Happy Chuseok!

The nice thing about being a Korean boy with a Jewish daddy and a Catholic mommy...you get to celebrate lots o' holidays. Last week was a Korean holiday that we are incorporating into our list of celebrations. Chuseok is roughly equivalent to our Thanksgiving. It is a harvest holiday and one where you count your blessings and thank your ancestors. We were very thankful to have a Korean dinner with our good friends. They supplied the bee bim bop and other Korean treats while we brought some Sake and Asian beer. We all said 'cheers' and counted our blessings for good friends, good food, and thanked Korea for the greatest gifts of all...our sons and our families.

Here are the pics...



My attempt to take a Kelly pic:

Whatcha Reading? (giveaway)

Gabe has turned into quite the little 'reader.' He's loved books since the minute he came home. Recently, he's started to grab a book or two, his boo-ba, a stuffed animal or two, hop on the chair in his room and read to his friends. Though we have an extensive book collection...I haven't bought a new book since he came home. I feel like we both need some new children's reads. I'd love to hear from you what your favorite books are. In about a week, I'll draw a name and send one lucky winner one of our favorite books...For Just One Day by Laura Leuck and Marc Boutavant. The story is great and the illustrations are amazing.


So, please just leave a comment of your favorite children's book and good luck!

Versatile Blogger

I'm a little late getting to this, but a few weeks ago my new good bloggy friend, Grace, gave me the Versatile Blogger Award.

Here is how the Versatile Blogger Award works:
1) thank and talk about whoever gave you the award
2) share 7 facts about yourself
3) give the award to 7 other bloggers who rock!

1)Grace is a blogger that found me a few months ago and I'm so glad she did! She's totally funny, has a great attitude and her blog is just an easy read. We met a few weeks ago, and she's just as great in person. She's patiently waiting for her Choi Boy to come home and I can't wait to see him in her arms.

2) My 7 facts...
*I'm a descendant of the Ringling Brothers. My great-great grandfather (my grandma's grandfather) was August Ringling. It's a great source of pride in my family, and may explain some of our entertaining ways. Also, my great grandmother (August's daughter) was the first woman to get her driver's license in Wisconsin.

*I played field hockey in high school. I loved everything about it. Everything from the kilts we wore, to the toughness of the sport (I have a scar on my chin where a stick hit me), to the competition, to the great friends I made, to being on a cohesive team, to the life lessons I learned. There are times that I wish I had pursued it in college...but then my life would probably be totally different.

*I studied in Copenhagen, Denmark and Torino, Italy when I was in college. Though both were cool...I fell in love with Denmark. My friends called me a Dano-phile when I got home since I was so obsessed. I lived with a family there, and my host sister was a Korean adoptee. At the time it was just kind of a fact, but all these years later it means much more. I have kept in touch with the Lauridsens all these years and am happy to call them extended family in Denmark.

*I was painfully shy most of my life, until I came home from Europe. I had lots of friends in school, but around my family or new people...I just didn't talk or walk into a room with confidence. Now I can talk to anybody and 'shy' is probably one of the last words I would use to describe myself.

*I worked at the same job since I graduated college in (cough, cough) 1996 until Gabe came home last August...13 years. Nowadays, not many people can say that.

*I wish I could sing. Music has always been a big part of my life. I worked at record stores all through college. I like all kinds and know the words to way way too many songs. I also like to make up songs up or insert Gabe, Dave or Posie's name into real songs. My favorites are "Here comes Gabers Claus, here come Gabers Claus right down Gabers Claus lane." Or how about "This is the dawning of the Gabe of Aquarius." So, you see why it's a pity that I don't have a good voice.

*I make lists of what I need/want to talk about before I go out with friends these days. I didn't use to do this, but after G came home it seemed necessary. It's way to easy to get into the continuous 'Mommy Loop' of conversation: how your kid is sleeping, naps, sickness, and what are they eating.

3) I think most everyone I know has gotten this award. But just in case you didn't...how about
Rachel-Si's Mom
Bekah-Atticus' Mom
Christine K-Joel's Mom
Sarah B-Ada's Mom
Michelle-Jee's Mom

Pals

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of 'baby-sitting' Cohen for an hour or so. Though I was pretty excited, I was also a bit nervous to be by myself with two toddlers. Anyone who's met C and G, knows that these boys are pretty active. Since Sue and I spend so much time together, these two also spend a lot of time together...and they get along famously! In the beginning of their friendship, they had to establish the 'rules' between each other...like no taking toys, no hitting, etc. They are both very much b-o-y-s and it's so fun to see them interact.
As you know taking pics of ONE toddler is a challenge, this is the best I could do with TWO...

Playing nicely:


Chasing Posie:



Having a snack:

Gabe regularly goes to the empty high chair and says "Coh." I love the he thinks that high chair is Cohen's.

It Only Took One Year...

to get a good picture of Mom and Gabe.



taken on our family day last week