Your First Birthday Party

This week was your big First Birthday Party. We headed out to LA to attend the party or "Dol" that Halmoni threw for you. Mommy rented a house so we had a washer and dryer and kitchen. There was a small backyard which you both put to good use.

In fact both of you liked the back yard because you could run around and we didn't have to watch you.

Both Granny and Grandpa stayed with us at the house. Granny wanted to see the Beverly Hills Hotel so mommy made a brunch reservation. This is in the back which Sophia kept calling a jungle.

And the pool area. It was kind of chilly so no one was outside.

Good shot of you at one year. You can see a little bit of hair has come in but not much. You still look like Charlie Brown.

Mommy let Sophia ride on this thing when you went shopping with both of them.

This is the day before the party. We went to Halmoni's house to try on the hanboks. Your hanbok fit pretty well.

Sophia's hanbok looks good too but it was actually quite short. It has been 2.5 years since she wore this at her dol.

And then we had dinner over at Halmoni's and Haraboji's house.

Granny was very impressed with all the jacaranda trees that were in bloom. They were everywhere.

We also stopped by Union Station. This is the main train station in LA. It's a very beautiful building in a similar style to the Missions. Bladerunner and a few other movies were shot inside here.

For much of our stay there was a injured bird out back. He must have become sick or broken a wing because he could not fly away. While we napped once some other birds attacked him. When we went outside he was just barely alive. About an hour later though he propped himself up and was able to walk around again. Eventually one morning we found him dead in the same spot as here.

Hmm. What's that sign for?

Ahhh. Finally the big party. Haraboji kept an eye on you while Halmoni set up the room.

Here are your cousins and auntie and you with your hanbok on.

We both have the same serious look no?

Sophia was passed out on the ride over and we could not wake her up. I finally carried her inside and she slept next to Granny.

Your shoes unfortunately never fit well and we had to constantly put them back on. With Sophia we used a rubber binder.

Your throne!

All Hail the Chief!

The next part of the party is to determine what you will be good at. You are presented with lots of symbolic items and you pick them.  Depending on what you pick it is a sign of what you will be good at later in life.  No one really believes it but it is a fun activity.  You'll see family members lobbying for you to pick one thing or another.  Take a look at the video below to find out what you picked.

And here's your great grandfather. I'm not sure what that is in Korean. Great Haraboji?

Starting to get a little cranky.

Time for a nap on Grandpa back at the house.

The next day we hit the aquarium in Long Beach with Sarah and Scott.

There were some sea lions in here swimming back and forth.

And Sophia got to touch sting rays and sharks. She wasn't scared at all. Sarah and Scott were a little more reserved.

I had to make sure she didn't fall in.

And Sarah took care of you as she always does. What a good girl!

More touching. Anemones this time I think.

Here's Sophia as a seal and Scott as a surfer.

All the kids.

On the last day for daddy we went to Santa Monica Beach. It's big and they have some fun play areas.

You again were left in the stroller.  Pretty soon and you'll get your freedom.

Olympic hopeful!

Cute pictures.

And that was that. We had lunch at a beach cafe with Granny and Grandpa and then you guys dropped me off at the airport. Mommy had work to do in LA so she stayed in the city and Granny/Grandpa and Halmoni/Miss Jung (her friend) took care of you two while mommy worked. Then mommy had to fly the two of you back. What a trooper.

Here's some videos:

And here's one of the party: