The Newman Hum: Maliah's 1st Birthday

"I'm the birthday girl!"

Maliah had a great 1st birthday. After having a 102-103 fever for three days prior, but luckily with no other side effects of feeling under the weather, the morning of her party, she woke up fever free. She really wanted to have her cake and eat it too.

Let's eat cake!!!!

Mom, I will blow out the candle when I want to!

I got some frosting on my finger.

Maliah, being the lady that she is, just wouldn't 'dig' into her cake until she had a proper utensil.

Dad always seems to sneak in to get some 'first' birthday cake from the kids. Just like at Magnus' 1st birthday (see old picture from Feb 2010), he took some nibbles from Maliah's 1st birthday cake.

Magnus sharing with Dad

Maliah sharing with Dad

Yeah....I am ONE!!!!

Enjoying her second helping

The older boys taking a break after the cake

Maliah unwrapping Granny Jo's gift to her.

Magnus showing the kids how Maliah's new toy works.

Shanye practicing on the drum he gave Maliah.

Liam helping Maliah unwrap the gift he got her (the pink tutu)!

Michael watching Maliah enjoy the gift he gave her

(It is interesting how Maliah invited guests that only had sons, no daughters... that girl is smart for a 1-year old)

There is a tradition in Korean culture, that on the child's first birthday they do a ritual that predicts their future. The child is placed in front of several objects, the object that the child picks determines their destiny;
    Book = Great Scholar
     Ruler = Good with Hands
    Money = Rich
    Thread = Long Life
     Knife = Good Chef
    Bow & Arrow (we substituted in a sword) = Strong
We decided to do the ritual at Maliah's party, but she refused to pick anything! She just looked at the objects. A few times she almost picked something, but then just walked away.  It was as if she was telling us she doesn't want to be pinned down to some pre-determined destiny... she wants to just live life.

Nonetheless, after the crowd was gone we gave it a try again. And she picked..... the ruler. Then.... promptly put it down, and picked up the money! She wants to be good with her hands, but all in all she just wants to be rich. That's my girl!