In a Build-a-Bear galaxy

Sometimes my kids ooze with kindness for each other—and often it is Caelan leading the charge. The girls were so excited to sell cookies, earn “cookie dough,” and pack into a van with their friends (and their friends’ moms), to build some bears. A couple years ago, Grandma Judi took the oldest three to the beary-exciting wonderland, but Graysen was too little. Caelan felt that he too should have a bear, so she decided to spend her Girl Scout money on a bear for him, and an outfit for her.

 

Here are the highs and lows—she and Gabby (after a little mom guidance) chose less expensive bears to stuff, so they could have a more flexibility in the outfit department. Knowing her brother’s current glee in all things Star Wars, Caelan chose a music box to put in the bear’s paw that plays the Star Wars theme (we step on it all the time, accidentally, it’s like our house’s theme music :o) On the outfit wall, she found a full on Jedi uniform with light saber—seriously cute! She named it Graysen Bear Ken Obi and then chose a pretty outfit for her own bear at home.

So in the midst of all this sweetness and thoughtfulness, she got her first taste of cattiness. The place was packed and we had a big group to start with. The BaB ladies did their best to keep the girls entertained, but it all became very chaotic. Caelan is a kind kid, and she was befuddled at the aggressiveness some of the other little girls showed in winning the “next in line to stuff” position. So much so, that she got a pretty harsh stomach ache. In tears, she came over by me and explained why she was upset. I tried to give her a few minutes to chill. She pulled herself together and then went back to the foray. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for one of the girls (still have no clue which one) to start some name calling and accusations that she was crying because she didn’t get a turn, which of course wasn’t at all true. Caelan was heart-broken. She said, “I tried to explain that my stomach hurt, but I think she was being rude on purpose!”

It sucked, but it was such a good opportunity for her to think through why kids can be mean. We talked about how that is probably how the other little girl has been treated when she is upset, and that it is really sad that she hasn’t learned a better way. We decided it was a good idea to pray for her and to treat her extra kindly the next time.


Now back to the good stuff—the first thing Graysen did the next morning was ask Caelan, “Where’s my sugar puppy?” (the stuffed buddy they selected together on-line). She told him there wasn’t a Sugar Puppy at the store, but she got him something much better. What a happy little brother he was! Here’s a video . . .