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Sunday, October 26, 2008

Things I Forgot To Share With You Part III


Elise, Kid 5, turned 7 on the 7th. Her golden birthday. We had a really fun time by going to what has kind of become a Batiansila family birthday haunt - the Mineshaft. It's good pizza and a pretty good deal so kids can shove tokens into machines and then get tickets and then trade them for fake teeth, little plastic rings, stuff like that. Believe me, a good time.

Elise has a penchant for sometimes being completely silent - mute almost. You can ask her a question and she'll kinda stare at you without much to say. This is largely because she suffers from the older sibling syndrome - where your older sib will act as your agent. Ask a younger kid his/her name, and the older kid will leap on scene: "Her name is Elise!," answering any question you got for her. "She doesn't like melted cheese!" "She's just tired!"

But when Elise gets wound up, she's as loopy a kid as there is. Loud, even. And she dances and can't stop turning cartwheels. This is what I see when I see her playing with her two younger brothers, this giddy, effervescent kid.

Elise was born just a few weeks after 9/11. I remember being so scared then, scared of what was to come. Scared for the life she'd have. Her presence in my life and in the life of her family - particularly her little brothers - has been about joy, and a smile with big eyes. And cartwheels.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:42 PM

    Happy belated birthday, Elise, and Happy, happy birthday to you, Greg, tomorrow.
    As I've followed Zoe's progress and have prayed for you all, I've become reacquainted with several people who were dear to me in college: Deirdre, Heidi and Phil.
    God has blessed you with so much--and He will give you the strength to sustain you all through each moment along the way.
    He works miracles every day and He is always so good to us.
    God bless you on your big day!
    Psalm 84:11
    Amy Schwalm Hunt

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is the most adorable picture I have seen in a looong time. She sounds precious. You are a great dad. Keep up the great work!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy birthday from down under to everyone! :0) Barb Melb.Aust.

    ReplyDelete

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