Followed by a few weeks of autumn:
And now, we dress Archie like an Eskimo every time we go out! I think I should move to Bangkok. I seriously love the never-ending summer there!
Reading is one of Archie's favorite activities. (Probably why he likes the cards so much.) He decided to take a reading break on this box from Memaw and Papa before opening it.
Here's the Skype party with Memaw and Papa!
Some girls came from a local college came for a party the day after Archie's birthday and brought him a cake. It was really pretty and really yummy!
Archie had one larger party at our house. Archie was so excited by all the people we couldn't keep him from scooting through every room to see everyone. There he goes!
Oh, yes, Benjamin is a coffee expert. Everyone will miss the morning Cup of Joe he brews in the office. We hope he comes back soon and starts running a local coffee shop!
At Korean first birthdays, they play a game where the birthday boy or girl is given several objects to choose from. Each object represents a future career choice + string for long life. Archie chose the medicine bottle first so he might be a doctor when he grows up, making his Mama happy. His second choice was the calculator, which is indicative of a career in engineering, making his Daddy happy, too. The third thing he grabbed was the money, but he promptly threw it on the floor. I guess he already knows life is about more than money (although I do hope he makes some so he can support a family!). His heart's in the right place anyway!
What birthday would be complete without cake? While rice cakes were central to our Korean theme, I also made all the guests American style cupcakes and made Archie his own mini layer cake. I topped the cakes with gummy candies I bought at the local import store.
Here he is eating the cake! (There are two videos because my camera only tapes for 20 seconds at a time.)
Month One, Day One
Month Two
Month Three
Month Four
Month Five
Month Six
Month Seven
Month Eight
Month Nine
Month Ten
Month 11
I couldn't stop there, I just had to check out how I would've looked as a graduate in 1984 (the year after I was born).
This next one is kind of scary. This is how I should have looked just ONE year before my actual high school graduation in 2001.
I wish I had digital versions of the actual photos from my mother's high school graduation and from my own. Then, you could see how beautiful my mom was and hopefully realize my bangs weren't quite that poofy.
Archie had a great time playing in the sand. He said, "I know I shouldn't eat it, but is she looking? Maybe I won't get caught!"
"Well, I've just gotta try it. Yucky!"
Once Mama got him cleaned up a bit, he made a cute picture!
Here's another set of cute pictures. Try to imagine what's going on in that little head of his. Here's my guess:
A close-up of a favorite pic!
Another favorite!
Archie tried my peach Popsicle.
I don't think his opinion on peaches has changed.
We did a lot of fun stuff. The girls climbed the wall.
We had fun on the bridges at the lake. (Since I was the chief photographer, there are none of me crossing this one.)
This is the tricky bridge to cross. I had my fill of it last time so I let the girls play on it without me.
We watched this guy make it all the way across the lake (and several others fall in trying)!
Here's the zip line across another lake.
And, a do it yourself by foot power roller-coaster.
The tram was a roller coaster that Archie could handle.
What a tiring but fun day for a little one, his Mama and friends!
