Kamron's 1st Birthday Party

In Korea, first birthdays are a big deal. A really big deal--an important right of passage in the Korean culture to be celebrated in a BIG way. It usually involves elaborate decorating/food preparation and the rental of a hall to accommodate the many guests. Think wedding. That big.

Initially--as in many, many months ago--I had this grand plan to throw Kamron a more traditional dol. We were going to go to the Korean bakery in Chicago and pick up all of the traditional baked goods and have it catered by a Korean restaurant, etc., etc. I thought maybe 70 guests or so.

Yeah, not the best plan for an introverted (whether by personality or by current circumstance?) kiddo who is still adjusting to his new day-to-day. I really, really struggled with how to handle his first birthday. In the end we decided to follow our gut and throw him a very small family party...on a boat! My sister Lisa did the research for us to charter the Milwaukee Maiden on Father's Day. I think it was a really good decision for Kamron. Aside from some minor upset when he was dressed in his hanbok, I think he enjoyed himself.

Kamron enjoyed crawling around the boat and cruising around from chair to chair. Exploring new surroundings circled by familiar people is Kamron's idea of a good time, I think.
See what I mean about upset around the hanbok? I guess Kam isn't a fan of getting dressed up. Look closely--big crocodile tears and everything.
Mama to the rescue. His hanbok is lovely--and particularly special because his foster family gave it to him. (As an aside, pink and purple are not associated with girls in Korea. It's refreshing. They're just colors like all the other colors.)
Time for the dol jabi ritual where Kamron would choose his future! We all gathered around to see what would attract him. First choice? Drum roll, please...
The bowl of rice! There seem to be various meanings--all related--associated with some selections. The most commonly held meaning associated with choosing rice means the child will always have food and shelter.
Kamron was pleased to finally be able to mouth his sister's play rice. He's had his eye on it for some time now.
I think Kamron could have stopped at the rice. He was satisfied. Nedy decided to encourage him a bit by playing with some of the stuff herself.
He fell for it! He's back in the game! What would his second choice be? Knife (good cook), stethoscope (doctor), money (rich)...??? Such a tough choice. I thought for a second it was going to be the knife, but he passed it over and came around to...
The book! Scholarly! I like it.
And finally, the ruler was his third choice. A ruler means good at handiwork/making things. Score!
The crowd is pleased! Good work, Kam!
Later on he decided the paintbrush was super cool; he held it for a loooooong time. Artist maybe? :)
Cake time!
How funny. The child who gets into absolutely everything decides to go at the cake all gingerly. (He was probably shocked that no one was saying, "Nooooooooooo, Kamron...")
Yuuuuuuuummmmmmmm.
For the record, gift opening on a boat is just more fun. :)
생일 축하해, Kamron!