For a one-day summer camp, the boys and their classmates went to a big water park.
The infamous family project. Above, Oliver poses with his 'best friend' for their 'wedding' photo. Notice how big the suit is--Jack said "You'd think they'd get a suit that fits." I kind of like it. To the school's credit, they did ask us to send a suit if we had one, but our boys have always flat refused to wear a suit, so we haven't spent the money on dress clothes for the boys. It's hard enough to get them into sweater vests, and the one time Oliver wore a tie he hid it under a fleece jacket. It looks like no one else had a suit either, since that one suit was the choice for all photos. I also like how Oliver is a whole head shorter than his 'bride.' Way too cute. Ronan was not happy and cried for days, faking sickness, etc. to avoid going to school on the 'big day.' Oliver smuggly said, "I don't know why Ronan's so upset. I'm marrying my best friend--isn't that great--to be marrying your best friend?" Indeed. Below, poor Ronan looks absolutely miserable. When I saw the project, full of pages on what mommy and daddy do for a living and how babies are born, etc. I told him that I thought his 'wedding' photo was very nice and that he looked really handsome and that the little girl looked real pretty. To which he shot back, "she's not!" Ahem. Well, he seemed ok with the project once it was all over. But, the morning of the 'wedding', I tell you--it was like he was headed to the guillotine--I had to carry him to the bus as he sobbed and handed him over to the teacher. I never felt so guilty sending a child to school. Bubbie said, in an email, that, while she could not recall exactly, she didn't think Ronan and Oliver were old enough to be getting married.
For both years at the preschool, the boys celebrated their birthdays in style. Last year, all we had were their first birthday hanbok, which didn't fit, so they didn't get all dressed up in the traditional Korean garb. But, this year, we made a special trip to the market with Jack's mom and got some beautiful hanbok they can wear for at least another couple of years. For their birthdays at school, we provided the cake and the hanbok, and the kids all gathered and celebrated. For each month, the kids who have birthdays that month get a party. For other kids' birthdays, we send presents and the boys make cards with little messages for their friends. The boys, of course, had their party in July. Both years, as well, the boys got photos with a little girl kissing them. Oliver looks okay with it, but Ronan is like, "Hey girlie, get out of my personal space." In the group photo above, their little buddy Hwaseong--with whom we had some playdates--does not look like a happy camper. Wonder what went on there...hmmm....
The teachers there were really great about keeping us updated on all that went on at school. Above is the last entry for Ronan, before the teacher knew it was the last entry. Won't translate it all, but the teacher writes that even though the week-long summer break was short, she was really happy to see Ronan when school resumed. She had heard that he had gone to the pool and did a lot of water play with his family during the break. She also said he did a presentation in class about what he did during the break. She was so happy that he did the presentation (this was not easy to get him to do, apparently) that she gave him a big hug afterwards. She said that, since he hadn't seen his friends for a week, that he had a lot of fun reuniting with them and they all talked about what they did during the break. She wrote that she hopes that, during this muggy summer, Ronan doesn't get fatigued and that the whole family is fine during the rest of the sweltering summer. And, she ends with 'Stay healthy!' I tell you what, this was one sicky summer.
"Yesterday you got through this muggy weather by playing water games with your friends in the SNU ravine. When you heard there were crayfish hidden under the stones you went to find them, and then you thrashed around in the water with your friends and had a great time. My day was made even happier when I watched you perched on top of a rock sharing the watermelon we brought from school and, without a break, playing and chatting happily with your friends. I can't believe that tomorrow is the last day we will get to spend time with our sweet Hyunmo [his Korean name]. I pray that, wherever you go and whatever you do, you will have a joyful and healthy life. I pray that you, Junmo [Ronan's Korean name], and your family are always happy. Moranban Teacher"
(moran means 'peony,' so their class name was the 'peony class') Thanks Moranban Seonsaengnim!
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