5 or 32

Elsa: "Do grownups go to bed at bedtime?"

Me: "Yeah, we just have a later bedtime than little kids."

Elsa: "So when I'm five, or thirty-two, I can stay up and play more and eat more and stay outside more?"

You bet.

Hmm...

Things Elsa and Ezra Have Learned Over the Last Three Months:

*They can now recognize the difference between McDonalds (the big M) and Chick Fil A (the Cows) with only the slightest of glances--and know that McDonalds gives them better toys, but Chick Fil A has better playgrounds

*They can now sing "Single Ladies" (Chipmunks version, of course) and "Life as a Highway" (AKA the 'Mack' song), whereas before their repertoire consisted of "He's Got the Whole World" and "Jingle Bells"

*They know that Sundays now mean Krispy Kreme donunts on the way home from church

*Ezra now likes people--at least junior high girls (He giggled through our entire presentation to a junior high youth group last Wednesday)

*They've learned to ask the question "How much longer?" while on our trip from Atlanta to Michigan (and back a week later)

Namesake

All three cousins met their namesake yesterday. Ray Giles is Caleb's grandfather, a man we are extremely proud to have named Daisy after. A lifelong missionary in Ethiopia, the way he has lived his life has helped to shape the legacy of this family. Pa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August. Not entirely sure we would get to see Pa again, we have been so blessed to get to see him and GG twice now since coming back to the US. There are really no words to describe the simple sweetness of seeing him hold these three new babies who all bear his name. Pa's health has stabilized amazingly, thanks to the prayers of the many faithful and to the wonder of the body's ability to heal with the help of modern medicine. Nola, Calven, and Daisy, you all have a lot of love to grow into...and a lot to live up to...

Happy 4th Birthday, Elsa!

"Slow Recipes"

Dragging your little chair across the floor
to be my 'help', you stand
tiptoed upon it, much too close
for me to stir ingredients,
open a drawer--or think.
The apron tied beneath your chin
reaches to your knees;
You wait with silken hair and skin
like milkweed drifting from the pod
wait
for me to measure so that
you can proudly pour
We blend important things
in flowered bowls
using the long hands of a yellow clock
this year
while you are four.

~by Jonelle Heckler (given to me by Grandma Giles)

Hello, Calven

And the last cousin makes his fashionably late entrance...welcome, Calven Ray...Congratulations, Dave and Shelah!

Cousins

Daisy Ray (born February 8th) and Nola Ray (born January 31st to Leah and Tim)


Shared a due date, born 9 days apart


Still waiting on one more cousin to join the family

Welcome to the world, Daisy Ray

Daisy Ray Swart
February 8, 2010
6 lbs, 10 oz