Why boys, why? :The Case of the Rose Stem

Almost everyday I come across something in my house that has me stumped.  I am so glad the boys can be creative, but there are times I am completely baffled by what they could have been thinking.  I  am going to start taking pictures of what I come across that has me asking, "Why boys, why?"  Here is our first:  The case of the rose stem.

Here we have a rose stem stuck in black modeling clay with an Iron Man mini-fig chest on the front.  This is stuck above the cabinets in my kitchen.  I really cannot guess what this could be for. They really do keep me on my toes.  Happy Weekend!

Screen Free Week...Do they really mean EVERY screen?

I love the days when my boys play nicely together, using their imagination and being creative.  I love when they play with a cardboard box for hours turning it into a rocket ship or submarine.  Two of my boys could play with play doh, oobleck, or any other slime for hours.  They love playing in the mud or the water outside. If we turn on music they automatically start break dancing or they will wrap tape and string all through the house pretending to be spies.   If they can have some of their very best playtime without a "screen" why do I find myself relying on it more and more?

Television, computers, iPads, & phones start to drive me crazy.  I feel like when the boys are bored they always ask if they can have "technology" time and I usually give in.  After teaching them all day, I need a little down time or time to prepare for the next day. I find it really is just easier for me to turn on a movie or let them play computer/video games.  I NEVER thought I would be that type of mom.   I imagined I would have had a house full of creativity and maybe 30 minutes of screen time a day.  Boy, that was a crazy dream.

I have been realizing screen time is consuming way too much of our lives.  I'm pretty sure nothing too major is going to happen if I shut off the computer & iPad.  I'm sure I can still have a fulfilling day without checking any social media sites. I am sure I will not have children climbing the walls with boredom if they actually have to use their brain. (Although, they may be climbing the walls as some crazy game they have invented!)  A few  nights ago our electricity went out for a few hours and it was amazing to sit in silence.  We didn't hear the hum of the computers or see the bright lights from the screens...we heard a rainstorm and could appreciate it.  It was pretty amazing.   That night has been festering in me the idea we need to take some time away and have a little screen detox.

I was so excited when I read this weekend that Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is challenging households to a Screen free week the week of April 29- May 5.   My family will be taking the pledge to power down and rely on our imaginations and each other and I hope some of you will join in too.  Check out Screen free week on facebook or at http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/   Let me know if your family joins in the Challenge to be screen free!

Happy Songkran Day...and a little Spring break too!

Any teacher can tell you, you LIVE for holiday breaks.  Don't get me wrong. I love teaching, but working everyday and then lesson planning every night until 11 or later really starts to wear me out.  Waiting for spring break is the worst because you are so close to the end of the school year.  I kept plugging along and finally spring break made it to Thailand!!

The first weekend of our spring break we celebrated Songkran, the Thai New Year.  It falls during April 13-15, which is the hottest time of the year.  Most Thais will bring food to monks or pour scented water over a Buddha to receive good luck for the year.  The whole country pretty much shuts down for this holiday and they spend time with family and spend the time spraying water at each other.  Anywhere you go, you will see people walking around with water guns prepared to spray anyone.  So, if you visit over Songkran, prepare to get wet!  The boys had a blast with some of the neighborhood kids and spent over 4 hours playing in the water and spraying anyone that came by.  It was so much fun!

 

 

We decided to stay in Bangkok for the rest of break because we have some big summer plans in the works. Most people head to amazing locations like Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, Phuket or Chiang Mai, but good 'ole Bangkok got to keep us for the week. So, what was first on our spring break to-do list? We  cleaned and organized the house. (Real exciting, right?)  Ben and I also had loads of school work to do, so we tried to tackle that.  We did manage to have a little fun.  We took the boys to Siam Ocean World, southeast Asia's largest Aquarium.  It was a really fun afternoon.  We watched the shark feeding and took a glass bottom boat ride.  The sharks were right under us!!  When we were ready to leave, I noticed outside of the mall EVERYONE had water guns.  Thankfully, they were kind and only a couple people sprayed the boys.

We also took a trip to Playtime Ekamai, an inside playground, hung out at the pool a few times, and the boys took care of a friend's dog.  We had a busy, yet relaxing week.  Not quite ready for school to start back up, but the countdown has begun.  Only 6 weeks left!!  Let's do this!

 

Where have we been for the past year?

I have decided it is time to start blogging again.  After reading through the posts from our first year in Thailand, I am really sad that I didn't keep up with it.  So, I am starting again today!  So, what in the world have we been up to in the past year and a half?   It is quite a list...so let me get you all up to date.

*We visited the Grand Palace and saw the Emerald Buddha.
* Ben's mom came for a visit and we went to the island of Koh Samet, Chatuchak Market, & Wat Pho (home of the reclining Buddha).
* Had two visits to Safari World and were able to feed giraffe.  Amazing!
*Lincoln had surgery to remove a lump from his neck and we were very pleased with the hospital stay.  Thailand offers amazing service!
*My Mom & Dad came for a visit and we went took a long tail boat to Railay Bay & the Island of Koh Lanta.  So beautiful. We also took them back to Wat Pho to see the Reclining Buddha.
* We went to learn about the poisonous snakes that are all over Thailand.  That was so informative!  I recommend that to anyone living in Thailand.
*We took our very first Khlong Boat ride.
*We toured Ancient Siam by bike.
* All 3 boys stayed home to be homeschooled this year. So glad I have the opportunity to stay home and learn right along with them.
* We went to the Island of Koh Chang and and got to ride elephant though the jungle and see wild monkey climbing all over our hotel!
*Celebrated the Thai Holidays of Loy Krathong ad Songkran.
*I got to experience Chinatown and had my first Tuk Tuk ride!
*Went up to the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya.  The Thai detail is amazing.  I love all the architecture on the ancient buildings here.

It's been quite a year and a half.  The longer we are here, the more I love this country.  I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of a new culture and have experiences I never thought would be possible.  This was such a leap for us and WAY out of our little NW Ohio comfort zone, but I will never regret this.  As this school year is coming to an end, I am really looking forward to what year 3 in Thailand will bring.  I have a feeling it is going to be pretty amazing!