Catching up

Looks like I've set a new record for length of time between blogs! The longer I go without an entry the more time I think I need to catch up on the past few months and so the less likely I am to actually get to typing. It's a silly barrier because, given how poor my memory is, I can't remember more than a few weeks ago anyway!

I just got back from a work trip to Myanmar which meant Carlos, my mom and Sandra had to contend with Sofia from Sunday-Saturday. The trip was poor timing as I left on Easter, came back on Sofia's birthday AND missed the kids' spring break. For Easter we set them on a clue hunt around the house first and then sent them away while we put eggs out back and on the first floor for an egg hunt. It turns out our kids aren't the only ones excited about the easter egg hunt. In the 30+ minutes between putting the eggs out and letting the kids hunt around the squirrels came out and gnawed through half dozen eggs in search of chocolate! I hope they aren't as sensitive as dogs are to chocolate.

While I was away the kids did a mini-soccer camp and on Friday they set up a lemonade stand for the Nat's first home exhibition game. They broke their previous record and earned $75!

It seems Sofia dominated as usual and made everyone exasperated. Because I was on a plane for her birthday, we haven't had a proper celebration, but she did get pampered with fun presents. We also got the good news on her birthday that she got into Brent for next year which is a huge relief.

Sofia figured out how to make stairs from her drawers so we often find her on top of her dresser as she debates what clothes to put on. As you can see she either wears nothing or the same single dress every  day. 

I was in Myanmar for the inauguration for the new government and the ongoing negotiation of which ministries will be put under the NLD. It's fascinating and full of rumors given the opacity of politics. I don't know if I'll have a chance to go back - not the ideal vacation spot - but it did and continues to have a deep impression on me. I've been reading about Aun San Suu Kyi and the immense brutality of the Tatmadaw in The Perfect Hostage.  It's hard not to think about how fortunate I and my kids are to simply have been born in a country like the US - pure luck. Trying to get my kids to see how lucky they are hasn't totally stuck yet:). I read an article to them about Bangladeshi girls that were facing cultural backlash for learning to surf. Charlie did agree to share some of his lemonade earnings for fund that was being raised in their honor, but he capped his compassion at $20. Some pics from Myanmar:

ASSK shared a room with her brothers and her bed is the closest one

Other fun activities over the last few months include:

Visiting the Homestead. Fun and funny. We would go back now that we know the drill, but it is like airlines - they nickle and dime you for everything! I'm surprised the pool was free to enter...


Bowling at the White House with SAISers

Visiting Toby and Lisa's farm:

 First School "Dance." It mainly entailed Diego getting chased around by a bunch of girls and Charlie and his friends chasing each other. But there was some dancing and everyone had fun.

The girls who chased Diego