Basement Playland!

Ready for some nice, crazy lighting, flashy red-eye shots? Welcome to my basement. Correction: Welcome to the DeJ Family Basement Playland. I finally did what I knew I needed to do for some time and CLEANED OUT THE BASEMENT!!! (It was no small task, I assure you.) Looks so much better. My objective was forming an indoor bike/trike loop around the center divide and creating a ball pit by bringing our little outside slide inside and filling up the kiddie pool. The kids were pretty excited and I think we'll spend many happy hours downstairs over the winter. I even set up a little desk/chair for myself so I can work while I supervise :)

A day with CARS!

I took my kids on my first solo car trip and survived it. We had fun at Memaw and Papa's the other week week. Mom met me halfway, and we took the kids to a mini-amusement park in Gatlinburg for the day. Archie loved all the stuff to ride. He rode the train, plane, teacups, pirate ship, ferris wheel, and probably other stuff, but his favorite was definitely the race cars.

Archie loved it, but didn't quite get it so this nice grandpa-type attendant helped him quite a bit.

Planes are another favorite. He has decided he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. (No space shuttles available at this theme park...)


Grace liked some of the rides, too, but she mainly just liked being cute and the attention from Memaw!


The Ferris Wheel didn't go over as well as the swings, and they had to get her out before she even got started good. Maybe next time...

Hong Kong park fun!

One of the highlights of our Hong Kong trip was the sunny weather and living right next door to a great park. (Thankfully, the weather has finally warmed up in our frozen tundra home, and I'm able to take the kids to park near our house here almost every day as well.)

Archie and Grace had fun playing together.

They were definitely fans of the bucket swing. Our park doesn't have swings so they were a fun addition.

Archie also enjoyed bouncing away on this seahorse. (Looks like he's about to get bucked off!)

Grace enjoys just standing up and hanging out!

Here we go up the playground slide!

The best thing about the park by our house are all the little friends Archie has made. Some of the smaller friends are scared of his white skin (and possibly crossed-eye) and run in terror. Most treat him like any other little friend. However, a lot of the older kids are exceptionally good to their little foreign friend who's "really white" in their words - a compliment. They have successfully taught him to climb UP the playground slide so Archie sometimes forgets the usefulness of stairs. HAHA!

The Merry Monitors

Yes, it's roaming loose my friend. No cages, no safety bars. I feel just like a National Geo photographer inching closer while trying not to scare it away (or get eaten for lunch). What is it, you may ask? A monitor lizard. Some of the monitors that roam free in Lumpini Park are quite large - maybe four feet long. Others are so petite they're almost cute. What do they really eat? I've seen them devouring fairly large fish on the bank, but unfortunately couldn't sneak in any of those shots today.

And, at the same park with the Merry Monitors, there is a nice playground where merry children can also roam free. Archie certainly enjoyed the slide and the new Thai friends he made today.

And, the question of the day: Where is Grace? We kind of thought she'd be here by now as the doctor has assured us during the last two appointments everything's ready to go, but she's evidently wanting to wait a little longer to make her appearance. At this point, we're kind of hoping she'll hold off until her July 28 due date when her Grandparents DeJs arrive.

It's Table Time!

Archie has finally caught up on the sleep he missed out on while in the hospital so new adventures are beginning! Archie had his first session of "table time" today. I couldn't believe he played reasonably quietly at the table for over 3o minutes. What better way to start off his first table time than by a FIRST time playing with Play Dough? (His Daddy was pretty amazed when he came downstairs and found Archie playing with rather than eating the Dough.)



He also practiced writing his name - Huang Hai Tao - in characters. (Ok, Mama did this one.)

After a good session of Play Dough there's nothing like a nice cup of pretend tea with Daddy!

Table time will, from now on, be an oft repeated activity!

Random playtime pictures!

When Archie saw Daddy putting on his running shoes to go out and exercise the other morning, he brought me his shoes so he could go out for an early morning romp, too! While we were out, our neighbors set off to take their son to preschool. Archie totally idolizes his now four-year-old "older brother" and watched from the gate as he disappeared down the road. He really wanted to go to school, too.

I think Archie looks a little like he wants to be a model in this pic. Thanks Memaw and Papa for the cute outfit!
Archie enjoyed a few of the outdoor toys in our garden. Adults use the one below for exercise.


Archie was disappointed when it was time to go in!

Closet fun!

One of Archie's new favorite games is playing peek-a-boo from our bedroom coat closet. I think he could play this game for hours! This is also a major reason we've had to start start keeping our bedroom door locked. This game definitely requires parental supervision!

Scooter Videos

Archie's new scooter runs solely off foot power, but it does have a cool battery operated button that plays duck songs when you press it. (I pretty much hear duck noises all day now except when he's sleeping, but at least I can keep track of where he is easier :))

Archie's legs are still a hair too short to get much forward motion without some parental assistance, but he can scoot himself backwards. He also loves walking behind the scooter and pushing it.

My videography isn't too great here. I can't figure out how to not make them sideways either, but they're super short (about 12 seconds each) so enjoy!







I was trying to get him to say "thank you," but no real luck. I think that he was playing with my emotions.

Archie's first scooter!

Archie is now riding in style. After he fell in love with riding toys in both Korea and Thailand, I decided it was time to make a purchase. Yesterday, Hunter and I set off for the toy store with baby in tow. Archie immediately fell in love with this duck scooter. He didn't even want to get off long enough for me to pay! If you're wondering why he's in his diaper in the next two pics, it's because he bolted away from me after his diaper change this afternoon for some playtime before I could even get him dressed!)


This pic is from last night. Archie was in baby paradise. Cell phone in one hand, other hand on scooter. He looks like a traffic controller or something. Archie, careful talking while driving!

There's no place like home!

After being gone for over two weeks, we were wondering if Archie would even remember our house. Thankfully, he got settled in and delightfully reacquainted with all his toys in a matter of minutes. He even adjusted to sleeping in his own room (as opposed to in a pack-in-play beside our bed) by the second day! Pretty amazing!

He certainly enjoys playing with the bubbles Grandma DeJ sent. Thank you, Grandma!

Leaving Korea, Playground Fun!

Since having Archie, the Seoul airport has become a favorite stopover for us. They have two playgrounds. Archie enjoyed using up some energy before the plane ride. (Yes, he slept on the plane :) Mama and Daddy enjoyed a cream cheese bagel and some coffee. Enjoy the pictures!

Playing at the Airport

While we were traveling last week we stopped in an airport with a playground. Here's a video of Archie playing with the stairs (thats his favorite thing now). In the video he makes a break for it, but then thinks better of it and returns to to the stairs.



Do you think he looks tired?

Sliding is Super Part II

This is Archie's Dad posting to the blog for the first time. Some of you may remember Archie's first visit to the slide last year. Well, while Mom was sick(she's all better now!) I decided to take him out for Round 2. As you can see from the above picture, Archie had a good time!

While we were out Archie decided to strut his stuff and climb the playground stairs all by himself. Check out the action series below:

Ahh Sweet Success!

Signing off for now. Seeing that Archie just turned 1 year and 4 months old, hopefully I won't wait another year and a half before I post again.