We are almost half way through February, and it's already been an exhausting month for a variety of reasons! I've had a couple of what I call "culture shock" days, which are really, really hard for me and just wear me out! Plus, we just had a lot going on these last couple of weeks and this past week, I had a sick husband, sick little boy, and then a sick little girl (although Siena never quite gets anything as bad as the boys, thank goodness!!). I had a little sore throat, but it never developed into a full blown cold, which surprises me considering the long nights lately but I'm not complaining! Everyone seems to be on the mend, with coughing mostly at night. What I wouldn't do to have one night of uninterrupted sleep....

Before the sicknesses, we were busy with all sorts of stuff. Max and I went to a joint birthday party for two friends from school that was at Gymboree. I keep forgetting to sign Siena up at Gymboree or Little Gym for an outing in addition to our swim lessons each week, so we'll be starting a class soon. As you can see, Max had a great time playing, popping bubbles, singing and making a mask, and he was front and center for the cake cutting. I was a nervous wreck that he was going to blow out Zac's candles on his cake! But, he didn't!!





























Our friends Amy and Michael invited us and another family with a boy Max's age and a baby over to their house for lunch, swimming, and some music. It was loads of fun! The kids loved it!! Check out Max chillin' while Michael played some songs and the video of the kids dancing while Amy played is a hoot! Miss Siena was dancing her little heart out...well, all the kids were! The picture of the woman playing the guitar is Amy's friend, her baby girl, and her mom who was visiting. Everyone there (well, except me) was so musically inclined! :) Amy and I grew up in the same town - Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pennsylvania and her little girl, Annabelle, is 8 months old. She's such a little cutie! But, a funny (well, not really "funny") story was that when we saw Amy, Michael and Annabelle in Shawnee when we were home in October and before they moved over to Bangkok, Siena walked over to Annabelle and smacked her right on the head. Ever since then, I'm so scared Siena is going to hurt her!!! I like that Amy lives in Bangkok, and it's just awesome having someone who knows "home" here! :)

















Max has his mid-term break next week and to end the first half of the second term, the school celebrated Chinese New Year (which was technically Feb. 4). They had a parade and the whole school sang songs in a big assembly. It was cute. Max's best friend at school is Matthew and they were holding hands during the parade!
















If Max doesn't become an architect or engineer, I'm going to be surprised. He's been building these elaborate (even more so than in these pictures) of "train stations and towns" and "towers"!! He's so proud of his work! (Now, if only I would take the picture after he's out of his pj's and his hair is combed! :))





















In order to get ready for Valentine's Day, I hosted the Parent and Toddlers group from our church and we decorated cupcakes and heart cakes. It was so much fun, but I think I ate way too much sugar!! :)



































Here's a picture of Max decorating his cupcake, a cupcake for Chris and a heart cake for Khun Vipa. The kids (and us!) also enjoyed getting Valentine's Day packages from Chris' parents and my mom!















We're headed to the beach for 2 nights tomorrow (Monday) and I cannot wait!! I won't be bringing my computer, just a couple of books and backgammon! :) Oh how I need this time out of Bangkok!!