Cara's Wedding

Saturday night we attended a friend's wedding.  The boys had a great time hanging out with all their grown-up buddies from Starbucks. Here are some pictures from the night.

Cara's Wedding

Saturday night we attended a friend's wedding.  The boys had a great time hanging out with all their grown-up buddies from Starbucks. Here are some pictures from the night.

Term 2 Kindy Student

Coop is now a term 2 kindy student. What does that mean? Well, not much really. It means he finished his first term (10 weeks) of kindergarten, had 2 weeks off and is now back in school. In about 10 weeks, term 2 will be over and he will have 2 more weeks off etc. School here is year round. Along with the new term comes a new uniform- the winter uniform.  No more grey shorts and green polos. He is now wearing long grey pants and a long-sleeve yellow polo. Not my favorite color on Coop, but we will go with it.

Term 2 Kindy Student

Coop is now a term 2 kindy student. What does that mean? Well, not much really. It means he finished his first term (10 weeks) of kindergarten, had 2 weeks off and is now back in school. In about 10 weeks, term 2 will be over and he will have 2 more weeks off etc. School here is year round. Along with the new term comes a new uniform- the winter uniform.  No more grey shorts and green polos. He is now wearing long grey pants and a long-sleeve yellow polo. Not my favorite color on Coop, but we will go with it.

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.}