Boat Repair Weekend

Dustin's family has a Memorial Day tradition. It involves small engines, rocket-fuel, picnics, and paddle-boats.

Dustin's aunt and uncle live on an amazingly beautiful acreage with a lovely pond. There are romantic weeping willows surrounding the pond, beautiful flowers all around, and usually even a pony or two to complete the idyllic nature of this scene. This is where Dustin and I were married seven years ago. It really holds a special place in our hearts.

The first time I went to this place was on a Memorial Day weekend about ten years ago. What I experienced was nothing short of a rite of passage into his family. For about six hours I saw Dustin, his father, his uncle, and all other males present attempt to get model boats to shoot across the pond. In case you are wondering where the rocket fuel fits in -- I guess batteries are for losers in this competition. The object is to build the biggest, baddest boat, load it up with rocket fuel, launch it onto the beautiful pond, and embarrass one's competition. The men spend hours before this day each year putting together their boats. Some (I won't mention any names) even risk life and limb and end up in the ER the day before the races because of unfortunate run-ins with moving propellers. They spend more hours the day of the competition talking smack and tinkering some more with their boats. Sometimes the boats even make it onto the water for more than 5 seconds much to the utter joy of the audience attending the Boat Race Competition. When the boats die on the pond, the youngest/most naive apprentice is sent out in the paddle-boat to retrieve them.

While there is a plethora of boats, there are really no races at this event. Therefore this year the name was officially changed to "Boat Repair Weekend" to more accurately reflect the goings-on of the day(s). This year Jaden was a bit young to enter the competition of repairing a boat. But, on the drive home Dustin started talking about the boat he (and Jaden) will be getting/repairing for next year. I guess no matter what the name this is definitely a tradition worth keeping.

Hot Stuff

Today was hot. Freakishly hot. Ninety-five degree hot. Baby wearing diaper only hot. Baby getting water dripped from sippy cup on top of head to keep him from bursting into flames hot. Let's hope it was so hot that he won't remember this game when he gets his milk in the morning.

Little People

Jaden met his cousin Emma this past weekend. Both are one. Some brief observations:

• Wagons built for two are MUCH more entertaining when used according to design.
• Sleep comes more readily after floating around a fellow small person for a day.
• When cousins come you get to eat hot dogs for dinner and donuts for breakfast. Awesome.
• Girls = pink = cute.
• Cousins are fun.
  
  

Final

Put it on the books, Jaden's adoption has been finalized. This means he is granted all rights and privileges as if he were born an American citizen (aside from the whole becoming President thing.) I watched Jaden all day to see if he acted more "American", but there is nothing to report. His diaper didn't all of a sudden have an American flag on it, he did not start spontaneously singing the Star Spangled Banner, he did not go out and buy a Hummer, and he did not eat at McDonald's for three meals in a row.

Regardless, we have officially become a Korean-American family in the eyes of the law. We were, without a doubt, the happiest people in that courtroom yesterday morning. It was a good day.

Firsts

Since Jaden's first birthday there has been a bit of a lull in the storm of constant milestones being reached. I was pretty sure that his driver's license was next on the list and felt a little melancholy for a few days.

Then we had our first trip to urgent care. Our first prescription for antibiotics. Our first phone call from the doctor saying "well, you really don't need to give him those." We're in the process of experiencing our first extended stay away from home and away from dad. On our road trip together (mom, Jaden and the pup) he had his first McDonald's cheeseburger. Yesterday I experienced my first near heart-attack as Jaden had a run-in with a set of stairs. The stairs won. Now, he has his first rug burn on his forehead that elicits any number of knowing comments from complete strangers about how busy little one-year-olds are. For the first time today, Jaden went without a morning nap. Tonight he will eat his first vegetables out of his grandparents' garden. On Sunday we will have our first Mother's Day together. And then, more importantly, this upcoming week our family will have another wonderful first. We will go to the local county courthouse and officially finalize Jaden's adoption.

Lesson learned. I can sigh with relief to know that there is no reprieve from change and milestones. It seems they are part of the parenting package.