Springtime for Bears

Clara's preschool always does this cute thing about hibernation. At the beginning of winter, the class paints a bear "cave" (cardboard box), and they put a stuffed bear inside with a sign saying "Bear Sleeping." Then as spring nears they start talking about how the bear is going to wake up because spring is coming. They then pick a particular day, and then have a party and watch the bear wake up.

There's even a song that goes to the tune of Brother John:

Bears are sleeping, bears are sleeping,

In their lairs, in their lairs,

Soon it will be springtime, soon it will be springtime,

Wake up bears, wake up bears.

We've been practicing rounds with these lyrics.

Well, yesterday was the big day. Each child is allowed to bring a favorite stuffed bear or animal in for the day. Clara, of course, chose Tiger. She was so excited.

When I picked her up, I asked her if she got to hold Tiger all day, and cuddle with him.

"What was it like, Clara?" I said.

"Mommy," she said, "it was just like Christmas!"