Learning Thai

We had another new and interesting cultural experience last week. It all started when Claire came home from school very excited over the news that her school would be doing a parade and that she had a special part. Next we found out that we needed to buy lacy black gloves and hose and we started to see that this was going to be a very "special" part! :) In fact, she had a place of honor leading the parade behind the banner bearers and picture of the King and Queen, carrying a baton and wearing a very fancy get up. They gave us the dress and told us we were responsible for the hair, makeup and hair and shoes....and asked what beauty shop we'd be going to to get ready. Yikes!! Claire in makeup!?? This was a tough one for me because we always emphasize to Claire that her beauty is natural and little girls don't wear makeup, etc, etc. Well, I soon found out that she had internalized these teachings and in fact did not want to wear makeup. Finally we came to the conclusion that this was something we needed to do because it is something important in Thai culture and that we could think of it like a costume, getting dressed up for Halloween. And then I called my friend Chaweewan and said HELP!
On the big day, Claire and I got up bright and early and headed over to Chaweewans for hair and makeup

Before.

During. That's Chaweewan's sister putting on makeup and Chaweewan on the right. Bless her heart, she did the hair and even dug up shoes for us!

After. Here she is with her teachers and a few other girls dressed up for the parade as a cheerleader and in traditional Thai costume.

The school is three levels of kindergarten. Claire is in the second level. Can you imagine organizing 186 kindergartners into a parade??? Yeah, me neither. I was amazed by the calm patience of the teachers. They had the help of a policeman to briefly stop traffic and a few high school boys to play drums.

And here she is about to lead the parade! This is the most Thai I've ever seen her.

After she stopped being so nervous, she seemed to enjoy it.

After the parade was the Gilaa Sii (colored sports) day. The kids were then dressed in two team colors- orange or blue and did a bunch of games like relays, jumping contests, musical chairs etc. Most of the parents stayed, so the little courtyard was packed with bodies. A lot of the girls were dressed as cheerleaders and cheered on the contestants.

A tug of war game. Claire's orange team seemed to lose most of the games, but we remained staunch orange fans.

Claire with one of her friends from her class, a sweet girl named Naam Waa.

Tom got attacked by kids yelling "TEACHER TOM!!" How cute is the little boy in glasses??

Anyway, it was a fun cultural experience and a good chance to meet a few parents and see Claire in her school environment. Silas was a good boy and met another baby a month younger and about half his size. :) Eliza enjoyed watching and we reminded her that maybe next year she'll be in the parade. We wouldn't mind if we could skip the parade leader part though!
-Candice