Swimmer Lincoln

So, last summer, Lincoln took swimming lessons for about two days. He didn't like being in the water without someone holding on to him or without a life jacket. I didn't push him in hopes that he would eventually come around. While at my mom's on Spring Break, he decided to give the pool another try (with a life jacket). At first he only wanted to sit on the steps and play in the shallow water. Then I gave him a long swimming noodle to put under his arms to help him swim. He started kicking and off he went!! The we went WITHOUT the noodle and he did even better! As it turned out, he knew exactly how to kick and paddle his arms to get around the pool. I was so proud of him. I think that he was pretty proud of himself!!

Home State Project

Last month, at school, Logan's class gave presentations on their "Home State". Well, obviously, poor Logan has no home state. We told him that he was born in Virginia, has family in Washington, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida. None of those states piqued his interest. He asked if he could do where we plan to retire. His teacher said that was fine...so Maine it was!! We all had a great time researching and learning about our future home. Logan made a "Home State Box" with various facts, postcards and maps inside. They then had to present their box and state to their class! They held a Home State Food Show to wrap up the unit. The kids were to bring in a food that represented their state. We figured that Lobster wouldn't go over to well, so Logan chose blueberry muffins. All of the kids set up a station for their food and to display their box. Logan had a really great time watching all the people eat the muffins that we made! What a great project!!

Logan's Duet Recital

Logan had his second recital of his piano career last night!! He did so great!! All the performances were duets. All the songs were performed in groups as well. So, it challenged the students even more to listen and stay together. It was pretty cool to watch. Logan was a bit nervous on the first song but he told me that it wasn't as bad when it was time for the second. We are very proud of him for continuing with piano. He really enjoys it and he told me last night after the concert that he was hoping to take lessons for at least 10 more years!!

Pumpkin Carving Time!!

It's Halloween again!! We went to a pumpkin patch last weekend to pick out our pumpkins and carved them this past weekend. We always get one for each family member, but Lincoln doesn't participate too much because he doesn't want to get "yucky"! So, between Matt and I, we got his pumpkin cleaned out and carved. Logan, on the other hand, LOVES to carve pumpkins. He said that his favorite part is getting all the "goo" out!! Of course it is!!!

Lincoln's Owie

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later! I actually figured we would have been here earlier than now!! Lincoln is Hell on wheels and he finally got his first set of stitches. He was pushing a truck down the driveway...when the truck got stuck and stopped, Lincoln didn't get the memo and went flying right over the truck and landed on his face! So, off to the ER we went and came home with 5 stitches on the inside of his upper lip. He was so brave and such a good boy at the hospital. A little crying, but mostly he cooperated and was a total champ! I was so proud of how well he handled it. So, next on the agenda is probably a broken bone.........

Meet Me In St. Louie, Louie!

We took the boys for a three day adventure to St. Louis!! It was absolutely awesome!! We had the best time...so good in fact that we plan to go back in the fall when it is cooler!! We went up into the Arch, of course. The tram ride up was just as much fun for the boys as seeing all the sights from way up there! We went to a place called City Museum. It was a total wonderland of things to do and see...and CLIMB!! The boys, Matt and I climbed our butts off in the outdoor jungle gym. It also had a ferris wheel!! We slid down giant slides, played on swinging ropes and enjoyed a soda in an old fashion soda station!! After all that fun it was a miracle that we had the energy, but we went to tour the Budweiser Factory and grounds. Gorgeous!! It was a great tour. We were able to see how the beer was made from start to finish and we even got to see the Clydesdales! The final day, we went to the Children's Museum called The Magic House. It was so totally hands on. The boys had so much fun, touching, building and pretending. We didn't even get through half of the museum before we had to go. Something else to put on the list for next time!!

Lincoln the Diva

Lincoln is our little singer! He sings a lot and very loud! His song list is pretty short, however. He has two songs...Twinkle, Twinkle and Rock A Bye Baby. He usually mashes them together to make one long, loud song! We were in the car, his favorite singing spot next to in his bed, when he belted out this award winning version of

Twinkle,Twinkle!

4th of July

We had a GREAT 4th of July!! We grilled burgers and hot dogs and enjoyed Matt's fireworks display. Having the Goode's here in Missouri made it that much better!! Matt is lucky , though that the wind was just right. He failed to light any surrounding houses on fire!!

Our new house

So...before we left Korea, we were going to move in to our new house in Mid July. So they said! Now...it is pushed back to mid September. We snuck into the construction sight last week and took a couple pictures to show the progress...or lack there of! I must say, that once it is finished, it will be a beautiful house!!

Logan's Piano Recital

Logan has been taking piano for almost 2 years now!! He works very hard and the best part is that he LOVES it! He has a Korean teacher this year who has done very well with him. He plays with two hands now and is getting into some really cool stuff. They are having a recital this year here at Yongsan, but we will have already moved by then and he will miss it. So, we decided to play the song that he would have played at the recital and share it with everyone via the World Wide Web!!! Enjoy!

My cuties!

Seriously? Could these two get any cuter? I know I am a bit partial...but, come on!! They got these ears in an Easter goodie box from my sister. They wear them, like, every day! They just put them on and go about their business playing! It's too cute!

Logan's 7th B-Day

Logan is 7!! I can't believe how fast these last seven years have gone. Okay, well...the first 2 went slower than molasses, but the last 5 flew by!!! He is just getting so dang big! He had just a few friends over. They ate pizza, opened presents and then Matt took them all bowling! Logan doesn't really like the big loud parties with tons of kids. So, this was exactly what he wanted! He wanted a Spongebob theme, so I made him a Spongebob cake. He has very generous people who care about and love him, so he also had presents come in from all over the United States. He (and we) is very lucky!

A grill only a mother can love!!!!

Logan finally lost his last baby tooth!!! He was so dang excited when it came out.....at 3:30AM!! He came into our room and shook me saying "Mom, it's out! It's out!!" So, under his pillow it went last night and the tooth fairy left him $20!! Yep, that's right...$20! We figure it is because it is his last baby tooth. Logan is already talking about how he can get braces once all his teeth grow back in. Poor kid......but with all the great traits he inherited from Matt, I'll take the crooked teeth gene along with all the good ones!! Our little boy is growing up :(

Logan and The Korean Soccer League

Logan and the Tiger Scouts got to participate in a very special event this past weekend. They got to go to a Korean soccer game and walk out on the field with the players as part of the kick-off to the season here. It was a Korean televised event so Logan is kind of famous now!! :) The Scouts got to sit in the box section where they were given lots of food and snacks and drinks. They were treated like royalty by the league!! It was a great opportunity for our kids to experience this culture a bit more!

Oh Lincoln!

It was bound to happen sooner or later......Lincoln is absolutely our kid that pushes the envelope. We were in the playroom sitting at the table. He was coloring nicely with a pen..ON PAPER!! I left the room to fill my coffee cup. When I got back, there is Lincoln drawing lines on his arms. He just stared at me. I promptly took the pen away and told him that it was naughty to write on yourself. Of course that caused tears and screaming. As soon as I got the camera out though, that little ham calmed right down. He posed nicely for the photos and went back to playing. After a minute, I again said Lincoln "Why would you draw on yourself? That's not okay." He looked at me, walked to the wall, pointed at a nice pen spot drawing and said "Wall too!"

Seriously?

Snowy Days in Korea

The Kmon family has a love of snow. I'm not afraid to say it!! So many people hate the stuff while we do a snow dance when there is just a chance of a dusting! We love the cooler weather and seeing all of our surroundings covered in the fluffy white stuff. So, before we moved to Korea, we checked on the climate to see what winter had to offer. All of the websites told us that winter was bitter cold with little to no snow. We were disappointed, but happy to at least experience some cold days again. Well, the first week of January brought a surprise for all of South Korea. The biggest snowfall in 50 years!! We were happy that it happened on our watch!!

Beautiful Korea

Korea really is a beautiful country. We have had the chance to see some really pretty things. Every time we venture off post, we see something worth taking a picture of. The water coming off the bridge is one of Logan's favorites. It just flows off of the bridge because it looks cool. The big pointy tower is the tower on Namsan Mountain..also called Seoul Tower. The other building is called Building 64. It is a Seoul landmark. There is an aquarium and restaraunt inside and you can go to the top and get a birds eye view of Seoul. The last one is at the zoo. It is a place to take a rest while you are visiting the zoo...just gorgeous. We are going to enjoy the spring here as we get to explore all the pretty places around Seoul.

Food??

So, we are an adventurous family, right? Well...I can only TRY so much! I am forever amazed at the types of food available in the strangest places. I fully expect to be offered some very strange things in the Korean restaurants. I don't, on the other hand expect to get some kind of grilled squid at THE ZOO!! That is exactly what they are serving up to munch on while you stroll around and look at the animals. They put it right on a stick and the people go to town!! Not for me...no thank you!!

Logan is moving along in Scouts

Last night, Logan received his Tiger Cub Immediate Recognition Emblem!! This badge shows that he knows the Cub Scout motto, knows the Cub Scout sign and the Cub Scout salute! Now, he will add beads to show all that he is doing to become a better citizen and person!! He is so dang excited about scouts and we are really proud of how much effort and thought he puts into it.

Now, Lincoln and I go to all the meetings too. He is a pretty good boy while the scouts are having thier meeting. Last night though, he decided that he was a bit too tired to stand and listen anymore.

Ready for Winter

Every year Ed and Laureen outfit the kids in their winter gear!! Logan is always excited to try on his new stuff. He was at school when I got the package opened. I tried Lincoln's on him fully expecting a protest and a fit. Well, boy was I wrong. He smiled so big once I got his coat on and kept pointing at everything else and saying "ON!". I got all of the gear on and he just pranced around the house with a huge smile!! He then refused to take off the boots when it was time to go get Logan. So he rode in the stroller in his bright red boots in the 75 degree weather. He couldn't have been happier! It occurred to me after that this was his first experience with winter gear. In Alabama last year, it never got cold enough for the coat and boots.