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

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 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

Final Days of School

We are charging through the final days of school.

I can hardly wait.

I am ready to be done.

A homeschooler at heart, I look forward to the last day of school all year.  This is not because I don't like our parish school or because I dislike learning.  I just love having my kids home, teaching them myself and learning alongside them, soaking up a routine that works best for our family, beholden to fewer outside demands. Plus, by the end of the year, we are all in need of some School of the Home. We may have forgotten a few of our manners, we may need some time to focus on our treatment of others (hello, Fruits of the Spirit), our chores may need some brushing up, and we may just need a bit more space to explore other activities, other interests.  Yes, the Summer School of the Home is a blessing.

But before we get there, we have to get through these last two weeks, and let me tell you, I am sliding across the End-of-the-Year-Finishline on the fumes of Grace.  Recently, a friend sent me this archived blog piece by Jen Hatmaker entitled, "Worst End of School Year Mom Ever," and I found myself on the floor with laughter because it hit a little too close to home.  The school schedule is bursting with end of the year celebrations, field trips, out of uniform days, cold lunch demands, full days for E-Bear, special requests and chaos in general.  The normal routine is totally discarded, uniforms are out grown, and each day there are about a dozen out of the ordinary things that must be remembered for each child.  To top it all off, my body is just not able to keep it all together, currently gestating at 34 weeks.  So recently, when my sweet G-Bear came to me and confessed that her tennis shoes had holes in them and the laces had snapped so that she could no longer tie them, all I could muster was a pathetic, "Do you think you could get through 2 more days of gym with them?  I promise you can wear your sandals everyday in the summer."  Because really, holes or no holes, laces or no laces, when are we going to find time in this gauntlet schedule to buy new tennis shoes, which are sure to be outgrown when she puts them on again in the fall?  

Please, Lord, by a miracle, get us to the end of school!

But, be encouraged, time marches on.  The end of school is in sight.  No one stays pregnant forever.  Bring it on!

Happily Ever,

Queen B

E-Bear's Mother's Day Paraliturgy

Wow, this Momma felt really special today thanks to E-Bear's hard work and preparation!

Today, E-Bear's class at school hosted all their moms for a "Mother's Day Paraliturgy."  This was a wonderful, prayerful, musical event with lots of arts and crafts gifts and a cake reception at the end.  

Highlights included:

hand-colored portraits of all the mothers that marked our assigned seats,

 the Kinders' entrance procession carrying handmade sunshines that they presented to each mother, 

the "Laundry Song," which made us all laugh, and other songs sung into handmade microphones,

each Kinder's personal reflection of why his or her mom is "The Sunshine of My Life..."

the cake reception, where we all received memory books of our Kinder's first year of school.

E-Bear had practiced his songs and worked on his crafts for weeks.  He was so proud and enthusiastic singing the songs and presenting me with his gifts.  I was impressed and moved by his strong singing,(his teacher could always depend on him to sing his best and loudest), his sincerity and his delight in making me feel special.  When it was his turn, E-Bear's reflection for me was, "My Mom is the Sunshine of my life because she plays baseball with me."  I had no idea that my backyard pitching sessions meant to much to him!  You can bet we will be doing a lot more of those over the summer.  "Did you like what I said, mom?" E-Bear asked me afterwards.  You better believe it, Buddy.  

We had so much fun together afterwards eating cake and reflecting on the morning.  

Thank you, E-Bear for making me feel so special, for making me a mom and for the many blessings that you bring to my life.  I consider being your mother one of the greatest gifts that God has ever given me, and I look forward to all the days ahead, getting to walk with you as you grow into the man that God has created you to be.

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

The bikes are out!

The mundo is out.

G-Bear looks great on her new bike.

E-Bear is ready to go.

Buddy Bear loves his strider.

J-Bear loves her red and blue trike.

It is only mid-April, and we are already biking away on these lovely warm evenings, visiting friends,  enjoying the neighborhood, refreshing our souls.  We are quite a sight, with four on a bike with T and a nice belly on the Momma trailing behind ;)

Happily Ever,

Queen B

An Easter tooth

In all the excitement on Easter Sunday, E-Bear lost his second tooth on the way home from 

Easter dinner.  Once we retrieved the tooth (lost briefly in the car and accompanied by great wailing), there was great rejoicing.  To make sure the Tooth Fairy didn't miss the news amidst all the Easter excitement, G-Bear helped E-Bear compose a note that was tucked under his pillow with the tooth.

Success!  

The next morning, there where two shiny quarters under E-Bear's pillow where the tooth had been.
Congratulations on your second tooth, E-Bear. :)

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Spring Snowmen

It is technically spring in Minnesota, but that doesn't mean we are done making snowmen.

This week, we enjoyed three inches of brand new snow.  The southern suburbs got ten inches!  Lucky ducks. :)  We made the most of the new fallen snow by making snowmen after school in our backyard.  I showed G-Bear how to roll a snowball around the yard to make it into a snowman, and she got really good at it.  By the time the kids and I were done, we had a village of five snow people. 

 J-Bear made sure that all the snowmen were sturdy enough not to fall over. 

We also had one snow dog, courtesy of Buddy Bear.  

E-Bear did a great job making sure each of our snow people had appropriate accessories. 

 This time of year, we know that the snow can't last too long, even in Minnesota.  That makes afternoons like this one so very special.  I felt like we were stealing one last day snow play day.  And if it snows again?  I'm okay with that too.

Happily Ever,

Queen B