Snow, snow, snow

These pics are from a sledding day BEFORE the big snow that dumped a few inches on us this weekend.  With their new sleds, the kids are such chickens.  Dahin digs her heels in and drags her hands along the snow to slow herself down, and Oliver and Ronan insisted on the baby bunny slope (I dare to call it a bunny slope).  Tashi tried to engage in the fun, but body blocks on a slowly descending sled just don't work too well. Poor guy--he wanted the full throttle, knock-you-down body slam.  He has no fear.

Nothing To Do With Arbroath: Argentine dog saves abandoned baby

Nothing To Do With Arbroath: Argentine dog saves abandoned baby: "An eight-year-old dog has touched the hearts of Argentines by saving the life of an abandoned baby, placing him safely alongside her own new..."

Tashi Gets Snipped

Tashi was a trooper before, during, and after his surgery.  I think the hardest part for him is having to wear the cone of shame until next Monday.  He hates the cone of shame.  After his surgery, he was pretty woozy and slept all afternoon and throughout most of the evening.  Poor guy was not feeling well.  I stayed with him that day and just 'worked'  from home.  Well--I worked at watching tv.  Don't blame me--programming that day was just too good.  CSI was great, and I couldn't miss Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.  Plus, Tashi needed a buddy, and he prefers to keep his bed in the living room. His follow-up vet visit today  was a good one.  He has to take meds this week, but by next week he should be back to his old self (well, with fewer parts and, hopefully, a weaker labido).

Thanks Bubbie and Grandfather!!!

Bubbie and Grandfather sent us packages that included some cool American Christmas candy.  Since the commercial side of Christmas here is limited to strange Christmas cakes and free hat or scarf give-a-ways (with the purchase of a strange Christmas cake), I have to import things like candy canes, etc.  Santa has been super cool over the past two years, bringing the kids candy canes so mommy does not have to stress about that.  But we're also missing the lifesavers story books, chocolate santas, marshmallow peeps, and other amazing American goodies that I remember from my childhood (and, okay, adulthood).  Thanks to Grandfather and Bubbie, the kids got a great taste of home (that is still being rationed out daily).  I also got tons of yarn, and we also got a harmonica and tin whistle to boot!  Can't wait to get the kids started with those.  I also got some yeast so I can make those wonderful rolls I failed to make for Christmas.  Tashi totally scored with boatloads of treats, chew bones, and new toys.   The toys and treats are also being rationed, but Tashi has already claimed a few--including the green quadrapus (four legs) toy he runs around with regularly.  I am really happy with the toys,  Tashi likes soft toys and good ones are not easy to find in Korea.  Most toys are made for toy or miniature dogs and so aren't very sturdy. Plus, the standards for safety are not the same here as in the States.  I feel better knowing that these toys from Grandfather and Bubbie had to pass strict standards for sale in the US (no lead paint poisoning for our little buddy). The photos below also give me a chance to show off Tashi's new outfits.  Yes, we did (he-he-he).  Tashi also got a superman costume, but we're saving that one for Halloween.  He seems to like the clothes; makes him that much warmer when he goes outside.  Great deal in Namdaemun--only 8,000 won per outfit (about $8)!  And, a great way for Dahin to spend some of her allowance.  Okay, not really, but she was into it.  Do not, I repeat, do not buy dog accessories in front of Shinsegae Department store or anywhere in Myeongdong.  They totally rip you off (dog booties for 25,000 won?  Please, people!).  Namdaemun is just right next to Myeongdong and the prices are so much more reasonable.

 Above, Tashi says, "You're going to do WHAT with my little boy parts?"  Two days before the surgery.

See Bubbie--his quadrapus buddy matches his new hoodie sweatshirt.  Go green!  Thanks Grandfather and Bubbie!  The care packages are very much appreciated.

Snow Fun!

Dahin had her friend Jiyeon over for a playdate and Jihyeon's little brother came along.  He's one year older than the boys, so it was perfect.  The kids played together really well.  When they tired of the Wii inside,  I had them go outside to play.  The kids raided the recycling bin for some 'sleds' and threw snowballs at each other.  Tashi also got into the fun and really loved chasing after the kids as they sledded down the hill.  He did not, however, like being pelted with snowballs, so I had to put an end to that.  Since this weekend, we've had two more snowfalls, including one last night that left a few inches of powdery snow on the ground.  It's beautiful, but Tashi's having a hard time with it since the "cone of shame" he has to wear because of his surgery to remove his little boy parts (pics later) works like a snow plow as he makes his way through the snow.  No fun for little Tashi.  I have to remove the ring of snow from around his neck when we go inside after trips out. Still, love the snow.  And, we've finally bought the kids some real sleds--two plastic beauties just waiting for some more snow fun this coming weekend.

New Year's Resolutions

Like the rest of us, the boys have sworn to be extra helpful and proactive in the New Year.  Our breakfast theme was, uh, simple.  The boys made toast and poured orange juice.  Of course, they needed help toasting the bread, getting plates for the bread, getting out the butter and jam, opening the jam, getting out the orange juice, opening the juice, getting cups for the juice, and pouring the juice.  Not sure how much of that actually counted as breakfast "service."  Still, I give Oliver extra bonus points for washing most of the dishes.

Happy New Year!

After our day of sunrise-viewing and traveling on New Year's Eve, everyone crashed early when we headed home, except for Dahin and I who stayed up to watch the movie we had rented, Super Bad (the Korean title for Despicable Me--at first I thought these were two different movies; I get easily confused). But, right before midnight, I was out like a light and left poor Dahin a little disappointed since she had wanted to usher in the New Year big girl style.  On New Year's Day morning, we started the New Year out right with some homemade pancakes and milk.  Tashi, below, tries really hard to be a good boy (his resolution).

Then, it was off to Halmoni's house where Tashi slid a bit on his resolution by trying to pounce on Halmoni's teacup maltese, Bomi, as if she were a chew toy and accidently biting Halmoni when she tried to pull a plastic bottle out of his mouth (we were horrified that he drew blood, but Halmoni was very sweet about it).  We won't mention the peeing on the floor since that was, honestly, our fault and he didn't know where to 'go' at Halmoni's house.  I blame much of it on the long car drive and pent up energy from the day before.

Next, we welcomed in the New Year with halmoni at her church and headed to Shinsegae Dept. Store for lunch and a look around.  The kids love the roof-top garden there, so enjoyed their dessert of ice cream and strawberry smoothie outside while the grownups were more sensible and had coffee indoors.

Then, it was off to the salon for haircuts for all three kids.  Oliver, with his straggly locks, was the most in need, but it felt right to start the new year off with some clean, nice hair for all three.

 Dahin enjoys games on her phone and some hot cocoa while she waits for her brothers to finish up.

Ronan got the phone once it was Dahin's turn.  Below, Dahin gets a cute bob cut with shorter bangs, and Oliver gets all waxed up as he surveys the work of the stylist. 

Our New Year was relatively mellow, but not devoid of reflections and plans to do even better this year.  Happy New Year!!!