The 1-Eyed Teddy Bear

Monday, May 2, 2016 by  

The point of this story need not identify of the owner of the 1-eyed teddy bear, but rather WHO this fellow is made all the difference in saving our son’s cuddly animals.

The man actually cannot be identified because he is a secret agent on a very significant level. He is close to our family and we all adore him but we keep conversation limited to family stuff, old friends, or school happenings. He signs his holiday envelopes as James Bond. It’s all very cool in a surreptitious kind of way, the “secret” in secret agent makes it sound so hush-hush, and the undercover missions we are never allowed to know about are wrapped in clandestine mystery. All very exciting, so what does this have to do with stuffed animals?  Proud of our son, strapping young man, England, Abercrombie & Fitch

Our eldest is a strapping 24-year-old dude with beer posters in his room and a steady girlfriend at the helm.

Siberian tiger, blue-eyed tiger, white tiger, little boy, stuffed animals, cuddly animals, The 1-Eyed Teddy BearRewind about 14 years and here was a kid with a ton of stuffed animals, some from babyhood, others won at the amusement park, many from the big glass box with the grabber handle thingie at the diner. An admirer of big cats, one of his favorite was a huge white tiger with sharp blue eyes.

For a long time, my husband felt our son needed to unload his cuddly animals. I’d protest seeing the quiet sadness in our child’s eyes. The subject came up at significant milestones, like award ceremonies, moving from elementary to middle school, etc. I understood my husband’s point of view: he wanted to make our son grow up, be a man, get tough. I understood my son’s point of view: at that time he was still an only child and he wasn’t ready.

Then one year we visited Washington, D.C. and James Bond invited us to stay in his homThe 1-Eyed Teddy Bear, Steiff, Steiff teddy bear, old bear, loved bear, teddy bear, James Bond, James Bond's bear, James Bond's teddy bear, teddy on the bed, revered bear, revered teddye. He was away, as usual, and he couldn’t say where he was, except that he would leave the key for us under the mat. Under the mat?!? He lives with all this enigmatic secrecy but leaves the house key under the mat!

It was very exciting to walk around his home. Medals, awards, Christmas cards from the presidents over the last 20 years, and as we walked upstairs to pick out our rooms for the night, there, in the middle of the master bedroom, sitting proudly atop the big bed, was a 1-eyed Steiff teddy bear with a worn nose, an untied yellow bow & fur so loved-off and cuddled, it was a treasure to behold.

It was also ammunition to ward off any more attempts to clear out stuffed animals from our son’s room. “If James Bond can keep his teddy bear, so can I!” 
Tiger, Siberian tiger, blue-eyed tiger, students, enrichment program, enrichment school program, teacher with students, teacher and students and tiger, centerpiece of classroom, buddy for reading
So that was that. More than a decade’s passed and on his own, our son has donated his stuffed animals along the way – but that’s the important part of this story – it was on his terms, his timing and his choice of where they went. The huge white tiger is now the centerpiece & reading buddy in a fantastic enrichment school.Toys, princess dresses, dresses, playroom, play room, donation, giving (4)
I never take anything from my children without asking them. Together we donate what they choose to give up when they choose to. It teaches them to let go, to give to others and to stay organized. (Little One sorting>>)

Toys, princess dresses, dresses, playroom, play room, donation, giving (2)There is a marvelous organization called YoungLives which helps teenage mothers. Every 3rd Wednesday, the young mothers meet at a church in Norwalk, CT to learn about God and their children, plus, they can choose items they need that people have donated.

When our daughter was ready to donate her toys or princess dresses, etc., we would bring them to the church and she would see firsthand the children light up with joy as they pickedBarbies, mermaids, singers, butterfly fairies, butterfly fairy, Barbie mermaid out what they would like. She saw a little     2-year-old boy dive into her Elmo chair exclaiming, “That’s mine, I love this chair!” And little girls picking out sparkly dresses. Or Barbies. Or unicorns.Toys, princess dresses, dresses, playroom, play room, donation, giving (1)

The children were happy and it made our child well up with joy to see the kids’ faces light up while new life was instantly breathed into her cherished pieces. It deeply linked giving to pleasure. You can check out organizations in your area like YoungLives, Birthright, Hopeline or any organization that benefits a cause you believe in. We’ve also donated her crib, baby furniture and Pack-n-Plays.

Child donating stuffed animals, child donating toys, Africa, orphans, FedEx, FedEx box for donation, kindness, thoughtfulness, readiness of a child, giving

Our daughter has given up lots of her cuddly animals, even packing & sending many huge boxes to Africa.

The Bright SpotTM bright spot flower – The exciting thing about the missionary we shipped her stuffed animals toOrphans, stuffed animals, given with love, children snuggling new animals, Africa, love, swells our hearts is that they sent back photos of orphan children cuddling her animals! A fine day, indeed. Again, on our children’s terms while reinforcing a life skill of giving as a pleasure.

 


Bianca

Whimsy & Reverie ~ Fairies Delight

Tuesday, April 12, 2016 by  

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (2)

 

 

Our darling last year at the renowned     New York Renaissance Faire (left).

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this year’s faire, she knew exactly what she was looking for in a gown…

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (3)

 

For over 38 years, fairies & fellows, princesses & knights alike have gathered throughout 65 acres of Sterling Forest, Tuxedo, NY to celebrate the Elizabethan era at the Renaissance Faire!

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (34)

 

 

 

We

 

 

 

 

 

We went again this year with family & friends. Our 10-year-old told us this is her favorite summer tradition, now several years running.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From dragon rides…

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (38)New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (37)

…to cuddling baby dragons, there’s an adventure around every corner.

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (57) New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (58)

If you love acrobats & magic, sword fights & jousting, this is definitely the place for you.

With 20 stages and over 100 shops, there is something for everyone, young or seasoned.

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (26) New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons (

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Our Darling played the flute for the Woodland Fairy, the Acorn Fairy, the harpist and the Queen.

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (45)

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (62) New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (66)

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (78) New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (77)

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Armor and headdress for every age…

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (43)   New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (75)
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…thundering horses and overflowing … overflowing…well, simply overflowing…!!!…

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (54) New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (52)

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (51) …overflowing attractions from wenches serving mead!

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (40)  New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (39)  New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (84)

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (80) New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (69)

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (25)

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (76)  New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (28) New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (85)

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (18)

bright spot flowerThe Bright Spot – For swashbuckling pirates, jousting, boating on the lake or dancing around the Maypole, be sure to visit a Renaissance Faire near you, so magical, indeed!

I’m looking forward to seeing what our Darling picks out for her dress next year.

 

 

 

 

Sweet Acorn Fairy kisses farewell till then…

New York Renaissance Faire, Renaissance Faire, Renaissance, fairy, fairies, dulcimer, flute, medieval, medieval times, dragons ( (63)


Bianca

Pumpkin Henge

Friday, October 19, 2012 by  

“Do you smell that, Mommy?” I wasn’t smelling anything, I was heading intoIndian corn, red corn, maze, Pumpkin Henge, Pumpkin picking, pumpkin patch, Halloween, October, holidays, family time, family together, friends, fun, family fun (15) Party City for a dolphin balloon, last errand of the evening, my mind racing with the day’s events. “Smell what, Honey,” I asked, clutching her little, warm hand in mine as we weaved through the busy parking lot.

“Autumn.”

Gorgeous BIG pumpkin with curly stem, Pumpkin Henge, Pumpkin picking, pumpkin patch, Halloween, October, holidays, family time, family together, friends, fun, family fun (10)I stopped immediately between the safety of parked cars and looked at her. “What do you smell?” She looked up at me and then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “The smokey smell in the crisp air, that smokiness you smell when fireplaces crackle and leaves fall gently outside and we get costumes for Halloween and then the holidays begin!” Then she opened her eyes and smiled serenely.

What a simple delight when we stop everything and listen to our children. When we halt our harried lives and smell the air around us. Yes, just stop and breathe. Pumpkin Henge, Pumpkin picking, pumpkin patch, Halloween, October, holidays, family time, family together, friends, fun, family fun (3)

We took the kids to a 150-year-old farm for hayrides & pumpkin picking, corn mazes and strawberry fields…forever…

 

Strawberry, fresh strawberry patch, crop of strawberries, baby strawberry, unripe strawberry, Pumpkin Henge, Pumpkin picking, pumpkin patch, Halloween, October, holidays, family time, family together, friends, fun, family fun (13)

 

 

Pumpkin patch, fun in Autumn, crisp air, sunny skies, white pumpkins, rainbow, strawberry fields, strawberries (3)   Pumpkin patch, fun in Autumn, crisp air, sunny skies, white pumpkins, rainbow, strawberry fields, strawberries (1)

Pumpkin patch, fun in Autumn, crisp air, sunny skies, white pumpkins, rainbow, strawberry fields, strawberries (2)

Pumpkins, squash, gourds, totally cute (5) Pumpkins, squash, gourds, totally cute (3)
The girls worked hard creating their very own Pumpkin Henge: Pumpkin Henge, Pumpkin picking, pumpkin patch, Halloween, October, holidays, family time, family together, friends, fun, family fun (20)

Batman Marilyn Monroe Sherry-Netherland Hotel Doubles New York CityAfter 20 years, I’m turning in my Marilyn outfit to match our daughter as “princess & queen”Costumes, matching Mommy-Daughter costumes, princess and queen, red and gold costumes, gowns, beautiful fabric as we help coordinate this year’s Fall Festival and organize the costume parade with Batman.

Oh, I do love my Batman!  Click here for more about my very own Caped Crusader: http://theletstalkmom.com/tea-talk-momversations/my-caped-crusader/

The Bright SpotTM  bright spot flower – It’s not just roses we have to slow down for, smell the Autumn, too. 🙂 Snoopy pumpkin, Snoopy, Pumpkins


Bianca