Happy Birthday, [Class] Mate!

Cooper went to his first birthday party for a classmate today. I was pretty honored that we were included because there was only one other child from school invited.  And, I actually managed to get Cooper into a decent pair of pants for the event! Big day!

The party was a joint celebration for Cooper's friend Ofelia and her little brother, Julius, who turned one today. Julius was baptised this morning and they had a Korean dol ceremony for him. The ceremony was very brief- basically they laid a pair of scissors, a pencil, a book, a measuring tape, money and some thread in front of him and whatever he reached for first, predicted his future. Julius picked up the scissors which means he will be dexterous in life.  There was also traditional Korean food served as well as the usual birthday cake.

The kids played a few games and Cooper won "music and statues" which is what we call "freeze dance." He never really danced so freezing was not a far stretch for him. He was very proud to win and received some bubbles as a prize.

The guests were an interesting mix. I counted 5 different languages being spoken while there- Hindu, Chinese, French, English and Korean. I thought that was pretty cool!

Ofelia's mom, Sarah, is from the US- Minnesota to be exact and her dad is Australian (or British- now I cannot remember.) I first met her when she approached me at school to tell me now polite Cooper has been to her. Later I told Cooper this and also told him that Sarah was from the US.  He looked at me with excitement and said, "Does she speak the same language as us?"  :)

Pass the Ball

Cooper and classmate, Jasmine, partners in one of the games.

the food

More games

Cooper and Jasmine playing a game

More information about the Dol:
Dol (doljanchi, or tol) is probably the best-known of the Korean birthday celebrations. Dol is celebrated for the first birthday of a child. When Korea had little medicinal knowledge, many newborns would die from childhood diseases or because of Korea’s seasonal temperature differences. When a child lived to be a year old during that period, it was a very joyous occasion. 


^{There is a large spool of thread, a brush, a Korean calligraphy set, a pencil, a book, money and a bow and arrow (or a needle, ruler and pair of scissors for girls). After the table is set, the parents sit the baby on a traditional Korean mattress and Korean cushions. The baby picks up various items on the table that attracts him or her. The items that the child picks up are said to predict the child’s future. If a child picks up the bow and arrow, it is said that the child will be strong and a warrior. If the child picks up the thread, the child will have a long life. A child who picks up the pencil, book or calligraphy set is forecast to be a good scholar. A child who picks the rice, rice cakes, or money will become rich; some say that choosing the rice (or a rice cake) means the child is unintelligent, or that they will never be hungry. If the ruler, pair of scissors or needle is chosen, it is said that the child will be dexterous. If the child chooses the knife, they will become a good chef. Today, the bow and arrow are usually not included.} 

Happy Birthday, [Class] Mate!

Cooper went to his first birthday party for a classmate today. I was pretty honored that we were included because there was only one other child from school invited.  And, I actually managed to get Cooper into a decent pair of pants for the event! Big day!

The party was a joint celebration for Cooper's friend Ofelia and her little brother, Julius, who turned one today. Julius was baptised this morning and they had a Korean dol ceremony for him. The ceremony was very brief- basically they laid a pair of scissors, a pencil, a book, a measuring tape, money and some thread in front of him and whatever he reached for first, predicted his future. Julius picked up the scissors which means he will be dexterous in life.  There was also traditional Korean food served as well as the usual birthday cake.

The kids played a few games and Cooper won "music and statues" which is what we call "freeze dance." He never really danced so freezing was not a far stretch for him. He was very proud to win and received some bubbles as a prize.

The guests were an interesting mix. I counted 5 different languages being spoken while there- Hindu, Chinese, French, English and Korean. I thought that was pretty cool!

Ofelia's mom, Sarah, is from the US- Minnesota to be exact and her dad is Australian (or British- now I cannot remember.) I first met her when she approached me at school to tell me now polite Cooper has been to her. Later I told Cooper this and also told him that Sarah was from the US.  He looked at me with excitement and said, "Does she speak the same language as us?"  :)

Pass the Ball

Cooper and classmate, Jasmine, partners in one of the games.

the food

More games

Cooper and Jasmine playing a game

More information about the Dol:
Dol (doljanchi, or tol) is probably the best-known of the Korean birthday celebrations. Dol is celebrated for the first birthday of a child. When Korea had little medicinal knowledge, many newborns would die from childhood diseases or because of Korea’s seasonal temperature differences. When a child lived to be a year old during that period, it was a very joyous occasion. 


^{There is a large spool of thread, a brush, a Korean calligraphy set, a pencil, a book, money and a bow and arrow (or a needle, ruler and pair of scissors for girls). After the table is set, the parents sit the baby on a traditional Korean mattress and Korean cushions. The baby picks up various items on the table that attracts him or her. The items that the child picks up are said to predict the child’s future. If a child picks up the bow and arrow, it is said that the child will be strong and a warrior. If the child picks up the thread, the child will have a long life. A child who picks up the pencil, book or calligraphy set is forecast to be a good scholar. A child who picks the rice, rice cakes, or money will become rich; some say that choosing the rice (or a rice cake) means the child is unintelligent, or that they will never be hungry. If the ruler, pair of scissors or needle is chosen, it is said that the child will be dexterous. If the child chooses the knife, they will become a good chef. Today, the bow and arrow are usually not included.} 

A Frappuccino Please

The boys got to make frapuccinos the other day for REAL CUSTOMERS! It was a huge deal and they have wanted one every day since (they have not been granted that wish however).  

Here are some pictures of them preparing the drink with our friend, Fleur.

As one of our friends said so perfectly, this was the "best playdate ever!"

A Frappuccino Please

The boys got to make frapuccinos the other day for REAL CUSTOMERS! It was a huge deal and they have wanted one every day since (they have not been granted that wish however).  

Here are some pictures of them preparing the drink with our friend, Fleur.

As one of our friends said so perfectly, this was the "best playdate ever!"

Now a Minnow

Today was a big day here in Sydney. Cooper has been doing what is termed here as "holiday intensive swim classes." This means that for the two weeks the kids are "on holiday" from school, he goes to swim lessons EVERYDAY.  Today was the last day of the first week and he passed to the next level!!  He is now officially a Minnow.  When he got out of the pool, I told him the good news and then told him that I was very proud of him. He looked right at me and said, "Did you bake me a cake?"

Now a Minnow

Today was a big day here in Sydney. Cooper has been doing what is termed here as "holiday intensive swim classes." This means that for the two weeks the kids are "on holiday" from school, he goes to swim lessons EVERYDAY.  Today was the last day of the first week and he passed to the next level!!  He is now officially a Minnow.  When he got out of the pool, I told him the good news and then told him that I was very proud of him. He looked right at me and said, "Did you bake me a cake?"

Easter in Sydney

Happy Easter from Sydney!  Easter is HUGE here. I have never seen so many chocolate bunnies in my life.  There are so many different kinds and so many of each of them. We even saw a chocolate bunny the size of Tucker. Cooper so wanted it so badly.  They also did a lot Easter activities at school- mostly bunny and chocolate related, but Easter none-the-less. Cooper is a little confused. He pretty much thinks that the Easter bunny brings treats to kids who are good.  For me, that is fine.  I do not need to go into the real deal with him.  :) 

We are keeping Easter low key in our house. I made the boys Easter "buckets" instead of baskets. The last thing I wanted around here are more baskets, so I bought plastic garbage cans, decorated them and filled them with goodies.  No jelly beans here so it is all chocolate and a few trinkets.  I love the Easter bilby they have here and the Kookaburra chocolates pictured below are another favorite.  We will do an egg hunt in the morning and then we will go on with our day.  I am sure much of the day will be spent telling the kids that they cannot eat anymore chocolate and pulling them off the ceiling from all the sugar...

chocolate bilby

chocolate kookaburras

 Note-- if any of you are wondering what exactly a bilby is...

A bilby is a shy, nocturnal marsupial, unique to Australia.  It has a grey and white silky coat, long, sensitive ears and a pink pointed nose.  It has thick claws and strong forelimbs that enable it to dig rapidly in the desert soil.  It is about the size of a cat, with the male growing up to half a metre in length from tip to tail, and weighing around one to two and a half kilos (just under six pounds).  It has an unusual black or dark grey tail with a pure white brush at the tip, which it holds in the air behind itself when it walks or runs about.  These delightful little creatures normally live for about ten years. 

Easter in Sydney

Happy Easter from Sydney!  Easter is HUGE here. I have never seen so many chocolate bunnies in my life.  There are so many different kinds and so many of each of them. We even saw a chocolate bunny the size of Tucker. Cooper so wanted it so badly.  They also did a lot Easter activities at school- mostly bunny and chocolate related, but Easter none-the-less. Cooper is a little confused. He pretty much thinks that the Easter bunny brings treats to kids who are good.  For me, that is fine.  I do not need to go into the real deal with him.  :) 

We are keeping Easter low key in our house. I made the boys Easter "buckets" instead of baskets. The last thing I wanted around here are more baskets, so I bought plastic garbage cans, decorated them and filled them with goodies.  No jelly beans here so it is all chocolate and a few trinkets.  I love the Easter bilby they have here and the Kookaburra chocolates pictured below are another favorite.  We will do an egg hunt in the morning and then we will go on with our day.  I am sure much of the day will be spent telling the kids that they cannot eat anymore chocolate and pulling them off the ceiling from all the sugar...

chocolate bilby

chocolate kookaburras

 Note-- if any of you are wondering what exactly a bilby is...

A bilby is a shy, nocturnal marsupial, unique to Australia.  It has a grey and white silky coat, long, sensitive ears and a pink pointed nose.  It has thick claws and strong forelimbs that enable it to dig rapidly in the desert soil.  It is about the size of a cat, with the male growing up to half a metre in length from tip to tail, and weighing around one to two and a half kilos (just under six pounds).  It has an unusual black or dark grey tail with a pure white brush at the tip, which it holds in the air behind itself when it walks or runs about.  These delightful little creatures normally live for about ten years.