Toby is all about seizing the day.
He gets up and is ready to go. He is excited to go to school, or on any outing we pose to him.
Toby seems to fit right in with his classmates and I have even caught him speaking a little Chinese at home this month.
When I come to pick Toby up at Noon, his friends all call out in Chinese, “Toby! Your Momma is here!”. It’s so cute.
Toby has a patient nature and loves trying new things. He doesn’t get upset easily.
And he is all about doing things on his own. He often has his shoes on the wrong feet but we don’t care as he put them on himself. Undies are a little different as he usually ends up with two legs in one hole!
Toby has lovely brown eyes, very piercing when he looks at you.
Toby loves routine and is usually so good about following it (unless Jude and him are up to something). For example, as soon as he will finish his breakfast he will put his plate in the sink and run to the lounge as he knows it’s playtime. Puzzles are still hot on their radars.
Toby got out a lot on his bike this month. He is getting really fast and good at coasting.
He flys past Jude (who is slightly more hesitant on the bike) but we always wait for him up ahead.
It’s been fun taking them out for rides around the city. Crosswalks are scary so I try to minimise the number on our route if possible. This is a great loop near our house that includes an underground tunnel.
Our nap time issues were resolved once we started putting Jude in a seperate bedroom for nap time. He was keeping Toby awake, talking or singing and so we had many days where neither napped. Jude now has the option to nap if he wants but most days he just stays awake and reads on the guest room bed while Toby snoozes.
Toby has been starting to try vegetables a bit more which has been awesome. If we really encourage him he will very slowly chew through a piece of cucumber or broccoli. We will persevere.
Another great month for this superstar kid!
He was asked back to model their Summer 2017 line.
It’s obvious he is very into taking pictures. In fact whenever he gets the chance he asks to borrow my phone and starts snapping away.
We’re continually amazed at just how outgoing he is. Jude managed to impress this poor kid’s parents and then they insisted 弟弟 let Jude ride with him.
Jude fights us most morning about going to school. It’s a long battle getting him dressed and out the door.
But when I pick him up he is all smiles and going about about all the fun he had. We put it down to three-year-old defiance.
The bad thing about school is how often kids are sick. I’m starting to lose track of all the days Jude has missed from being sick. Here he is after a trip to the Doctor’s for an ear infection.
Jude is just go,go,go until he crashes and when he crashes, he crashes hard.
And because these two are so good at sharing it means that when one gets something the other will usually get some version of it.
Every month gets better between these two. Jude has been getting really good at creating games and involving Toby in them.
Jude often instigates a situation. For example, in the photo below they raided the cooked pasta that was meant for their dinner on Jude’s suggestion.
Here’s another where Jude decided him and Toby should break into my folder of important documents and then wrestle on top of them.
We play with a lot of other kids at the playground and I’ve noticed that Jude will automatically gravitate to the oldest boy, leaving Toby behind. These boys are around 9 or so and can really kick a ball. Jude welcomes the challenge while Toby mopes around watching Jude until I engage him in our own soccer game.
Jude does seem to embrace being a big brother.
It’s been a hot summer here in Taipei and most days when we go out I find myself wishing I had a spare t-shirts to put on them. It was a hot, sweaty day at Jude’s friend’s 4th bday party last month. They’ve been friends since they were itty bitty babies so it has been cool to see them grow.
Jude is all about Christmas. Taipei has an impressive array of trees and decorations so we have been enjoying going for afternoon strolls to see it all.
You are so much work dear Jude but always so much fun.
Aunty Faith travelled all the way from NZ and stayed with us for almost two weeks. The boys hadn’t seen her since last Christmas but they that din’t matter, and they were both instantly all over her. She brought so many awesome presents for the boys. They were always asking if she had any more.
Faith was a trooper. Right off her long flight and ready for action. We started with danbing at our local breakfast shop.
Then toured our local wet market (and dodged scooters).
Feeling like a treat we got $6 manicures
And finally went to check out the coolest building in Taipei.
Everyday was a new exploration. One beautiful morning we went out to CKS Memorial. 
On the weekend we hung out at Huashan Creative Park.
And Longshan Temple.
Faith and I escaped for a very relaxing 2.5 hour Thai spa treatment. Ahhh….
We also did some nightmarketeering. 
The boys were so fascinated watching Aunty Faith apply her make up. 
On Faith’s last night in town Luke had a work function so we went out for girls night. Dinner at Dozo.
And the most amazing cocktails ever at Fourplay.
Here’s Faith’s cocktail in a conch shell complete with dry ice!
Luke joined us after his function for a nightcap.
We were all sad to say goodbye to Aunty Faith. A month later and the boys are still asking when they will see her again. Thank you Faith for everything, we had such a fun time with you. xxx
Five years in Taiwan 