Happy Year of the Ox!

On New Year's Day morning, after making a round of phone calls to the family, Kate put on her hanbok excitedly. This is a shot of Kate laughing as Appa came downstairs wearing his wedding hat in solidarity. "Ahahaha! Mom, look at Appa! He's wearing his bunny ears!"

Kate was getting ready to do sae bae, a traditional bow children do before their parents and elders as a show of respect, and receive an envelope with cash in return. In America, this is known as groveling. Fortunately, Kate is still young enough to be game for anything. Especially when there's a surprise involved at the end.

Appa gave her a few instructions, and she was ready to go.

Kate was a great sport. She nearly lost it when Mom asked her to do it again for the camera after she had done it twice already. Halmoni and Halabugi really wanted to see a photo of Kate doing sae bae, so Kate obliged us again. Halmoni and Halabugi were thrilled when they saw the photos, and Halabugi mailed Kate her sae bae money right away.

Hooray, I did it! Since Kate could care less about money at this age, we gave her a little treat bag with mini-markers, a small book, and a candy bracelet. "Can I eat it now??"

Kate hamming it up. "Uh...Appa...I think your hat is a little big."

I made ddukgook, the traditional New Year's Day soup for the first time. Kate really liked it, and we all "ate another year." Sae hae bok mani badu sae yo!