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Steps in the Spice Garden
A cool banyan tree in the Spice Garden
Real, slightly fierce, monkeys in the Spice Garden
The sunset from Batu Fringhi beach
They almost don't look like they torment each other every minute they are awake....almost
This past weekend we packed up the kids and headed to the island of Penang in Northwestern Malaysia. It was nice. The weather was perfect, no one got sunburn or food posioning and we all had a good time.
Things got off to a good start on the way to the airport
The boys hit the water immediately upon arrival
Someone has learned to count to 3
Someone else looks tanned and relaxed
A cool old house in Chinatown
Someone else rode his first horse
Someone looks happy while waiting for her hawker stand lunch. Notice the dolly is wearing her sun hat.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Today I would normally be running around cooking since dawn, but this year we decided to pack up and go on a mini vacation. Our oldest is doing so so well at school that I don't feel 2 days off school will be his ruin.
I do wish a little that we were having a big dinner. My fondest Thanksgiving memory is from one we had in Harare, Zimbabwe. We sawm in a bright green pool at the DCM's house - it even had some frog eggs in it - yuck. And being the ultra non-American that I actually am, when someone passed me the cranberry sauce out of a can, I said "No thank you, I don't care for any beetroot." I had no idea what it really was!
Check back Monday for beachy pictures!
I go through most days feeling like I don't accomplish anything. Today was a little different. There is a craft bazaar coming up that I will have 1/2 a table at - not sure what I was thinking! But I did manage to get all the onesies and t-shirts done that I plan to sell. Next up is the hairbows - the simple kind, not the 10 coloured 5 inch high ones. Some of them can be scary...
Notice my helper in the corner? She is fast.
So Luke is becoming quite the photographer. He takes the camera whenever it is left out and takes many mnay pictures of interesting things around the house. Here is part of his latest series ont he living room. The last photo is taken while he is hiding behind the couch - someone must have been coming!
In my life prior to becoming a FS spouse, I was a Montessori lower elementary teacher. I loved it most of the time. Well, I loved working with the kids - my school head and some parents, not so much. I had a little bit of a sickness when it came to material making. I loved it. I loved it all. I woud fight with my co-teacher about going to the copier, the lamiator and even cutting out the masses of laminated cards.
My middle son is going to a little sort of Montessori school. It is run by a lovely local woman and his other teacher also seems very nice and kind. While he has been there he has mastered riding a bike - not a big deal but he could not even pedal before we arrived in Malaysia. Can we say gross motor delay?? He has gotten loads better about colouring and can even write his name. He still would rather spend the morning playing with their little plastic dinos, but he is making some real progress. Schools here differ somewhat in the kinds of materials they have out on the shelves. I have offered to make them some and they polietly smile. I took in some last week and I guess they were pleased - it was hard to say. This week end I have been bitten by the Montessori material making bug and have whipped up a ton of nomenclature cards - anything I could find for free on the interenet. Hopefully they will break down and let me go crazy with the material making. Free materials by a trained teacher who cannot work and has nothing else to do with herself - seems like a win win for everyone to me!
Luke trying out some work at home
Today we decided to head to the Deer Park - the guide book promised deer roaming free and the chance to feed them - a real draw for the 4 and under crowd in our house. So we got in the car first thing, got lost and finally made it. Before we arrived a very concerned man who had clearly been educated in the States stops us to ask how long we planned to stay. We don't normally discuss our days plans with complete strangers - but he persisted. Apparently there was a massive demonstration planned for later in the day right near the Deer Park. He advised us too look around then leave quickly.
The Deer Park was a bust. No deer roaming freely. No feeding. Only lots of not stroller friendly steps. There were more interesting things close by - so some day soon we will go get lost and hope to end up back in the same part of town. On a day we hope a massive demonstration isn't planned.
This morning as I sat and waited for my daughter at Mandarin school - I wove in ends - lots and lots of ends.
Every so often the Embassy offers something that is really interesting and useful. Today was one of those days - they had 2 people in to talk about schools in general and college applications. The first woman I already knew and was so comforted to hear her lilting Southern accent as she reassured me that my oldest is a smart cookie and I don't actually have to listen to every piece of advice given to me about his education. I think people get used to feeling like DoS orders us around so much we always have to do as we are told regarding everything. Good to know!
The college lady was a good talker and full of very interesting information and advice. For example, colleges LOVE FS kids. They even have a special code for them 011. They love them because they have a broad world view and are fluent in English, among other things. She also said AP or IB - it doesn't matter at all. And if you are going to spend any money helping with the application - then get your kid in a college essay writing class - it matters that much. And she suggested starting college tours in 8th grade. That is now for us - Yikes! Since we usually only get to go home every couple of years, you need longer to work them all in. Looks like we will be visiting some colleges this summer..
