Digging out from the post-Xmas mau xanh dương(s) (ocean blues)

And there is  your interesting Vietnamese tidbit for the week:  there is no difference between the way you say blue and and the way you say green.  With the same word for both, you have to specify whether you are talking about the "ocean" color or the "leaf" color.  Seems complicated (as does everything some days). 

Naming babies is complicated too.  Our neighbor had hers two weeks ago. Our first question, of course, was "What's her name?"  The family just giggled.  "One month," they said.  They wait one month to name babies in Vietnam...wow.

As it does every year, the Xmas season must come to an end.  After a relaxing, fun-filled school vacation and holiday, we must return to our regular routine tomorrow.  Boo hoo.  I could use more relaxing, more beach time and more sleeping in.

Buddha Clause did indeed come to the rice paddy and filled the tree with presents wrapped in Chinese dragon paper and yellow get-well flowers (wrapping paper was a bit of a challenge).  He delivered an array of cheaply-made gifts that will either break or be used up before we head home in July - smart guy that Buddha Clause.  All in all it was a different Christmas but one that everyone enjoyed.  The best part was reading Nolan's thank you note to Grandma and Grandpa Christmas night:

thanks for all of  the presents my favorite present was the knife and i got a phone from booba clause and it was  a vinaphone.
love nolan i wrote it not my mom

The Charlie Brown Tree

The Long Sock

Coconut gets into the spirit

Mango shakes for breakfast

Exchanging presents over the computer

Skyping with the Borchs

Foster's new night light named Willie

John's advice: Don't wear out the switch buddy.

Bad to the bone

Quality educational programming courtesy of Homer and Bart

Nolan's new night light named Willie

Oh yeah!

Booba Clause brought a Vinaphone.

Sun sets on a beautiful Christmas in the paddy.

Christmas night lights in Hoi An (no appendages)