The Piggy Tail Milestone

The Piggy Tail Milestone, is a happy and sad day in our house. A few days ago, I realized that Kaile's hair was getting pretty long and decided to give it a try. After chasing her with a brush and rubber bands for half the morning this was the result...


Doesn't she look like such a little lady?!! When you can put your little girls hair in piggy tails, it is the begining of many other changes from little baby to little girl. All day long I was smiling in awe and laughing with pride at how beautiful and grown-up she has become. But at the same time I was silently mourning, to see the baby stage fleeting so quickly.



Kaile loves to be with the big girls and do everything that Kiara and her friends do. It is hilarious when we pick up Kiara from school, Kaile struts the hallways, yelling "Hi" to everyone, and when we leave she yells, "Bye Guys! See you!". Only 20 months old, and she is queen bee of the school.

Every morning her first request is "swimming? swimming?". We are in the pool 1 to 3 times daily. Here is a picture of her pretending to fall in the pool. And Pania, those are the water wings you gave Kiki! Kaile also loves the princess scooter you guys gave Kiara for her first birthday.

Harajuku Hip Hop Girls take Malaysia

Kiara's class performed a hip hop dance at school. Choreography included (...among others) the helicopter, the sprinkler, and raise the roof. I was tempted to help with the choreography but her 45 year old teacher from West Virginia seemed to have it all under control :)

It was so darling and entertaining! The kids really enjoyed themselves and were so proud to perform in front of the "Graders", which is what Kiara calls the Grade 1 and up kids.

Kiki and her friends adopted a very cool attitude for their performance.

It's Banana B-A-N-A-N-A!

Harajuku Girls: MC Green T, Malay Mamacita , and K Money

Me I'm Supa Fly

White Sand Christmas

Christmas Eve was spent at home in KL. As I was cooking dinner in the kitchen, and frequently batting away my husband who tries to add Season-All to EVERYTHING...I found myself sulking and missing my sisters and mother terribly. Christmas Eve at home would have been filled with chaos, laughter, teasing in the kitchen, and lots of little kids running around. My house was too quite and I felt a sadness creeping over me. My saving grace was knowing that we had tickets out of the country early Christmas morning and I would be laying on a beach soon. I think I could drown my sadness in mango smoothies and sandcastles?


Kiara and Kaile playing on our balcony waiting for dinner to be ready


Smiles
Christmas Eve dinner

On the menu: Pear Gorgonzola salad with candied walnuts. Roast pork loin with fennel, roasted potatoes, and vegetables. Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake...it was a simple meal and turned out quite nice.


A Christmas toast. Feeling so blessed and thankful for my beautiful family

Kiara was hilarious this year! Her innocence, generous heart, and excitement for Santa's visit was contagious.
Letter to Santa
...as visions of sugar plums danced in her head

Finally Christmas morning comes!


New sunglasses from Santa

Kaile got this part-darling part-creepy mechanical cat that has motion sensors, purrs and rolls over. She had been playing with it at every toy store we visited for the whole year. Santa did good, and mommy is sticking to her guns about a no-pet rule.

4 hours later we land here in Koh Samui, Thailand

Kiki about to jump in

Our Samoan Princess

Playing with big sis

Ready for a nap!

Talking to our families in the States...miss you guys xxx

Can't complain

Daddy and his girls

Thai flower arrangements

Jumping to daddy

Pusing Kiara in is her favorite game

Napasai Resort

Our balcony

View from the girls bedroom of our private yard and cabana

View from the master bedroom

Dinner out with Tai (he is taking the photo)


Kiara
Our beach cottage
My 6 month belly...and no Pania that is not vodka in my hand :)


Kaile taking in the sun

Kiki making "Sand Angels"


This picture cracks me up. Kaile sucking on a lolly, legs crossed, and floating in the pool. She is one cool cat!

Daddy's Girl

I love this girl :)


Sisters




Kiki finding sea shells...she spent hours on the beach collecting sea shells.


Walking to Zazen, this gorgeous restaurant on a rocky sea side cliff surrounded by beautiful Zen gardens


Daddy keeping Kaile busy

Chocolate volcanoes for dessert ...yum!


Kiara relaxing after a yummy meal. She brings a book everywhere.

Waiting for the taxi

Tuckered out.

We had such a lovely trip just enjoying each others company. We spent hours watching and laughing at all of Kaile's new tricks, and talking about how in awe we are at Kiara's warm heart and cleverness. We are such proud and blessed parents. I was sick for a day and Tai and the girls took such good care of me.

Special thanks to my husband who finally got to relax for a few days after months of hard work, commuting to Singapore, and working on his MBA. The no wireless access at the resort was my secret weapon :) Thank you for being an amazing father and husband. I love you.

Christmas Season

The Christmas season was busy and filled with fun activities. We hosted a cookie exchange and brunch, had school and church parties, and spent some time in Singapore enjoying the festive city.

A few of the Christmas decorations I have in KL. I think about all my decorations packed away in our storage unit for these past 4 years and want to cry. Oh well, home is where the heart is.

Brunch at my house with friends

Kaile enjoying the Christmas season sugar high


Decorations for the gingerbread house. Don't know how I missed taking a photo of the finished house.



Kiara's school Christmas party. Who wants cup cakes?

Kiara and her friend Juliette

Baking sugar cookies with mom


Bubble snow in Singapore. We spent a few days in Singapore with Tai to enjoy some Christmas shopping and festivities.

What kid doesn't love bubbles?

Barbie Christmas show at Raffles in Singapore


Street performers on Orchard Road

Kaile at the Singapore zoo, Kids Zone.


Kiki making a run for it


Singapore zoo
Kiara in her duckling costume for her school Christmas concert. She had a speaking part and did such a great job! We were so proud of our Christmas duckling.

Where's Kaile?

So according to the blog universe...it looks like our life revolves around Kiara. But the reality is Kaile rarely stops moving long enough for a picture. She is my busy little toddler and I apologize for my blog-neglect. Here's a little about what she has been up to:


Cruiz'in the Bangkok river

Snuggling with her cuz Malina

More snuggling
She is obsessed with her silky blanket!
Kisses to Malina at the bird park
Eating yogurt
Talking on the phone
Dancing with her big sis. She runs up to the ipod and says "Dance!"

Baking with mom

Kaile keeps me busy all day long. She is such a joy and so full of energy. She is talking a lot, knows exactly what she wants, and basically rules the house with her unrelenting will, and vibrant personality. Lately...to Kiara's utter joy she has been very snuggly. She runs to the couch with her silky blanket and yells to Kiara. "Come, sit down!" and wants to lay with her big sis. Whos the boss???

VIDEO: UN Day Wero & Haka

Check out Tai and his kiwi haka crew:

Click link below

Wero & Haka Performance

United Nations Day

Kiara's International school celebrates United Nations Day every year by having each country give a cultural performance. This year we were invited to join the New Zealanders and quickly ditched our American counter parts who were doing a 50's dance in poodle skirts. Sorry to say, but it was an easy choice. Tai taught the kids a Haka and the kids dressed in All Blacks uniforms. Of course Kiara said she would not dress "like a rugby boy". So I improvised and made a few Maori accessories. Kiara was deathly nervous for weeks before, but Tai made her feel special by telling her that she was the only true Maori girl in the whole school and the rest of the kids were just Kiwis. He told her that they really needed her in the performance. The performance was by far the best in show. People are still talking about how amazing Tai and the kids were. Tai performed the wero and gave the token to the Vice Principal, which made all the kids laugh! Here is a few pictures.

Here is our Maori Princess

Kiara and her Kiwi mate

Kaile joining in the fun

Tai and his Haka crew

Kiara and her Kiwi teacher

Brazil

Indonesia

Korea

Kiara's class representing: Korea, Netherlands, Austraila, Indonesia, Malaysia/ Borneo, Japan, Greece, United States, Britain, Sweden.