MB: Happy New Year!

MB: Enjoying family time in KL

Happy New Year loved ones!

MB: Happy in Kuala Lumpur!

We arrived safely in KL this morning and we are so happy to be here! Daniel and Jonny have already been in the pool and we are trying to stay awake for as long as possible -- though we're still in the middle of the day here, it's late at night back in MD. Sending you our love all the way from Malaysia!

MB: Transit in Amsterdam!

We arrived safely in Amsterdam and though Daniel only had about 3 hours of sleep on the plane, he is happy and is playing in the children's area at the airport. We have another 2 1/2 hours until the next, even longer, flight. But now we are only about 15 hours away from our arrival in KL! So far so good!

MB: Someone is ready to go to sleep!

(Bye loved ones, plane is about to take off...)

MB: On the first airplane to Amsterdam!

MB: Malaysia, here we come!

After a long security line, we are now waiting for the first flight. Daniel is so excited and is running around everywhere. We hope it means he will sleep on the flight. In just over 24 hours, we should be arriving in KL. Can't wait to see you, dear family in Malaysia!

MB: Last nap before we leave for Malaysia

TOMORROW!!!

MB: First season of "Soccer Shots"

Daniel finished 8 weeks of soccer at school and was proud of the certificate he got! He really enjoyed soccer this year, making Jonny very happy!

MB: Vet appointment

We took Buffy for a check-up today; she wasn't too happy but Daniel was!

Daniel's Point of View

[When I was explaining to Daniel why Jonny and I needed a date night.]
Me: Daniel, papai and mamae need to have a date night because we really need to talk and spend some time together.
D: Yes, I know mamae. You never get to talk because I'm always talking to you and wanting you to play with me.



[Over dinner recently]
D: Mamae, what is a boarding school?
Me: Papai and mamae went to boarding school, Daniel. [I then explained what it is and why we went.]
D: When I am older, I want to go to boarding school too!
Me: Really Daniel? You know that when you are there your teachers will not cuddle you up or kiss you like papai and mamae do.
D: Oh, then I don't want to go to boarding school! I want to always be cuddled up and kissed!



[Suddenly in the car]
D: Mamae, you are the boss of our house.
Me: Really Daniel, why do you say that?
D: Because you boss papai around!



[During a sweet affectionate momment between Jonny and Daniel]
J: Daniel, I love you so much. Will you love me forever too?
D: Yes papai, I always do, even in my sleep.

MB: Fun dinner party with friends last night!

MB: Oh Christmas Tree!

Yesterday we started to put up our Christmas tree and it was so special. Daniel was super excited and he loved all the different ornaments, putting them on the tree, organizing them in rows on the floor and then passing them to me... Later on, he had fun hiding them from me too! It was very sweet. He just asked me "are we going to finish putting up the ornaments today?" Yes we are Daniel, let's finish the job today! More sweetness ahead today for sure... Have a wonderful weekend loved ones!

MB: Christmas boxes sent!

We're so excited that we finished preparing and sent off our "Operation Christmas Child" boxes today! It was so special choosing what to put in each box with Daniel and to talk about children around the world who have so much less than us. We're excited to find out where the boxes will end up in about a months time. We pray they will be a real blessing to the two boys that get them (similar ages to Jonathan David and Daniel) and bring them much joy.

MB: Just came back from date night!

The first since the summer so it was really needed and special. We discovered a wonderful authentic Italian restaurant close to our home and shared my favorite dessert: creme brulee. Thank you Tia Nena for looking after Daniel!

Daniel's Point of View

[Daniel was in the bath and suddenly looked at me seriously...]
D: Mamae, every night and all night, I think about how it's not fair that you get to stay up late.
Me: I understand, but you will get to stay up late when you are older. [I then explained the importance of sleep for his growth, IQ, etc.]
D: Can I stay up late when I'm 18? When I'm a teenager?
Me: Yes, I think you will be able to.
D: Then I'll stay up all night and never go to sleep! I'm just kidding!


[Early one morning when Daniel came to our room after about 12 hours of sleep]
Me: Good morning Nani, did you have a good sleep?
D: No, not really; Teddy talked all night and disturbed me.


[Just this morning...]
D: Mamae, Justin and Victoria [friends from his school] slept over last night -- I'm just pretending, mamae -- and now they are shy to come to your room.
Me: Oh how nice that they are here!
D: Yes, I told them that they can come to your room at 9 o'clock. Can they come with me to my swimming class today?

MB: Nap time today...

At 4 and 8 months, he still sleeps in this position and with teddy...

MB: Proud of the crown

he made at school today!

Daniel's Point of View

[A few months ago]
D: When I grow up I want to be a man, [pause] and drink coffee like papai!
[More recently]
D: When I grow up, I want to work with papai in his office and do an MBA!


[Jonny and Daniel were coming out of our car one day, when our neighbor (N) greeted them]
N: How are you Daniel?
D: Good, I got my shots [vaccine] today.
N: Oh good, did you take it like a man?
D: Yes I did, and then I cried.
N: You really did take it like a man!


[While we were making chocolate-chip cookies]
D: Mamae, chocolate-chips are double junk. One because it's chocolate and two because it's chips!

Halloween Fun!

We had fun celebrating Halloween this past week. It was great to see the kids -- and some adults -- dress up in costumes and enjoy time with friends. Daniel was a Jedi from Star Wars this year (Obi-Wan) and he was very proud of it!

The first Halloween event we participated in was at our church's yearly "Hallelujah party!" It was really fun as there were lots of games for the kids and Daniel got to enjoy dressing up with his friends Joshua, David, Josiah and others.

Daniel trying on Josiah's costume.

Face painting: He liked having a moustache and goatee!

He scored!

This was his favorite game.

At home, we also carved pumpkins the day before Halloween.

The final products!

 

On October 31st in the evening, we went trick-or-treating with our Russett neighbors for the fourth year in a row! It was so nice to keep up the tradition and see Daniel with Devesh and Enya again -- and with the two more recent additions: Maya and Lena!

The best group photo: Maya, Daniel, Enya, Devesh and Lena.

Justyna with baby Lena at 10 months -- she's already walking! She wasn't even born this time last year!

Beautiful Maya at age 2.

With Grandmother Irena at Justyna's house.

I love this one of the three musketeers!

Interesting carved pumpkins all around!

Time for the goodbye hug.