Chiang Rai

Our Christmas Northern Thailand and Laos holiday began yesterday as we arrived in cold Chiang Rai (really the Northern most Thai city).  Funny how 25 degrees feels pretty chilly when you are use to the high 30's!  By night time we were looking at 15 degrees and wondering why we only brought one pair of trousers and our bathing suits!

To be fair in the bright sunshine at the right time of day it is still pretty warm.

 Sebastian all bundled up for the nighttime.  Our room is pretty cold and today we will have to go buy some sweaters.

Baby Group Blue Tree

I seem to remember posting when Sebastian was born, that this blog would not become all about him.  I would not be that mother.  What on earth was I thinking!

 When the cats away... His girlfriend could not make it today and he was holding hands with Salyn within seconds!

 Showing the ladies how it is done

He is pretty handsome!

Sebastian's Christmas Party

I think it is pretty normal to be hopeful that your children enjoy the same things you do.  And possibly some (most) will try to push their children in that direction, fan of football buy them footballs, an artist buy them artist materials, a swimmer throw them in the pool etc.  Well we are no different and as my husband likes to call me his social butterfly I might be trying to pass this legacy on to Sebastian (as my parents did to me).  Therefore, yesterday Sebastian hosted his first Christmas party for the babies in his baby group and their families.

 He asked me for a little help, so I decorated the tree the night before and in the morning cooked three lasagnas, set a table, tidied the house and got everything ready for the guests (he only gets this treatment while he is in single digits).

 He was not a huge fan of those ears

Sebastian and Salyn

 All the babies and adults chatting

 The gang just hanging out discussing Christmas plans.

 Lunch which I was pretty proud of.

 Salyn and Sebastian discussing the upcoming UK election or their love of milk, could be either one really.

 Out for a family walk, he was one happy boy after he pulled off the baby party of the year!

The Season Begins

It really is hard to tell that Christmas is coming here (unless you happen to go to a mall and there is a tree for us foreigners), (funny enough Christmas is not a big deal in a Buddhist country!  It is also fairly hot, there are no Christmas carols on the radio and no decorations on the streets.  So it was great yesterday to have two Christmas functions to attend.  First we went to my schools Christmas fair, it was the first one they put on and it was really nice.  And then to a Christmas party hosted by Luis's old boss at boarding.

Sebastian was totally exhausted and over whelmed.  He went to sleep in the car on the way there and woke up to total craziness.  But I am sure he was super thankful to get his photo with Santa!

 We had such a lovely evening, Clare and Tony did a great night.  There was games, mulled wine and the house was decorated super Christmasy and lovely.  Definitely a lovely start to the Christmas season.

Back to Four

After a great month of friends visiting we are back to just the four of us, Luis, Sebastian, Lola and of course my self.  Yesterday morning I dropped our final guest for 2019, Shelagh Day, off at the airport after enjoying a night out together on Monday.  It was wonderful to have her here, I think she really got to see Sebastian change and grow even over three weeks and she will be missed.

I think Sebastian woke up feeling a little lonely today as he is so use to having lots of people around.  But hopefully a day out swimming will cheer him up!

Muay Thai BBQ

Luis loves his gym , he trains Muay Thai there most days and has really bonded with everyone.  Yesterday he invited all the trainers, their families and people who he regularly goes to the gym with over for a BBQ.  It was fantastic, it was great to meet them all and I think they all had a fabulous time.

 Some of the gym people, either they train or taken an interest in watching Muay Thai.

 The kids

 Sara, who is a very keen Muay Thai lady

 The trainers and their partners.  A really nice day had by all.