Soaked
I was part of a ladies group at the retreat that met to talk about issues with third culture kids. It was a really good chance for me to ask questions and learn from people with years of experience raising kids overseas and also adult TCKs. One thing that was emphasized many times was the need to give kids identity, roots, and security because they grow up with the challenge of living outside their home culture and not "belonging" in many ways. Family traditions are one of the ways that we can give that feeling to our kids.
Well this week it was time for an annual tradition- our Song Kran picnic- Claire surprised me by saying this is one of the things that she really looks forward to every year. I think her favorite part is seeing all the grown-ups acting like kids and water fighting! Claire and Eliza also love to ride on Tom's motorcycle and go out with their guns looking for a fight and coming home soaked and covered in powder. :)
The neighbor kids from across the road came over for an early morning attack!
Brittany's water gun was my favorite- complete with an umbrella!
Watch out for this one!
I forgive him for the ice water down the neck.
Somehow we always end up in the kiddie pool.
Neighbor kid drowns Brittany.
picnic
And of course, the "Everybody in the Kiddie Pool" annual team picture. Besides the Reach team, we were joined by Chat and Mem (he stopped by because he remembered our party from last year! :)). We missed our team mates Dan (in the States) and Colleen and Efrain and Nixon (who were traveling in Sakon Nakhon).
Happy Thai New Year, everyone!
-C