The party

Vicki has received a card in her mailbox from the post office. She knows that she has to go and pick up a parcel and she also knows what it is in the parcel - a tiny teddy bear she has named Cari. She will be a little sister for Andrew bear.


She has planned a welcoming party and invited her three angel friends - Andrew and Monica and Tess - as well the other two resident bears in her household - Andrew bear and Panda Bear.


She wanted to have the cookies all made and the lemonade all stirred before she had to leave for the post office. However she does have some help in the kitchen. Andrew has arrived early for the party to help out as he can. "Of course, Vicki, Andrew bear and I will be quite willing to get everything ready. Go and pick up your new tiny teddy bear friend," is Andrew’s contribution.


"Can I trust you two in my kitchen and to not burn the cookies?" she asks her two friends.


Andrew bear is all smiles. Andrew gives Vicki a quick hug in response and takes off her apron at the same time.


Vicki chuckles and so does Andrew bear as Andrew puts the apron on himself. Andrew is wearing his white shirt and certainly would not want to get any lemonade or cookie batter on it. The design on the apron is most appropriate - Paddington Bear.


"Go, we will be just fine. Monica and Tess will probably arrive early to help as well, " is Andrew’s answer.


So Vicki gets into her little car and drives off to the post office.


*****


Andrew bear and Andrew are left to attend to matters in the kitchen. Andrew bear looks all ready to help as he can. He does like getting his paws into new situations.


"Andrew bear, please read out the cookie recipe to me, "asks Andrew. So Andrew bear does just that and he does not make too many mistakes. Andrew does have to give him a short lesson in reading cooking measurements - a tablespoon of salt is not the same as a teaspoon of salt.


Andrew bear wants to stir the cookie batter but Andrew has to discourage him gently. "Andrew bear, the electric mixer will do that much easier. Anyway cookie batter can be quite sticky and I would not want you to spill any on your fur coat before the party."


When Andrew bear begins to look discouraged, Andrew has to add, "But you can certainly help me put the cookies on the cookie sheet before they go into the oven."


So Andrew bear is content to do that as Andrew shows him how to put nice even sized spoonfuls on the cookie sheet and even how to flatten the cookies. "No, Andrew bear not with your paw, with a spoon please," is Andrew’s exclamation.


When the cookies go into the oven Andrew bear likes to watch them bake through the glass door.


Andrew soon motions to his small teddy bear friend. "Andrew bear, part of baking is cleaning up." Andrew bear wrinkles up his little nose but Andrew hands him a towel.


Nothing is too breakable.


*****


Andrew has to go outside and set up the table and make sure all the chairs are in order.


Before her departure, Vicki has showed Andrew where the special tablecloth with the Noah’s Ark design is and also the Peter Rabbit tray.


"Now, Andrew bear, can I leave you to mix up the lemonade? Can you read the instructions carefully and add the correct amount of water," asks Andrew.


When Andrew bear nods his head in agreement, Andrew feels comfortable leaving his small teddy bear friend to these preparations.


*****


Andrew has gone longer than he had expected and when he returns to the kitchen he finds a rather sticky mess. Andrew bear has spilled quite a bit of lemonade on himself.


"Oh, dear, Andrew bear, you will need a bath and I will have to tidy up this mess," says Andrew sadly.


So how do you pick up a sticky teddy bear? Andrew obviously knows the proper method as he picks up Andrew bear by the scruff of his neck like a mother cat does with her kittens.


Andrew takes him upstairs and puts him down in the middle of the bathtub.


Andrew bear knows that Andrew is upset with him and he looks quite upset himself. Andrew bear holds out his paws to give his angel friend a hug.


"Sorry, Andrew bear, that will have to wait until you are cleaned up," adds Andrew. But he does give Andrew bear’s tummy a little tickle.


So Andrew leaves Andrew bear and he goes back to attend to the mess in the kitchen.


*****


Andrew is just letting out a deep sigh. Now he knows how parents feel about their children. He is wondering where he should start cleaning up.


Just then there is a knock at the door.


"Oh, Tess and Monica, I am so happy to see you," is Andrew’s exclamation. They both chuckle when they see the Paddington bear apron that Andrew is wearing.


"You, do look good in that," says Tess. "Come here, angel baby and have a hug. You do look like you are having a difficult time."


Tess embraces Andrew deeply and then he shares a hug with Monica as well.


"Why don’t I go upstairs and see how Andrew bear is doing in his bath," says Monica and she does just that.


Soon some chuckles and singing and splashing are heard from upstairs. Andrew smiles at Tess but he still looks discouraged.


"Now I know how the Father must feel when He sees His children getting into sticky messes," exclaims Andrew.


"I know, angel baby, come here close to Tess," adds Andrew’s mentor and angel friend. For some time Tess holds Andrew in a comforting hug and Andrew begins to feel at peace again and reassured that he is where he is supposed to be and he is doing what he is supposed to be doing.


"Teddy bears are a real blessing but they can also be a real challenge too, " is Tess’s comment.


Andrew is all smiles now. So the two angel friends are content being together and it sounds like Monica and Andrew bear are having a good time upstairs.


With Tess and Andrew working together the mess in the kitchen is cleaned up in no time and the lemonade is also prepared and placed in the refrigerator to cool. Before too long they hear the noise of a hair dryer or is it a fur dryer in this case? There cannot be a damp teddy bear at a welcoming party for his tiny teddy bear sister.


*****


Some time passes and eventually Monica and Andrew bear come back downstairs again. Andrew bear is holding onto Monica’s hand quite tightly. Monica has explained to the small teddy bear that he will have to apologize to Andrew for making such a mess and leaving Andrew to tidy up the kitchen.


Andrew bear leaps up into Andrew’s arms. Having a teddy bear look at you intently can be unsettling but obviously not for an angel.


"Of course, Andrew bear, I accept your apology," is Andrew’ s answer. Then he has a special hug for his small teddy bear friend.


Tess has to add her words as well, " Monica you certainly did a good job of getting Andrew bear all cleaned up. I see that you have even found a blue bow tie for him to wear."


Andrew bear has a big smile for Tess. She goes over to give Andrew bear a tickle on his tummy. Andrew bear is starting to think that this is a special teddy bear tickle.


Meanwhile, Andrew has gone outside to welcome Vicki and the new teddy bear. "Oh, Andrew, this took much longer than I had expected," exclaims Vicki. "I was almost afraid that the parcel was lost. Did everyone get everything ready according to my instructions?"


Andrew answers, "That may be a question you want to discuss later with Andrew bear, but I think that now it is time for the party."


Monica and Tess have now come out of the house. Monica is holding onto Andrew bear who has started to get very excited about meeting his little sister.


"Yes, Andrew bear, this is Cari - she is your little sister," says Vicki. Andrew bear goes over and gives her a special teddy bear hug.


The three angels and Vicki are smiling at this.


Cari is a sweet little teddy bear and quite a bit smaller than Andrew bear. She looks around and immediately recognizes the three angels for who they are. There is something in the chemistry between angels and teddy bears.


Everyone has to introduce themselves and there is much laughing and tickling of teddy bear tummies. Cari seems to like this as much as Andrew bear.


In the meantime, Vicki has gone into the house to check out the situation in the kitchen. and she finds everything to be in order. When she looks in the back yard, she finds the chairs and the tables all set out as well. "Andrew, you must have worked some miracles her, " is Vicki’s comment as she has a special smile for her angel friend.


"I did have some help from Monica and Tess, " is Andrew’s honest answer.


"So go now and get settled outside, "says Monica. "Tess and I will bring out the goodies. I think Andrew has gone to find Panda Bear.


Vicki is busy entertaining the two teddy bears who are getting acquainted themselves. Soon the friends - angels and teddy bears including Panda Bear are all assembled outside.


They all join hands and paws for the blessing, which Andrew so ably says, " For food and friends and all God sends; we give You thanks O Lord." And everyone says Amen.


Cari is looking towards Tess’s lap. That looks like a comfy place to sit so that is where she ends up. You can easily imagine where Andrew bear is sitting - in Andrew’s lap.


Everyone is enjoying the cookies and lemonade and complimenting Andrew and Andrew bear on their efforts. All is forgiven between the two friends and Andrew bear does not look uncomfortable at all.


Even Panda Bear is happy to join in the event - rocking in his small red rocking chair.


Before too long Cari bear is beginning to get very sleepy and produces several small yawns. She looks like she could easily go to sleep in Tess’s lap.


Even Andrew bear is beginning to get sleepy as well. Andrew notices this right away. "Andrew bear, you have had a busy day and your little sister Cari has just had a long trip. I expect you both should be tucked in your teddy bear beds."


Both teddy bears nod their heads in agreement. But before the small guests disappear to their beds, Andrew has a blessing for all assembled. Again the group joins hands and paws as he prays.


"The Lord bless us and keep us.

The Lord make His face shine upon us and be gracious to us.

The Lord look upon us with favour and grant us peace."


And again everyone says Amen.


There are hugs all around. Cari is so comfortable with Tess and Andrew bear is obviously so happy to be with Andrew, that the two angels take their teddy bear friends to their respective beds. Panda Bear is left to rock in his rocking chair a little longer.


Vicki and Monica have begun to tidy up the dishes. There is not much lemonade left in the jug or cookies on the plate. Vicki does have a peek in the cookie jar and sees that Andrew has put some away. These will be a special treat for teddy bears on another day.


They stop what they are doing when they hear a very familiar tune coming from upstairs. Andrew and Tess have joined together to sing their favourite angel lullaby.


When at night I go to sleep,

Fourteen angels watch do keep.

Two my head are guarding;

Two my feet are guiding;

Two are on my right hand;

Two are on my left hand;

Two who warmly cover;

Two who o'er me hover;

Two to whom 'tis given

To guide my steps to Heaven.