Ephraim is always asking to make things in the kitchen. I had been sitting on this eclair recipe for a few days hoping that I would have enough energy one afternoon to try them. He saw the page open on my computer and asked to help. Sometimes the extra energy I need is just someone else being enthusiastic about a recipe.

Ephraim, you are ten (almost eleven!) and enthusiastic about many things. In your enthusiasm, you tend to rush right in and start working without any regard for method or order of events. A few days ago we were cutting fabric for a project and I had to stop you from just beginning to cut away without even measuring! Today, though, you gathered all of the ingredients carefully so that everything was in place before we began. (“I’m getting my materials ready before I build my house, Mom, just like the Proverb says,” you told me.) I’m proud of you for that.

Of course Eldore, who was nearby, had to help too. In the above photo, you are showing him how to cut butter into pieces.

Eldore, you are gutsy and tenacious about helping. It is impossible to deter you from your chosen course once you’ve settled on it. Upon deciding you were going to be involved in the baking process, you kept me on my toes, obstinately demanding jobs that you could complete. You remind me a lot of Ephraim at four, honestly–when it comes to the kitchen, anyway. He was also always wanting to help with things.