"How many times do I need to tell you to stay off of the kitchen island!" when we were little, my Mum was adamant about keeping little human beings off the work area island in our kitchen. The temptation would become extremely tempting when the family was pausing from their day and found themselves fellow-shipping in the kitchen while food cooked on the nearby stove.
Many times we would look over and our little brother Levi would have made himself at home on the kitchen island. Hey, the youngest seems to get away with a lot more than the older siblings do!
We have a home video in which it shows Levi as a four-year-old little boy trying to pour brownie batter into a pan. In his hands he holds the bowl full of brownie batter which he has tilted upside down. He doesn't have a scraper on hand so, as the video runs, it shows him standing with his bare feet on our "restricted" island. He is clad with one of his sister's aprons and pouring out brownie batter ever so slowly. We all start laughing hysterically as we hear him grunt away with the weight of the bowl because the brownie batter is stubbornly sticking inside.
All of us siblings could not contain our excitement when we found out our Mum would be having a baby in a few short months. The girls were hoping with all their heart that it would be a girl. This way the boys and girls would break even with each having an even number of four. But God knew what was best when he sent a baby boy and we lovingly called him "Levi". Ever since, he has made his way into a special place in the hearts of his family.
Today he turns eleven. My ... how time has flown! Happy Birthday, Levi! You have grown to be a great friend and brother. We love you lots!!! Love, your siblings. :)
