Today we went to watch the air show at Osan Air Force base. The day was perfect for an air show with nothing but blue skies! We had lots of fun watching both American and Korean military planes do all sorts of stunts, flips and twirls (like the A-10 wart hog, above). They allow the Korean general public access to the air base for this annual show, so it was a busy and very excited atmosphere. We had lots of fun watching the show with friends and munching on hot dogs and cotton candy.
Standing in front of an F-16E fighter jet.
Standing in front of another F-16. Clearly the kids both wanted a better view of the plane….
I wasn’t sure if the kids would keep their earplugs in or not. The only earplugs we had around the house are Daddy’s field grade earplugs issued by the Army. Not exactly toddler sized if you know what I mean. Nonetheless, I figured they were better than nothing so we brought them along in the hopes that they would wear them. Surprise! Surprise! They actually were quite obliged to keep their ear protection in. They do look pretty silly…like Frankenstein…but at least we saved their hearing!
Sterling had the best seat in the house to watch the air show from (and work on an ear of corn). I think Daddy found a few kernels of corn in his hair after the show. Seriously, look at those skies. Perfect flying conditions!
All right, this just cracked us up. The air show was actually held on the airfield, with people standing on the runway to watch. As you can see in the above picture, a giant yellow stripe runs down the runway to guide planes, not unlike lines on the highway. Well, Ella got stuck on one side of the yellow line, and flat out refused to cross it. She walked up and down the length of the line looking for a break I suppose, but never found one. Eventually she gave up and just started crying for us to rescue her. It was only a painted line! Not even raised or anything! Oh Lord, I’m not sure we’ll ever get her to cross the street without a cross guard!
We bumped into our friends the Emma and Mason and their Mommy and Daddy (Lyndsay and Dave) at the air show. We were so excited to see them, since we haven’t had a chance to see them since we’ve been back. Baby Mason has grown so much! And Emma is such a big girl now… she turned 3, got her very own bicycle, and started to preschool while we were away! Sterling just loves Emma. I don’t think he comprehends that she is older, faster and stronger than him. He LOVES running around with her and is happy to play any game she thinks up. Here they were playing ring-around-the-rosies, dancing circles and circles until they “all fell down.”
I’ve tried before to describe what is like for the kids to be American children living in Korea. I think this picture may just explain it better than I can. As I mentioned, the Korean public was allowed on base to watch the air show, including lots of journalist and photographers from local publications. I could title this photo “paparazzi”. As Sterling and Emma were playing chase on the runway, a Korean photographer was busy taking their picture. Um, I hate to break it to the poor guy, but I think readers would be more interesting in the bombers than 2 American children playing tag. I could be wrong. Anyhow, this is what it is like for our American children…they’re celebrities! Boy are they in for a rude awakening when we return to the states and they’re just your average Joe.
This is one of those times when I miss my Daddy. He would’ve been so tickled with Sterling’s reaction to the jets. This is exactly what he did every time one of the planes whooshed by us. He’d be laid back in his stroller not paying attention to any one thing in particular, and then he’d hear the rumble of the engines as they neared on the horizon, and UP he’d pop! He would watch with wonderment as each jet passed, and then point and wave after the engines grew silent again. My Dad, the pilot, would’ve loved that. Actually, I sort of think he may just have been there today, watching his grandson.
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