Bernice Is Snowed In 🐻

Hello friends and welcome to Sleep Tite Stories. Bernice wakes up to the same weather that a lot of us have been having this week. Once she realizes that it is a snow day, she is excited about all the things that she might be able to do. When she and Papa go out to shovel, she decides there is one more thing that she can do. Bernice is snowed in. Bernice opened her eyes one at a time and reached up to rub the sleep away. She didn't set an alarm clock much these days, not like she used to. Lately she didn't really need help waking up at all. She was her own best alarm clock, even when she was super tired from practice and studying and all that stuff. Other times cookie helped by purring loudly and rubbing against Bernice's face. Cookie was her bestest friend, so it was natural she would want to help. Though sometimes Bernice suspected it was mostly because Cookie wanted the whole bed for herself when she napped. And if neither of those things worked, there was always Mama and Papa. When Bernice was younger, Mama used to come into her room every morning to wake her up. But that only happened in emergencies now. Oh wow, Cookie, we slept in like super much, Bernice said, noticing the time on her clock as she sat up to stretch. Why hasn't Mama or Papa come into wake me up? This is like a super emergency. I better get dressed super quick or I'll miss the bus and then I might be late for school and then how will I learn anything? I might even miss a test which would not be good at all. Didn't you know the time Cookie? You used to always know the time. Cookie simply did her usual morning cat stretch. Bernice didn't like to call it downward dog because she didn't know if Cookie liked dogs or not. Bernice quickly got dressed. Her clothes had been set out the night before. Brushed her teeth and stuff and raced downstairs to the kitchen where she could smell delicious honey cakes being made. Whoa little bear. Papa bear said as he poured batter into the pan, no need to rush down the stairs. Breakfast isn't ready yet. Mama was just about to go up and gently wake you. No need to rush. Bernice said why died. Papa, I am like super late for the bus. I might have to sprint all the way to the corner and you know how slippery the sidewalk is in the winter. I might as well skate. Except my skates are in my hockey bag and it takes me hours to put them on. It's a school day and mama. How come you're still in your pajamas? I'm sorry, Bernice. Mama bear said from behind a huge mug of coffee that read best mama bear ever. A gift from Bernice. Today's school is cancelled. In fact, almost everything is cancelled today. I'm working from home in Papa's office because there is so much snow on the ground, it's going to take some time before it's safe to be on the roads. I thought I would let you sleep in. This walked to the kitchen window and couldn't believe what she saw. Wow. Are we living at the north hole now? She gasped. That is a lot of snow. Maybe we need to dig tunnels through the back yard so we can reach people or at least make a cookie delivery tunnel to Ethan's grandmother's house. It's up to the window. It's like up to the second floor of their house. Bernice said pointing toward the neighbor's home. Papa bear laughed. Maybe that's something we can try later after we have breakfast. If it stops blowing, there are lots of fun things you could do today. The honey cake smell yummy. Mama bear said. It smells super yummy mama. Bernice said sitting down at the table. So does this mean we can all go outside and build igloos or stuff or maybe ride a snowmobile to get groceries or could we have a dog sled team or something? Mama bear chuckled. Well, we don't have a snowmobile or dogs or a sled. Do you think cookie could pull us in a sled? Haha. We could ask Bernice said but I think she still doesn't like snow or water or wet stuff. You'll probably be on your own for most of the day little bear. Papa bear said as he said a plate of honey cakes and a glass of milk in front of her. Even though it's a snow day for you, mama and I still have work to do. That's too bad, Bernice said, taking a great big drink of milk. I guess it's tough being old people. Mama bear smiled. Well, at least I get to work in my pajamas and snack on cookies all day. Yeah, mama. Bernice said seriously. I think Papa snacks on cookies all day long too. Someone has to make sure they taste okay. Papa bear said. Yeah, right Papa. You already know your cookies are super delicious and these honey cakes are too. I might need some cookies when I go out to start shoveling, Papa bear said. There is a lot of snow out there. I could help Papa. Bernice said quickly and could I make a tunnel maybe? I wonder if Ethan's grandmother needs help shoveling. I'm only small but I guess I could help a little. You could go and ask little bear, Papa bear said. Sometimes a little help goes a long way. Because you are small doesn't mean you can't be a big help. I think that's a great idea. Mama bear added, finishing her bite of honey cake. It would be very thoughtful of you. My teacher said that if we all did one small act of kindness, no matter how small, the world would be a better place. Bernice said. I just think it would be nice to see if she needs help. Well then Papa bear said, let's finish breakfast. While Mama is working in my office, you and I can shovel the front step. And then you can go and see if Ethan's grandmother needs some help. How does that sound? Sounds good Papa? Bernice said, a she washed down her honey cakes with milk. After breakfast, Bernice went to the front door to get ready. Being dressed for outside in winter was almost as hard as putting on hockey equipment. Maybe harder. Because at least hockey gear didn't have so many zippers and buttons and straps that all had to go in the exact right order or else something felt weird. First came the snow pants, which took forever to pull up over everything else. In her huge winter coat, which was so puffy, she could barely put her arms down by her sides. Then mittens, which were still a tiny bit wet from yesterday. Then her hat, which always made her hair stick up in strange directions. Then her scarf, which Papa always said had to cover her nose and mouth. Even though it made her breath all warm and damp and made her feel like a little bundled up dragon. And finally, her winter boots, which were tricky to get on because her socks kept bunching up. By the time she was done, she was already a little bit sweaty. Ready little bear? Papa bear called from the kitchen. I think so, Bernice called back, waddling back and forth like a penguin. If penguins went to school and did math homework and also had to shovel snow. Papa bear laughed as he pulled on his own big coat and boots. Well, you'll be glad you have it all on when you're outside. It's pretty cold out there. He opened the front door and Bernice gasped. The snow had drifted up so high against the door that Papa had to push hard to get it open. When it finally moved, a small avalanche of snow tumbled right into the hallway. Whoa, Bernice said. That is like a snow mountain at our door. Papa, we are officially snowed in. We might need snacks, emergency snacks, and possibly a rescue team of polar bears. That's why we need to shovel, Papa bear said, stepping out onto the porch. Come on, I kept your shovel by the front door. Bernice followed him outside and immediately sank into the snow up to her knees. Papa, the snow is super deep. I feel like I'm walking in mashed potatoes, except frozen mashed potatoes, which would be terrible. It certainly is, Papa bear said with a smile. And isn't it fun? Fun, yes, as long as I don't get lost in a sea of snow, and you have to put a flag on my hat so you can find me. Papa bear chuckled, okay little bear. All started on the walkway and you can work on the front steps. Just push the snow to the side. This is going to take a while, Bernice said, scooping a small pile. My arms are going to turn into spaghetti noodles. Just do your best, Papa bear called, every little bit helps. Bernice kept shoveling one scoop at a time. Then she tried to step down to the next step, but her boot caught on something. Whoa! And suddenly she tumbled forward into a huge snow drift. Bernice disappeared completely. Nothing went white and quiet. For a second, it actually felt kind of cozy, like she was inside a snow cave. Then she remembered she was not a snow explorer. She was a snow shoveler. Papa, she called, her voice muffled. Papa, I'm stuck, I have become one with the snow! A moment later, Papa bear's strong hands grabbed her and lifted her out like she was a little snow statue being rescued from the North Pole. There you are, Papa bear said, brushing snow off her hat. I turned around and you were gone, unless you aren't Bernice at all, but a mysterious snow creature. Himes still me, Bernice sputtered, spitting out a tiny bit of snow, just the frosty version. She went back to shoveling, being much more careful this time. Eventually, the steps were mostly clear. You did a great job, little bear. Papa bear said, leaning on his shovel. Now, do you still want to go help Ethan's grandmother? Bernice looked over at Ethan's house. Their walkway looked even deeper. Yeah, she said, even though her arms were tired, I should help. That's very kind of you, Papa bear said, just try not to disappear into any more snow drifts. I will do my absolute best, Bernice said seriously, but if I do, tell Cookie I love her. Bernice trudged through the snow toward Ethan's grandmother's house. The snow was so deep, she felt like she was waiting through cold whipped cream, except whipped cream would be delicious, and this was probably not. When she reached the front door, she rang the bell and waited, stamping her boots a little so she didn't freeze into a porch statue. A moment later, the door opened and Ethan's grandmother smiled down at her. Bernice, what a nice surprise! What are you doing out in all of this snow? Hi, Ethan's grandmother, Bernice said, her voice muffled by her scarf. I came to see if you needed help shoveling your walkway. My Papa said even a little help goes a long way, and I am little, so I thought maybe I could help a little. Also, I already fell into a snow drift once today, so I guess I'm basically a snow professional now. Ethan's grandmother laughed, oh Bernice, that is so thoughtful of you. I was just about to go out, but I was dreading it. My back isn't what it used to be, I would love some help. Okay, Bernice said. Ethan's grandmother disappeared inside and returned all bundled up. All work on the steps and you can work on the walkway, how does that sound? That sounds good, Bernice said. She started at the end of the walkway, pushing snow to the side, just like Papa Bear had shown her. But Ethan's grandmother's walkway was long, and the snow was deep, and every scoop felt like lifting a bucket of frozen mashed potatoes. Scoop, push, toss. Scoop, push, toss. After a while, Ethan's grandmother called gently, Bernice, why don't you take a little break? You've been working so hard. I'm okay, Bernice puffed, even though she was a little out of breath. I can keep going, I mean, my arms might turn into spaghetti noodles, but I can keep going. Ethan's grandmother smiled. How about some hot chocolate? That always helps me when I'm working hard. Bernice's eyes widened. Hot chocolate is basically a rescue drink. Exactly, she said heading inside. A few minutes later, she returned with a steaming mug topped with little marshmallows. Here you go, dear, warm up. Bernice pulled off one mitten and held the mug with both hands. The warmth spread through her fingers like magic. She took a sip. It was sweet, and yummy, and perfect. Oh, thank you, Bernice, side. This is making my arms feel less like noodles already. You know, Ethan's grandmother said, not many kids would give up their snow day to help an old lady shovel. Bernice shrugged, it's my pleasure to help, and I was already outside, so I figured I might as well do something helpful before I accidentally became part of a snowbank. Ethan's grandmother chuckled. After her break, Bernice went back to shoveling. Ethan's grandmother worked alongside her, clearing the steps and helping with the walkway too. Slowly scoop by scoop, the path began to appear. Finally, after what felt like a hundred years, or maybe just one very long snow morning, they finished. There, Ethan's grandmother said leaning on her shovel, all done. Thank you so much, Bernice. I couldn't have done it without you. Bernice smiled, her cheeks pink from the cold. You're welcome, I'm glad I could help. How about one more cup of hot chocolate before you go home, she asked, and maybe a cookie or two? Bernice's stomach rumbled loudly as if it had been waiting for this exact moment. That sounds yummy, delicious, Bernice said. Inside, the kitchen felt warm and smelled of vanilla and chocolate. Ethan's grandmother set out cookies and cocoa, and Bernice melted back into herself. As they sat together, Ethan's grandmother said softly, you know, Bernice, what you did today really made my day easier. That was very kind. Bernice nodded her mouth full of cookie. My papa says even a little help is still help. Your papa is a very wise bear. Ethan's grandmother said with a smile, and you are a very kind little bear too. After a day of shoveling snow, building a snow fort, reading all about the science of snow, and enjoying a great big delicious dinner, Bernice headed upstairs to begin her bedtime routine. She took a warm bubble bath using Mama Bear's new bubble bath, brushed her teeth, and even though she didn't think there would be school, picked out her clothes for the morning. Finally, she hopped into bed, arranged Twiggo Wolfie and Madeline just right, pulled the blanket up to her chin and called out. It's that time, papa. And what time is that little bear? Papa Bear called back from the kitchen. It's time for sleep! Just before Papa Bear could make the whole house shake by coming up the stairs, cookie padded into the room and jumped up onto Bernice's bed. When Papa Bear walked quietly into her room a moment later, Bernice was already asleep, making her little Bernice snorts, and cookie let out a small, satisfied purr. Papa Bear turned down her light, gave her a kiss on the forehead, and whispered, you did something kind today little bear. I love you, sweet dreams. And that is the end of our story. Good night, sleep tight.