Happy Birthday Dahin!

Dahin's got the week off of school because of the swine virus (that's what the masks are for--we wear them in crowded public spaces). Many kids in her class have come down with it, so they cancelled classes for a little while. The teachers have posted homework online at the school's website and Dahin's mentor--a sweet college student--came over today for two hours to work with Dahin on the school work. So, because Dahin was a free agent for her b-day, we had the day to play. I went ahead and just took the day off work and, after a brief interview at EBS, we had lots of time to run around.

Our first stop before Dahin's requested lunch of Mexican food was this market specializing in household wares. There, I got a muffin tin for cupcakes, a heart-shaped pan, candles, sprinkles, decorator icing, vanilla, etc--basically stocked up on baking supplies while also getting what we needed for Miss Dahin's 9th extravaganza.

We headed to this cute little taco place for lunch. Dahin got a steak burrito, I got a chicken one, and Jack got a taco. We all shared nachos. The food was really good. We had originally planned on going to a restaurant that charged 15,000 won for a burrito, but when we got there we found it was closed for lunch. I had remembered seeing another little Mexican place close by across the street from the War Memorial Museum, so we drove that way and found "Taco Enchelada." It was so affordable (whew! we were relieved to not have had to pay tons of money for her special lunch) and the people were really friendly. With reasonable prices, good tasting food, and good service, it was perfect.

Dahin enjoyed her first burrito in 10 months. This was the first time we'd had Mexican food in Seoul. Dahin had burritos last year on her birthday--seems like it is her regular birthday request. Much like chili was mine when I was a kid.

Dahin's next request was to go to Namsan. So, we drove to the National Theatre, parked, got some coffee and hot cocoa, and rode a bus to the top of Namsan.

Once there, we climbed up the hill to Namsan Tower where we looked at the love locks and Dahin convinced Jack that we HAD to ride the elevator to the top (Jack's afraid of heights). Because it was her birthday, we did it.

Above, Jack holds on for dear life away from the windows, and, below, we found the spot from which it would take us 9, 040.09 kilometers to make it to San Francisco.

Below, you can see the point to which the buses will take you. The climb up the hill really isn't that far. But, looking down from the tower it seems really, really far.

Dahin got a smoothie and Apa enjoyed some coffee as we took in the view of the autumn colors. Seoul is really beautiful this time of year.

When we got home, I made the cupcakes and we ordered pizza. Dahin had invited a couple of her friends to come over and celebrate. Despite not announcing this was a birthday party (we really didn't want people to think they should bring gifts; just wanted a gathering), one of Dahin's friends came armed with presents and a sweet homemade card thanking Dahin for being her friend. Looks like, ahem, the word got around on the playground....It was a lot of fun.

If you notice, below, the boys are staring at the little girl in blue, with whom they both happen to be madly in love. It is so cute. She (happens to be our next door neighbor) favors Oliver, but Ronan is convinced they will be married one day. Ah, preschool love triangles.

The next day, Dahin got a surprise in the mail from Grandfather and Bubbie. Bubbie made Dahin this amazingly soft, beautiful hat for the cold weather fast approaching (perfect for Dahin since anything wool is 'scratchy'). They also sent her a pretty little necklace (that I am almost positive they had blessed at church), the book The Little Princess (which she is now reading), a Christmas decoration kit, brownie mix (yes!--can't get that ANYWHERE here; can't wait to make them together), and a sweet card. Thank you Bubbie and Grandfather!

Can't believe she is nine years old. Time flies so fast. This is her last year of single digits, so I need to remind myself to savor every moment.