B is for...

... bundles of blessings! Between the events in CT and the holidays, I've been soaking in every cuddle and giggle I can. I decided to spend all of my time celebrating with my family and save this blog for today. I know all of you have also been counting your blessings. I pray that you had a blessed Christmas with loved ones.

On to letter B... There are so many things to do with this letter!

Places to go that start with B:
*towns/cities in the area
*Bass Pro Shop
*Big Creek Beach (or any other beach near you)
*Bandana's BBQ
*Baskin Robbins
*Bennigans
*Bravo! Italian Cucina
*Burger King
*Backyard Adventures (indoor jungle gyms)
*baseball games
*Berry Patch Farm (local pick-your-own berries place)
*bike trails
*Blank Park Zoo
*book stores
*Build-a-Bear
*butterfly garden/house
*parks that start with B (ex. Big Creek State Park, Boulder Brook Park, Briarwood Park, etc.)
*Brookside Park in Ames has a neat little footbridge and splashpark
*Brucemore Mansion in Cedar Rapids

Things to do that begin with B:
*baking (not typically a summertime activity, but kids love it)
*blindfolded obstacle course (teaches children to listen well and trust each other or you)
*blow up balloons
*go to a barn
*play baseball or basketball (or any other "ball" game)
*Beyblades (fancy top-like spinning toys)
*ride bikes
*wear clothes that are black, blue, or brown
*board games (Backgammon, Balderdash, Battleship, Blurt!, Boggle, Bridge)
*play with, look at, or ride a boat
*read books that start with B (Berenstain Bears books or Big Fat Enormous Lie)
*go to a botanical center/garden
*go bowling
*braid hair
*blow bubbles
*watch movies that start with B (Babe and Beauty & the Beast are instant favorites)
*listen to music (songs or singers that start with B): Justin Roberts' "Billy the Bully," "Big Field Trip," "Best Friend," "Bigger," "Backyard Spaceship," "Brontosaurus Got a Sweet Tooth," "Bouncin' Baby," or "Bigger Fish to Fry," or Red Grammer's "Barnyard Boogie," Barry Manilow, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Backstreet Boys, Bruno Mars, etc. ;)
*draw a picture with colors that start with B (like beige, black, blue, blue-green, blue-violet, bronze, brown, burgundy, burnt sienna, burnt umber)
*play dates with friends whose names start with B (we're played with Brek, Brock, and Bryan)
*watch TV shows like Babar, The Backyardigans, or Bob the Builder

Foods that start with B:
bacon
Babybel cheese (my kids LOVE these!)
Baby Ruth bars
bagels/bagel bits
bologna
banana bread
bananas
BBQ
baked beans (or any other kind of beans)
beef/beef jerky
bell peppers
biscuits
blackberries
black licorice
black olives
blondies
BLTs
blueberries
bon bons
Boston cream pie
bratwurst (on buns!)
bread
bread sticks
brisket
broccoli
brown rice
brownies
Bruschetta
Bugles
bundt cake
burgers (on buns!)
burritos
Butterfingers
butterscotch

Bible verses I've used that begin with words starting with letter B:
"Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless - that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-10.
"But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently." Romans 8:25.
"Being punished isn't enjoyable while it's happening - it hurts! But afterwards we can see the result, a quiet growth in grace and character." Hebrews 12:11.

The only found object that resembled a letter B during #1's photography summer was my sunglasses. I included that picture in an earlier blog, but here it is again. If you find things that look more like a B, please share them! :)

Coming soon: letter C!

*For those new to my blog, check out the beginnings of ABC Summers here.*