A Special Second Birthday with Papa and Presents

Who can pass up a birthday with these two?

What a weekend we have enjoyed, celebrating a First Communion and two precious birthdays!

MoMo was nice enough to host an Elmo birthday fit for our two year old princess and her mystery-aged Papa.  What a treat for all of us!

Surrounded by her Papa and a few presents (and adoring family, of course), J-Bear was in fine, joyful form. For most of the day, when we tried to emphasize to her that today was HER birthday party, she would  just grin, shake her head of curls and squeal, "Noooooo," in a joyful voice.  She couldn't believe it!  By the time of the party, however, we had all taught her to say her new age, "two!"

Once at MoMo's, our terrific two year old had no problem stealing the show.  She ooooed over MoMo's decorations and the Elmo bubble blower that graced the table.  When it was time to open presents, she knew just what to do: rip, rip, rip!

A few wonderful new books from Aunty Cindy,

 new boots from Mom and Dad,

 a Duplo set from MoMo and Papa,

and a few new dolly clothes all made our dear girl smile.

"Tank oooo!" she would say.

Such a big girl!

 J-Bear got to blow out candles twice:  

once for Papa,

and once all by herself.

Then she got to grab the Elmo decoration that she had been admiring!

J-Bear, your joy is so contagious!

 Our girl humored us for a few pictures with her loving siblings, all of whom were so thrilled to celebrate their sister for a day.

Finally, she got her piece of cake.  YUM! 

Now that is more like it!

(I think she ate two pieces!)

Happy birthday, J-Bear!

Happily Ever,
Queen B

Happy Birthday to Johnny Appleseed

From Grraphics by R.Ritchie

Today, so far as I know, is the birthday of Johnny Chapman, who is better known as Johnny Appleseed.  I can't vouch for the authenticity of the above quote, but I thought it appropriate to the American folklore surrounding Chapman and fitting for the spirit of the day that I would like my kids to remember.  Increasingly, I am asking God to help me see His great things in the small, whether in small acts of faithfulness, within little people, or within the seemingly small details of everyday life.

G-Bear was making applesauce in school today in honor of Johnny Appleseed's birthday.  So, the boys and I had a special apple lunch and then made Johnny Appleseed hats.

Johnny Appleseed was known for wearing a pot on his head, so we combined that theme with the above quote in the making of our headwear.

We could have easily substituted the "Appleseed Prayer" on our hats, or simply written "Oh, the Lord is good to me," or something of the like.

Our Johnny Appleseed hat

I can remember my dad singing the Appleseed Prayer to me as a child.  My kids already associate the prayer with Papa, so it has special sentimental value in my heart.  This was our prayer at lunch and dinner today:

"Oh, the Lord is good to me,

And so I thank the Lord

for giving me the things I need:

the sun and the rain and the apple seed.

The Lord is good to me.

Amen."

 This was such a beautiful way to spend an autumn day!  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

Papa's Office Pals

A few weeks ago, Papa was at his office and was visited by some Bears.

Let's just say he didn't get much done for the rest of the day.  :)

Little Eyes Looking Up

This weekend, while we were up at the lake, Papa took a moment to sit and enjoy the view.

Unless you look carefully, 

you might not notice Buddy Bear's shadow in the chair next to Papa.

He was enjoying the view too, right next to his beloved Papa Bear.

This quiet, precious moment reminded me that there are many, many moments in life

when a young person's admiring eyes are upon us.

Unless we look carefully, we might not notice.  

We might not know that we're being watched, learned from, admired.

 Thus, we have all the more reason to pray for the grace of a loving heart and worthy actions,

that little eyes might behold us in moments of grace, and embrace a path of love for their own lives.

Surely, Buddy Bear beholds that in his Papa.

May little eyes behold the same in each of us.

Signs of Spring

The surest sign that spring has finally sprung here in Minnesota.....

....are the bears seen in Papa's garden.

They are all hard at work.

The frost is gone,

and finally,

May flowers have come.

Happy Birthday, Papa Bear!

The song "When I'm 64" holds special meaning for us today,

because we are celebrating our dear Papa Bear!

When you get older, hair starts to grey, 

many years from now....

we'll still be sending you valentines, birthday greetings, bottles of wine....

....Doing the garden, pulling the weeds...

....who could ask for more?...

....We will still need you,

We will still feed you,

Long after you're 64!"

We love you, Papa!  

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Today we are celebrating our amazing Papa!

While he may have to put up with more than one joke about his age today, we are hoping he knows how much he is loved by all of us in Happily Ever Johnson Land.  As any sweet 3-year-old knows, nobody reads Sheep in a Jeep, or Sweet Dreams like Papa.  As any precious 18-month-old knows, nobody will sneak a cracker for you before dinner-time as successfully as Papa.  Whenever Papa is around, there is always someone who will wrestle, make funny faces, play in the garden, and make you feel like you are the most special person in the world.  My kids know it, because it is true.  And I am especially thankful that I have had 29 years with Papa, to play with him, learn from him, be inspired by him.  Papa, you are a son, husband and father that T and I continue to learn from--one we hope to be more like in many ways.

Happy Birthday, Papa!

Happily Ever,

Queen B