Leila and Jason at the zoo

Having a stare down with a deer like creature with "antlers like twisty pretzels."

New rug for Leila?

We went rug shopping this morning and Leila seemed to like this rug. To be fair though, she pretty much rolled around on all of them. I really liked the flowers on this one.

Hiking with Leila through the rice fields

Practicing the violin with Erica

Playing with Dora and Boots

They have made themselves at home in her new dollhouse.

Playgroup and Pizza Hut

We hosted playgroup at our house today. Here, Leila, Henry & Sonny hone their architectural skills together.

This evening, our friends came over for takeout Pizza Hut. Here is the kids' table (with the kids being very distracted by their pizza).

And now an attempt to smile for the camera.

Watching a movie

Leila went to the Embassy Marine house with us today for a kids day. It was raining but the kids still enjoyed watching a movie and eating popcorn.

Story time

Leila lined everyone up so they could all hear me read a story. What
good listeners!

Garbage river

Here is a video taken from the car during a brief but torrential downpour this afternoon. Notice all the trash floating down the edges of the flooded road. All the shopkeepers came outside with sticks to push the trash from the sidewalks in front of their stores into the "river" to watch it float away. Nice.

Happy Birthday Granddaddy

Here are some better pictures detailing Leila's careful card creation:

First, she chose the color of her marker:

Then, she concentrated hard on perfecting the artwork:
Ta Da! A very embellished birthday card! As she explained it to me, this is a combination of a rainbow (in black, hmmm) and a map to Phora. I am not sure how this relates to Granddaddy's birthday but she did sing happy birthday as she drew.

A very special (un-mailable) card

Leila created a beautiful card for Granddaddy on her easel today.
Sorry we can't mail it but it is quite a lovely tribute! Happy birthday!

Leila was sick today

Despite this picture, Leila was feeling pretty crummy today, with a fever, teary eyes and a lot of sneezing.This is closer to how she was feeling. She hung out in the chair for over an hour watching Dora and reading books.

Leila's room

Janai purnima subhakhamana

Today is Janai Purnima, which is a nepali holiday (aka a vacation
day!). It has been pouring rain since yesterday, Leila has a fever/
cold, and we plan to stay in our pajamas all day.

Garden of Dreams

We went to Garden of Dreams with some friends on Friday morning to play. Here, Leila & Lucy make a run for it.

Leila, Henry, Eleanor & Lucy inspect the goldfish.

As close as we got to a posed picture.

Rocking the tutu

Yesterday, Leila wanted to be fancy, so she whirled and twirled around the house in her tutu. I am not sure she has a future as a ballerina, but she looks pretty good trying!

Happy Birthday Jason!

Today is Jason's birthday so Leila chipped in to help make his birthday cake. Darjeeling Chocolate Layer Cake. Yum!

First, she helped Shila measure the flour and baking soda.

Then she got distracted by this week's favorite book, "Froggy's Baby Sister." She very kindly read it to Baby Stella while Shila & I kept working on the cake.

Adding the flour & chocolate to the batter.


As an aside, Leila told us today that her favorite cake is vanilla. Who knew! She certainly didn't complain when we gave her a piece of the chocolate cake, though.

The Birthday Dinner

Finally, dinner time. Jason requested tacos, so that's what we had! Leila got a head start on her tortilla, but eventually (and messily) ate her whole taco.

Moderately excited about dinner.
Cake really puts a smile on Leila's face!

Helping Jason blow out the candles.

A birthday family photo.

Back to life in Kathmandu

Anusha & Leila walk towards Friday's playgroup at Phora.

Leila was waiting patiently for cake at Brayden's birthday party on Saturday.

Yum, worth the wait!

Brayden, who apparently skipped breakfast AND lunch in anticipation of his cake, shows off his 3-year-old eating techniques.

There goes my muffin

We are safely home (more on that later) and back into life in
Kathmandu. We are dog sitting for another ridgeback and Leila can't
tell them apart. Today's quote was "Mommy!! Taji or Ripple ate my
muffin!!"