Questions

One of the interesting questions for us is how Maeve is understanding everything about this trip. What is it like to be two years old and to be subjected to so much new experience? We can't really expect her to answer that question directly. But we're beginning to get a sense of what she's understanding and what she is not understanding by some of the questions she has been asking the last couple of days, as, first, our preparations mounted, and now as we are on our way, having arrived last night at the hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where everyone is gathering before going to the ship tomorrow.

So for example, the other night, as we got to the hotel after a long day of travel, Maeve asked: "Why are we at this place?" Because we're staying here for a couple of days before getting on the ship. "And then we go home?" Well, yes, but it will be a long time before we are home.

We ask her questions, too, like Do you know what we are doing? "Yes." Well, what are we doing? "I don't know." She's of course completely open and guileless about all this, and it's sort of refreshing that she feels no need to pretend to knowledge that she doesn't have.

A few days ago, as we were talking about some of the places we're going, Maeve wondered, "Is China a girl?" No, sweetie, China is not a girl; you'll be surprised.