Bangkok Week 840

August 1, 2024

Another week, another road trip — this time to Trad! It’s the first time that both sets of grandparents have gotten together as grandparents!

We start the week with a visit to the doctor!

And more late-afternoon swims with Granny & Grandpa.

Look who has been practicing his flips!

A clean entry.

Splash!

Arlo's new favorite pastime: counting his money.

Pink tongues!

Another week, another road trip!

Our fist time to Trat in almost 5 months... and Granny & Grandpa's first time in over 5 years!

Hello, Bella!

Bella even remembers Granny.

Arlo and Lucy waste no time.

And Arlo is over the moon with his *twelve* new cars.

Granny & Grandpa are trying a new hotel - at the gas station!

Well, it's got a nice view.

Checking out all their Trad toys -- like they're new!

BFFs.

Arlo's interested in getting Bella to shake a paw.

With Puu and Yaa.

Delicious dinner prepared by Top and Nan.

Bath buddies.

The only time Arlo has his hair brushed is when he's with Yaa.

The next morning, everyone is eager to go outside.

Shake a paw, Bella.

One of Arlo's favorite pastimes in Trad.

But today is a special day -- it's the annual merit-making.

Lucy's a year older. But does she have the patience yet?

Arlo was great, he both had patience and knew some of the chants.

And then it's time to toss the coins.

With Granny and Grandpa's help this year.

Arlo has been looking forward to "catching" for months.

Pleased with their "keep".

Full group photo -- this time with grandchildren!

Tong was nowhere to be found all morning. Well, here he is!

Bella and Tong - BFFs.

Checking out the jewelry store + cafe next door.

To describe it as slow would be an understatement!

Helping Yaa prepare the veggies for dinner tonight.

One of these visits, Lucy's bike will fit her.

Another delicious dinner from Top and Nan.

Woah! Yaa has been saving this pomelo for Arlo & Lucy. She grew it in the back yard!

Bella knows that the Bangkok crowd is heading home soon.

And so it's time for some final photos.

And a big kiss on the lips from Sister Bella.

Bye bye, see you next time Aa Top! Thank you for everything!

Arlo and Lucy show Granny & Grandpa their favorite rest stop on the way home.

And bonus : it has a swing!

This is the monkey who refuses to sleep in the car.

Visiting the new condo next door right after we get back to Bangkok.

Well, Lucy's made herself at home.

Happy to be back in her own bed.

More Monza with Grandpa.

And Arlo's continuing to work on his flips.

Another 6 months have flown by. It's dentist time again!

Arlo's a pro in the chair by himself.

And Lucy benefited from watching her big brother go first.

Unfortunately, Granny and Grandpa were too old to get their dengue vaccines.

New running shoes for the new school year for these two.

Delicious lunch of Pad Thai and som tum, courtesy of K. Noi.

Challenging himself with a 64-piece puzzle.

Lucy insisted that we wear winter hats.

Ooh! New bubbles!

(The living room is now the "bubble room" according to Arlo.)

Lucy has yet another make-up lesson, so lucky Granny & Grandpa get to see her swim one more time.

And Arlo took to heart his assignment to draw a picture for Granny & Grandpa before they leave.

Checking to see if his masterpiece is done.

Left to right, you have: Arlo, Granny, Grandpa, Bella, Lucy, Satang, Mum, Tong, and Dad.

And a make-up lesson for Arlo, too.

Lucy's practicing wearing her backpack for school in a few weeks.

But she hasn't realized she can take it off.

The boys are having deep conversations...

... like how thieves might hot wire a car to steal it.

Lucy kindly sharing her swing with Arlo.

Peeking on the older kids in the swimming pool.

And we end this week with yet another cactus bloom.