Flat Macie in Thailand

 After seven days of travel, Flat Macie made it to Thailand.  She went from the cold temperatures of Kenmore to the hot humid weather of Bangkok and boy was she ready to get out of that stuffy envelope!   Once Amelia and Liam meet Flat Macie, they were in love.  We decided to treat Flat Macie as if our cousin was really here knowing that the real Macie cannot make the trip .  Thank goodness Macie and class where doing a class project around the book "Flat Stanley".

In Thailand we live in a community that is very much like America.  It is a BIG neighborhood (‘moo-bahn’ in Thai), where we play with neighbors, BBQ with friends, and walk to the store for ice cream.  In our neighborhood is our school, Ruamrudee International School.  RIS is an American based school where we all speak English and use American curriculums.  At RIS Amelia is in pre-kindergarten.  There she is learning math, reading, writing and many other things.  Her favorite thing to do is play at recess with her friends Lizzy and Jazzy.  Her least favorite thing to do is take a nap.  

RIS was the first place Amelia wanted to take Flat Macie.  Below are pictures in front of Amelia’s classroom door and the playground.  Flat Macie loved going down the slide.

Just outside the gates of our neighborhood you can see “real” Thailand.  This is where there are people on the streets selling food, clothes, and most anything that can be purchased.  FM arrived during the weekend, so we thought it would be fun to take her for a taxi ride to see our local Wat and weekend floating market.  There Amelia showed her the sights, we relaxed on a boat with iced Thai tea, and we toured the Wat.  Flat Macie loved everything that she saw and ate.  She also got to meet some friends of ours who were also there showing friends around.

After some long thought, Flat Macie has decided that she is going to stay with us in Thailand.  She loves feeling warm and has many more foods to try and places to see.  Thank you to 

We ran into friends at the market.  They wanted a picture with Macie.

Even Superman wanted in on the action.

Touring the local Wat.

Fun with Macie at the floating market.

Mini horses!

Touring the market.

Thai ice teas on a boat. 

More Wat.

Parental selfies. 

Macie's first taxi ride. 

Showing Macie Amelia's classroom. 

Singapore

Last week/weekend Wade and I left the kids at home and went to Singapore.  I had a conference and we met up with a college friend, Cheryl Pink.  I had a plan to get lots of pictures, but this was it.  I guess I will have to go back to get more. 

When you live overseas, seeing people who knew you from your past is a luxury you cherish.  You can sit for hours and reminisce about who we once were.  It was so great for Cheryl to lets us stay with her and be our tour guide.  Singapore is an amazing place.  Clean, orderly, and safe are just a couple words to start with.  For someone who is in business it is the place to be.  But, it costs a lot of money to stay and live there. Forbes named it the 5th most expensive city in the world for expats.  Coming from one of the cheapest, it was a hard transition.  

Most of my time was spent at the conference, but at night we went downtown and saw where the rich play.  Singapore has a very unique skyline and surrounded by water.  The whole country is only 16 miles by 24 miles and getting around was super easy and cheap with its public transportation. 

If you are ever touring Asia, I recommend stopping there. But don't stay too long or you will run out of $$$. 

(I posted this and an hour later this was published. I guess it is now the most expensive in the world!)

Handsome Man.

One of the BEST things I have ever eaten: Singapore Chili Crab. 

Most expensive drink I have ever had.  EVERYTHING is Singapore is SUPER expensive.  

Candyland Birthday Party

February is a big birthday month for the kids in our community.  So for Amelia's 5th birthday party we joined forces to celebrate Amelia and Molly together.  The theme: Candyland. I can't take credit for most of  the party.  While I spent my time studying, Amy (Molly's mom) did most of the planning, decorations, and organization.  I helped where I could (mainly food).   The girls and the friends who attended the party loved all of it.    

Crafts

Goma and Liam in the photo corner. Love this picture.  We are going to miss Goma so much when we leave Thailand in June. 

Games: Pass the bubbles.

Candy bar.  Thanks to my mom for sending most of it from the States.  Half of this candy you cannot get in Thailand. 

Food: We even had a chocolate fountain Amy and I spotted (stole and returned) at a meeting we were in.

Bubbles outside

Birthday girl!

Party Pics! Amy hired the school photographer to take pictures.  His camera is SO much nicer then my camera phone. 

Then vs Now

Amelia at age 2 at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle and Safari World, Bangkok age 5.  Shows how life can change so fast.

Five

For some reason Amelia turning five is a bigger deal then her turning 4, 3....

Five is old.  Five is a kid!  Five means school (even though she has been in school since she was three).  I think what gets me the most is how am I old enough to have a five year old?  This birthday I realize how fast time flies and I remind myself I need to enjoy every moment. I know when she turns 10, I will long for the time she was five.

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Amelia's stats according to her...

Favorite food: Strawberry Marshmallows

Favorite color:  Pink and Blue

Favorite thing to do: Play "Frozen"

Favorite Sport: Soccer

I love...Frozen

Most excited to learn..how to read.

Best Friends: Molly and Gephen

Best thing about being five is?  Playing with Legos

Miss about being four: Nothing

Hua Hin

While people back home took the weekend to prepare for the Hawks game, we took the weekend to get some sun on the beach.  It is Superbowl Monday for us (and I have to work), and Friday was off due to Chinese New Year.  It was the perfect time for a weekend getaway to the Royal Beach Resort, Hua Hin.  We rented a van and packed it full of friends, kids and beach wear and drove it three hours south where we met more friends.  It was also perfect timing to leave Bangkok due to elections and protesting.

We spent our days by the pool and at Hua Hin Beach.   When we first checked into our hotel they gave us a tourist guide.  Amelia opened it up and saw they had horses on the beach.  That became her number one mission.  The rest of the time we worked on our tans.  

Don't worry...Liam did have and wore his Seahawk gear.

Hua Hin Beach

Liam on "Jewel".  I asked him the name of his horse and he said it was like Grandpa's Jewel. 

Amelia said her horse had no name.  She got to ride with no one holding and thought that was pretty awesome. 

Sun in the eyes.

Now that I look at this picture it is pretty gross.  One night we met friends for dinner and had one of the best meals I have had in Thailand.  The beef is imported from New Zealand. 

Year of the horse.

Chinese New Year starts on Friday.  That may not mean much to those living in the States, but if you live in Asia, especially China, it is a big deal.  We get off school for the day to celebrate.  The Chinese take 15-30 days off.  This is when most people travel to be with family.

Friday starts the year of the horse.

Born in 1978? 1990? 2002? This is your year!

It has become a holiday I have learned to really like.  The red, the lanterns, and the Chinese dress.  I am hoping it is something I can bring back with me and make it an annual tradition for us.

Below are pictures from Ruamrudee's celebration.  Amelia didn't wear red for the celebration, but she picked out her prettiest dress.

You would think by looking at this picture it is FREEZING here.  It has been record lows, but temperatures are like a perfect northwest summer day.  I have been loving it. 

This past week was also teacher appreciation.  To show respect, each class has a ceremony for their teachers.  Here is Pre-K:

The wai.

Bowing to submission.

Presentation of flowers