The Beach

Last Saturday was a big day! The plan was for Craig to go to the beach at Bai Sha Wan (White Sand Bay, if translated word for word) on Taiwan's north-east coast. He's been there just once before:

http://craigalexandersworld.blogspot.com/2007/09/to-beach.html

First, there was packing to do. Craig helped by trying on his cap.


After an omelette breakfast at the breakfast shop nearest to home, Craig was ready to go.


So it was off to the MRT station.


After an hour and a half of traveling Craig was very happy to have arrived at the hotel. Uncle Amitha and Aunty Bess stayed in this same room but it seemed to have been renovated since then.


Within minutes of arriving Craig was on the beach.


Craig's parents rented a little tent-like arrangement that was right near the water.


Craig sat with his Mum enjoying the view for a few minutes.


And then it was time to hit the water.


Craig's Dad was a bit sneaky. While Craig played happily, Craig's Dad kept digging sand out from right in front of the boy. Inch-by-inch Craig slid into the hole that stayed pleasingly full of water.


It was a very warm day and the water temperature was pleasantly cool. Craig's Dad was surprised at how many people wanted to take Craig's picture or sit beside him and have their picture taken. He really should be famous by now.


After an hour or so, Craig's toes were very wrinkled so his Mum took him back to the safety of their tent. Very soon, three bigger boys came to play in Craig's private swimming pool.


Craig hung out in the tent while his Dad tried to nap.


But then, a man in the next tent offered junk food to Craig! He very happily accepted. The man was very generous and so long as Craig kept eating, the man kept supplying snacks.


Then, Craig began to throw sand! The man and his friends reacted by piling sand up on top of Craig's legs. He liked it at first.


But soon he couldn't move his legs and that made things a bit scary.


The men were very nice and pulled him out straight away. So, what better way to wash off the sand than to get back into his private swimming pool under the watchful eye of Mum.

Outdoor Dinner at Danshuei (Again)

Last Thursday Craig traveled with his Mum and Dad to the outdoor restaurant that they went to not long ago. Craig once again fell asleep.


So his parents left him to nap in his pram.


Craig sleeping through dinner allowed Craig's Mum to enjoy her chicken.


While Craig's Dad had seafood.


Craig woke up just before dessert. At first he wasn't too happy about being awake.


He brightened up after he'd had something to eat.


He continued to munch away on crackers while enjoying the sea air and the live saxophone music.


While walking back to the MRT, Craig munched on cracker after cracker even when a video-game took his fancy.


It was a very ordinary video-game but Craig seemed to like watching it and his parents were in no rush to get home.

New York Sushi

Craig was invited to lunch with Craig's Dad and some of his co-workers from FTV last week. The occasion was a belated birthday lunch for Craig's Dad.

Craig and his Dad were first to arrive so Craig just kicked-back and relaxed.


Eventually, Craig's Dad's co-worker Grace and former co-worker Christine arrived. The first attempt to take their picture was deemed unsuccessful.


So a second attempt was made.


The name of the restaurant was New York Sushi and the food was great! Craig had no trouble finishing a whole rice-burger. He remained relaxed throughout the meal.


After Craig's Dad had finished work that day, he and his parents went to place that serves shaved-ice desserts. Craig doesn't like cold food at all but Craig's Dad likes the look on Craig's face in this picture. He seems quite concerned about why his parents have brought somewhere where they surely must know he doesn't like the food.

Bedtime Stories

Every night now, Craig insists on having his Dad read stories to him before bed. Craig has a particular place he likes to sit and Dad has to lie on the mattress so that Craig can lean back on his Dad's shoulder while the story is read.


Craig's Dad only reads English stories. Craig's Mum will read Chinese stories during the day.


Craig has a Cat in the Hat fold-out book that he likes as well.


There are several books that must be read before Craig will allow the lights to be turned off in the bedroom. The book in the picture below is Edwina the Emu (it is a firm favourite, thank you Aunty Anne). Craig also likes Olga the Brolga, The Cat in the Hat (the story book and the fold-out book) and the one that is read first every night, It's Not Fair.


Story time is a good time for both Craig and his Dad. It also gives Craig's Mum a tiny bit of precious rest.

Dinner Time Nap in Danshuei

Craig's parents attempted to take advantage of Craig's Dad finishing work relatively early on Thursday afternoon by arranging to travel north to Danshuei for dinner.

Craig and his Mum went ahead during the early afternoon. The plan was for Craig to take a nap on the train on the way there but he did not fall asleep as expected. He had no trouble looking bored when the camera was pointed at him after arrival, however.


His mood improved after a while.


And, he looked genuinely happy when his Mum fed him cake as a snack!


Unfortunately, by the time Craig's Dad arrived and they had found a seat at a nice outdoor restaurant Craig couldn't stay awake any more.


While Craig slept the sun set and Craig's Mum and Dad enjoyed a nice meal.


Craig awoke just before dessert was delivered. He insisted on lying on his Mum and going back to sleep, making it difficult for Craig's Mum to eat her cheesecake.


But the restaurant had too many mosquitoes. As soon as dessert was finished, Craig's Mum and Dad packed up their stuff and headed for the MRT to make the long trip home.

Afternoon Nap Trouble

Craig has been disrupting his old schedule and not taking an afternoon nap on time very regularly recently. So, Craig's Mum has tried to be a little bit creative and take Craig for a long ride on the MRT at nap time. There was one day when the plan worked very well and Craig was fast asleep when he and his Mum arrived at Danshuei.


After his nap, Craig normally has a snack straight away. So, it was no surprise that Craig became hungry on the return journey. The only problem is that the MRT doesn't allow anyone to eat or drink on the train. Craig had to retire to a rest room to eat there.

Highlights from Last Week/Friday and Saturday

Lunch on Friday was at a cafe next to Taipei Arena where Craig became very affectionate after he'd had something to eat.


On Saturday morning Craig was once again harassing his Mum while she was in the bathroom.


Then, he went downstairs to the second floor to play. First, he relaxed on Great Aunt from the Fifth Floor's lap.


And then went to play with Uncle Guapo.


Before trying to make an escape.


He then read a book with his Mum.


Craig can be quite energetic about reading.


The only task left before going back upstairs was to make sure that the bathroom scales were working. Craig accomplished that with aplomb.