All quiet on the Eastern Front...

It has happened. The transformation of one small child from traumatized howling feral child - into a somewhat cheerful (though wary) and affectionate little boy has been affected, but not entirely by me! This kid can eat! He laughs and sings, talks and chatters away - he repeats EVERYTHING said or done.. all the while smiling and laughing. We read a book and he decided to read to me! So he started from the back and point out all the items he knows - and said their name in Chinese. Of course I started from the front and said everything in English... he repeated it. So know he can say Monkey, Bird, Banana, Man and Big Mess! We were reading Curious George.

EFP is still intermittently miserable or happily. She does NOT want to bring home a "brudder" and "I want duckies and birdies - No Brudder!" Ha Ha. Today is her Birthday.. she is 3 years old. I can hardly believe it - the time has flown by so fast! I am not sure how I feel about the bittersweet nature of being so desperate to get her home in time to celebrate her first birthday and now we are here celebrating her third! We will have a party later - with cake and candle, pressies and goody bags. I am glad we brought so much stuff... we love our travel group. They are the best! I have something rigged up to post a few pics - hope to pics some from the big birthday soiree later! Love to all - someone PLEASE have a GIANT good coffee for me... how I long for a giant good coffee! For some really clean clothes (don't get me started about the laundry ...) and some sun without unbearable dust and heat - now honestly am I really asking for TOO much??