The day is here

As we get ever nearer to the 2 month mark of our time left here in Bangkok, we have finally gotten what it is we’ve been waiting for… We’ve finally got an independent reader!!!!!

This makes for ease of travel.  In Grabs or going places now, we can toss Kiddo her book or a book that she wants to read and let her just go at it.  Also, this summer as we fly and travel around the globe, she can sink in and just entertain herself.  

Also, check the video.  Look at her go.  On a book about Ebola.  J brought this home for her on Friday after school and Kiddo completely sunk into it and read to herself and Poley, completely ignoring us so that she cold read to herself.  That’s some pretty exciting stuff.

Beyond that, we were all sitting around talking yesterday in the morning.  Kind of game planning the day and broad strokes on the weekend plans type stuff, but we also got talking about the summer and Shanghai and all the rest of it.  Part of our planning for Shanghai and China will be some winter prep.  We don’t want to go overboard, as we need to move it around the world and back this summer, but little things here and there are ok.  

One of the things that I didn’t want to be caught without or caught flat-footed on is headwear for myself.  Bandanas are fine and good in BKK, but I’m going to need hats, caps, or something warmer than that once temps start getting low.  I found a shop here that sold beanies of the type I like and have worn in the past.  So, I picked up an olive green and a grey.  

As we talked yesterday morning, I put on one of the new beanies, just to try it on, show it off, and have J think I’m cute and get all flirty with me.  Kiddo was appalled at the headwear.

WHAT is that on your head, Dada!

My new hat.

That’s NOT a hat.

So, J and I set about trying to convince her that it is indeed a hat and Kiddo was still having none of it.  

The next thing mentioned was J wondering how her style would change once we got to Shanghai, how and what Kiddo will latch onto there, what style of thing will she like or want to try, and finally, what my style will be like, since I’ve not done pants or long sleeves and layers in years.  After 20 years though, J has seen me in WI, in CA, in winter, summer, rain, cold, hot, etc.  She knows those looks and styles.  She is wondering what odd blend of eclectic and interesting I will put together.  Honestly, I am as well because I do get wild with my clothing.  My style is very eclectic and out there.  I like bold colors.  I like to have fun with it.  I also like to dress up.  Not suit and tie all day, but step above type stuff.  Once we get to Shanghai, will I lean into that or stay more on the BKK me with bandanas, super casual, extra laid back style or will I step it up a bit.

As we talked about this, I said that maybe I would be a little more toned down, a bit more traditional, and stick with the more “normal”.  I even mentioned that instead of baseball caps and bandanas, I could get a Fedora or Trilby style hat.  Kiddo, of course, asked what that was.  So I looked it up and showed her some pics. (Google Fedora hats and then go to Images tab, that’s all I did).

Kiddo looked at it and pulled a face that was doubtful and a tiny bit shocked.

I am NOT ok with that!

Something like this face

We lost it.  The timing was perfect and her face and voice was so full of 7 year old.  

She’s also, recently, been voicing her opinions on J and myself when we have fun or pull old inside jokes or just have some fun together with something that is of our time and life together.  Kiddo will sit thru whatever little song, jingle, or thing that has J and I laughing and she’ll just shake her little head-

Parents!  Sooooo annoying!!!!

She will certainly tell us what she thinks.  LOL

Let’s go, Kiddo… we have 2 months left here and then a whole summer of annoying parents to annoy you with their love, jokes, and laughter.  You may NOT be ok with that, but we are and we are going to love, sing, hug, and family together and then we are going to keep doing that in Shanghai.  Our styles might morph, our city may change, but we will always be there to family hug you, elephant walk with you, or just have fun as a family with you.  We get closer and closer to taco research and we can’t wait to do that with you too.

Consuming food... her natural state these days.