We Got The Monkeys, We Got The Monkeys!

On April 9, 2012, Brennan had another 'first'. I took her to the zoo for the first time. We met Abby and Ezra Dixon at Children's Grand Park in Seoul. Brennan thought she was in heaven with all of this space to run around and things to look at and touch! Seriously, Brennan was so excited to run around that she really didn't notice the animals! Even though we didn't see nearly all of the animals, I still think it was a roaring success. Here are some highlights:

Brennan and Ezra. One of the first photos I took.
Thanks to James, it ended up looking like a Hallmark card!

Feeding the animals.

This was the first day that everything was really starting to bloom!

Checking out the monkeys.

I think she was looking at some birds.

"Hey, Mom, what is that thing?"

A random Korean woman more interested in Brennan than the animals at the zoo!

All tired out.

Hunting Easter Rabbits...

Just kidding!

This year, Easter Sunday fell on April 8. I was so happy to be invited to attend an Easter egg hunt and potluck picnic (at Yongsan Family Park, Seoul) put on by the Seoul Moms and Kids group that I am part of on Facebook. It was Brennan's second Easter technically, but her first egg hunt. It was great to be involved in something that reminded me so much of home. Brennan wore an adorable Easter dress bought for her by my sister, Jen. 

Highlights:

Can we start now???

Some of the eggs in the hunt waiting to be found.

It took her a while to get the hang of it. She almost walked past all of these eggs!

Family photo.

Getting some pointers from Mom.

Now, she's got it!

Even putting them in the basket lovingly decorated by me.

Silly Dad and serious Brennan.

The stash after the hunt was over.

I have no words for this one!

My happy girl.

One of the famous sculptures at the park.

Joy.

After the egg hunt and picnic, we headed home. Little B passed out from all the excitement.

After we got home, Brennan started giving us vocabulary lessons - 'apple', 'shoes', and 'cheese'.

Kids Land Gwangmyeong

On weekend days when we are at a loss for what to do with Brennan, Kids Land is our go to place. It is relatively cheap, big, and close by. So, April 7 was one of those days...

The Jumping Bean and The Park

On Sunday, April 1, James took Brennan down to the Kids Playland in our neighborhood. They spent a lot of time in the jungle gym there and Brennan started jumping on the trampoline on her own! James was on the ball and took video:

On April 6, Brennan and I were on our way to Emart and Tumbland in Yongsan. Spontaneously, I decided to text Abby and Ezra to see what they were up to and if they wanted to meet us. At that time, they were on their way to Yongsan Family Park for a play. So, she asked me if I wanted her to pick us up and all of us go to the park. Of course, I said yes! It was a beautiful day and we had plans to go to the same park on Easter Sunday (so I would know where it was). Brennan had a wonderful time at the park. It was her first time at a park and running and walking on real grass. She got very excited and opened her eyes really crazy wide. So funny. I don't have any pictures from that day, but stay tuned...

Brennan's New Friend

The past month has been quite busy for us. Brennan has gotten more of a social life and, well, we've just gotten to occupied with living life to write about it. Finally, James has taken Brennan out for a short walk. His last statement to me was "Get to work on that blog!". That basically means to stop complaining about not doing it because of other things having a higher priority. So, this is blog time. Right here, right now.

On March 30, Brennan and I went on a playdate with a new little friend, Janet, and her mommy, Sheretta. We first met Janet and Sheretta back in October at Ezra's birthday party. Finally, I contacted Sheretta one day (after going through a period of no play dates at all for one reason or another) and asked her if she would like to get the babies together. Luckily and happily, she said yes. We met on a Friday morning at the Express Bus Terminal Shinsegae Department Store kids cafe. All of us are constantly looking for inexpensive activities or places to go with our little ones. This kids cafe was free (if you spent 5,000 won at the cafe) and was staffed by attendants. As I am still fully responsible for Brennan wherever we go, there was only so much attending that I would allow them to do. Slightly overprotective mommy. That's me.

Anyway, it was great for Brennan to interact with Janet (who is about 8 weeks older). Brennan is quite the social butterfly when we are out and about. Janet was a little slow to warm up and shy with strangers. That was fine as by the end, she was having a great time and laughing up a storm!

Here are some photos of the date:

Playing house with a little Korean boy.

Janet and Brennan.

Janet and Brennan.

Janet.

Playing in the kitchen.