Eden is FIVE

Our precious Eden Grace turned five today. FIVE! I can't believe it.

Turning five in our house is a coming of age in the realm of cokes. (pop, soda...depending on where you live). Given the opportunity to choose five drinks to try on her birthday, she chose cherry coke, dr. pepper, sprite, orange fanta, and regular coke. She had to inform us months ago of her choices because when you live in middle-of-nowhere-city-of-6-million-people-China, these things take planning. The Dr. Pepper and cherry coke had to be imported from somewhere. But we were successful!

And the winner is...


Earlier in the week we had a birthday party at the kids' preschool. I told the teachers I'd most likely just pick up a cake and bring it that morning to share with everyone. This is pretty selfish of me...but I didn't want to spend time and effort (and special imported ingredients) on making a cake that I figured the vast majority of the students would insist was too sweet, too chocolaty, or too rich. But Eden's head teacher just about had a cow. She insisted that I make and bring Eden's cake. Why? Because I made her son's birthday cake and because every knowledgeable local person here knows that western cakes and cookies are far better than what you can buy locally. I promise I'm not being a bakery snob or priding my own cooking. This is just how it is. Once they've tasted real cake or cookies, they can't go back to the local Chinese bakery junk. I liken Chinese cakes to eating colorful cardboard. They are so pretty and look soooooo yummy. But truly, they are deceptive little things.

So, a cookie cake it was.


And all the little attendants and teachers loved it...including Eden.


We had another little party that evening for her so she could invite some other friends. Her request was a princess cake with Belle, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty on it. I convinced her that a crown cake was just as good and less likely to make mommy go insane.





My goal for her birthday was to make her a dress up wedding dress that she's been asking me to make her for several months.


She was ecstatic. Which of course made my heart so happy.


Sweet girl, lets make it another 20 years before we take your picture in a wedding dress again, mmmkay?




It's been five full years of laughter. pink. challenges. smiles. bows. tears. boo-boos. joy.
We praise God for his precious gift of our Eden Grace!