Jolene's 1st Birthday

Jolene celebrated her first birthday this past Friday!

I can't believe it has been a year since she came into our lives. So much has happened since that point in time, you never know where God is going to lead you.

We celebrated this monumental event by having a few families over from church who have children around her age. Jolene has jumped into the social network! Eleni, Ethan, and Rueben all attended. We had a cookout, although it rained so we ate inside, then Jolene opened her gifts (I helped, otherwise we wouldn't have finished until midnight), and then cake and icecream.

It was nice having some of our church family over since our family family couldn't be here. Nothing replaces family though, we were a little sad that we couldn't fly everyone over for the event : -(

Jolene loved her cake! At first she took a few small nibbles and then after realizing that something from heaven had descended upon earth, she dug in! Actually she picked up the whole piece and proceeded to stuff as much as possible into her mouth : -) We are starting her chocolate addiction early! Fun times and good memories.

Earlier in the day I went to playgroup with Jolene. I took a cake there as well and all the girls sang happy birthday and even gave her a few small gifts. I really was not expecting them to get her anything, but it was very nice of them. It made me feel like I was beginning to be part of the group.

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I have discovered something new that Aussies do...

they hold their fork in their left hand and the knife in the right. It doesn't matter if you are left handed or right handed, the fork always rests in the left hand. I am not sure where this rule began but it would be interesting to see if American schools of etiquette would say the same thing or if this difference is just cultural.


I just found this off of the Ball State University site of all places : -)

There are two ways to use a knife and fork to cut and eat your food. They are the American style and the European or Continental style. Either style is considered appropriate. In the American style, one cuts the food by holding the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left hand with the fork tines piercing the food to secure it on the plate. Cut a few bite-size pieces of food, then lay your knife across the top edge of your plate with the sharp edge of the blade facing in. Change your fork from your left to your right hand to eat, fork tines facing up. (If you are left-handed, keep your fork in your left hand, tines facing up.) The European or Continental style is the same as the American style in that you cut your meat by holding your knife in your right hand while securing your food with your fork in your left hand. The difference is your fork remains in your left hand, tines facing down, and the knife in your right hand. Simply eat the cut pieces of food by picking them up with your fork still in your left hand.

I looked on a couple other sites just to see if good old Ball State was right, seems they are on track.