For Emily Mae

I had never ventured into a Build-A-Bear Workshop until a little over a year ago when I took my two daughters there on a Mommy-Daughter date. I was impressed that you could actually build a nice bear and have a fun experience for very little money if you didn't buy any clothes.

I decided that I would take all of my nieces and nephews to Build-A-Bear Workshop on their birthdays- and we would lay off the clothes and leave that to their mom and dad!

My first trip was with Adrianna and Lydia. Lydia's birthday is June 28th and Adrianna's is July 30th. When we got there they were having a sale! And I love sales! I could get the bear (any bear), a complete outfit, and SHOES for $30! So guess what the sucker of an aunt did- yes, I insisted that they get the bear, the outfit and the shoes!!!

Lydia Ruth June 28th and Adrianna Christine July 30th

Caitlin and Sabrina went with Lydia and Adrianna to Build a Bear, since they had been before they were very helpful in helping the girls know what to do. They were actually really, really helpful. It was from Caitlin and Sabrina that Odie and Lydia learned that getting clothes for the bears was even an option! It went something like, "and then you can get some of these clothes! Which ones do you want?" Guess Mom didn't have too much time to go over the game rules! But then again, they were having a sale...

After the girls chose which bear they wanted they got to help the lady work the machine so that their bears were nice and soft.

Once the bears are all stuffed it is really important that they have a heart. Odie chose a very special one for her bear. She rubbed the heart to keep it warm, kissed it to show it love, made a wish, and lots of other things so that this would be the perfect heart for her bear!

After stuffing the bears they gave them an air bath to get rid of any fuzzies. They also got to choose a set of clothes and shoes for the bears. Last, they named the bears and received birth certificates for them.

In the van on the way back the girls had a lot of fun dressing their new bears. (Want to guess how long it took for them to lose the shoes?!)

Eden Marie October 1st

Eden was SO excited for her turn to go to Build-A-Bear. She had to wait an extra week to be able to go because on her birthday she had the swine flu! Sabrina went along with Eden to help her know what to do. It didn't take long for Eden to choose which bear she wanted. It was pink and the MOST 'girly', 'colorful' bear available. It was all Eden!

Eden helped the lady to make her bear special.

When it came time to choose clothes I knew EXACTLY which ones would fit Eden's personality. And wouldn't you know that she walked right up to them, picked them up and said, "I'm ready Aunt Mollie!" They were the most flamboyant, sparkly, dressy clothes there! When it came time to do the birth certificate Eden knew exactly what she would name her bear. She chose the name Katie. Eden loves her bear!

Reese Cameron November 17th

Reese was so excited to go to Build A Bear. She kept me updated as to when her birthday was so that I could plan it just right and we would have the opportunity to go to Build-A-Bear. She went in and looked at all of the bears. But she didn't choose a bear, she chose a horse. I tried to talk her into a bear, but she wouldn't have it. She wanted a horse! We had to make it a complete horse by putting in a button that makes a horse neighing sound.

Reese had a lot of fun helping make her bear. She warmed the heart in her hands and gave it a kiss and made a special wish just for her bear. Reese chose the perfect clothes for her horse when it came time. However, due to the horse having 4 feet and the quickness with which Odie and Lydia lost the shoes for their bears, we opted out of buying shoes!

Preston Scott February 22nd

I have so much fun taking all of my nieces and nephews, but taking Preston has to have been one of most sweet and precious experiences. I asked all of the boys if they would rather go to play Laser Tag or if they would like to go to Build-A-Bear. (Notice that there are not pictures of Ethan or Jonas in here! They are going to do Laser Tag!) It didn't take Preston any thinking at all. He wanted to go to Build-A-Bear (or as he would say it "Build-A- Bar" with the Bar held out for a long time!)

When we got there to look at the bears he went right up to the green camouflage bear and with the most sincere loving face said, "This is the one I want." He held onto it and took it to the lady so that it could be stuffed. When it was time to warm the heart, kiss it, and make a wish he took it all very seriously so that his bear would have the best!

Then we took it to get a bath. He scrubbed down his bear very gently. When it was time to choose clothes he chose an army officer's uniform and it just had to have shoes! (when you have an adorable smile like Preston you can get your Aunt Mollie to buy shoes for your bear!) Oh, and I can't forget that his bear also makes growling noises! He chose a button to place inside the bear's hand to make it growl. When it came time to fill out the birth certificate I asked him what he was going to name the bear or 'bar'. He looked at him lovingly and said, "Hmmm. I'm going to name him 'Army'. So Army it was! On the way home I helped him dress Army at the stop lights. He was so excited to have him and told me over and over how much he loved Army and thank you for taking him. The best was when I visited their house 1 to 2 weeks later and he had Army's shoes still together (on the hook they came on ) and the clothes also together. Army goes lots of places with Preston. It makes me smile that he loves him so much!

Emily Mae January 4th

Emily waited almost 3 months for an opportunity to go to Build A Bear! She was so patient. She was also very, very excited! I had the opportunity to go to Columbia SC and stay Friday and Saturday with Jason and his family. On Saturday I took Emily to go to Build A Bear. When I got to her house to get her she was all dressed and very ready to go. She told me that she knew EXACTLY what it was that she wanted to get! She also mentioned to me that I ought to put pictures up on my blog of the Build-A-Bear trips so that I would have something different! I really enjoyed talking with Emily on our way to the mall. She told me all about school and about all of her friends. Then we talked about all of the responsibility that comes along with being an older sister. She said that she enjoys it, except for when Adam makes poopy diapers!

Emily and I went very close to Easter, so there were special Easter animals to choose from. Emily chose the very colorful flowered bunny. She was so excited to get her. Then when it was time to choose the outfit she chose a very beautiful and colorful set of clothes. I wish I had a picture of her bunny in them! But I forgot!

Jesse Martin May 12th

I have been looking forward to taking Jesse to Build A Bear all year! Jesse loves bears! Secretly I was trying to see if I could beat out the now raggedy bear that he got from Aunt Heather, but I don't think it will!

For Jesse's trip to Build-A-Bear Ethan went with us. Jesse and Ethan are buddies. Those boys stick together. Jesse tries to be just like Ethan and follows him everywhere.

Jesse was amazed at all of the choices of bears. He gave EACH one a hug to see how soft it was. Then we had to narrow down which bear he would like. Ethan got them all lined up in a row. Jesse chose the black bear.

After it was all stuffed Jesse gave his bear an air bath. Then we went to lool for clothes. That was harder than choosing a bear! He liked EVERYTHING! I came across an outfit that reminds me of the way that Jesse dresses. When I told him that and asked him if this was one he would like he said, 'yes'. But then again, he also said yes to lots of other things that Ethan suggested. But he did make the final decision on the clothes he chose!

After choosing clothes- oh, and a football, and a growling sound to go in the paw of his bear, Ethan filled out the birth certificate for Jesse. When Ethan asked Jesse what he wanted to name his bear he said, 'Jonas'. So Jonas it was! Ethan helped Jesse dress Jonas in the van on the way home. Jesse was very proud of his bear and loves him a whole lot- although I think that Mr. Bear will always be his favorite!

My New World!!!

I thought that this post would be so easy to write- but I think I am going to find it a bit difficult. If you haven't heard by now, I have my hearing aids. I am really excited to have them, but I think that those around me are more excited!

I was originally supposed to pick them up last Tuesday, but was able to move my appointment to Monday. I called my mom and asked her to come with me. My mom has bad hearing also, and really understands where I am coming from and how this has affected my life. As soon as the hearing aids went on I began hearing new sounds. I heard my mom whisper to me and talk quietly to me!!! She was a little overwhelmed by watching me as I heard new sounds.

I picked my kids up from Suzanna's (who was so kind to watch them for me!) and came home. Trying to teach my first piano lesson with hearing aids on was INTENSE! There was so much noise going on that I had a hard time focusing on my student because there was so much noise going on in the background.

The best was when my husband, Grant, came home. I was getting supper ready in the kitchen and from behind me he whispered 'I Love you!' I, very normally, responded back 'I love you too!' I didn't realize that he had whispered to me- but I heard him! He jumped up and down he was so excited for me.

So, here are a few new things that I have heard so far-

• The beautiful chirppings of birds
• The rustling of leaves
• The fall of a footstep
• The T.V. from another room
• The T.V. on a very low setting (11 vs. 25)
• My kids DS games with the sound on, while I am in another room (previously I couldn't hear the sound unless I held it right on my ear!)
• The sound of material rubbing together
• The creak of a stair.
• The sound of the wind
• My husband's prayers
• My children from upstairs!
• Normal conversation
• A movie in the movie theatre
• My piano students with really soft voices
• Water running
• The phone ringing
• Someone knocking at the front door

I'm sure there are a lot more that I will hear. Grant is having a good time watching my reaction as I hear all of these new sounds. Last Wednesday morning I went outside to put things in the van and the birds were singing and singing. Usually, I will only hear 1 or 2 birds for a very short time. But there were HUNDREDS of them singing! I did not know which way to turn my head to focus in on the sound.

I am enjoying each new day- but there are many times that I want to, and have the luxury of turning my hearind aids off!!!

Leftovers, Inventions, and The Difficulties of Being Little!

This is going to be really short- but it was too cute to pass up.

Leftovers

A couple of weeks ago Caitlin came home from school and told me about the wonderful lunch she had. They had Chicken nuggets and she said that they were the best ever and that I just had to try some! I really, really, don't like Chicken nuggets. Today she got into the van and said 'Mom I have a surprise for you and Sabrina!" I told her that I was excited because I liked surprises. Then out of her front pants pocket came a 1/2 eaten chicken nugget! She proceeded to tare off a piece for me and a piece for Sabrina- yes, we had to eat the piece of the chicken nugget that had been in her pants pocket for 3 hours and already partially distributed amongst other kids in the car riders line. The best thing is that she is saving the biggest portion of her chicken nugget for her dad! Yummy! Yummy!

Inventions

My son Ethan is very, very, very smart, and I'm sure he is not the first child to figure this out, but he has found a solution to one of his biggest peeves. Ethan hates doing his spelling homework. Who wants to write 20 words 3 times each??? He feels that it is the biggest waste of his valuable time. It could be better spent playing! Ethan came to me and said, "Hey Mom, do you want to see what I can do? I can write my spelling words real quick now." Then he brought his book over and took 3 pencils side by side and lined them up vertically. Each pencil was on a different line. Then he started writing his spelling words. So, he figures that he only has to write his spelling words once now!






I think he is somehow missing the point! His mom does agree that this is a cool and inventive method for writing spelling words, however it is too bad that he will now have to write his spelling words 9 times!



The Difficulties of Being Little!


Poor Sabrina! It is tough being 3 and only weighing in at 22 pounds with clothes on! It's rough being a toddler and still having to shop in the baby section for shorts but to be so small that no pants exist that will stay upon her waste without a belt from that wraps 1.5 times around her waist! Her butt will fit into the palm of your hand and you can lift her without straining or hurting your back.



We had a 'snow' in North Carolina that cancelled school for the day. Anywhere North of here would have called it a flurry. (In the defense of the canceling of schools for such light snow, it's because snow is such a rare occasion down here that the government has invested very little in the way of trucks and snow plows. There is no way for our roads to be cleared- we have to wait for it to melt.)




Okay, so on with the story. Of course with snow, you have to go outside and play in it. It was the perfect kind of snow for snowballs and snowmen. It packed together just right! However, apparently when you make snowmen and snowballs if you apply 22 pounds of pressure to the snow it will stick together just right. How do I know this? Sabrina tried it out. When she walks in the snow it sticks to the bottom of her boots and doesn't fall off. Instead, layer by layer of snow is added to her feet and in a matter of a few steps she is all of the sudden anywhere from 3 to 6 inches taller! Bless her heart! She was walking peg legged! (the snow didn't always stay on both boots!



On of the loves I have of North Carolina, is that one day it can be snowy, and the next it can be warm and sunny. I think this next picture was taken about a week after the snow. Sabrina is riding on her 'horse'. We try to teach modesty in our home, but it doesn't always work!

The Male Bond

There aren't many boys in our family. So the ones that are here have to stick together. Ethan has taken it upon himself to make sure that Jesse learns the ways of being a guy. Jesse does just about everything that Ethan does. He plays cars with him. Jesse loves to play Light-Sabers with Ethan, he is always the blue or purple light-saber. And he loves to play video games with Ethan, especially the Wii games! He mimics Ethan in everything that he does. It is so much fun to watch!

We got to have Jesse and his sisters over today while Chad and Suzanna went Christmas shopping. Yeah, the girls were fun- but Jesse- he was pure entertainment! I was so tired and was lying on the couch waiting for Chad and Zanna to get here to pick up the kids. Both Grant and I were falling asleep when we heard this loud grunting noise. I opened my eyes, and this is what I saw!

I apologize for this video being side-ways, but I think you get the idea of how much Jesse loves to be with and be like Ethan!