House Hunter

Parker had a blast at a birthday party this Saturday. My friend Sarah's son turned two and she threw a great bash; complete with a make your own cupcake station. Parker was thrilled with the toys in the yard and basically moved into the playhouse!

We met a family who brought their DD home from China this March! As I talked with the mother, we realized our children have the same special need...what a small world. We came home to some craft brew from a local brewery, which we left in the freezer... so beer slush.

Sunday, Parker got up early so we were ready for early mass. After, I ran 3 miles in the heat/humidity, which I do not recommend. The count down is on to the Indianapolis Half Marathon.

Welcome home! He would greet the other children by touching them on the shoulder and then saying "aiiii" (translation "hi")

He just hopped on the toy tractor

More house

Picking his cupcake

Finished product

Ready to eat

Summer Concert

We live in a young, fun town that is amazingly family friendly. Two years ago, Money magazine voted it best place to raise a family in the US...okay shameless plug over. One of the great events is the free summer concert series, every Tuesday night brings a different band and outdoor fun! So tonight we packed the cooler and met the MOM's group from our church to listen to Dave and Rae. The group is a cover band...think Janis Joplin to Jimmy Buffett to Usher, and I remember seeing them at many college events.

Parker had fun eating dinner outside, meeting the other children, and dog watching. Sadly, the night ended when he was not allowed to have Dad's can. He was tired and it was time to go home.

For the last week he has carried around this blanket

Being shy

Playing with blocks

More goldfish got on Dad than Parker

Clapping along

just about bedtime...

Baptism

This Sunday, Parker was Baptised into the Catholic Church. Jim and I were accompanied by our immediate families to mass and the sacrament followed. Including Parker, there were nine babies to be baptised, which included triplets! We went back to our house for brunch, complete with mimosas (any excuse to sneak in champagne!)

Parker wore an outfit from Omma, that we were given in Korea.

He was well behaved but in need of lunch and a nap

Parker (who did not look in any of my pictures) with his Godparents, my brother and sister-in-law

Cake with Dad

His favorite gift (well the only one he could play with) a Noah's ark from his grandparents. We took him to our community park/pool this evening, and he cried when we made him leave the ark...all was forgotten when we got to the slide.

Zoo Trip

My parents were in town, Saturday, so we took Parker to the zoo, for the first time. For Parker, the highlight was the dolphin show. I was impressed when he started to sign "more", I thought sweet boy wants more dolphin flips. Not quite, he wanted the graham sticks in my bag. At least he didn't scream or whine for the grahams. Sadly, I only got a few poor shots...

We all pet sharks

saw rhinos

Parker pet an elephant

watched a baby giraffe eat and

wandered through the butterfly garden. They land on you, which I do not enjoy-to me they are bugs with wings.

Wordless Wednesday: Mr. Independent

Book Recommendation: Once They Hear My Name

I wanted to share a book I just read. It is co-authored by two social workers, one being an AP and the other a Korean-American. It is a quick read, as it is narrative of 9 Korean Adoptees and their experiences. Jim is reading it now and it would be an excellent read for Parker, when he is older.

Here is a review of the book and information on the authors.

Glorious Fourth

We had a long, tiring weekend at the lake, evidenced by the sleeping Labradors and a little boy who fought bedtime for half an hour. Too tired for narrative, so here are some photos.

Jim and I
Steve and Nicole, as we watched firework on the boat. Steve next year maybe we can coordinate the popcorn cooler thing on the boat...some guys just can't handle the lakes.

Happy Birthday Uncle Dennis! Notice the child who crept near the cake to swipe some toffee pieces-naughty!

Trying out a raft before getting in the water