With daytime temperatures about 70 degrees warmer (Fahrenheit) than what Ben and I had to contend with, Kari and Christopher are taking advantage of the weather as much as possible. This was an off day as far as official business goes, so they went to an amusement park. Christopher is learning the meaning of the English word “No!” as Kari spent much of her time chasing after him and (attempting) to keep him out of trouble. Meanwhile, he continues to crack everyone up around him with his comments and observations. On the way to the amusement park, Christopher carefully watched the crazy Chinese traffic and proclaimed to the driver, “That person better not crash into us or I will punish him and he will have to pay the price of one Yuan!”¹

So Christopher clearly has a lot in common with Ben: he's fearless, outspoken, and headstrong. But Kari's just starting to get to know him (and he's just starting to get to know Kari). Whereas Ben and I bonded pretty much immediately (helped along no doubt by my five-year-old sense of humor), Christopher is a bit more reserved with his affections. It seems like Kari is having to work a little harder to draw him out.

She's doing a great job, though. Christopher's whole world is changing and Kari is letting him work through the change at his own pace. As difficult as it is, she's savoring every moment along the way.