Culture Campers

Recently, we found out about a culture camp for children that was sponsored by the Korean Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Since the camp was a week long, we could not justify spending the entire week so far from home. The director invited us and several other adoptive families to attend the celebration at the end of the week. It was a wonderful experience and we are so glad we could attend.

Traditional Korean cuisine. Bulgogi, Kimchi, sticky rice, Japchae (?) and several familiar yummy, spicy dishes with a Korean twist.

The children were allowed to play several games and joined in a Tae Kwon Do demonstration.

The perfect picture of hilarious was little Stephen going through his series of punches and shouting "hi-yah!" Here he is showing off the board he promptly split in two. Who knew?



This was Stephen's personal assistant while he was there. Her name was Kae. She was the first person we met in the parking lot. Kae walked straight up to Stephen with a bag full of "Pe Pe Ro" (snacks) and began jabbering away in Korean. I carefully watched Stephen's face to see what, if anything, he understood. He appeared to be sifting through her words and suddenly just smiled and bowed right to her. I just stood in awe. It just amazes me that after 8 months of being totally submerged in the English language, that he can still understand enough Korean to manipulate some snacks. :-) Kae took a real strong liking to him. The rest of the afternoon she made sure he had a sack full of popcorn, candy and plenty of whatever his little heart desired. He had Kae right where he wanted her..




Highlight of the day: seeing Anna ShinAe again. The princess in the white ribbons was one of Stephen's roommates in the Moon room at AMSA in Korea. It was such a blessing to live close enough to see ShinAe and her precious family again.

When it was all said and done, I believe our kiddos had had all the culture they could stand for one day. Until next year.....

The Happy Campers

This week Wilson is attending an adventure camp put on by our city recreation department.He is having a blast with 20 other 7-8 year olds. They have been to a challenge course, laser tag, ice skating, horseback riding and will visit the aquarium at Fort Fisher and Jungle Rapids Water park. For those of you who know Wilson, this is so totally up his alley!

Wilson on day three of camp...ice skating and the nature center. I don't think he was quite awake enough to be photographed.

While the camper is away...the girls will play. Austyn and Landon were certainly not left out of the fun. They saw an opportunity and seized the moment.

We have had a wonderful time doing girl stuff!

The lady giving Landon her pedicure is named Julie. She is a hoot(!) and was teasing the girls the whole time! We laughed alot and I laughed harder at them trying to be polite when they weren't quite sure what she had said in her strong Vietnamese accent. Julie is very bright and quite witty and I enjoy chatting with her. We have talked about various topics including her views on adoption of Vietnamese children and her journey to America. I have tucked away some pieces of the gospel here and there as well....

TADAAAAAA!

We finished our girls day with a little shopping and a Japanese style lunch with daddy. The girls loved it and are already planning another day...Father's Day shopping in Wilmington and a movie. *smile*