ParenthoodNJ.com

For a little splurge, I gave my daughter a small ice cream cone and she asks, "How come there are no sprinkles like at Grandma's House?"
And I said, "I don't have any in the house, but you know, that'll be what makes going to Grandma's house more special."
And without hesitation, my daughter replies, "And that's what'll make our house more boring."

I'm lucky that my daughter has only had a fever over 101 twice in her nearly 4-year life. Last week was the second of those times. Over the weekend, she was feeling a lot better and the fever had finally broken and we were discussing how she was sick.
At one point, I said, "I was a little worried about you because you were sick and you never get sick."
And she said, "Then you should've sent me a card."
Ok, Miss Manners. I guess next time I'll have to.

Justin Martin stuffed the 1,000th bear at 5:50 pm tonight.

My daughter and I watched as his Dad took photos to mark the occasion and we joked that this bear should have a name, even though his distinction would end once he was packed up with the rest of the bears to be distributed to sick and needy children throughout New Jersey.

I suggested Bear, since that was the name of Justin's original stuffed toy which inspired him & his dad to create The Justin Charity Bear Fund in the first place. His dad recommended Bear II.

Well, it doesn't really matter what we call that bear because some child out there will give it a new name. And that's what the hundreds of hours have been all about: ensuring that children have their own stuffed toy to love and cherish this holiday season. Justin was able to do that for 850 kids last year and this year he's going to do it for 1,000 - and counting. This remarkable 7-year-old is planning to continue stuffing bears as long as there are donations.

My daughter helped stuff several bears tonight but she is still a little young to grasp the full scope of what she was involved in but I think over time she will understand and I'm glad she was able to help, even in a small way.