And Off They Go

The older girls left this morning for three weeks of fun with Grandma and Grandpa in Minnesota.  Planned activities include the cousin picnic, a trip to a farm in Theilman, the Eagle Center of Wabasha, a logging camp in Itasca, walking across the Mississippi River and fun at the cabin.

We started this morning with a major glitch.  It seems someone told Annika she could take the rest of the mint chocolate chip ice cream with her to Grandma's.  (I wonder who told her that).  Annika missed the melting concept and was looking forward to adding the half gallon container to her carry on.  She was very disappointed as evidenced by this photo. 

Her dad will be happy to know that we rectified the situation by allowing her to take her favorite mint sprinkles to put on some Minnesota ice cream.  She was convinced Grandpa would pick out some yummy flavors.  She also planned on using the sprinkles on some home-made cookies.

The ride to the airport was uneventful - very little traffic - despite the morning rush hour drive to Terminal 3.  We said our goodbyes and they were off to get some juice and muffins.

Erik's First Haircut

Here's our big announcement we mentioned last week.  Our son is no longer a newborn, nor an infant, and definitely not a baby according to his sisters.  He's now a "hanmson" looking brother.

Erik got his first cut this evening at Kid Cuts in Chandler.  Scotty did a great job and Erik was a FANTASTIC customer.  He was almost enjoying himself in the haircut car.  Here's a bit of a photo essay:

Checking in for the haircut.

Getting ready to cut the baby locks.

The first snip.

Enjoying the movies.

Oblivious to what's going on at the back - the car is way more fun.

The first haircut is taking shape.

No problem with the trimmers - nice straight lines around the ears.

Checking out my new hairstyle in the mirror.

All done - some of the first pieces - now stuck to his shorts.

Update

Grandma's here!  We picked Grandma up this afternoon from the airport.  She's staying for two days and then taking Morgan and Annika back to Minnesota for some summer fun.

The rest of the Chung gang is heading out to L.A. for the 4th of July weekend.  Should be fun there, too.

This weekend included two swimming pool trips for Ingrid. 

U.S.A. and South Korea were both eliminated from the World Cup.

The kids still decided to get together for a picture with their soccer jerseys.

Back Up Pictures

I never thought going to a professional photographer would be considered a "back up" plan.  We haven't seen any of the pictures from the photoshoot earlier this month in Eagle Rock (California).  So rather than wait and find out they didn't turn out, we set out this evening to our typical photo studio for some pictures.

It's late, so I'll post them now.  Of course, these were edited for effect, but you get a general sense.

12 Month Checkup

Erik had his 12 month check up at Dr. McKenna's office today.   He was in a fantastic mood and had no problem with the examination.  He enjoyed showing off his walking skills.  His vitals are good.  He weighs 20 lbs, 12 ounces which is the 20th percentile.  He's 31 inches tall, which is the 80th percentile.

Erik has six teeth now - four on the top which came in during the first week of June.

His prize for a great visit to the doctor's?  A squeaky frog and five shots.  Bummer for buddy boy.

In the evening, he definitely was feeling the effects of the immunizations - we've never seen him fall asleep during a meal.  Especially in a position like this.  We snapped the picture and then made him more comfortable.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my cousin, Chad.  We hope you enjoyed Father's Day with Alison, Parker and Caleb.  Have a great birthday and many more.

Icebox Puppet Theatre

We're getting a new refrigerator tomorrow to replace our not-so-old-but-seal-leaking one.  Woody took it out today and we cleaned behind it.  I brought out a curtain fabric remnant and set it up as a puppet theater with bungy cords.  They prepared an impromptu show for Erik who was an attentive listener.  That is, until he began wondering what was behind the curtain.

We found a box of additional comic books - Little Lulu, Archie and Richie Rich - that the girls hadn't yet read.  They are quiet for the afternoon, enjoying "new" comic books.  I like the advertisements for mail order items.  So old and funny.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

We're out celebrating Father's Day.  What's better on Father's Day than a great BBQ?

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  Love, Morgan, Annika, Ingrid and Erik

Happy Father's Day Dad! Happy Father's Day Abanim!

For now, here are some great Fathers pics to celebrate this great day.

Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for a big announcement about one of our kids tonight.

Children's Museum of the Desert - Rancho Mirage, CA

Our reciprocity sticker from AMY - Arizona's Children Museum earned us free entry into yet another kids museum.  This one will be special for us - it's right off the Interstate between Phoenix and Los Angeles.  This will be our new rest spot while traveling to Harmony and Harabagee's house.

The staff is very friendly and the kids felt right at ease.  The museum is 100% interactive - everything can be touched and is meant to engage the children.  There is an outdoor area if you want to sit in the grass, play ball or hula hoop.  Inside, there is a market area, a pretend pizzeria, a full sized loom, wall climbing, and a Beetle to paint.  A whole car - paint as you wish.  To spend an hour stretching their legs was great for the kids.  And Erik was officially registered as a one-year-old visitor today - Happy Birthday buddy.

Happy Birthday to our darling Boy

Happy Birthday Erik - celebrating your first birthday traveling home to Arizona.

Corona del Mar Marine Sanctuary and Beach

Another milestone for the *almost* one year old - his first swim in the ocean.  We headed out on another family adventure - a museum in downtown L.A. (that didn't pan out) and the marine santuary in Newport Beach.  We arrived in the afternoon and parked.  The kids dressed in their suits and we made our way down the cliff to the beach.  It was great weather with few people.  We were wondering how Erik and Ingrid would take to the waves.  Both loved them!  Ingrid has been to the beach before, with not so good results.  This time was different.  The girls and Woody headed off to the rocks to view sea life in its natural habitat.  They reported seeing hermit crabs, sea anemone, giant green sea anemone, other crabs, limpets, sponges, small minnows within tidal pools and kelp.  They enjoyed touching several items in the shallow waters.

The girls and Woody returned to the beach area where I had set out blanket in the sand to play with Erik.  He was eyeballing the waves.  I walked him to the wave edge and he began to laugh when the wave crested over his feet and the tide returned the water back to the ocean.  Over and over.  Then he toppled over.  Sitting in the wave was just as fun - they were small enough to not go over his waist where we were sitting.

Woody took each of the kids out into the waves - everyone thought it was great.  The day turned to evening and we packed up and showered off in the cold outdoor facilities at the top of the cliff.  We made our way back to Los Angeles and turned west again to another beach - this time Redondo Beach.  The pier has some of the best crab and sea cucumber.  Annika wanted only a corn dog.  Ingrid ate some of Erik's packed macaroni and cheese.  That left the yummy crab for Woody, Morgan and me.  Yummy.  The girls were very thankful for the fun day.  I'm sure Erik enjoyed it, too.

Amorphophallus titanum

Otherwise known as the corpse flower.

About two weeks ago, we read online that the dormant amorphophallus titanum flower at the Huntington Library suddenly began to bloom.  This flower is famous not only for its smell, but its infrequent blooms, wherein the bloom can reach upwards of five feet high and three feet in diameter.

The flower at the Huntington Library suddenly bloomed in 1999 to the thrill of many.  People came from all over the country to take a quick look.  Quick is the operative word.  The bloom only lasts a couple of days, then it curls back up, as if drifting off to sleep.  The pungent odor dissipates as it curls up.

Anyway, we were disappointed to learn that the flower reached full bloom a week before we were to arrive.  Nonetheless, we headed out to our new favorite gardens in San Marino, California for a look.  The last picture was taken on 6/4/2010 when it was in full bloom.

If you want to read more about the corpse flower, click here on the Stinky Blog from Huntington Library.