Sophia's 5th: nurses

After cooking, the kids became nurses and learned how to take care of babies. Because they only had six baby dolls they split the group up. A few friends had not yet arrived, some arrived an hour into it, and one right before it was over. Every one of these girls really got into this station, they loved giving the babies baths in real water, putting diapers on, learning to swaddle and then pretending to check temperature, give IVs, listen the heartbeat, etc. I wanted to participate too, it looked like so much fun.

I LOVED the small nurse outfits with cap. Adorable.

Can you guess who these friends are? 'The twins' as Sophia calls them. SiQing and SiYu, and no I do not know which is which.

The baby bath.

Bella wouldn't wear the cap, but she was involved in every other way. She loves doing this at home, so I knew she would here too.

Here Bella is giving her baby a shot.

Soph swaddles her baby.

This little girl is ChengCheng. I love her. She is adorable, a head shorter than Sophia, but with the same spunk. Sophia always comes home from school talking about playing with ChengCheng. She was doing a craft while with some others while waiting on the baby station.

Bella continues to take care of her baby, blood pressure, heart beat, all was assessed.

Here Sophia is really rocking her baby to sleep, singing a real song. she was SO into it.

Sophia's 5th: As Chefs

Chef's corner: the place had hats and aprons for all. Thankfully people came. Lots of people. All but one actually, and Sophia invited two more at the last minute, that made for 11 kids total, including Sophia and Bella, and one girl who came five minutes before the festivities ended.

Sophia is not crying in this picture, she is being dramatic about how much fun she is about to have.

 This lady was really good at instructing and getting the kids involved. She is teaching them how to make ManTou. I was quite surprised at how involved Bella got, she did not want to miss out on helping cook.

 When asked for a volunteer, Sophia jumped at the chance. Though everyone did get their turn.

 Tobin, my goodness. He sat here for two hours. Really. Please don't hate us. He was talked to a lot, entertained immensely, and everyone loved him. And there he sat. Not complaining.

I LOVE that Sophia and Bella too were loving this and enjoying friends as well.

Sophia's 5th: the party place

After nap/rest time we got ready to go:
Here are the Coker girls:

 We picked up one friend of Sophia's and then headed to the party place a little early. They were so excited.

She instantly fell in love with this hat, which she wore later at the appropriate time for the finale!

Here are the various stations that the kids got to participate in:

 

Being 'chefs', making mantou, a type of bread here.

 This place had a mini rice cooker and microwave.

Being nurses/doctors: baby dolls, that were life size and looked so real, awaited. I will detail the events later. This is just the set-up.

The dress-up station. With make up too.

The salon/hairdresser:

And there was also a 'post office' where they got to 'be postmen'. And a craft station. Crazy fun.

A year ago and pressing on

My Grandma Pinnie died a year ago. July 4th, 2011. A day or so later we traveled to Thailand and watched her funeral on the internet, live. Surreal for sure. Here we are again in Thailand. We have had an incredible, soul-enriching time. I wish I could detail it all right here. But lingering here in my head are thoughts of Grandma, and the reality that I don't fully remember that she is gone. We will go to the States in a month, and I have to remember that she won't be one we visit this time, and I think the loss will really settle in for me in a new way. Grieving once more, not having fully grieved, perhaps. My sister's recent post is a sweet reminder of my Grandma.

As I thought through some of these things we continued to meet with various friends, listen to various people talk, and hear some INCREDIBLE praise music. We felt real community, not hyped up, facade-type, but poured-out, encouraging tales of heart break and victory.

And then there was one man.
Fifty years overseas on and off, in war-torn places, his sweet gentle spirit, his strong command of 'right'ness, his ideas of what really matter in this life, his candidness of it all had us hanging on his every word. He told a story and said: 'I was fit to be tied', and I laughed out loud, as I had heard my Grandma say that phrase in her stories too. This man is eighty years old (I asked him point blank), and his is a life from which to glean true nuggets of wisdom. We took notes, and he was simply telling stories. But his stories...they were filled with sweet lessons learned. Not easy ones, not comfortable ones, no, his life lessons are fraught with hardship but he has endured. With joy. And he is not done yet.

He hugged my neck like any grandpa would, and I teared up at a life so well lived, and yet so humble. I pray for the grace to persevere with the same passion and love that this man has. And I thought of my Grandma.

Birthday morning gifts

 We next let Sophia open her gift from Bella. I took Bella to the bookstore to buy some good travel sticker books and while there I let her pic out two of these foam model things. She chose the airport for Sophia and car wash for herself. We had a very good time doing these together.

 Doesn't this car wash look super cool? like the real thing? The girls have never seen one of these before, so they don't know.

The airport included an airplane, helicopter, and people as well.

Next we did our gifts for her, the big one was a gift for both girls, but we waited for Sophia's birthday to give it out to not ruin the surprise. The girls love to play 'tea', so I looked all over town for a pretty set that was pretty sturdy. This is what I found.

 We let them get out some apple juice, and a little sugar in one dish. Then they got some milk. Mix those together and you get--gross. David said it tasted a little like applejacks.

 Her tutor brought over this doll/piggy bank and these paper foldings she did with a birthday blessing written on them. It was beautiful. She loved these too.

 She definitely wanted to 'mop for real' and so I let her. And then we did her little bag of gifts which were basically similar gifts to what Bella received.

 Umbrella, little purse, pretty peacock mirror and comb.

Birthday breakfast, etc.

 I decided to do her birthday post in many posts, mainly because I am having problems with internet speed here in Thailand and the pics are not cooperating. When we get to the actual party you will thank me, so many pics of the fun. Back to business. This top picture, Sophia finished her 'Early Readers' Bible, right on her birthday! Very fitting. Good job, girl.

 Tobin loves to play with umbrellas. We love his expressions! The other day Sophia said: 'he is the cutest baby I have ever seen', she loves her little bro.

 I made the standard birthday pancakes and tried everyone's number on for size. Tobin eating his '1'.

 Bella excited about her much improved '3'.

And Sophia with her '5'.

 We eased into the morning, and as Sophia finished her other Bible, David presented her with this one, She was thrilled, but a little intimidated I think. It is for ages 6-9, they have taken out most long-syllable words, and it is the NIRV (readers verseion).