to the cats.

Off we go!

We knew Arlo must've really felt unwell because he had no energy whatsoever to check out the cars at his favorite rest stop.

The entire rest stop was decked out for Christmas.

Well, Lucy enjoyed herself!

We returned to Bangkok and headed straight to the hospital, where we happened to come upon a classic car. But even this, Arlo barely batted an eye.

Couldn't even sit up while waiting for the doctor.

Back at home, Lucy really wanted to see Puu and Yaa again.

The next morning, Arlo's fever is still here and so he's back at the hospital...

... to see his normal doctor.

This time, he was feeling well enough to pose with the Christmas props.

Standing up to the cleaning robot.

But the fever isn't gone yet, and Arlo still had to battle through a few more bouts of total lethargy before he was done.

Feeling better after a long sleep.

Lucy, is there any room left in the bed for you?

A comprehensive house update: the glass in the office is in!

The closet in our bedroom is done.

We moved the ginormous bed into the master bedroom, to give more space in the guest room. (And, so we could have a bigger bed!)

The master bathroom is finished, too.

Arlo's mattresses have been plopped down onto his bed.

Arlo's toilet is finally reinstalled.

The downstairs bathroom is done.

And the back yard flooring is done, too!

Lunch time! Slurping up her noodles like a pro.

Arlo's not had a haircut in many months. Time to change that.

He's a new boy!

And Lucy turns 1 year and 9 months old today!

I came home from the office, and Arlo had learned to write his name all by himself.

Lucy and Arlo really enjoy bath time together these days.

Dunk!

On Thursday morning, it was a quick trip over to Nest (Lucy's playgroup place) to have photos taken with Santa.

Waiting patiently in the yard.

Here's Santa, traveling Bangkok-style.

Arlo's sizing him up!

Smile! Merry Christmas!

Insisting on inflating his own air mattresses.

Good work, Arlo! All ready for Granny and Grandpa's arrival now.

Lucy got a Christmas headpiece from the neighbor down the street. It's probably the longest a headband has stayed on her head!

Wall-facing toilet.

All ready for bed in his new room!

Closing this week with Chris the Chrysalis, our accidental new family member. Let's see if he ever emerges a butterfly -- stay tuned!