Love is in the Bear Hair

Valentine's Day 2013 was right around the corner and I had two men after me this year... the lucky girl I am. I didn't have my loves on the very day, but that didn't stop me from making it as special as I could. The boys and I were in the store one day picking some random things up when they spotted the holiday aisle that was full of pink, red, sweets, hearts and big huge stuffies. The boys love their stuffed animals and the bigger they are, the bigger their eyes become for them. I had to get not one but two... and later as a surprise, for them. My wheels started turning to figure out how to make this just right.

I decided to dress these big bears that were about the size of my sons in little gifts. Most were practical. I determined that in light of what I found folding the laundry one day:

I put 5-10 pairs of boxer briefs on each bear butt, and then padded them with new socks. One wore a church shirt and the other some uniform shirts... and both were over a few under shirts. The back side's were also packed with Valentine Chocolates. In place of the heart, I stuffed a box of the classic heart shaped candies with messages on them. I topped it with a sappy card from mom and a huge mylar balloon scribbled with love graffiti... tied to each paw.

The presents were only half of the scheme, the other piece was the presentation... just as important. I wanted something fun. They had no idea what was coming, especially because it wasn't quite Valentines Day yet. I kept the dressed up giants crammed in a closet until it was time.

The boys were playing like boys should be... out in the sunshine, grass and on playground equipment with others. I picked them up and Scarlet ran to fetch them. Before they got in the car I whipped out blindfolds and tied them tightly on each head as I watched their little faces smile trying to see what Mom was up to. We drove home and when they finally found their ways through the door they had to find their surprises. They needed to locate them using the verbal hot/cold hints around the house. I know Benny peeked because he was looking up and through any bit of the blindfold... and mysteriously drifted right to where his bear sat. Pickle.

They absolutely loved them, and the process of getting them. Taking all of those boxer briefs off of the firm bear butts slowed them down a smidgen. Once it was down to bear and all bear hair they were snuggled, played with and named. The Sergeant named his Kevin. Benny named his Calvin. Calvin and Kevin have since joined us for dinner... and breakfast. I hopped in the car one day and the boys had belted them in to take along with. They have brightened their rooms, complimented the beds that are made and taken up half of the couch. Mostly though, they have made snuggles over our end of the day talks and prayers much warmer... my favorite perk. I think theirs too.

Happy Valentines Day

Love,
Mama Bear

Piano VS Football

This glorious day has come that we have a piano to call our own... a Rudolph Wurlitzer beauty! Just when I thought our home couldn't possibly squeeze this level of charm in... it gets cozier around here. This upright has been loved on just like everything all around it in the place it sits... and we shall carry on in that theme, in our style.

We got it from a very sweet Mr. & Mrs. far, far away. I thought that choosing a piano was going to be the lengthy and meticulous process, but it was actually getting the piano from travel point "A" to travel point "B" that was the trickster. After three set dates and a few companies later, the day had arrived. I was really tired actually. The Sergeant was up literally all night with waves of crying from the culprit of double ear infections. There was nothing that I did that helped, but the snuggles that drifted us both to sleep at wee hours of the morning... finally. Then Benny wakes me to remind me it is the day... and we nest for our delivery that will be coming. We found the perfect spot. It's where you can feel the breeze when the door is open, see the candle I like to light, against the wall to focus and most importantly hear from wherever you are. See, it's perfect, every darn bit.

Between a doctor visit for my Sergeant and some cat-naps, it came. I got the joy to welcome it first... after I inched it just where I wanted it of course. Stink played some chicken-pecked classic songs in his underwear like he wasn't even sick.  And I knew Benny was going to fall in love for it.

Benny, my son that has a more developed side of the arts has always eyed pianos and gets right up on them to play, without knowing what he is truly doing. There is this one summer image that I won't ever forget of him at a beach house... I took a picture to keep memory of it:

It's how Benny's nickname started. He looked proper, like a proper boy with the name of Benjamin should. He sat tall as his hands spaced just right towards the keys, eyeing everything he was doing with wonder... and turns to me with those glowing eyes of his and creates the sweetest of true smiles. Then starts playing, but turning his smile to what he was doing. I wanted to attack him with a million kisses. But I held back, for the moment anyways, and captured his curiosity. I saw another one of those 'looks of interest' recently and it was time to really dive in to this and see where things go.

Benny came home from School and ran right to our perfect place where the piano awaits... and yes, love for it is where he fell. He and I are taking lessons together to build our talent and continue to grow our mommy-son relationship. My sweet boy that loves his quality time. I can't wait to play with him. The Sergeant likes to play as well- but his version is more like short sessions of pounding, followed by running outside. Benny's touch of the keys are much different than brother's, and he is focused. Benny was ambidextrous in preschool... wrote with his left as he dotted, crossed and switched with and to his right... until I made him choose a hand which was recommended by his teacher, because he wouldn't. So, he uses both hands equally wonderful as he plays the piano.

The Sergeant, who would rather be on the football field knocking people down, running and catching a ball started tackle football today. Even though his talents are different... he is just as gifted. He has been running around the house in his tackle gear getting re-acclimated, but between home conditioning did make a song for mom on the piano I will share.


I am going to wait to share Benny's work until he says it's okay.... What I can tell you is that the sound of my child playing the piano is the most sweetest sounds I have ever cooked to in my very kitchen.