@Victor **********
i think you might wanna re-think the "go to Lao for a tourist visa" seeing as the country is closed and instead to go to Cambodia or Vietnam"
Also
As you're the father of thai children, you should be able to get a 90 day single entry Non-O visa based on that with just the birth certificates, the mother's thai i/d and her house book listing.
Check the website of the thai consulate in the country you're thinking of going to and see what the requirements are
BUT
Getting that visa will get you stamped in for 90 days when you show up and then you just wait to apply for the year extension after that 🙂