Ian is ONE!!

It seems like only yesterday that we were bringing him home.... :-) We celebrated a few weeks ago with family and friends (my apologies for not posting sooner). We hadn't invited Mother Nature but she invited herself so we had to reschedule for the next day. We tried to keep with Korean traditions and make sure we had the 4 parts of a good Korean birthday party. #1) Wear traditional Korean clothing (we left that to Ian, who wore the Hanbok that his foster mom gave him). #2) Prayers and blessings (Rev. Grandma Henson did a nice job with that). #3) Sharing food with friends and family (we fixed Bee-Bim Bop and Seaweed soup) #4) Preforming the Toljabee (having Ian pick an item that will predict what his life will hold).


We surprised ourselves with the Bee-Bim Bop. It turned out better than our trial run at home. Woohoo!! I wanted to serve seaweed soup because I had read that many mother's eat it after giving birth and then eat it again on their child's birthday to celebrate it. I wanted to honor his birth mother in some way and this seemed like the perfect way. I'm afraid we should have done a trial run on it too, because it didn't turn out nearly as good as it was in Korea.


We preformed the Toljabee. Here are the items we had and what they stood for:
Apple - He will have many descendants
Thread - He will have a long life
Book - He will be a scholar
Rice - He will be rich
Knife - He will be a warrior
Brush - He will be a talented artist
Puppet - You can guess this one (a last minute addition from Daddy)
Ian chose the thread and then went for the rice. A great choice! I was relieved that he chose the thread...with his dare devil ways I need all the assurance I can get that he's going to live a long life!! I secretly was holding out for the apple (because of grandchildren...it is never to early to start hoping). ;-)

We also had some American traditions as well. It just wouldn't be his first birthday without letting him eat his first piece of cake! He really liked it. Cake in one hand....a Star Trek tribute with the other "Live long and prosper." He didn't get quite as messy as I thought he would, but he still needed a little dip in the sink afterward.

We all had a great time. I think Ian had the best time of all. He was working the room like I've never seen. He loves parties and especially when they're for him!! Here are a few more pictures from the party....
Ian with Grandpa Henson enjoying an inside joke.
I think Cydney might be melting here. Just too much fun...

It was so wonderful to be able to celebrate Ian with so many friends and family! I can't begin to tell you how much we're enjoying having him as a part of our family. We're looking forward to many more birthdays!