Hello friends and welcome to Sleep Tight Stories.
Bernice has been playing with Ethan, Bobby and Gertrude and is now hurrying home to get warm.
It is a very cold day and she needs something super delicious to help her warm up.
Bernice and Papa Bear talk about her morning, and she has questions for Papa Bear.
Are you cold?
Because I am so super cold, I'm worried that something like my nose might fall off, Ethan said.
Weather is so strange, I think.
First it's warm and the sun is shining, and then the sun disappears and it starts getting frosty cold.
He and Bernice walked home from the park where the biggest snowball battle in the history of the world had just happened.
At least that's what Bobby called it.
Bernice laughed.
Yeah, I think I'm missing my toes.
And maybe my nose.
Is it still there?
I can still breathe, but maybe I'm breathing through my mouth and that's why.
Your nose is still there, Ethan replied with a shiver in his voice.
But it's red like a reindeer's.
If it gets dark, do you think our red noses will start to glow and help us find our way?
Maybe it could be possible, Bernice giggled, her boots making crunching noises in the snow.
You know, I think we might have won today if Bobby didn't bring his new Snow Blaster 3000 snowball throwing machine.
Next thing you know, he'll make a robot to throw snowballs at us.
Yeah.
Yeah.
I think that's why he wanted to stop.
Not because it was so cold, but because his snowball thing wasn't working as well as it did at the beginning.
Ethan said
Yep.
But maybe we should get his snow blaster too.
Surprise him next time and overwhelm his defenses.
He would be so surprised.
Or, since it's a new year, maybe this year we invent our own snow machines.
Yeah, he would be super surprised, especially if we invented our own, Bernice agreed.
You know what I'm looking forward to when I get home?
I think I know, because I'm looking forward to it at my grandma's house too, Ethan said.
I can almost feel the chocolatey goodness warming up my belly.
Ha ha, we think alike.
I hope Papa has lots of hot chocolate waiting for me.
Maybe some treats, because I think I need them more than ever.
It's almost like an emergency.
Or at least it feels like one, Bernice said, slipping a little on the sidewalk.
There's my grandma's house, Ethan said.
You could come in and warm up if you like.
My grandma always says hot chocolate tastes better when you've worked hard or been cold.
You definitely worked hard today.
I'm sure she wouldn't mind sharing some treats.
Then we could go upstairs and read some books in the attic.
Bernice thought for a moment.
I'm sure it would be okay with Mama and Papa, but I think I'll keep going this time.
Maybe tomorrow, if you're visiting your grandma again.
I could bring some cookies and stuff.
Okay, Bernice, don't freeze walking down the sidewalk.
It's pretty cold out here.
I won't.
Talk to you later, alligator.
See you, Ethan yelled, running the rest of the way to the front door of his grandmother's house.
Bernice kept walking, then started running too.
It had seemed warmer walking with Ethan.
In no time at all, she reached her small house and ran up the walkway, stomping her feet on the step to get all the snow off her boots.
She opened and closed the door quickly so she wouldn't let all the warm air escape.
Standing just inside.
She smelled something chocolatey and vanilla-y and something cinnamon-y she couldn't quite name.
Papa, I'm home.
It's like the North Pole outside now.
I made it home, but I'm not sure I have a nose or toes anymore.
I may have left them at the park by mistake.
Sorry.
I'm in the kitchen making hot cocoa for you and Mama, Papa Bear called back in his super deep voice.
She went out for a long run and she'll be just as cold as you when she gets home.
Cookie, Bernice called.
I'm covered in snow, but you can still come say hello.
Cookie padded down the hallway from her resting spot and stopped at the edge of the entryway.
I know, I know, Cookie.
I'm covered in snow, but I'm brushing it off and then we can chat for like a second or so.
You wouldn't believe how cold it got outside.
Like I know you might not totally understand snow stuff, but when I went out to play snowballs with Bobby, Ethan and Gertrude Bobby and Gertrude were one team and Ethan and I were another it was super warm for winter.
And then it got really cold, like all of a sudden.
And windy.
So now I'm still a little shaky and tingly.
Cookie meowed but didn't come any closer.
Cookie did not like rain or snow or cold, not even a little bit.
Okay, done, Bernice said after taking off her boots, snow pants and jacket.
I'm out of my outside clothes.
Do you want a pet?
I could tell you all about Bobby's snowball throwing machine, the Snow Blaster 3000, and how he'll probably make a robot one soon and stuff.
This time Cookie meowed, walked toward Bernice, rubbed against her leg, got wet and quickly scampered away.
Sorry, Cookie, I guess I'm still wet in places.
Maybe we can chat later.
Bernice ran into the kitchen.
Papa!
Papa!
I think this is the first time ever that Cookie didn't want to sit and talk to me.
I must be really cold, or I guess a little bit wet.
You look like a popsicle, Papa Bear said with a laugh.
It got cold really fast.
I was outside shoveling and doing some other work when the weather changed.
I had to come in and get my parka on.
Yeah, Papa.
It was like being in the Arctic for a while and... Bernice touched her nose and wiggled her toes.
Phew!
I thought I left my toes and nose at the park and we'd have to go find them.
I wasn't joking when I just said that.
Though Ethan said my nose was still there.
Papa Bear laughed.
Well, I'm glad you didn't lose them.
Let me pour you a cup of hot cocoa, and maybe that will warm you up a little.
Can I have some cookies too, Papa?
My tummy isn't gurgling yet, but it's always a good time for cookies, right?
I think we can have some treats, Papa Bear said with a smile.
Bernice sat down and warmed her hands on the mug first, then took a slow sip.
The kitchen felt like the warmest place in the whole world.
I can feel the hot cocoa warming up my whole body Papa, but I think I might need a few more sips before the warmth reaches my toes.
Papa Bear laughed as he took a drink of his hot tea.
So tell me about your adventure in the park this morning.
Did you meet any polar bears or seals?
No, Papa, but Bobby and Gertrude won the snowball battle against Ethan and me.
But I think it was because Bobby used his new snowball throwing machine.
When it stopped working, he kind of wanted to stop.
Though it was getting pretty cold at that point, so we didn't complain.
Bobby always has a machine or a robot for something.
Win or lose, we always have fun.
And Bobby was his silly old self again today.
He said he's super serious about school now and stuff, though he always was just silly at the same time.
I'm glad you had fun, Little Bear.
When I was young, we used to build really big snow forts.
Sometimes we threw snowballs at each other, but I think I liked building the forts the most.
Yeah, that's fun.
We didn't make a big one, just a wall and stuff.
Bernice said, taking another drink, a bigger one this time.
This hot cocoa is yummy delicious, Papa.
I'm glad you're enjoying it, little bear.
I melted some chocolate and stirred it into our usual vanilla-flavored milk.
A good treat for after playing outside in the snow.
When will Mama get home?
I think it might be another hour yet.
I have the car ready just in case I have to rescue her from a snow bank, Papa Bear laughed.
Maybe she'll come back all covered in snow and we won't even recognize her.
We might think she's a snow monster instead, Bernice said.
They each took a bite of a cookie and another drink.
Then Bernice asked, So Papa, Should I have some resolutions this year?
I didn't last year, but I think I did before.
Resolutions are just goals though, right?
And I always have those.
I mean, I want to be a scientist and an athlete and an artist.
Maybe other stuff too.
But those don't seem like resolutions.
Well, Papa Bear said, A resolution is like a promise you make to yourself at the start of a new year.
Something you want to do or maybe change or get better at.
Like what kind of things?
Oh, all sorts.
Some people promise to exercise more or read more books or learn a new skill.
Mama and I don't usually have resolutions, but many people do.
Bernice took another great big drink of her hot cocoa.
I already have a lot of goals, Papa.
That's true.
You do have a lot going on.
So maybe I don't need a resolution.
Maybe I'm already doing enough stuff.
I think I should just keep being me.
That feels like a good resolution.
That sounds pretty wise, Little Bear.
Um, could I have more cocoa?
Just a little or a medium or a big little?
I mean, as long as there's lots for Mama.
It was so yummy, and now my toes are warm, and my tummy is warm, and I made lots.
So I can pour you another cup, Papa Bear said.
What are your plans for the rest of the day?
I think I'll get into my comfy clothes and read for a while.
I think Cookie will want to cuddle once I'm in dry pants and stuff.
Then maybe I'll do some art if there's time."
That sounds like a perfect end to the day, Little Bear.
Papa Bear said getting up to pour himself more tea.
After a busy day of being outside in the snow reading with Cookie and making some art, Bernice was pretty tired.
She had a warm bubble bath, did some yoga with Mama and finally jumped into bed where Twigga, Wolfie and Madeline were waiting for her.
Cookie then leaped to her spot at the end of the bed and promptly curled up for a nap.
It's that time, Papa, Bernice called out from under the covers.
And what time is that, little bear?
Papa Bear asked as he stomped up the stairs, causing the whole house to shake just a little.
I think it's time for a short story, Bernice said with a big yawn.
Are you sure it isn't time for the Winter Yawning Olympics?
Papa Bear asked.
I am super tired, so I might win this time.
You had a big day with lots of time playing in the snow, so I bet you are.
And I know I would be.
Are you comfy?
Yes, Papa.
And how about Twig-a-Wolfie and Madeline?
Are they comfy too?
I think they are.
Papa Bear smiled.
All right then, give me a hug and a kiss and I'll tell you a story.
I love you, Papa.
I love you too, Little Bear.
Once upon a time in a world full of magic and fun, there lived a brave little bear named Boo Boo.
She lived in a large castle at the edge of a mystical forest.
And in this forest were unicorns, fairies, gnomes, and all manner of insects, birds, and animals.
It was a wonderful place.
Her best friend was a young dragon called Kaikai, and they liked to play as much as they could.
On this day, Boo-Boo and Kaikai were walking through the mystical forest carrying a basket between them.
Well, Boo-Boo carried it, while Kaikai's tail swished behind, occasionally knocking into low branches.
Do you think Bixie will like the honey cakes?
Boo Boo asked.
He likes all treats, Kai Kai said, especially when someone else brings them.
They followed the familiar flower-lined path that led deep into the woods where Bixie's cottage sat in a magical clearing.
Bixie was already waiting for them outside his cottage, sitting on a wooden bench with a book in his lap.
Good afternoon, young travelers, he called out, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
I could smell those honey cakes from halfway across the forest.
You might have heard me drooling, too, Kaikai admitted.
Bixie laughed and gestured for them to sit.
Come, come, I've just made some tea.
They settled onto the benches around a small table.
The clearing was warm and peaceful with afternoon light filtering through the trees.
Boo-Boo set the basket down and Bixie poured tea into three mismatched cups.
Kaikai's was more a bowl than cup.
So, Bixie said, taking a honey cake, the new year approaches.
Yes, Boo-Boo said, sitting up straighter.
I've been thinking about it a lot.
I want to run faster next year and maybe some other things I haven't thought of yet.
I'm going to stop eating so many sweets, Kaikai announced, then immediately took a bite of honey cake.
Starting next week.
Bixie smiled and sipped his tea.
Big plans then.
Everyone talks about the new year like everything changes, Boo Boo continued.
Like, you get to start over and be totally different.
And I want to be different, Kaikai added, better at stuff.
Pixie was quiet for a moment, watching a butterfly land on the edge of the table.
You know, he said slowly, the forest doesn't change all at once.
The trees don't wake up one morning and decide to grow all their leaves in a day.
Boo Boo tilted her head.
But the new year is supposed to be special, right?
A fresh start?
It is special, Bixie said, but perhaps not in the way you think.
He set down his teacup and looked at them both with kind eyes.
It was his teacher look, so they knew he was going to say something important.
Every single day is a fresh start, Bixie said.
Not just the new year.
Every morning you wake up, you get another chance to try.
But what about resolutions?
Boo Boo asked.
Ah, resolutions.
Bixie took another sip of tea.
Those are fine, I suppose.
But they're just big promises we make when we are feeling excited.
The real magic is in the small things you do every day.
Like what?
Kai Kai asked, his mouth full of honey cake.
Like sharing your lunch with a friend.
Or saying sorry when you mess up.
Or trying again after you fail at something.
Bixie looked at Kai Kai.
Even if you eat ten honey cakes today, tomorrow you can choose to eat nine.
That's still progress.
So we don't have to be perfect?
Boo Boo asked.
Nobody's perfect, Bixie chuckled.
The forest certainly isn't.
But it keeps growing anyway, one day at a time.
After they shared a few more stories and helped Bixie eat more honey cakes, Boo Boo and Kai Kai stood up to leave.
They thanked Bixie for the tea and his wisdom and promised to visit again soon.
As they walked back through the forest.
The basket now empty, except for a few crumbs.
Kai Kai said So I guess I don't have to wait until next week to stop eating so many sweets.
I guess not, Boo Boo said.
You could start tomorrow.
Or the day after tomorrow, Kai Kai suggested hopefully.
Boo Boo laughed.
One day at a time, right?
Right, Kai Kai agreed.
They walked quietly for a while, listening to all the animals and insects saying hello as they passed.
Boo Boo thought about what Bixie had said, about small things and trying again.
It felt easier than trying to be completely different all at once.
Maybe she didn't need to learn to do everything at once.
Maybe she also could be just a bit faster at running every week or so.
And with the gentle sound of Bernice's snorts, Papa Bear turned down her light, gave her a kiss on the forehead and said I love you, Little Bear.
And that is the end of our story.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
