Fun Sleepovers and Firsts

It wouldn't be a baby-book blog if I didn't mention something about what's going on in the world right now.  Outside these walls, the world is a mess.  Israel, Iraq, Sudan, etc., etc. Wars, genocide, bombing, persecution, suffering.  We're enjoying our babies' safety and sweet milestones, thankful for the freedom we have, but also with a burden for those whose babies aren't safe, those who have fear instead of freedom.  We're praying for all of them, for although we're helpless clay vessels, we serve the Lord Jesus for whom nothing is too difficult, the One who came to bind up the brokenhearted.  

Mike was gone for a few nights last week, so I enlisted some special assistance from the professionals:  Grandparents! 

On Thursday, Figgy arrived in the morning with sweet activities:

The girls love to be kitchen helpers.  Hannie's wearing the apron Mom made for me when I was a kid. Bethy is undoubtedly sticking her finger into something.

The professionals are making chicken tetrazzini.

We didn't help much.  We just enjoyed the final product.

On Friday afternoon, Granna came as Figgy left. We finally received the long awaited DVD I ordered online: The Sound of Music.  (The original.  Is there any other?) And we watched it intently two times in the next 48 hours.

"Granna-daddy" (as Bethany calls him) joined the party on Saturday, and we all had a great time together. 

I had to snap a shot of my sweet little sleepover buddy.

Everyone was happy for Daddy to get home!

Also in recent news, Nathanael enjoyed his first tiny bowl of baby oatmeal this past weekend.  He took his first nap in the crib yesterday.  (He's quickly outgrowing the rock'n'sleep).  This means that Bethany has moved up to The Girls' Room.  We have three rambunctious girls sleeping together in one room.  Fun?  Yes.  Wild?  Yes.  The first night, Mike and I stood guard outside the door about to laugh out loud while Charis and Hannah were quietly trying to fall asleep and Bethany jumped and sang, "Ay ay ay ay, grapes. Ay ay ay ay, apples. Crackers..."  Tonight her song of choice was, "Do, a deer, a female deer" (only it sounds like she learned the Chinese version). 

Now, a humorous line from this evening.  I don't remember it word for word.  We passed a bunch of familiar trees in the car, and I couldn't remember what they were called.  So I asked Charis, "what did I tell you the name of those trees was?"

Charis: Myrtle.
Me: Oh yes, crepe myrtle.
Charis: That means killing someone.  You don't like them, so you myrtle them. Myrtlers myrtle people.

Bumbo Sweetness

Cousin Susannah let us borrow her Bumbo now that she's sitting independently. I couldn't decide which of these pics is the cutest. 

Granna and Pop Join the Party

Last week, we were excited to have both Granna and Pop come to visit. (On separate days). Granna was brave enough to help us navigate through Costco, and Pop had the courage to attend skateland again! We're looking forward to more fun visits later this week!

Granna brought cookies to decorate!

Charis, that's a darling expression ;)

We've been watching Little House.

It's a classic. We have the first season. The girls have been playing "Mary and Laura", sobbing and hugging and saying each other's names a lot in a dramatic way. "Oh, Laura!" "Oh, Mary!" Bethany and Bogey are Carrie and Jack, respectively, although they don't cooperate for the parts very well.

I realized I need to limit the Little House time when Charis asked me for "lemon verbena" and told me she wishes I looked like Mrs. Beadle. 

I hope we remember this stuff forever. :)

He's not interested in playing Grace or Albert.

We Gladly Announce...

... The long awaited arrival of the Flexi Gates: two extra wide configurable baby gates we got a great deal on.  Affectionately named our "Bethy Fence", these gates will make life much simpler, keeping Curious Georgina from the Splenda, the cream of tartar, Bogey's water bowl, sharpened pencils, etc. 

Just today she fell off the dining room table (no injuries), poured a pile of cream of tartar on the floor and stomped it throughout the house, and ate a hamster treat. From the cage. We do watch her almost constantly, but it's amazing how much mischief she can find in 30 seconds.

And so, won't you join us in welcoming the Bethy Fence!

And today (updated), for further proof:

She got into the diaper rash cream. 

Then I heard "Mommeeeeeeeeeee!!" and found her balancing precariously on her hands and knees on my keyboard, pictured above.  For obvious reasons, I didn't snap a picture before I got her down.