BUILD A BEAR, REVISITED

This is our eight year old granddaughter, Dragonfly. We are celebrating her birthday and and she is building a Cheetah from Build a Bear. The Cheetah's name is Katherine. Dragonfly is the youngest daughter of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children. She is officially the middle child, along with her brother Entomologist, but in March Entomologist will take over the title of Middle Child all by himself.

This is the man who sought the hand of the woman who bore the children that filled the isles of the shop at Build a Bear. I call this his "Black Bart" outfit. That is "youngest son," fiddling with stuff.

This is the woman, who gave birth to the children who filled the isles of the shop at Build a Bear. She is currently building their newest child, who will be born in March. She said, "Please do not take my picture, I look awful," but the person behind the camera pretends deafness.

This is the baby of the man and the woman who filled the isles of the shop at Build a Bear shop with happy children.

And again, with binky.

This is the second youngest son of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

This is the third youngest son of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

He has eyes that always look like someone needs to pick him up and cuddle him but he is independent and you better not try it, Mister. He will knock you cold with just a look. See?

This is the second oldest child, the oldest boy, of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

This is the oldest girl and oldest child of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children.

And this is the third child of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop with happy children. She is giving Katherine a bath. And she is growing her bangs out. And she is growing a new tooth so she can eat apples.

Happy birthday, Dragonfly, dear. Grandma loves you very much. Grandpa does too.

As she loves all the children of the man and woman who filled the isles of the Build a Bear shop.

And she loves Black Bart and his lovely wife. And she loves the unknown little person who will be a surprise in March. And if it's a boy--and Grandma thinks it is--she just loves the name Alex, in case any one's interested. Which--of course--they won't be but in case they are, Alexander is a good strong name which means defender or warrior. He will be the defender of truth. I'm sure of it.

And if it's a girl...well, I just don't know, because I'm so sure it's a boy. But Gabrielle is nice, just in case. It means a strong woman of God or a defender of God which sounds pretty good to me.

Just in case anyone is interested.