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.