Boys Night Out

The same day that G-Bear and I got to go out for our Girls' Day Out, 

T was able to take E-Bear and Buddy Bear for a Boys' Night Out!   

It was a Friday night, and T was covering a local high school football game.  

The boys were over the moon with excitement to get to dress in their sports gear and join Dad on the sidelines for a game.  

T took the boys to McDonald's before the meal, for which the boys couldn't have been more excited.  They each got a monster truck in their Happy Meal, which only added to the euphoria.  During the game, the boys were so good for T.  They were mesmerized by the action and even memorized several of the players' names.  

 E-Bear and Buddy Bear are avid sports fans just like their Dad, and they felt so grown up being able to be on an outing just with him.  Even though it was late when the game finished, T decided to make the night extra special for the boys and capitalize on the fact that they hadn't yet had a treat.

So afterwards, T took the boys to Red Robin's for root beer floats.  Can you tell what the ultimate treat is for our family?!  Note the sign -- I love it!

The boys did tell me, though, as soon as they got home.  I am happy to say that I think they used sensible moderation and discretion and each had only float, but I was careful not to ask too many questions :)

Happily Ever,
Queen B

First Day of School 2015

Pull out those uniforms, the pencils, the shoes,

give mom a kleenex, for she has the blues,

yet she will not show it, her smile will not crack,

Bears won't see her teary if they turn to look back.

For, "today is the first day of school!" they all cheer,

and I'm praying the Lord will give us all a good year.

E-Bear to First Grade,

G-Bear to Third,

Buddy Bear to Pre-K,

it feels quite absurd!

And we're off on another school year adventure.

MoMo and Papa joined us for morning pictures and the plaza send-off.

We were all holding our breath a bit as we walked to the plaza lines and waved to each other at the school bell.  MoMo saved the day by taking Buddy Bear, J-Bear and me out to coffee after drop-off.  She must have known that I wasn't ready to go home to an empty house and that her offer of treats would keep Buddy Bear and J-Bear distracted from the fact that their older siblings weren't around.  Her idea worked, thanks Super-MoMo!   We returned home highly sugared and caffeinated.  Then, MoMo offered to do the first day of school pick-up, and both E-Bear and G-Bear reported good days when they returned home.  

After our wonderful summer together, the new routine is sure to be an adjustment for all of us.  But, as we reminded each other, there are great things to learn and good work in store for us at school this year.  We are so blessed to be a part of and contribute to such a wonderful school community.  

But please, keep us in your prayers in the coming days!

Happily Ever,

Queen B

August Moments

August has been a sweet month for us.  Far from dull 'Dog Days' of summer, the weather has been glorious and we have enjoyed every moment of being back home and soaking up time together.  With the Littlest Bear joining us and our long trip in July, this summer has gone by especially fast.  The kids are enjoying time together so much and so am I, which is the pay back of so much hard parenting work for me and both discipline and loving relationships on the part of the kids.  I don't feel remotely ready to say goodbye to our family summer days, but the calendar says change must come all the same.

Here is a glimpse into our days this month.  

Learning Time mornings  

(cursive for G-Bear, reading for E-Bear, letters for Buddy Bear, 

math review for everyone, and a little piano sprinkled in)

Painting on the deck,

(the pictures are, clockwise from the left:

Field of Poppies, by G-Bear; Go Bama, by E-Bear; Stained Glass Window, by E-Bear;

Orange Flower, by G-Bear; Yellow Rain, by Buddy Bear; Jungle, by Buddy Bear;

Nighttime, by J-Bear; Sunshine, by J-Bear; and Blue Flower by G-Bear)

Nelsons with Daddy,

(the kiddie scoops are so big, our whole family splits only three!)

Playing Spud at the park with the boys,

Daily Walks to the quad to climb trees or ride bikes,

Picnic lunches on the quad with books to read,

Watching the Littlest snooze in his bouncer in the kitchen during breakfast each day,

Trips to the library to get Magic Tree House CDs and books,

Watering the garden of tomatoes and cantaloupes,

Coloring at the art table in pjs,

making forts in the basement with leftover boxes,

being builders, playing dress-up,

(a space rocket and its launch pad)

a visit to the cabin and rainy day face paint,

reading More Paddington Bear and Uncle Wiggly

and nightly walks around the block when T gets home.

Could it be possible that each summer really does get sweeter?  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Buddy Bear goes to the dentist

If the post title sounds like it could be the title of a new children's book,

that is because it could.

Our Buddy went to the dentist for the first time this weekend,

and he rocked it.

Teeth?

Check.

Clean teeth?

Check.

Awesome smile and sunglasses?

Check.

Buddy Bear says he's got this one covered.

 Happily Ever,

Queen B

Heard Around the House This Week: Vacation Edition

"Better than Disney World."

~E-Bear, rating his opinion of our summer vacation in Hilton Head and Indiana

"Are there roller coasters in Disney World?  Then, I like them the same."

~Buddy Bear, rating his opinion of our summer vacation in Hilton Head and Indiana

"Mommy, I get out bed, want come see you."

~J-Bear, explaining to me why she crawled out of her crib for the first time while on vacation.

"Mom, do you know what I am wishing for?  A day when you and I get to spend the day together, just the two of us.  A Mom's Day out.  Could I make a list of the things I would like to do together?"

~G-Bear, making my day at the end of vacation.

The hardest part of returning from vacation, according to Buddy Bear

Sweet Buddy Bear loves his dad so much, and he loves to have our family together.

While we were on vacation he said to T:

"Daddy, do you want to know the best part of vacation? There is no work."

Of course, Buddy Bear meant that while on vacation, T didn't need to leave for work in the morning.

So, you can imagine our Buddy's disappointment when he woke up on Monday morning.

Yes, Buddy, Daddy does need to leave for work this morning.

Tears in his eyes, Buddy Bear took his usual place on the landing to wave good-bye to Daddy.

For some of us, it's unpacking, for some of us it's the laundry,

for some of us, it's the return to a schedule or waking up early again,

for some of us, it is saying good-bye to Daddy for the day;

for all of us, it's hard when vacation is over.  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

The Boys' Big Day

Today, E-Bear let Buddy Bear borrow his bike.

Buddy Bear hopped on and pedaled it down the alley on his first try!

Then, we headed over to the lawn across the street,

and E-Bear climbed a tree all by himself that he had been trying to tackle for months.

When you are four and six years old, these kind of victories make for a great day.

Way to go, boys! 

Happily Ever,

Queen B

One July Afternoon

It's another perfect July day.

The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the garden is lush because it rained last night.

T is home early.

He has set up the Slackline between our two trees in front.

The speakers are playing our favorite songs.

It is rest time, but pretty soon the kids are beckoned outside.

They can't resist T and his Slackline.

T has spoiled me.

I have a chair in the shade.

I have our baby in my arms.

I have a sweet tea in my hand, made by my sweet T himself.

From my seat in the shade, I get to enjoy 

the sight of my three oldest smiling and laughing,

bouncing T off the Slackline, trying their balance,

playing catch with our tiny black mitt and a bright tennis ball.

From my seat in the shade, looking down in my lap,

our newest addition is snoozing in peace,

where just days ago a round belly was seen,

which now feels strangely far away.

And the kids are laughing, and T is ever smiling, 

and there is a breeze in the shade and the baby's at peace,

and my tea is very sweet.

I would bottle this moment if I could.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Joyful July

Our July is flying by, 

filled with many joyful moments.

Take, for instance, our daily Duplo time.  J-Bear loves her brothers' help in making whatever creation they have dreamed up. Whatever they make for themselves, they are careful to make one for her too.  One day it was a tower to match their aircraft carriers.  The next day, they had to make her a matching X-wing to theirs.  She then proceeded to follow them around the living room, "whooshing" right behind them.

Our garden is in full swing, full of tomato plants that we grew from last year's seeds, pepper plants that made it through the winter indoors, our fruitful blueberry bush and our Alpine strawberries.

There is a daily search for ripe strawberries that occurs each morning.  They taste so sweet and are pretty irresistible.  As you can see, the kids have all kinds of ways of trying to get up to the hanging basket to pick some:

At least when Buddy Bear is successful, he loves to hand out his bounty to his siblings,

to J-Bear's great delight.

During quiet time, while J-Bear is napping, G-Bear is often found snuggled up with a book.  She is a voracious reader these days.  Sometimes she might be found working on her cursive or (if I really incentivize) finishing her math work for the day.  The boys, on the other hand, are two peas in a pod, whether building at their workshop or building out of their Lego boxes in their room.  Today's creations?  E-Bear made a bed for his baby brother, complete with a personalized label and G-Bear's doll linens:

  

And then the boys emerged from quiet time to show me the robot warriors they had made from scratch.  The warrior part aside, I am continually amazed by their creativity.

 When T comes home, it is time for backyard fun with Dad.  This usually involves some variation of baseball or soccer, but no matter what, it is one of the highlights of the day.

After dishes, it is time for our pre-bedtime walk around the blocks.  Baby loves the fresh air, and while the older crew often fusses at first, by the time we pass our neighbor's house they are tearing down the sidewalk leaving me and T in the dust.

These days are full of so much joy.  Thank you, Lord for these precious summer days.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Heard around the house this week: New Brother Edition

"Baby my, don you ky, baby my, don you ky.

Okay, baby, it okay, baby."

~J-Bear, singing her bedtime song to her brother 

when he is upset during his diaper changes

~~~~

Overheard while passing the (stinky) local cigar store during an grocery run with Dad:

"If someone gave me a box of cigars for a present, I would say 'thank you'

and then throw time in the trash."

~E-Bear

~~~~

G-Bear: "Oh, he is so cute!  I love it when his eyes are open!  

J-Bear, come here, Baby's eyes are open!"

J-Bear: "Eye?  Eye?  Oh, see!  Eye!"

~~~~

Overheard during family play time:

"J-Bear, do you want to play Duplos?  Okay, c'mon!"

~E-Bear, who is up for Biggest Brother of the Year Award

~~~~

"Can I hold Baby?"

"Can I give Baby a kiss?"

"Oh, he is so cute, he is just like a little baby Moses!"

"Oh, don't cry, you're okay."

~Buddy Bear, a most affectionate older brother

~~~~

"Baby nee banket.  I give baby blanket."

~J-Bear, a very helpful older sister

~~~~

E-Bear: "Mom, can I hold baby for you so that you can make dinner?"

Me:  "Sure, E-Bear.  But, he is a little fussy right now.  Will it bother you if he cries?"

E-Bear:  "No, it won't bother me.  I just worry about him and what he needs when he cries.  

It isn't that the crying bothers ME."

Happily Ever,

Queen B

We could sleep for a week

These

 dudes 

are

exhausted.

Believe me, this is a once in a lifetime sight. But on the other hand, we have had a once in a lifetime week.  Catholic Kids Camp, Uncle C's wedding festivities and a week with our Boston and Seattle cousins have made for an amazing time.  There are many stories to tell, once we wake up from our nap.


Happily Ever,
Queen B

Catholic Kids Camp 2015

This week, leading up to a special family wedding, we "set sail with the Holy Trinity" for Catholic Kids Camp.

We look forward to Catholic Kids Camp, our parish's version of VBS, all year long.

Because Buddy Bear and J-Bear are not quite old enough to attend on their own, I volunteered to host mini-kids camp with a friend for all the 4 and under campers of the parent volunteers.  We attracted a large crowd this year, humbled by the vote of confidence from so many great volunteer parents.  Buddy Bear and J-Bear loved every minute of the week, from the great crafts, circle time, stories, games, outdoor play and snacks.

We certainly couldn't have made it through the week without several wonderful teen volunteers who were eager to shower attention on our young crew.  With 8-10 kids ages 9 months to 5 years old, there are many hands (or bodies) to hold, bathroom times and diaper changes to juggle, and varying ability levels to manage.  Thankfully, my friend, Mrs. N, had secured a wonderful large room for us, brought boxes of miniature toys and Magnetiles to play with, and planned perfect snacks.

Our crafts were simple but engaging and didn't require too much help from the adults.  We made "One God" hand cut-outs for our day celebrating God the Father, decorated Jesus Loves You crosses for our day celebrating God the Son, and taped together Holy Spirit dove kites for our day celebrating God the Holy Spirit.  We also had a coloring page to go with each day.  G-Bear was so impressed with the crafts her little brother and sister were bringing home each day that she said, "do you have any extras for me and E-Bear to do?  We only get to do ONE craft each day."  Boy, was I thrilled to garner G-Bear and E-Bear's admiration!  Buddy Bear and J-Bear were also so proud to show their big sibs their hard work at the end of each day.

Each afternoon, during J-Bear's nap, the big kids would hole up in their room with their CKC music CD and practice their songs and hand motions for the week (while I collapsed in an exhausted heap). The music and dancing are some of my favorite parts of the CKC week, because they stay with us for so long afterwards.  Even J-Bear knows the songs and motions by the end of the week and loves to sing them with her siblings.

The week is always exhausting, but it is one hundred percent worth it once Friday comes around and I get to watch my kids and their friends sing and dance together in the love and joy of the Lord.  We were some of the last to leave the fellowship hall at the end of the performance morning, having stayed to talk and connect with so many friends.  I am overwhelmed with gratefulness for the community we have found here and the friends we have all made.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Spring Smiles

This was the scene at a well-deserved cookie break after a wonderful spring piano recital.  Hooray for G-Bear and E-Bear for a courageous and lovely performance, and hooray to Buddy Bear and J-Bear for being such a well-behaved, supportive audience.  Thanks to MoMo and Papa for joining us! 

Happily Ever,

Queen B

A Ninja Turtle Fourth Birthday

This year, Buddy Bear chose a Ninja Turtle theme for his birthday party celebration.  

Buddy Bear usually starts thinking about his birthday in the fall, around the time that E-Bear starts talking about his.  Poor Buddy then has nearly six months to pine for his birthday before it arrives, including the celebrations of two other siblings birthdays before his.  

So, as one might imagine, when we announced that his birthday was finally going to arrive, he was thrilled.  He had chosen the theme months before, and the big day was heavily anticipated. 

Buddy Bear choose hamburgers and French fries for his birthday meal, and turtle masks were a huge hit, both as decorations and as party accessories.

For Buddy Bear’s birthday game, we played “Knock the cup tower” with our bows and arrows, which was a big deal because the arrows aren’t normally allowed in the living room.  

Everyone got a turn to shoot the arrows, and it was so fun each time the tower came tumbling down.

Notice Buddy Bear providing any necessary back-up for his older brother ;)

Buddy Bear was so excited to open his presents that he could hardly make it through the game (we skipped the pinning game for this very reason).  

He received beautiful, thoughtfully themed pictures from his brother and sister, over which he appropriately ‘oohed.’  

Ninja Turtle pictures and paper airplanes from big brother and sister.

He was also excited to receive two great Lego sets from Nana, hockey sticks & balls, fireman rain boots and a turtle helmet from T and me, and a scooter and Ninja Turtle cartoons from MoMo and Papa.  Our little guy was over the moon.  He could hardly wait to get out his Legos and build with E-Bear, who in turn couldn’t wait to help him.

I got to make Buddy Bear’s cake, and he was so excited about it that my heart melted.  I know I won’t always be able to please :)

 We had one incredibly happy four year old blowing out his candles that night.  

I am so grateful for the enthusiastic, inviting little man that he is.  “Thank you MOMMY!”  he said to me, more than once.  And once again, this mom’s heart melted.  You’re always welcome, Buddy Bear, and Happy Birthday to you!

Happily Ever,
Queen B