Young Author

K-bao has advanced significantly as both a reader and writer recently, and indeed has started penning her own little booklets.

Last weekend she decided to write - and illustrate - her first book, admittedly constructed by putting eight or nine staples to two sheets of paper. Subjects ranged from astute observations ("My family is nice") to statements about her own feelings ("I was mad because I got sick") to pronouncements of universal truths ("Love is kind").

In her second book, written shortly thereafter, she invited K-Pop to co-author (but not to co-illustrate - clearly she has formed her own quite accurate opinions already on K-Pop's artistic capabilities).

 

 

 

Banana Bread Deluxe

Never one to waste perfectly good (albeit somewhat overripe) bananas, K-bao sprung into action last weekend, donning her baker's apron and recruiting sister C-bao to help her create her patented Banana Bread Deluxe.

Here is the completed batter, replete with chocolate chips galore. No Trader Joe's shortcuts here! Eggs, flour, baking soda - this was made from scratch.

And here is the finished product.

K-Grandpops in Taiwan (a.k.a. Gong-Gong) got wind of this Banana Bread Deluxe, and naturally lamented that he wasn't around to take a bite. Upon hearing this, both granddaughters extended a fork, hoping their grandfather could take some satisfaction in their act of virtual sharing.

Better Than Hallmark

Sister C-bao fell and scraped her knee while running in the courtyard after church.

K-bao immediately went to her rescue, held her hand all the way home, and did everything else she could think of to comfort her sister.

Indeed, while the two girls were listening to a story at home to help little C-bao take her mind off her injury, K-bao excused herself briefly, saying "I'll be right back!"

Shortly thereafter, she appeared with the below card:

Feeling Brave

Donning her most ambitious costume yet - complete with a flaming red wig - K-bao is Merida, the girl who turns her mother into a bear.

"Don't stay out too long, or I'll really become a bear!" warned K-Mum, who was concerned the weather was too cold for prolonged trick-or-treating.

Along the way, K-bao bargained and negotiated her way into additional homes to visit, as well as specific candies she wanted to make sure were carved out from K-Pop's rule that "All candies collected belong to the entire family" (namely, any purple ones, any particularly large chocolates, or others with unusually attractive wrappers).

One thing's for sure, our little one certainly has the independence, strong-will and feisty nature shared by her character (which appears to be a common theme in her Halloween costumes).

Smart Aleck

Upon receiving the above to-do list this weekend, our 5-year-old's reaction was as follows:

K-bao: "Daddy can I do these in any order?"

K-Pop: "Sure K-bao."

K-bao: "Ok then. I'm done with everything Daddy, what should I do next?"

K-Pop......

Bocce!

On a recent weekend trip to Uncle Calvin's for barbeque and cake, K-bao had her first exposure to Bocce Ball. It turns out Xiao Jiu's building complex has an outdoor bocce court with an artificial, mini-golf-like surface.

After dessert, of which K-bao had more than her fair share, we ventured out to the court and split into teams. K-bao got the rules quickly, and surprised everyone with her skills. In fact, despite a rather unorthodox bowling style, in 2 of the 3 games we played, K-bao delivered the closest ball to the jack of any contestant. All while playing in a flowy white dress.

Naturally, after hitting that kind of winning streak, it was hard to drag the little one off the court. ("Just one more game? Please? Anyone?")

Here is the beaming bocce ball winner.

For the Love of the Game

K-bao had the pleasure of hosting the K-Grandfolks several weeks ago for a short visit.

Naturally, K-Grandpops immediately got roped into K-bao's latest love, Uno, and found himself on the carpet with the little one hashing out Skips, Wild cards and +4s.

"Love is patient, love is kind," K-Grandpops must have been repeating to himself throughout the afternoon.