A (0:00)

A Short Message for Grown Ups Parents I think we've all had those times when everyone in the family is off on their own personal devices. Wouldn't it be great if you could find an activity that everyone will agree on? Something that's both active and fun at the same time? Imagine that families everywhere are discovering Next Playground an active game system where your body powers the play. It's 100% motion driven gaming. No controllers or wearables needed. Just play naturally and the games are so great and immersive. Go flying in the world of how to train your dragon, dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better, Next Playground is kids safe with no ads in app purchases or mature content. Nextplayground is your feel good solution to these long summer days. Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com that's nexplayground.com to explore active family gaming today. A short message for grown ups looking for a fun way to keep the Bluey fans in your home busy with imaginative screen free play? The Bluey Supermarket Playset is here, standing over 15 inches tall and packed with surprises across three levels of fun. Inspired by the episode Kids, this set comes with exclusive Bluey and Bingo figures, including Bingo holding her lollipop. There's a real working escalator, a rooftop cafe, and even an intercom with 24 different sound effects your kids will love. With over 15 play pieces, shelves to explore, carts to fill, and stickers to decorate, your little ones can recreate favorite scenes or invent new ones of their own. It also works with all your other Bluey figures for even more imaginative adventures. The Bluey Supermarket Playset is available at all major retailers. Hello friends and welcome to sleept Stories. Each week we share a few shout outs and birthday wishes for listeners who help support the show. It's a small way we say thank you and it always makes us smile. Happy belated 9th birthday to Wyatt on August 14th. You are growing so fast. We love seeing your enthusiasm in everything you are passionate about. Love mom and dad. Happy belated 5th birthday Madison May we love you and hope you have a great year in kindergarten. Love Mommy, Daddy, Olivia and Charlotte. Happy 10th birthday to Jack from Mommy, Daddy, Nathan and Shipley. Congratulations on hitting double digits. Love you more. B b b b Happy 8th birthday to Baller Z and happy 10th birthday to Baller A. We are so proud of the amazing boys that you are. We love you so much. Mom, dad, Layla and Ace. Happy 7th birthday Evie mom, dad, Josie and Daisy love you so much. We are proud of the brave, caring, smart young lady you are becoming. You are the Garfield to our family and and we are so excited to watch you grow. Happy 7th birthday Charlotte from Bothell, Washington. We love seeing how funny, creative and strong you are. Wishing you a year full of adventures more exciting than Bernice's. Love mom, dad, Eli and Zola. Happy seventh Birthday Olivia Grace. We love you so much and are so proud of you. Keep chasing your dreams and singing your heart out. Love mom, dad and Sophie Bear. Happy 10th birthday to Eduardo on August 28th. Your mom and dad are really proud of you. It is exciting to see you growing and becoming a wonderful boy. Bono and Gunda say congratulations too. Happy Birthday to Solis from Victoria, bc. We love watching you grow and can't wait to have a whole new year of adventures with you. Love Mama and Papa and an Early Happy 11th birthday to our dearest Amam Mikal on August 31. You've helped us grow as parents every day Mommy. Sorry if I ever hurt your feelings. We love you always Mommy. Aya and Adik. Happy Birthday to you all and thank you for supporting the show. If you'd like to support our podcast and enjoy ad free episodes, unlock bonus stories and so much more, you can join sleept Premium. Subscribe in just two taps via the link in our show Notes. Now onto our story. Bernice is back to school and she can't wait to tell Papa Bear about her day. After she chats with Cookie, she races to the kitchen to have cookies and milk and talk to Papa. Bernice is back to school. See you tomorrow Ethan. And this time I promise I'll bring your book. I really, really won't forget. Again. Bernice called, hopping down the last step of the school bus. She clutched her backpack tightly against her chest as if it might run away without her, then spun around with a grin. Okay, see you later, alligator. Ethan shouted back after a while. Crocodile. Bernice laughed, racing up the front steps of her small house. She flung the door open, leapt inside and shut it quickly behind her. The chilly air nipped at her fur, but what really mattered was keeping the warm, chocolatey smell inside. Whatever Papa was baking, it was definitely yummy. Delicious. Papa Cookie, I'm home. And you know I must be super hungry because what I smell is definitely yummy delicious. I can't wait to hear all about your day, little Bear, papa Bear said in his really deep voice. Our treats cheerful just came out of the oven and I've poured some fresh milk to go with them. Bernice sat down to take off her sneakers. She'd been practicing doing it while standing up. It was harder than she thought, but sitting gave her time to talk to her bestest friend, Cookie, who had already pranced into the hallway with a big meow. Hi, Cookie. Did you miss me today? This was only my second full day of school and I already missed you. I bet you missed me, too, because we usually see each other a lot during the day. Cookie patted closer, lopped onto her back, and started purring as Bernice rubbed her belly. I bet you'd like school, bernice went on. There's so much to learn and you could make lots of friends. But maybe not. If there were mean dogs there, you probably wouldn't like that. Cookie purred louder, stretching her paws, trying no doubt, to get a better belly rub. So today we went through all our classes except Art and Jim. Too bad, right? I didn't do as much art this summer as I wanted, but I did run a lot and bike and swim. I wanted to show the gym teacher how much faster I've gotten and maybe beat Bobby on the track. Sometimes it's fun to try and win. She leaned closer to Cookie. Oh, and I think I feel my tummy starting to rumble. Don't worry, it's not a thunderstorm. I know how much you hate those, but sometimes my tummy noises sound just like one. Bernice got up, put her sneakers away nicely, gave Cookie a rub behind the ears, and ran straight into the kitchen, the best room in her house. Hi, Papa. I just know you made chocolate chip cookies, bernice announced, sniffing dramatically as she marched into the kitchen. She pointed at her nose. I have a great nose, and I can tell what smells like what. Does that make sense, anyway? I feel like I haven't had cookies in days. Or maybe weeks. You're correct, Little Bear. It is chocolate chip. Papa Bear chuckled. But I think you had cookies yesterday. Why don't you wash your hands and sit down while I get them ready? I want to hear all about your day. Bernice zipped to the sink, scrubbed her hands, then plopped into her chair with a great big thump. She patted the dinosaur cushion under her. Still the best cushion ever, she said quickly before wiggling into place. Papa Bear brought over the cookies and their drinks. The cookies were still so warm that you could almost see steam curl up from the plate. Cookie, the cat, hopped onto a chair nearby, sniffing hopefully. Bernice grabbed a cookie before Papa even finished sitting. Mmm, yummy. Delicious, she said, talking with her mouth half full. And since they're still warm, watch this. She dunked it into her milk with a splash. Now it's like a whole new taste. Yummy, yum, yum. Papa Bear smiled as he blew on his hot tea. Quiet house today with just Cookie here. Tell me all about your second day of school. Bernice took a long slurp of milk, leaving a mustache. She wiped it with the back of her hand, grinning. Okay, so it was a great day. Gertrude loved my new hoodie with cookies on it. She said they looked tasty enough to eat. I had almost all my classes except art and gym, which is too bad because I wanted to show the gym teacher how how much faster I am now. I could beat Bobby this year. I know it. She dunked another cookie, crumbs floating in the milk. Math was too easy, though. Bobby and I are kind of advanced, I guess, but I don't think there are extra math classes or clubs. Which is, eh, kind of bad, I guess. Suddenly she sat up straighter. Oh, Papa, you'll never guess so I'll just tell you. She leaned across the table, cookie crumbs on her chin. Bobby got a haircut. It's called the Raptor Cut. He says it's going to be the next big trend. It's really short on the sides and longer on the top. Honestly. She tilted her head, thinking. It looks kind of dinosaur y. Not bad, just different. But he likes it and I guess that's what matters, right? Maybe it means he's back into dinosaurs again. He changes his mind all the time. Papa Bear chuckled. That Bobby. I can't wait to hear how he convinced his mom to let him try something so wild. But I'm glad he can express himself in his own way. Yeah, he's pretty cool, I guess. Anyway, Bobby and I and a few other kids are in this special science class. I think it'll be after school. We get to do extra experiments and harder topics and stuff. The teacher met with us today and you wouldn't believe what we learned. It was about our brains. So you know how I send messages to Bobby and Ethan about homework on your pad? Well, inside our heads we have our own message system. It's called neurons. They're like teeny tiny little messengers that send signals to each other all the time. And get this, it uses electricity and chemicals to do it. That sounds pretty interesting, Little Bear, papa Bear said, sipping his tea. Oh, and Papa, I also learned something new in French class today. What did you learn? Was it how to say, je suis un pomme de Terre? Papa Bear asked with a chuckle. Bernice burst out laughing. No, but I did say that to the teacher and she laughed and congratulated me. What I really learned was how to say, je m' appelle Bernice. That's great, Little Bear. That's not all, Papa. She also taught me to say something super important. James, les biscuits au petite de chocolat. Because I really do love chocolate chip cookies. Papa Bear smiled. You certainly do. I think we all love chocolate chip cookies. Especially your cookies, Papa. They're the best. Bernice dunked the last bite of her cookie into her milk before adding, oh, and Papa, we started sharing lunches again today. One kid brought a smoothie, but he couldn't really share that, you know. And Oliver, he's new in our class, he brought these little bread things with cheese inside. He said they were called pocket pizzas. I didn't try them, but Bobby did and said they were amazing. I think being able to carry pizza in your pocket is the greatest idea ever. I'd take pineapple pizza or maybe just cheese. Gertrude shared her bean salad with me. She puts these purple onions in it. She loves them, but I had to fan my tongue, it was so spicy. Papa Bear laughed. Raw onion can seem spicy, but I love bean salad too. Maybe we'll make some this week. Okay, Papa, but can I have mine without purple onions? Or maybe just one or two? I think it's a taste I'll have to, you know, slowly acquire. Papa Bear chuckled. Sometimes that's exactly how it works with new tastes. It sounds like you had a wonderful second day at school. Yeah, it was good. But I'm a little disappointed we didn't have art or gym. I think that starts next week. I was ready to show the gym teacher how fun fast I've gotten this summer. Papa Bear lowered his voice and put on a mock serious face. Did you get any homework? Bernice took a dramatic sip of milk and shook her head. Can you believe it, Papa? It's only the second day of school and my science teacher already gave homework. I have to read more about neurons and all that brain messaging stuff, but I think it'll be fun. Wow. Well, why don't you start that while I see what we might have for dinner? Papa Bear said as he stood up from the table. Bernice leaned forward with a grin. Do you know what helps me read science best? Cookies. Do you think I could have just one more? Papa Bear chuckled. You sure can. Thank you, Papa. They're super yummy. Delicious. After finishing her science homework, enjoying spaghetti for dinner and reading with Mama Bear, Bernice went upstairs to begin her bedtime routine. She took a bubble bath, brushed her teeth, did some yoga stretches with Mama, and laid out the clothes she was going to wear the next day. Then she dimmed her bedside lamp just the way she liked it at bedtime before carefully arranging her bedtime friends just so. Finally, she crawled under the covers and called out, it's that time, Papa. And what time is that, Little Bear? Papa Bear called back from the kitchen, where the smell of fresh bread drifted up the stairs. It's time for a bedtime story. But before Papa Bear could thunder up the steps, Cookie padded in and curled up beside her, purring softly. I'm coming. Boomed Papa Bear, and the house gave a gentle shake. His footsteps always sounded heavy at night. When he reached the top of the stairs, the warm scent of bread followed him into Bernice's room. He peeked in and asked, are you still awake? I am. Papa and Cookie, Twigga, Wolfie, and Madeline are all ready, too. We want a super long story, bernice said with a yawn. Papa Bear chuckled. How about a short one instead? Tomorrow's another exciting day at school, and you'll want to be the best version of your best self. Bernice yawned again, her eyes already drooping. Okay, Papa, are you comfy? Yes. Papa and Twigga, Wolfie and Madeline, are they comfy too? I think they are. Papa Bear looked at Cookie and Cookie. She's comfy, too. She came up before you. I think she knows it's school time again and that we're back to our school time routine. Papa Bear smiled. All right, then. Give me a hug and a kiss and I'll tell you a short 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 there were unicorns, fairies, gnomes, and all manner of insects, birds, birds and animals. It was a wonderful place. Her best friend was a young dragon called Kai Kai, and the two of them loved to play as much as they could. The kingdom they lived in was full of people, some in the meadows, some in the hills, and others in the deep forest. And they all lived in harmony on this particular day. Crash. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Kai Ki's voice tumbled out of the sky, followed by snapping branches and a very loud thump. Booboo looked up from her book just in time to see chocolate treats raining down from above. A Chocolate cake bounced off her nose and three chocolate drops plopped into her teacup with tiny splashes. Kai. Kai. She laughed, jumping up as her dragon friend untangled himself from the apple tree, wings flapping wildly. Are you okay? I'm fine, I'm fine. Taikai called, though his voice was muffled by leaves. I brought treats for our tea party, but they're kind of everywhere now. Boo Boo giggled, scooping chocolate drops from the grass. At least you missed my favorite reading spot this time. Hey, I only knocked over one flower pot. That's improvement. Kai Ki grinned, tugging a basket off his horn. The gardener won't be mad, will he? He's off working in another part of the garden, Booboo assured him, brushing dirt from a slightly squished cookie. He knows messy landings happen. They sat down at the garden table, chocolates still scattered around, and Boo Boo waved a fancy parchment. Guess what came today? My academy letter. Ooh. Open it. Hai Chi bounced so hard the teacups rattled. Boo Boo tore open the seal. I got into Professor Bramble's after school magical botany class. We get to grow singing flowers. That's amazing. Kai Kai cheered. Then his face drooped. But I can't come. I have to go to Dragon Heritage School twice a week. Flame control, treasure guarding, and something called dignified roaring. Booboo blinked. You? Dignified Roaring Kai Kai groaned. Ugh. I know. Plus formation flying with other dragons. It sounds exciting. But I'll miss having lunch and study time with you. What if you make new friends and forget me? Never. Booboo said firmly, though her own voice wavered. But I'm nervous, too. You always know how to talk to people. Me? You're the bravest bear I know. Kai Kai said. You'll be fine. They sat quietly, both a little sad, until Boo Boo's eyes lit up. Wait. Remember what Bixie said when we visited him? About the chocolate trees blooming early? No, the other thing. He's starting a storytelling and wisdom sharing club for kids from all the schools. We could both join. Kai Kai's wings perked up. Really? With hot chocolate and cinnamon cookies? Boo Boo teased. Plus, we'll meet here every Wednesday for garden treats and swap stories from our classes. Perfect. Kai Kai beamed. Just then, Booboo spotted movement in the distance. Uh oh. The gardener's coming back. We'd better clean up before he sees chocolate cake in his apple tree. Hai Kai chuckled. Good idea. I'd like to stay on his good side. The two friends hurried to tidy the garden, their laughter echoing across the castle grounds. Up a Bear's voice softened as he closed the story. He leaned over, kissed Bernice's forehead, adjusted her blanket, and whispered, I love you, little Bear. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight.