I Need Inspiration for Blog Titles

Today maybe it should be Drama Queen. In the mornings I usually sit in front of the computer until the kids get up. I face Ellis's door. Today - the door slowly opened and Ellis's head popped out. He gave a quick look around, saw me and then put on a huge scowl. He dropped to the floor -"I don't feel good - my stove is heating up." It's already a great day, I thought to myself. He then demanded cinnamon toast for breakfast - he has this uncanny ability to want something we are out of - today of course, we have no bread.

"How about cinnamon toast pancakes?" He actually agreed. After mowing them down, he decided he did not like them after all. Right. Time to vacate the building as Ellis was spoiling for a fight. The best thing to do is just leave - unfortunately, that is easier said than done. About an hour later we were packed and ready to go. We decided to do an art walk in the CBD (us Canadians would refer to it as downtown). Off we went - I mentioned to Cyp that we were supposed to start at the spheres near the library.

"I want to go to the library" said Ellis.

We got to library square and Ellis wanted to know where the market was (he's getting to know the city - this is market square on Wednesday) - I think he remembers destinations based on the treats he has consumed at those locations. Library square was the site of a yummy ice cream and cheese and bacon pasty. Or maybe that's how I remember.

We went into the library and I realized we were there at the right time for storytime. I was super excited - storytime seems like an event here - there was a stage, a dressed up man and an elephant. Ellis took one look and said "I don't like the library anymore, let's go."

Rowan in the meantime was looking ecstatic. I didn't want to go - but Ellis was pretty persistent so we left.

We continued on our walk and realized it was lunchtime - yup - we were making good progress. We stopped at the Little Singapore restaurant and had yummy lunchos. I think we are almost to the point where we can't eat out for a while again. Rowan would not sit still and he crawled all over the restaurant much to the horror of the other patrons and staff (the floor seemed clean...) He then through vast quantities of food on the floor while Ellis played at pulling all the chopsticks out of the container on the table and then playing them on the table. As I was cleaning up Rowan's disaster zone after sending Cyp and the boys away, the busperson came by and looked at me with distaste - "you don't do that - that is my job." I thought to myself - "and you don't even get tips!" It still feels weird not tipping - weird, but kinda fun too. Apparently people at McDonalds here make $18 an hour.

We walked some more, looked at more city art and then wandered into the city gardens. Cyp had never been there before (amazing really as it is right across the river from us). The playground there is super nice as it is in the shade and gets a breeze. There is also a nice walkway along the mangroved edge of the river.

On the ferry ride home, Ellis went and sat at the back without us (already trying to ditch his uncool parents - he befriended some tourists).

We came home and went to the pool again. Ellis decided he wanted to try swimming without his waterwings so removed them and proceeded to jump in the pool hanging onto a noodle. He used the noodle for a while - he started to get the hang of it after a bit, but near the beginning, just his arms were floating and his head was underwater. He didn't seem to perturbed about that though. It's amazing really.

Rowan thinks he can swim too and is constantly trying to push me away. I will have to be super vigilant at our new place - Rowan is very curious and did not seem to inherit my chicken gene the way Ellis has. There is a long step alongside one side of the pool. I prop Rowan there and he practices standing. He has buoyancy so he can "free stand" for a bit. He likes to practice. Today Cyp noted that he practiced on the porch for a bit when we got back from the pool. Uh oh. Actually, I think I prefer walking to crawling kids. He gets black from crawling on our deck (Cyp and I argue about whether it is the bridge traffic or my barbecuing that makes the deck black)

We had turkey curry for dinner (everyone but Ellis liked it). Tomorrow I think it is turkey congee.