Rough Day

Our little sleeping beauty had a rough day at school today.  I picked her up from school and was driving her home, and we did not even make it 10 city blocks before she was passed out in the seat next to me.  She must have played hard today and had too much fun with Dad this week.  She is all tuckered out.  It was good for her to get some sleep because we have our traditional day at the Seoul Club tomorrow.  Enjoy the pictures of my big girl.

Only My Daughter

Kids say the darnedest things is a saying that will never get old or loose its meeting.  I am in the middle of getting the girls to go to bed for the evening and have them down.  So I think I have it made the girls will go to sleep and I can get some work done.  Morgan comes up 10 min later and says to me "Life is so rough"!!!  Now she says this with such conviction it is amazing.  Come to find out that Molly had blown bubbles at her and this had made her mad.  For some reason this has made her life so rough.  Another true story from the Faust family.

Need I say more!!!!

I took the girls out to the play ground today and they seem to have discovered the sunglasses that we bought for them years ago.  For some odd reason they felt the need to share and go as the cool chicks in town.  I am not to sure if I like the new look, but at least the glasses are being used.

Again Need I say More!

Way to cool for you Dad!

It was Bound to Happen

Well I almost made it a week with out taking the kids to the doctors appointment.  Morgan has been complaining of not being able to hear things.  So I finally set an appointment for her to have her hearing checked.  I have found out that she has an ear infection in both ears.  So, needless to say Katjia was right again.  I cursed myself saying that there was not a scratch on the kids.  Morgan in now and antibiotics and we will see how she is doing tomorrow and see if she will go to school or not.  Aaaawwww the fun of being a parent.

Daddy and the Girls

Well it was bound to happen sooner or later.  Kristen is in the States visiting her mother and she has left the children with me.  I am actually surprised that she even left with me in charge.  I have a feeling that she is only doing it because Tessie is here to keep an eye on me and make sure that the kids don't get injured.  We have had a good 4 days so far and I am happy to report that the girls are in good shape and do not have a single scratch on them.  I even was brave enough to take them out in the snow for a while and let them stretch their legs.  I am working up the nerve to take them to the COEX mall on Tuesday before Morgan goes back to school after the Lunar New Year.  I promised Kristen I would update the blog with pictures so that she knew that the kids were OK.  So in keeping with my promise the pictures are below.  I even put one of Sadie in to proves she was still alive.

Sadie enjoying the Cold

Molly trying out the Trampoline

Morgan being silly

Does this sound familiar??

It's the week before a major holiday, you need to make a quick trip to the grocery store.  You arrive when the store opens, its jam-packed with people, and there are only 2 checkout lanes open.  

This was my experience this morning, shopping the week before Lunar New Year.  It's a pretty major holiday around here and everyone is out shopping.  I only needed a few things.  What should have been a 30 minute trip, turned into 1 hour.  Ugh!  

Shark Tales

Just a couple of fun pics from our trip to the aquarium this weekend:

Around Town

We can't help but stare in bewilderment whenever we pass this store.  Truthfully, I'm amazed the city lets them get away with it.  It really is a sight.  I've never been in, but I bet I can guess what they sell.

Pa-Ja-Ma's!!

Here is how a typical conversation with Molly sounds when getting ready for bed:

Me:  Ok, lets get your pj's on.

Molly: Pa-Ja-Ma's!!

Me: PJ's?

Molly: Pa-Ja-Ma's!!

Me: Pajama's?

Molly:  Yeah!

The Kitchen Crew

We made sliders for dinner tonight and my two little helpers were ready to go.  I recently picked up these aprons for the girls to help with the mess after our last episode of making sliders which ended with the girls covered in flour.  Enjoy the pics!

Snow Angels

We had snow today!!  It started early this morning, and when I took Morgan up to the bus stop we had just a dusting.  A little too much for the bus though.  It couldn't make its way up the hill, so the kids had to go to the bottom to the emergency bus stop.  (Thank you to my neighbor's driver for taking Morgan down with the other kids.)  When it was light enough for Molly to see out the window, she was ready to go out.  So she put her boots and coat on and we went to the front porch.  I promised her more snow action once Morgan got home from school.  By noon we had about 3 inches of fluffy white snow.  Of course the sun came out in the afternoon and started melting it pretty quickly.  The girls did manage to get out for a while and had a fun time playing around.  Here are some pictures of our snow angels today.

Korean BBQ

Last night I went out with a group of ladies to a Korean BBQ restaurant.  Think Beni Hana where the food is prepared with in front of you, except you're doing the cooking.  I've been wanting to try this since we've arrived and I'm glad I did.  It was really good, and fun, and something I'd like to do again now that I know the ropes.  

Iron Cauldron with piping hot coals inside.  This is where you cook the food.

I was sitting right in front of this "hot pot", it was more than a little toasty.  Not sure if I'd be comfortable taking 2 fidgety girls here with this at the table.

Here is what each person gets: a plate of leaves (these were marinated in a minty dressing, but other places give fresh lettuce leaves), salt, rice, chili sauce, shredded leaks, kimchi, pickled garlic, and a salad.  You use the leaves to wrap the meat, rice, sauce and any other extras.  Then you (try very hard to) pick it up with the chopsticks and eat it.  

Turning the beef.

Turning the pork.

This is the beef that is thinly sliced (thinner than bacon) rolled and then frozen.  It looks like a lot, and it is.  But it shrinks considerable.  You don't leave hungry from a Korean BBQ restaurant.

Girls Just Want to Have FUN

I took Molly to the Hyundai Department store today so she could play in the nice indoor play area they have.  Before we left the store, I wanted to look at the winter hats for me.  I was trying some on and when I looked down at Molly, she was trying them on too.  The sales ladies could not get over her and had fun helping Molly model the hats.

We have a Super Dooper Pooper!!

Yes, Molly pooped on the potty.  Yes, it was a fluke.  And Yes, we are proud of our little pooper.  She was quite proud of herself too and loved hearing the Super Dooper Pooper song and getting a high five.  We're on our way....

Girl Scout Cookies anyone??

No, Morgan hasn't joined GS yet, but her cousin Amelia did.  We were very happy to place our GS Cookie order today.  I have fun memories of being a GS and "cookie season".  If you'd like to place an order, let me know and I can hook you up with our favorite GS.

Our Potty Girl!!!

Warning...cute nakey baby pics below.

So Molly has been sitting on and quickly off the potty for a while now.  But today she sat down several times for a couple of minutes each time.  Granted nothing happened, but she tried and we are proud of her for it.  We hope she in on the potty training track.  Then she can wear the adorable "big girl panties" she received for Christmas.  

"How was your day?"

Molly has been so thoughtful lately.  When Morgan gets home from school, or I get home from being out she will ask "how was your day?"  Granted its a little slurred and needs a keen ear to translate, but she is definitely asking "how was your day?"  So sweet!  Here are a few pics of our little sweetie:

Molly in her new "cat hat" & pink scarf that Aunt Kimmie & Aunt linny sent. 

(Aunt Kimmie made the scarf.)

Molly on the phone with Poppy.

Molly singing along with Hannah Montana on the Wii.

I am floored...

I attended another meeting today for the school sponsored Daddy Daughter Dance that will be held in March.  If you recall, this is the dance that is being held in the convention hall at the Grand Hilton Hotel.  Today we talked about the decorations, goody bags and raffle.  All normal stuff, perfectly OK.  But I about fell off my chair when I was told that the girls go all out with formal dresses and hair appointments and that some of the dads even wear tux's.  What?!?!??!  These are elementary school girls!!  I had intended for Morgan to wear her cute little black with white polka dot dress, but it sounds like Im going shopping.  Thank heaven I should be able to get an after Christmas special on a fancy frock for our little girl.  

So I went ice skating today....

and I managed to stay on my feet!!!  I haven't been on ice skates for at least 15 years.  I went with my friend Terri and a group of women from the Seoul International Women's Association to the Grant Hyatt.  We rented the skates right there and headed to the outdoor skating rink.  We had beautiful weather and a really fun time.    

 

New Year's Day Party

Here are some pictures of our New Year's Day party at our house.  It was a fun time with neighbors and friends.  We served Mark's FAMOUS Margaritas and my cousin Kimmie's Super Sangria.  We were all very happy to celebrate the New Year.  The kids all stayed upstairs for their own party while the grownups enjoyed their own time downstairs.  It was a really fun afternoon.  Enjoy the pics! 

Morgan & her friend Natalie playing

Hannah Montana on the Wii

Me with my neighbor and good friend Su-Lin

John & Terri

Mark breaking in the new bar with our

neighbor/co-worker/friend Thomas

Mark with his co-worker Dave and 

our neighbor Helen

More neighbors, Su-Lin, Monica, & Treva

Kid's Party!  At one point we had 13 kids all here.  It was crazy but fun!

The kids had a blast playing Wii and with toys. 

We loaded them up with cupcakes, cookies and juice boxes.

Life is good!