Rainy Season

October is the tail end of rainy season in Bangkok.  It runs from July-Oct, but is it not like the drizzle we get back home.  It is massive downpours with thunder and lightening, that is you get caught in it, you'll get a shower.  Within seconds the skies turn dark, the wind picks up and you are soaked to the bone.  I have been caught a couple times (once while driving the bike, which was NOT fun at all).

Then, when the storm has passed, the sky turns blue and everything dries out and we can play in the street once again.

Last week, the kids were having a water-gun fight when a storm hit.  They were already wet, so why come in?

But....The first boom of thunder sent them scurrying towards homes. Liam was the only smart one who came running to cover with the first drop.

Week in Pictures

Nothing too exciting has been going on with us.  Just the daily adventures and being hit with a stomach bug sums up our last couple of weeks.  I have been LOVING Instagram, as you can tell with the pictures I added.  I have said it before, I will let the pictures tell the stories....

We hit up the local market to get some fruit and DVD's to send home.  My sister comes in two weeks.  I am PUMPED!

Our first stop at the market is the smoothie stand.  It gets VERY hot in there, so it makes the walking of stalls a little more manageable for little feet. 

Amelia ran into a tree while at school.  Under those bandages are some good looking scratches.   

A stomach "thing" hit us small (Liam) -medium (Amelia) -large (Karli).  XL (Wade) was able to escape it.  NO fun for any of us.  We lived near the trash can and off of liquid meals consisting of 7 up and Coke.

The countdown to Halloween has already started.  Goma thinks we are crazy decorating the house with webs, bugs and scary stuff. 

Growing up

This week I sat and look at Amelia and Liam in "ah" with how fast they are going up.  I sat there trying to take the moment in and make a memory of this time.  

All of a sudden, Amelia has become a little lady and Liam a rough, sweet boy (super boy in his words).   There personality and individualism is starting to shine through.

Amelia is my little buddy with helping me in the kitchen and taking care of her brother.

Liam is talking up a storm and often questions what I say with why?   He is a lover too giving me BIG hugs and saying "I love you sooo much."

But of course, they wouldn't be siblings if they did know how to push each other's buttons. 

Amelia had her first dinner party last week.  She invited her teacher (and my friend), Ms. Darcy, and her husband over.  Before they came I was told I cannot talk to her and only she could.  I explained that is not a good sign of a good party.  You want all your quest to mingle!!   She was so excited that she was on countdown to their arrival and waited outside for them.

For the dinner party, Amelia designed the menu.  We got fried chicken and corn and made macaroni and cheese, brownies and salad.  We talked about how you always make sure your guest glasses are full and she states "but I can't touch the wine!"

I had brought this outfit from the States, but forgot about it.  I remembered this week.  Liam LOVES it.  

He even has to wear it to sleep. 

Bike riding

Liam thinks he is a big boy.  This includes riding a bike like the others.  He may not be doing it exactly the right way, but I was impressed on how he adapted to make it still work.

More snakes!!!

Found this morning heading down the street. 

Notice the lump in its belly...lunch?

Snakes

The snakes here aren't any little harmless garter snake that you find slithering in the garden on a summer day. The snakes here can kill you within moment of contact (you are supposed to take a picture of it and show the doctor ASAP so they know what meds to give you).  The snakes here make me walk in the middle of the street, look above in trees and jump over holes because of their abilities to kill.  The snakes here cause me nightmares about them and Wade has to wake me to let you know it is all right.

Last year, we never saw any snakes in person.  We were always aware they were around and made the proper precautions, but there was a calm in never really seeing them.  Since we have been back, this has not been the case.

This is our neighbor's cat.  The battle was being fought right outside the side door.  No worries, the cat was fine, but the snake did get away. 

This "small" python was found on school grounds this week.  Last year one 3x larger was found in a tree on campus. 

Up, Up and Away....