I’m at awe seeing how many events happened in October – Nem’s month. To celebrate his second birthday, we took Nem, Bun and Ong Ba to the Please Touch Museum in PA. What a great museum for young children, only judging on the name: they are welcome to touch everything (in the museum)! Nem had a blast. Not to mention his trip to the Land of Make Believe last month when grandma and grandpa were here. So many memories to keep!

This year, we could somehow put together Nem’s birthday cake. Still trying to keep up with this family tradition that we created for ourselves. He had a puzzle-inspired cake because of his love (and mommy and daddy’s) for puzzles:

Then, we could take a trip to Arkansas to visit our partner school, Ouachia Baptist University. Also counted as a little getaway for us as Ong and Ba are here to spoil the kids. They love talking walks in the neighborhood and enjoy the Halloween decorations. We got back and could also squeeze in a boat trip along the Hudson to watch some fall foliage and the Manhattan skyline with Paris’s family joining us. It’s our sweet goodbye to our New York chapter. Then, a quick road trip to Bear Mountain for some last fall colors before they fade and winter arrives. Look at Nem photobombing😂

And the best of all – Halloween with an ocean theme this year. I handmade all of our costumes: Haruki is an octopus, Aurora is a mermaid, Jon’s a diver (carrying Aurora) and I’m a jellyfish. Nem had the best trick-or-treat ever! Oh my next year when we actually understand the candy and chocolate game!