Age and Cake

Imagine growing up with no grownups. I have seen pictures of parents picking up their newly adopted children at other orphanages, facilities.

(the playroom)

There are always grandmothers, older ladies, babushkas taking care of the children. When we picked up Meghan we never saw anyone over 25. Or maybe 30, they all looked so young.

(dining room)

Is it possible that each of these young women could have the life experience to raise and nurture ten 3-5 year olds? Could they be maternal?

(bedroom- those mats are the beds)

I know before I had kids I couldn't have done it, or at least I could not have done it well. It really explains a lot.

Meghan must think I am so old! I am probably twice the age of her "nanny" in Taiwan.

We are coming up on our 7 months as a family day. Yes there are bumps but it is more smooth than bumpy. And the best part is that the"incidents of bad behavior" are rarer and smaller and more easily overcome. Because her English is so much better we can now talk about behavior - on a very fundamental level- but that's all it takes most times.

My big challenge is her birthday coming up. The girl has been talking about her birthday for months! They have little parties at school when it is someone's birthday and she cannot wait for her turn. Nearly everyday she comes home from school and asks when will it be her birthday. We have a picture of her on her 5th birthday in Taiwan with her cake. Have you seen the elaborate cakes they make in Asia? I have seen the Chinese cakes and Taiwanese cakes and they are amazing. Her birthday cake is actually something of which the quality will be worse now that she has a family! Maybe if I stick some sparklers in it....

Check out that CAKE! I am going to have to hide this picture so she won't compare her American cake to her Taiwan cake. (I think this picture was taken at her school because it does not look at all like Chung Yi where she lived. And it came with all her school pictures and paperwork).

Wish me luck on the cake front.