Emma's Big Day ~ Her Dol (1st Birthday Party)

On May 17th, Emma had her big 1st birthday party. It was held at Hee Been Restaurant at 1:00 PM. We had about 80 guests including 20 kids. Emma's real birthday is actually May 18th.

Emma had a great time even though she didn't smile for the camera like her usual self. We understood though. She was taking everything in. We were just glad that she didn't cry or act fussy. Emma wore her hanbok (Korean traditional outfit) almost the whole time as well. It's sort of uncomfortable to wear but she kept it on. She was definitely the Little Princess that day. The decorations were really beautiful. Everyone was impressed with the balloon art. We hired Anna Balloon. She did a wonderful job.

All in all, the party went very smoothly. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed the party. Emma received LOTS of nice books, clothes, toys and MONEY...even though she didn't even look at the money during the Doljabee (Korean ceremony performed during the 1st birthday party to give insight into the child's future and personality).

On behalf of the Park family, we just want to thank everyone for coming and sharing this very special moment with us. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts as well. Emma will be sending out thank you cards soon. Enjoy the pictures.

"Mommy...you're not supposed to post this picture of me getting ready. I have the roll in my hair and everything. Oh man."

Emma Ye-Seul Park's Dol Table

"Anyone going to join me?"

Ye-Seul written in Korean.

Song made these 4 picture collages. We had them professionally printed up and then we framed them to hang on the walls at the restaurant. Anna Balloon then added some balloons around them.

This was our greeter for the party.

Flower bouquet

Flowers at the guest tables

Emma's Hello Kitty Birthday cake from Shilla Bakery.

The Happy Parents with the Birthday Princess

Grandma Paik, Emma and Mommy

Grandma Paik, Mommy, Grandma Park and Grandma in Philly

Emma with Mommy and both of her Grandmothers

Grandma Paik, Emma and Grandpa Paik

Katie Unnie, Her Mommy, Emma and Grandma Paik

Mommy, Grandma Paik, Emma and Uncle Andy

Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Adam, Emma, Mommy and Daddy

Uncle Song-Yol, Aunt Sharon, Avery oppa, Emma, Mommy and Daddy

Park Family without Uncle Song-Yol

"Lets get the party started."

Mommy and Daughter

This is where the doljabee begins. Emma couldn't decide what she wanted to grab. We must have sat there for 15 mins before she finally made her decision. We went with some traditional and some non-traditional items for this ceremony. The traditional items were the notebook, money, string and pen (for the pencil). The non-traditional items were the golf ball and eventually the cell phone. We used the golf ball which was the wedding gift to our guests for our wedding.

Pen/Notebook ~ Represents her to be a Scholar; Money ~ Represents Wealth; String ~ Represents a Long Life; Golf Ball ~ Represents her future as a Pro Golfer; Cell Phone ~ Well, it took her forever to choose one of the other items so we just added that for fun. What do you think she grabbed?

"Is it time to predict my future?"

"I think I like this golf ball."

"Hmmm...this pen looks nice too."

"Excuse me. How do you expect me to concentrate on what I want my future to be when you keep taking pictures of me every time I reach for something? I need some private time to think. Thank you."

"This string looks pretty good."

The pen and money were right in front of her but she didn't even think twice about grabbing the money. I guess Daddy is going to have to make more money.

"Oh wow, here's Daddy's cell phone. That wasn't there before...maybe I'll go for that."

"Nah, I like my first choice of the golf ball. Sam Woods (Tiger Woods's daughter) you better watch out."

"Hmm...I guess I'm going to have to ask Grandpa Paik to be my Coach. Who do I want as my Caddy?"

"Is it time for cake yet?"

"My birthday cake is almost as tall as me."

"What should I wish for Mommy?"
This was the only picture we got of Emma smiling that day.

"Mommy and Daddy...can you help me blow the candle out?"

"This cake looks yummy."

"Bye bye everyone. Thank you for coming."

"Whew. I'm beat. I'm ready for a nice long nap."

Mommy and Yoon-A unnie

"Mommy passing out the gifts to the kids. She got them all a beach bucket set."

"Yoon-A unnie is helping Grandma Paik pass out the cake."

"Look at all the guests."

"Grandma Paik and Grandma Park are wrapping up the different rick cakes to pass out to the guests to take home. The passing out of the rick cakes is also supposed to symbolize a good life for me."