Wordless Wednesday - My Little Ray of Sunshine

Fishy Fun!!

Today the boys and I headed out to the Aquarium in town to meet up with some friends.

Tim already has an annual card. Usually this is where Tig takes the boys for fun days out! Since I'm the only member of my family without the yearly card, I bit the bullet and got one today.
Going by the enthusiasm and fun the boys had, I suspect there will be a lot more trips here this year.

As Aquariums go, it is quite a good one. From the penguins, seals, monkeys, snakes, sharks and numerous huge fish tanks there is certainly lots to see.

I think I can safely say Tae was in heaven with ALL the fish and water to look at, he certainly loved the koi fish and had to be pulled away from the tank a few times!

Tim's favourite part was the monkeys .... erm yes the Aquarium has one area with tiny monkeys, I don't quite get that either, but they were cute.

For me, the best part of the day was watching all the children having a great time, catching up with lovely friends and the cappacino that was served in the cafe;)

On our way out we went through the gift shop. The children asked if they could buy a little something. You would think they would choose a little cuddly penguin or a fish pencil, but no, here is their choice.......

Wordless Wednesday - Men in nature

What is Tae saying???

Tae is a GREAT communicator. Everyone comments on it, from the workers at his nursery, my hairdresser to his grandmothers. He has been this way since a baby.

Please note I said communicator and not articulate speaker;)

Tae is the worlds best at getting his meaning across without uttering a word!!

At times, talking at 100 miles per hour, with words blending together, arms waving around, eye brows raised, head nodding, arm pulling and pointing. He will happily 'chat' away with anyone for a good five minutes!

 

Don't get me wrong, according to our health visitor and his nursery teacher his language skills are on target for his age, but Tae speaks what he wants, when he wants.

I KNOW he can speak English just fine, but HE chooses to speak Norwegian 80% of the time, This is absolutely fine for me! Lets be honest, he has had three languages under the age of one and he lives in Norway. I have ticked off all the words in English he can say in the correct context on the 'list' for 2 year olds and he has said most of them.

 

He completely understands what is said in both Norwegian and English. Whether he chooses to act upon it is another story... 

What amuses me most, is that he is consistent in English in areas that are important to him.

For example, asking questions like :

Mummy can I sit in car?

Where is Bieser mummy? (name he calls Tim)
Tae have a yogurt?
Can I have Ipad mummy?
Can I go read in (my) room?
Can I sit on train?

 

Other key clearly pronounced English words - car, train, digger ,bicycle (point in case the boy says bicycle clearly!), kiss, sweeties, lollipop, book, read, dog, horsey, help, no & yes!

Can you see a pattern??

He also says some things that are not so correct, but very cute. These are the words we know, but those who dont know him well, may not fully understand!

Cuggle (cuddle)

uv you (love you)

car ful (careful)

worrrter (water)

guffa (gruffalo)

oops saysies (oops a daisy)

a p tea (cup of tea)

Copter (helicopter)

Bieser (his nickname for Tim - yes, who knows where that came from??!)

THE best way Tae has always communicated is through his eyes. Those beautiful soulful brown eyes.

  They are so expressive when he looks straight at you while explaining something in such detail you dont need words to get his enthusiasm or meaning.


But at the end of the day, who cares what he is saying when he looks right at me, my heart melts anyway!

Wordless Wednesday - My Crazy 10 Year Old!!!

Tae's Hanbok

A hanbok is the national costume of South Korea. It is made up of wonderful vibrant colours. It is tradition that children wear their hanbok on their first birthday (Tol). This is considered a big event.

Tae recieved his hanbok as one of the precious gifts from his foster mother. The amazing lady who cared for him before he joined our family.

Tae wore his handbok on his first birthday.

Tae is petite, but hanboks do come in generous sizes! When he wore it as a one year old, we had to roll the sleeves up and the trousers came right up under his armpits (seriously!).

Traditionally there is a special ceremony that takes place at Korean first birthday parties. The child chooses an object to predict their future career or interests. From a range of objects that included a book, needle and thread, bow and arrow and a ball Tae chose the money!! Yes, his Pappa was very proud.

Here is our little munchkin wearing in his hanbok on his first birthday.

Oh my.... I loved those chubby cheeks!

.......and here he is 2 and a half years old, and it finally fits (well nearly).

After his birthday I didn't want to just hang it in a wardrobe or place it in a memory box. I wanted to do something special with it. To let Tae know that we value his birth heritage and to keep it safe for him in the future. It is significant on so many levels. 

After a few dicussions and over one year later, Tig found a deep picture frame which we feel is perfect.

It is now hanging on the wall in his bedroom and today Tae pointed to it and said 'hanbok mummy'!!!

A year in photos - Being 9 years old

Tim turns ten years old next week.

Here is a glance back of a few of my favourite photos that I captured of him over the last 12 months!

I am very proud of him. He is smart and funny with a dash of cheekiness and stubborness thrown in! He is passionate about what he enjoys and the people he loves. There is no half measures with him. It's all or nothing. He is an amazing big brother who loves, adores and protects Tae. (Think 'Mummy Bear' mentality - it has nothing on 'Brother Bear';)

Happy birthday gorgeous boy - I love you to the moon and back, and as you used to say - you love me to the world and back too;)