New Year's Eve Baby

Jackson is an NYE baby....oh, how I love that. So, he is now a one year old! We had a small family celebration with a cake and candles. Gracie blew them out for him and we all closed our eyes and sent over birthday thoughts to him. We are sad we've missed a year of his life but, know things all happen for a reason and he is being well taken care of until the day he can come home.


It just so happened to work out that the last care package we sent over was delivered to ESWS last week (with another family that got to pick up their beautiful little girl). I am hoping it will get to Jackson's foster family when they go in for his 12month well baby check up.... a nice little bday surprise for him.

We obviously can't be sure how Jackson celebrated his day but, we do know he is with a very loving foster family and I'm sure they made it special.





Some Korean Bday Celebration customs....

Korean first birthdays celebrations are called a Tol. They are usually large celebrations. The traditional Tol has four major parts....



*Making and wearing the birthday clothes or tol-bok



*Prayers, blessing and giving thanks



* Toljabee--where the child predicts his future by choosing amongst various objects placed in front of him. Some of the common items include a needle and thread [symbolizes a long life], a book [symbolizes a scholar], some sort of currency [symbolizing prosperity], a rice cake [he will never go hungry]



*Sharing of food


We received some great books about Korean Culture and Travel for Christmas. We are both really enjoying reading them.... so much fun and so very interesting. Can't wait to see it all in person in 2011!
Happy New Year!