Girls Day Out

While we were on our family cross-country road trip this summer, G-Bear confided to me that she wished for a day just with me -- a Girls Day Out.  I told her that I would love that too and asked her to make a list of things that she would like to do together.  I'll treasure the list for a long time to come.

Together, we planned our day, and finally, just before school started, we were able to make it a reality.   Miss M, our awesome babysitter, came over to play with J-Bear and the boys.  Then I got to sneak out with this lovely lady:

G-Bear braided our hair for the occasion, and we both wore our pearls and pink dresses.  

We had a bag of goodies with us for our day together.

We were ready.

Our first stop was the Barnes & Noble in Mall of America.  G-Bear had said she wanted to read books together, so we headed straight for the kids' section.  We sat there reading and perusing books for an hour and a half.  What a wonderful luxury!  What a treat that we both love books so much! There were so many good books that we didn't even have time to look at all of our interests, so we made a promise to make a list of favorites and return sometime soon. 

Pretty soon, our tummies were rumbling, which was perfect because I admitted to G-Bear that I had made reservations for lunch.  She was surprised, amazed and full of smiles when we walked into the American Girls store and I told her we were having lunch there.  What an unbelievable treat!  Now G-Bear understood why I had suggested that we bring our American Girl dolls along.  G-Bear had dressed Molly and Samantha to the nines for the occasion.

 We had time to peruse the store together right before being seated for our reservation.  We giggled and bounced from display to display.  I loved seeing which ones she liked the best.  Then, who should meet us for our table?  Why, MoMo of course!  

It was so fitting that MoMo could join us for many reasons.  MoMo loved the original American Girls when they were still made by Pleasant Company way back when I was little.  There wasn't an American Girl store in Minnesota when I was young, so we never got to go to an American Girl store together.  But, MoMo pioneered the whole idea of a Mom-And-Me-Day for me when I was young, and as with all things, MoMo taught me well.  I have amazing, awe-inspiring memories of Mom and Me Days with MoMo at ValleyFair, eating mini doughnuts, getting sick on french silk pie, watching IMAX movies and eating lunch together during the show at the Red Saloon.  It is largely because of my wonderful memories with MoMo that I was so excited to make similar memories with G-Bear.  So, of course, MoMo had to be invited to lunch.

The American Girl Bistro is a wonderful treat.  The restaurant is full of details that make the experience special.  For instance, each place setting napkin was folded with a ribbon that was actually a hair tie and ours to keep.  Our table also boasted a cute pink box filled with thoughtful questions to ask each other to foster conversation during lunch.

The dolls were give seats of honor at the table in their very own highchair.  Should a guest forget to bring a doll, there are borrow dolls at the front desk ready to dine with you.  Samantha and Molly each received a cup and plate for their meal that they were allowed to take home, just another fun momento from the meal.  Our table also boasted a cute pink box filled with thoughtful questions to ask each other to foster conversation during lunch.

For all the special details, lunch was really very reasonably priced.  For fifteen dollars per person, we each got to choose an appetizer and a main course.  My appetizer was the fruit and yogurt plate, complete with mini muffins and a daisy hair accessory.  MoMo had the soup and G-Bear chose the soft pretzel bites.  For lunch, I had a delicious salad, MoMo had a lovely club sandwich and G-Bear choose a yummy pasta dish.  We were all impressed with our meals.

We did have one stowaway, but Blue Bear was very good.  He slept most of the time in the sling and only woke up long enough to eat, burp and look around.  G-Bear gave him an exemption to attend the girls'  day because he is so little.

 G-Bear choose a root beer float from the extensive and impressive dessert menu and drank the whole thing like a champ.  Then it was time for us to say good-bye to MoMo for the afternoon.  We had a wonderful time all together.

I saved my treat -- an afternoon coffee-- so that G-Bear and I could head to a coffee shop to finish off our afternoon.  We still had to paint nails and make friendship bracelets, and we were running out of time!  So, over my latte, we taught ourselves how to weave with G-Bear's friendship bracelet kit.  It was easier than I thought and G-Bear declared that it was her new favorite thing to do, "almost like sewing!"

When we ran out of time at the coffee shop, I promised that we would paint nails later that night because the boys were going to be away.  After we tucked J-Bear in bed, that is just what we did.  We got out our Migi nail pens and I painted blue and pink flowers for G-Bear and then taught her how to paint my nails with polish too.  It didn't take her long to figure it out.

We agreed that this had been a tremendously special day.  I thanked G-Bear for making me a mom.  I told her how blessed I felt to be able to spend a whole day with a wonderful eight year old like her.  If it weren't for G-Bear, I wouldn't get to spend a day giggling, holding hands, making friendship bracelets, painting nails and reading books on the floor of the bookstore.  I wouldn't be enjoying lunch at American Girl with MoMo and a darling girl who loves to read the conversation questions.  G-Bear is a tremendous friend and daughter, and my life is rich and full because of the energetic, enthusiastic, creative and eager girl that she is.  I am so thankful to enjoy so many of the things that she loves, and I love sharing in every moment with her.

"Mom, I can't wait for our next Girls Day Out," said G-Bear at the end of the day. 

Me either, sweetie.

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.

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

Big sisters are the best

J-Bear doesn't always enjoy holding my hand these days.

She is on the move, she wants to explore, sometimes she feels like I hold her back.

But, thankfully, J-Bear has a big sister and two big brothers.

She loves them all; her eye is always watching them.

And when Mom's hand just won't cut it,

there is a big sister's or brother's hand that she is delighted to hold.

Happily Ever,
Queen B

G-Bear First Communion

"This is my body, which will be given for you;

do this in memory of me."

~Luke 22:19

Today was G-Bear’s First Communion day.

G-Bear has been looking forward to this day for over a year.  Her class’ journey together during the school year has been truly special, and it has been a joy to watch G-Bear take on this step of faith on her own so intently.

Our celebration of G-Bear’s First Communion began the night before, when we were able to welcome four of our friends from the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus for dinner and dessert.  They were excited to give G-Bear their prayers and blessings.  The next morning, we welcomed MoMo and Papa and Aunty Cindy for a celebration lunch before the First Communion Mass.  G-Bear was bubbling over with excitement as I helped her into her clothes and helped her with her hair.  She wore her beautiful flower girl dress from the wedding last fall, a brand new ivory sash, her sparkle shoes, pearl stockings that she had been saving, and the fingertip veil that I wore for our wedding. 

Our parish does a beautiful ministry with first sacraments, and the First Communion Mass was no different.  Each family had a full pew, so we had plenty of space for all of us.  Uncle C and Miss K joined us at church just in time to see G-Bear process in with her class.  All of the children looked excited and radiant, and the families were filled with a joyfulness you could feel.  G-Bear also got to help with the procession of the gifts, carrying a book of Bible stories.  When it was time for communion, all of us got to go up to the front with her to watch and be with her as a family.  Back in the pew, I was so excited to get a big hug from a joyful G-Bear. 

Afterwards, we celebrated with cake in the lower church with family and friends.  We closed down the hall and were the last to leave.  At home, G-Bear opened a few gifts from family and friends: a beautiful silver box from MoMo and Papa with the date engraved on top, a lovely overnight bag from Nana with a subscription to MagnifiKids!, a book of saints from her godparents, and from T and me, an embroidered scapular necklace and the Bible that I was given in second grade that I read as a child. 

G-Bear seemed to truly treasure the whole day.  As we tucked everyone in for bed, she was already excited that in the morning it would be Sunday, and we would be going to Mass again.  I told her that the best part of First Communion is that it isn’t just one day, but a beginning to a new part of her life-long journey with Jesus. 

Lord, bless our G-Bear with a faith that continues to grow throughout her life!  We praise you and thank you for such a special First Communion Day.

Happily Ever,
Queen B