The last week

We’re on short time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun with it.  Saturday, we did home Shabu one last time and it was great.  That’s something, as we move, we will try to keep with us.  It’s easy enough to make, if we can find the meat sliced the correct way.  Outside of that, I can make the stock pot as needed and we are all flexible on that, so that’s something that will stick with us for a bit.  

I did get a last pic at the produce stall the other day.  Not the greatest, but it'll work if I can't get a better one before going.  

We’ve been giving away stuff also.  Sometimes, people will wonder how big, how small, or what that size of something is.  I think Kiddo is a pretty good measuring stick.  

As the school year ended, J got gifts and little things like that from her parents.  One of the things she got was a new lipstick and Kiddo was curious, so she got to try lipstick for the first time.  I just want to smooch her lips and face off!!!!!!  She’s so cute.

We also had a last time doing potions and wizarding.  It was a hoot and we got those things cleared out, so it was a plus.  Besides that, Kiddo loved it and it really gave her a last go at that and a time to close that in her own way.

J and Kiddo went out to a park the other day also.  It was a quick thing, but again, it got the wiggles out.  Kiddo and Nanny Beer will probably make a last trip on Wednesday or Friday, but it was our last go of it.  

We are doing a lot of last things.  In that, we are dealing with a lot of feelings from Kiddo.  The last time around, her fears and anxieties were more vague and just looking into the unknown.  This time she is more vocal about her feelings, but also they are specific and on point.  She worries about China and making friends, or going to school, or traveling this summer, or what if she doesn’t know how to act or what to say.  

We’ve had nights where she just needs an extra hug.  We’ve had crying nights where all the doubts, worries, wonders, excitement, anxieties, and the looking forward and looking back happen.  We’ve had excited nights when she can’t wait to start the next chapter.  We are just feeling the feelings and letting her have the space to be happy and sad and worried and scared and nervous and everything else.  

We did carve out some time yesterday and we went to see Inside Out 2.  It was… A movie.  Kiddo thought it was ok.  She enjoyed IF much more and was actually kind of wiggling and not really into it at points.  It was cute, but it was also lost.  The plot point wondered and wasn’t close to as engaging as the first.  Really, the last Pixar we all agreed on was Onward.  Since then, they’ve all missed.  Not to knock them much, it was a GREAT 25 year run, but Soul, Luca, Turning Red, Lightyear, and Inside Out 2 we really didn’t care for at all and we just skipped Elemental.  Honestly, we’ll skip Toy Story 5 next year as well and we can catch it streaming.

We’ve been spending some time with Kiddo rolling out the Pixar classics though.  Sitting around as a family and just watching a movie.  It’s kind of getting us into the summer mood, as we will do that over the summer.  We just cuddle as a family and watch something on the lapper as we travel and do what we do.  It’s nice that Kiddo is wanting that and taking the time to just lean into J and I and the family time.  

When we aren't doing that, we still both take our time with Kiddo and spend some time playing and just being with her.  She wanted to make a video last night, about a "mystical quest" that we (her and I that is) need to complete before we leave.  It was sent "mysteriously" to her, but suspiciously in her handwriting.  LOL. She did this all without help and I gotta tell ya, she loses her place a few times reading, but this is darned good for 7.

Today was the real start of packing, as things are really getting whittled down.  We are counting and planning outfits and clothing, so the rest can pack and get into a suitcase.  Everything is spoken for save a few smaller things, so it’s now just getting it all into a suitcase and then rolling out.  It’s a few days of doing the last things.  Kiddo will have a last chance today to go climbing, as Becks took her so J and I could have some time.  Tomorrow is a trip to the Immigration Office to cancel the work visa and our visas.  Then, it’s just life until we get into the car to the airport.  

I’m not sure how much time I’ll have in the next week to update this, but I will catch up; Worry not.  Also, over the summer travels, I might be a week or so behind.  A lot to do, ya know. 

Let’s go, Kiddo… We get to do all the last things and love out Thai life for a few more days before we have a summer vacation and then restart in a new place, a new city, a new school, and a new culture.  We can’t wait to see what you like, dislike, and are kind of neutral on.  We also can’t wait to experience China and Shanghai, not just as Mumma and Dada, but through your lens as well.  We love you and we have all the hugs you could want and need in the days and weeks to come.  Same goes to you J.  Loves!