Kai's turn at the Perot Museum

On Sunday it was Kai's turn to visit the Perot Museum, as he was invited to a birthday party for a buddy who just turned 4.  Even though it was somewhat of a logistical nightmare, I was able to arrange to just take Kai, and left Pla Shee and Ruby with Aaron at the clinic for a couple of hours.  Side note:  Sunday afternoon is our "refugee clinic," which I've been planning to talk about on the blog, but haven't gotten the time yet.  Soon.
Anyway, it was so much fun to spend a couple of hours with Kai all by himself.  He led the way as we explored the museum, and I just followed and appreciated his energy and joy with all that he discovered.  He is a doll, and I am madly in love with his little 3 year old self.

Pla Shee's Week

This has turned out to be a week focused on Pla Shee, which has been fun.  On Wednesday, the 5th grade at Venus Elementary took a field trip to the brand new Perot Museum of Nature and Science.  I took the day off work and went along as a chaperone, and it was just as amazing as all of the buzz we'd been hearing about it.  Of course, everything was shiny and new, as you would expect.  They had TONS of really fun interactive exhibits...by far the best science museum I've been to.  We bought a family membership so that we can go back as much as we can, and Kai even has a birthday party there this weekend, so we'll get to explore the Children's Museum section too.  Pla Shee's favorite exhibit was in the "Sports" section, where kids can race against a life-size animated t-rex.  My favorite so far is the musical staircase.  Too much fun!

Last night we drove to north Dallas in rush hour traffic (1.5 hours) after work/school to attend Pla Shee's older brother's high school swim meet.  While part of me was lamenting the inconvenience of it all on a school night (cranky kiddos, traffic, dinner out, making sure Kai and Ruby didn't go for a swim themselves), the other part of me was really happy that we were given the opportunity to attend.  Pla Shee was able to cheer on his big brother (a senior in high school) and really look up to him as a role model, something that he hasn't had many opportunities to do since they arrived in the US 6 years ago.  For so many refugee children, developing a sense of self-confidence and pride is difficult because of language and cultural barriers.  So fostering a sense of pride in oneself and one's family becomes all the more important.  Bottom line is Pla Shee is a great kid, and we are incredibly blessed to have him in our family. :)

Catch-up Blog!

Well, it has been forever since I've posted anything, so bear with me while I try to get us caught up with a marathon post, mostly in pictures.  Here goes:

Pla Shee celebrated his 12th birthday with a slumber party and a trip to the roller skating rink.  Here are Pla Shee and Kai with Sah eh Soh and Moo K'paw Soh.

 

 Kai loved it!

 We've "adopted" a Karen family for Christmas every year for the past few years, and this year was no exception.  Here we are with our friends Beverly and Bob and their kids on the afternoon that we delivered the gifts.

Ruby LOVES to read books.  She will get a book from her bookshelf, find the nearest adult, and plop herself down in a lap.  Repeat.  It's pretty cute.

 

 The kids in their matching red snowman pajamas on Christmas morning.

 

 We headed down to Houston a few days after Christmas to celebrate with Nena and Pappy and Aunt Jean and Noodle. Ruby and her Daiya watching Pla Shee ice skate at the mall in Houston.

  

Helping Nena blow out her birthday candles.

  

After Christmas we headed back home, where we visited the Frontiers of Flight Museum with friends.  It was fun, despite the fact that I had to climb to the top of the tower (see below) to rescue Kai, who climbed all the way up but couldn't figure out how to get back down.

 

 Aaron and I just returned from a long weekend at the Society for Social Work and Research conference in San Diego, which was amazing, as evidenced by the pics taken from the balcony of our hotel room.

Here we are at the world famous San Diego zoo.

It was such a great trip, and we are so lucky that Nena and Jean were willing to take care of the kiddos while we were away.

And finally, a pic of our completed Pinterest project in honor of MLK Day yesterday.  It says "I can change the world with my own two hands."  LOVE that Jack Johnson song.  Listen to it here.