Holiday Kickoff - Jungle Style

Rainy season has begun here in our rainforest, and that always puts us in mind of Christmas! Usually we have a strict rule of waiting until December 1st (the 1st day of Advent) to begin our Christmas celebrations. But this year will take extra effort, and we're too excited to hold back!

Thumb print Christmas lights by the kids.

Making the thumbprint Christmas lights - Quinn was much happier about it than he looks here...

Nadia crushing coconut cookies for the crumb crust of our Thanksgiving chocolate cream pie.

Busy day celebrating Thanksgiving with our partners and 2 visitors. Yummy feasty fun!

Trying to Christmasify our little jungle home. Decorating our little bitty and beloved Christmas tree.

In other news, here's the banana tree we planted in the yard. We'll see how big he gets. Nadia and Zippy like to check the progress daily.

Rainy season also means durian season! YAY!!!! Here, Nadia enjoys her OWN durian. In the past day and a half we sort of have eaten 6 of em....

 So far i've avoided the heartache of trying, in vain, to make things grow here. The other day, i caved. I planted some papaya, pumpkin and pandan. My neighbor helped me make a little fence, and she's on board now to help me keep these little babies going. Trying so hard not to hang on too tight....

Oh, and this. Today Nadia drew me a picture. Of a "Date Bike". This is a bike for 2 (something she's never heard of... she thinks she's invented it), and that's me driving and her riding. We're going on a date. On the Date Bike. :)