Bangkok Week 829 — Mika's Photos

Flat Stanley finally makes his school debut! The cactuses are blooming, and we visit two different public parks. But most importantly, perhaps, we stumble upon a restaurant with hedgehogs that makes Arlo’s (and Lucy’s) week!

It's here! The day we've all been waiting for!

Poor Stanley is ready to go to school!

Here we go!

An adequate likeness. Happy Book Week!

Then, it's off to swimming with Lucy.

With her goggles, she's muh more streamlined in the water.

Uh oh! Someone's spying on Mum during a call.

Yet another cactus flower. Tis the season!

Uh oh! Someone got into the sunscreen.

And someone is practicing wearing her flip-flops.

Back to Benjasiri Park, for the first time in a while!

Lucy's in her happy place.

But it's awfully sunny today!

Finding some shade amongst the trees.

Someone's learning how to pump on his own.

Chocolate milk break!

Seeking respite from the heat inside the new EmSphere mall right next door to the park. Turns out they have a floor of showrooms for *uber posh* cars.

How cute: the family bathroom has a little sink (and a little toilet) for the little ones.

Uh oh! Is rainy season upon us?

Wow! Another cactus flower!

And trying out the tractor pajamas.

Special donuts for Sunday breakfast.

And a new cactus paddle. This guy is now the tallest member of the household!

Checking out a new park...

... with a modest bike lane.

Turns out this park also has a fantastic, Toronto-style playground.

Unfortunately, it was also peak sun while we were there.

This playground would be perfect in the late afternoon. I bet it gets packed!

This park also has a great cactus garden.

Look at the flowers. How come ours has never flowered?

Sizing up the danger in this one.

Little Miss Red.

Last stop at the park: a little "Green" library.

It was actually a very nice little bilingual library for kids.

Reading 'Madeline in America' for the first time.

Then we stumbled upon a Restaurant out there...

... which happens to be home to all sorts of special animals that Arlo's read about (and seen online) but never in person.

The hedgehogs were an utter delight. He was so happy.

So many cute little hedgehogs!

Also Meerkats.

And more guinea pigs than you've ever seen altogether! (But they were clean.)

And ducks. Lucy loved the ducks.

There were also lots of talkative birds.

And very cute, fluffy free-range chickens roaming around.

Lunch is here! Arlo and Lucy thought the fries were delicious, but I suspect they were hungry.

Dad wants to get a chair like this for the balcony. It's a bit big, no?

Arlo was intrigued by the bird that was nibbling his finger.

Photobombing!

Lucy's back with her ducks.

They're on the run!

"Hi Ducks!"

Yum yum, pizza!

Arlo wanted a photo with a standing meerkat.

Lucky us! Right next to our table, they started bringing the snakes out to have a cool bath.

Brave Arlo touched a few snakes and this scaly orange lizard.

Lucy was fine just looking.

Well, that was a thoroughly exhausting morning, and - while Lucy stayed awake the whole ride home - someone else conked out.

We made a water gun playdate for the pool, so off goes Lucy with hers.

Waiting for the neighbor to arrive with his water gun too.

Oh! It's flat Lucy! Spitting image of the boy in the book!

Playing airplane with Dad.

We restocked the sprinkles for Arlo and Lucy's ice cream... but we might've gone overboard!

Sitting together in their milk corner.

Someone turns 4 years and 8 months old today!

Lucy invited Nancy over because she thought she found Nancy's ball in the street.

Speaking of playing, Lucy can't wait to leave for her Playgroup at St. Andrews. She said good-bye and walked right out the front door by herself.

Playing with slime today...

... and friends.

Meanwhile at Annabel's, Arlo helps Aya put her backpack "in the trunk of the car".

And helping one of the TA's put away the rocket ship.

Arlo found these lush green branches somewhere, and so of course had to bring them home...

... for Chompy.

Lucy the soda monster!

Our newest purchase: a cute little toaster oven, for those small things that can't go into the normal toaster.

Partners-in-crime: giving the fish a late-night snack.

And it's a very heavy midday downpour.

Mesmerizing!

Somehow, it stopped soon enough for Arlo's football to be outside.

Hugs or tackles?