Bats!!!

In another installment of our series on local wildlife, we thought we'd share a little video of the neighborhood's flying friends. Sri Lanka has normal little-sized bats like everyone has seen around dusk, you know, the kind that look about like a mouse with wings. They can startle you a little when you see them, but then they're just fun to watch as they dart around looking for bugs. But then there are Sri Lanka's other bats. They're fruit bats the size of crows, and every night at dusk they migrate inland a mile or so from the coast and roost in the trees in our neighborhood. They seem to be particularly fond of the big tree in our front yard. Just remember when you watch this - they're the size of crows...

Surprise!

Gavin and I were having a great morning in the playroom. It was one of those rare instances for a mother, when for just a second, they forget their list of things they need to do, should be doing, or can't do right and lose themselves in the moment. We were laughing and rolling around on the floor when Gavin made a dash for the bathroom. It is one of his favorite not-so-covert moves. Knowing he isn't supposed to go into the bathroom, he waits until he is certain you are watching. As soon as he catches the corner of your eye, he screams, and slaps his hands as hard as he can against the floor as he crawls at high speed to his target. (That is right, my 15 month old is still not walking). Sometimes, I just let him go. I can always wash his hands.

Today however, I played the game as usual. Just as he crossed the threshold into the bathroom, I grabbed him. And as I did...

I saw a rat make a mad dash toward me. I then lifted my eyes to head out of the room as quickly as possible, only to see a snake in full hunt mode, jaw open wide, lurking behind the toilet. I screamed like a girl. Which, I guess is ok, because I am one.

I hope our blog readers will forgive me for not capturing the moment on camera.

** Snake was captured, after he captured the rat.

Galle Face

We took a nice walk along the boardwalk Sunday afternoon. It must be the most pleasant location in all of Colombo: ocean breezes, space to walk, and dozens of kites flying. As an added bonus, being out with the locals was a nice change to our fairly insular expatriate lifestyle.



Isn't she the most lovely bride you have ever seen? Why are we so boring sticking with white dresses?

The South Asian mini-van, otherwise known as a moped. I will try and get a picture with four or more people on it, believe me, it is not uncommon. It begs the question, why did I haul two car seats in and out of taxis for two months before we had a car??

Our Front Yard

This is our front yard, with an old, beautiful Banyan tree at the back. Can you imagine having that to play in when you were growing up?? It just seems like all manner of fantastical, imaginary activities could take place between these branches. And bonus, the bats sleep here at night!

Ruby and Aaishah

Ruby's first friend in Sri Lanka is moving back to India today. So sad to see her leave already. I was excited to become friends with her mom, whose name is Haseena. Wouldn't that have been so cool! Here is a picture of the duo on Aaishah's last day of school. Ruby asked to have Aaishah over to play last week and planned the entire play date. First, they would read books, then they would make chocolate chip cookies and next they would "play, play, play!"

Giant Circle Time

Ruby's preschool put on a non-performance performance they called a Giant Circle Time activity. They prepared from the time Ruby started attending the school. It was delightful! Ruby participated in a Sri Lankan dance she calls the bangle dance, but don't ask her to show it to you. She can only do it at school and she will show it to you TOMORROW (that is what she tells me every day!), a popcorn song (which she insisted leading up to the event was 'Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree'- no surprise, it was not), and the Candyman song. The night before the performance a naughty mosquito sneaked into her room and left a mark right between her eyes-- at least we are in the part of the world where that might be mistaken for a bindi! You may also notice in the pictures that all the other children have their shoes off. Ruby insists she must have her shoes on the moment she steps across the threshold. It isn't a mild insistence, it can induce tears. What parent begs their child not to put her shoes on before going out to play!

It was so fun to watch her perform. She was so happy to see us, waving through the entire performance and yelling to her teachers, "Look my mommy and daddy are here!"

Water Play

Our favorite daily activity.