Visit

The K-Grandfolks and Uncle James (Shu-Shu) were in town this week, and true to historical practice, showered K-bao with undeserved praise, attention, treats and gifts of all kinds.

In return, K-bao repeatedly hit up K-Grandpop and Shu-Shu for multiple rounds of her most recent favorite hobby. Oblivious to the generosity inherent in some of her opponents' moves, she ran around the house all week with vanquished chess pieces obnoxiously calling out, "Guess what? I ate his queen!"

For which she was then rewarded with goodies like chocolate-covered Pacific Puffs, Hello Kitty earmuffs, sparkly shoes, etc. That's right, the K-Grandfolks filled an entire suitcase with these things (and paid for additional checked luggage!), forcing them to take a full week to be able to pass them out in a manner that didn't overwhelm the little one with adrenaline. 

Psalm 23

K-bao, who once was quite fluent with Psalm 23, has been working hard on regaining that fluency recently (admittedly with the help of a little bribery on the part of the K-folks).

Here she dedicates her bedtime (Chinese) recitation to her absent K-Grandfolks, her aunts and uncles and other beloved relatives. Concentration could use a little work ("Look! My sister is smiling at me!").

Grandma Visit

Grandma is visiting for a few weeks, something K-bao couldn't be happier with. A woman of infinite patience and energy, Grandma manages to make everyone around her feel ten times better by virtue of her presence alone. And yes, she still spoils little K-bao the same way she did a year ago. Here they are chilling on the Embarcadero on a Saturday morning.

Grandfolks Hu

Grandfolks Hu visited K-bao from Taiwan recently (Aunty Catherine - Xiao Goo Goo - was here as well from Singapore, as will be chronicled separately). With three additional pairs of arms ready to spoil her, K-bao took full advantage of the situation, running from one person to the next for attention and love and generally acting like a brat. Here you can see her snatching the camera from Grandma, refusing to sit still for a picture, introducing her bei-bei to Grandpa, muscling the shakers away and asking for a tummy rub. Grandfolks Hu took it in stride and treated little K-bao like a princess, which of course didn't help the situation.

Attention

K-Bao has taken residence at her maternal grandparents' home in western NJ these past few days, glowing under the never-ending adoration, effusive praise and tender loving care provided by K-Mum's folks and sister.

Her own parents seem like stoic meanies by comparison, and K-bao from day one was reaching for her grandparents or Little Aunt. The kid's no fool. She knew where the love was. Why sit quietly on the floor, as ordered by K-Pop, when there is always another pair of arms waiting in line to hold you and rub your pampered, chubby little feet?

Yesterday, for example, the K-GPs threw the little princess a party and invited all of their friends. The elder generation crowded around and fussed over her like she was royalty, with Aunty after Aunty clamoring to hold her so they could sing her praises individually. K-Pop and K-Mum were quickly elbowed aside and stood rather pathetically on the fringes of the crowd while K-bao, beaming like a rockstar, was passed around like a gem for everyone to see close up and opine on.

"Her eyes are like little saucers!" "Just feel that hair!" "She looks like a barbie doll!" "Her hair is curly - she must have a forceful personality!" (What?!) "What a cherubic little mouth!"

It is going to be tough going back home, little one.

UPDATE (1 year later): That bit about the forceful personality cannot be more true. K-Pop will be extra mindful of all curly heads here on out.