Noel sends a message.....

Hello, Hello? is this turned on.........  Ah here we are.......

Noel here, I dont often get to have a go on the pee cee, usually I order the take away for the cot bed gang from bear necessities.....  they only deal in growls, so we have to have a whip round, the rabbits are usually asking for extra carrots and the mousey wants cheeses on the pizzas!

Can you see my special heart??

Its been an amazing year, I flew on an Areoplane and moved from my home in New York to Normanton, Via Liverpool.

Looking after Little Leons snuggle blanket!

Little Leons Mummy adopted me from Jenny at Bummer bears, so Leon could have  a friend when he went into hospital, he was a very poorly little boy when I met him, he was soooo blue and his hands and feet were always cold.  Sometimes he couldnt drink all his milky because he would fall asleepy mid drinky....

Noel meets Little Leon

He is a lovely boy, he likes to snuggle my fur, its ok, I dont mind, as long as you dont tell everyone.....

This is me arriving with my ruck sac

I settled in well, the Cot bed gang were glad to have an international friend with different stories to tell.   We have lots of bear stories in the US.

Little Leon before we went to hospital

So I had a great time with Little Leon and the cot bed gang, we would go to bed and when Mummy and Daddy had gone to sleepy, we would play pirates, cowboys and bears, and going on a bear hunt, but without the scary ending!   They never know what we get up to!  The take away man sneaks out meals in with a magic key and we always clear away before Leon and Mummy wake up.   Thats how we keep our bear like figures!!

No suitcase for me, its a paper bag...

I travel light and when it was time for Little Leon to have his surgery, Mummy packed my surgeons outfit in my ruc sac and off we went to the hospital.  Ward 10 welcomed us on the 26th June, Leon, Mummy and me had a great night reading stories, looking at the stars and singing rhymes.  When Leon fell asleepy Mymmy and me sat and cuddled, she cried a bit because she was worried about the operation, but I gave her good big hugs.

Dr Noel attending!

So operation day arrived, I left Leon with Mr Watterson and went to sit on his bed and wait for him to come back, woo it took hours and hours, I had three kebabs while I was waiting.....  When he came back he was really poorly but was a lovely pink colour, Mummy and Daddy were very relieved to see him.

Me and my new family.....

This is a lovely portrait of Little Leon, Mummy Daddy and me, it was only two weeks after Little Leons surgery,  We have had so much fun since he came out of the hospital, I always go with him when he goes for a check up.  The nursey laydees are always pleased to see me too.

onk onk.. dats my dose.....

We love to have fun and Little Leon likes to pull my nose!

Dr Noel..... Xray of the heart 

This is me dressed as a surgeon, Mr Watterson might have needed an assistant and I wanted to be ready when he called!  

Looking after Little Leon

 Little Leon had a birthday party and naming ceremony in November, we all got spruced up and the family came and met us both, Leon was very popular of course, but I got my share of hugs as well.  Well I am irresistible!  I got dressed up for the occasion, this is me in my Tux.  Mummy and Daddy are very relieved that Leon is well, although he needs more surgery soon, we will both go through it together!

Just call me Bond.... Noel Bond.........

Of course I like my Hunny shaken not stirred, a bit like Leons milky. Mummy had ordered a cake and surprised us all with an amazing cake topper with Me and Leon on it made from icing.

Little Leon and me on his Birthday cake!

2011 has been both a difficult and fun year for us all.  The cot bed gang are going to keep looking after Leon when Mummy and Daddy are in bed.  Mummy goes back to work part time soon, so one of us is going to go with her and report back to Leon that she is alright. She says she will write postcards so he can see where she is working in the world.

2012 is going to bring its challenges as well, Little Leon needs more surgery, but not as complex as the first time, but all his friends who pray and send their positive thoughts and good wishes are going to get us through, Mummy and Daddy are feeling more positive and are looking forward to watching Leon grow stronger and have fun with his pals and little heart buddies.

Me, I am going to go for a holiday at Paw Ridge, its like a Holiday camp for bears!  Mummy prefers Centre Parcs, but I am going to give them both a try!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL    Little Leon and I are going to have lots more fun next year!  Watch this space!

Little Leon says Goodbye to 2011 and Hellooooo to 2012!

Well Little Leon, Mummy and Daddy have been having a lovely week off.

Little Leon was feeling much better and went to visit his Gramma on Christmas eve for tea.  When he got home he went to sleepy with the story of the Night before Christmas read by Mummy.

Then, because he had been a good boy and a very special boy this year, Santa came to call.  Woo What lovely presents he brought.

Woo Daddy, whats in here?

Mummy had asked him to wrap some presents in tissue paper so he could unwrap them himself, he really got a lot of fun from the tissue paper!  Little Leon got a train, plane, fire engine, car, a garage to keep them in and  a box of musical instruments.  Auntie Janet got the prize for noisy toy, a spinney drum that plays Maccaraena fast if you spin it around...... Daddy really likes that!

Its an areoplane!

Well, you sprinkle some reindeer food on your front garden and look who turns up in your living room on Christmas morning! A baby rocking reindeer!!  He is going to stay with Little Leon until he grows up and can help Santa pull his sleigh!

Rock a hoola rock a hoola!

 Well, Santa had brought a lot of presents and Leon shared with Daddy and Mummy, Daddy was working out how to get the camera taking pictures. but little Leon knew which button to press!

woo hoo a camera, phone and a barn full of animals!!

Daddy and Little Leon had bought Mummy a wonderful mended heart necklace with a little Diamond as a patch, just like Leons.  Mummy had taken Leon for an underwater swimming photo shoot and Daddy got a framed picure of Leon chasing bubbles!! 

Little Leon took Mummy to the sales, and she got him some clothes with his christmas money, he is now the proud owner of an Elvis t-shirt and a Jimmy Hendrix t-shirt!  Daddy is also proud.....

He also went to party the afternoon away with his little heart friends at the Storyteller at Parkgate Rotherham.  Little Leons friends Jo and Andy run it and they said the little heart buddies could have a special Christmas party.

woo lots to eat!

Leon plays in the ball pool for the very first time.

Leon and Mummy also got to meet the lovely Lyall, Steph and Sharon, Mummy thinks Lyall is a super special little guy.

Look Mummy there is Daddy with the camera....again....

Steve played party games, the little heart buddies joined in, then someone special arrived after a long ride from the North Pole, with sandwiches and a flask sent by Mrs C!

uncle Steve...isit me or does Santa look a bit like Daddy?

 Santa gave out lots of presents that he had saved especially for the party!  The little heart buddies were very polite and thanked santa very much for coming when he should be having a long sleepy!

Little Leon had another surprise for Mummy.... Standing up!!!

Little Leon spent the evening standing and sitting in the middle of his toys, he is happy and so are mummy and daddy!

I think i need to put these away soon....... Nah! 

Leon, Mummy and Daddy want to say a huge thankyou to everyone we know, and those we dont know for the love and support over the past year.  Little Leon hopes next year will be full of fun and less stress for us all!

He also want to say a Beeg Little Leon hello to a special heart buddy from America, Mykenzie Grace Carro, she was born on the 18th December and had her heart surgery within hours.  Yesterday her Daddy Adam drove her home to New York to meet the rest of her family.  Mykenzie has made an amazing recovery from her surgery, encouraged by her Mummy and Daddys hugs and lots of people praying and sending good wishes.   Like Leon she will need more surgery, but for now she is making her Mummy and Daddy very very proud.

So a big HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL from Leon, Mummy and Daddy.. He says keep tuning into his blog..... There are many more adventures to come!!!

Little Leon tells the tale of the Night Before Christmas............

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

Mummys stocking is the elegant one....

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
  
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Dear Santa..... Love from Little Leon xxxxx

Mummy Daddy and Little Leon send Love and hugs for Christmas to all who have read his blog and say come back in the new year for more adventures and Leon Hugs XXXXXXX

on the eleventh day of christmas, Little Leon tells the tale of Elves

The History of Santa's Elves (Elf)

St. Nick has many helpers in all the different countries around the world. While each Elf goes back and forth to Santa's Workshop, many live in the countries they originate from.

In some countries where English is the main language, these helpers are called Santa's Elves. The green and red clad helpers (Elf) wrap the gifts and make the tops in Santa's Workshop, which is located in the Arctic North Pole.

In days gone by, children loved St. Nick, but were afraid of his helpers. For it was told that is was the helpers who kept track of who had been naughty and who had been nice. Naughty children would get coal in their stockings and may even be carried away in the helper's bags until they learned to be good.

Currently, in America, if a child is naughty during the year, Santa may leave coal or "snowman poop."

The poem that Santa includes with the snowman poop is:
"You've been awfully bad;
So here's the scoop.
All you get in your stocking is snowman poop."

If a child gets coal or snowman poop in their stocking on St. Nick's day, they do have one more chance to behave. They must behave until Christmas Eve when if they have been good, Santa may return their real stocking with goodies inside.

If the child gets snowman poop in their stocking on Christmas Eve, they will have to be good all year if they don't want to get it again the next Christmas Eve!

What can you do to help keep an Elf from playing pranks on you on Stocking Day or Christmas Eve?

Rumor has it that if you leave a bowl of porridge out for an Elf, it will help keep them from playing any pranks on you

So Little Leon is going to leave Santas elves some porridge!  Just in case......

On the Tenth day of christmas.....Little Leon sees the balloon man.....

Today Little Leon went to visit Mr Thompson, the balloon man. He was slightly upset that he didnt come away with a little balloon dog.....

wooo balloons again...

First of all he let the lovely lady registrar scan his chest again, he was blowing raspberrys at her and trying to help her scan his chest!!!  Daddy was trying to keep his hands out of the way........ but that didnt work and Mummy waving his Hula Miss at him just made him laugh!!! He cried a little bit, but it was because he had cold jelly on his chest and thought that they wanted to cut him open again!

So, the pictures showed that his artery is still narrow and needs attention, but the original repair was amazing, well crafted and built to last, woo hoo!

it might be narrow but it still works!

Mr T said that he wants to do a Catheter procedure on Little Leon in February, he needs to take more photographs from the inside, Little Leon is wondering how small his camera is to do that!   He may do a balloon angioplasty, but he is not hopeful that it will work, the artery may be too degraded to be stretched. It may even detach!  Woo Little Leons Mummy was worried about that, but Mr T said that Leons body would compensate and that he wouldnt die if it did happen!   Well that was a relief!  Mummy needed cake after hearing that!!!

Leon was hoping for a balloon dog.....

Mummy and Daddy took Leon to see his Nursey laydees on Ward 10 and took them a photograph of himself now he is repaired and a large box of Roses.  Mummy bought the last three bags of Reindeer food, one for Leon, one for Jas and One for Cara, that should ensure that Santas Reindeer should stop by.

Little Leon needed some air and took Mummy and Daddy for a walk round Leeds and Mummy for a Costa and cake!   Well, it had all been a bit too much, so he snuggled into his pram and went to sleepy while Daddy pushed him back up the hill to the car park!!

On the Ninth day of Christmas Little Leon gets a call from Santa......

Well yesterday Little Leon got a call from Santa, he said that some of his elves had been taken ill and that he might not manage to get the sleigh packed and ready for Christmas eve!

Woo! Mummy, what are we going to do? Mummy thought for a while and then went to look in Little Leons magic wardrobe......... As if by magic she pulled out an Santas little helper outfit! Amazing! Just like Mr Ben when Mummy and Daddy were little.....

Mummy took Leon to see Sarah and the other Mummies at Dreamtime for some massage, tea and buttered scones..... It was Little Leons last time at massage, he is getting a bit too wiggly, which is good but no use if you are trying to have a massage!! So he told his little buddies, fortunately four of them had turned up to Dreamtime in their Santas helper outfits, as they had gotten the same message! Also there was a Little Pudding, a Reindeer and Miss Claus.

Santas little helper!

So while the mummies were having buttered scones they got together and decided that on the stroke of midnight they would all wake up, got to the window and wait for Santa to collect his new little helpers in his sleigh, and they would work little jobs to help him out. Mrs Claus said she was so pleased that Santa would be ready for Christmas eve, she would make some special cakes and buns especially for Little Leon and his Dreamtime buddies.

But all that is a secret, because if the Mummies and Daddies found out what the little helpers, reindeer and pudding had been up to they would be very worried!

Little leon is still feeling a bit poorly, but he is visiting The Balloon man at LGI tomorrow, so he will find our whats the next step for his heart, maybe a balloon!

On the eighth day of christmas Little Leon gets a story from Grandad...

On Monday afternoon Little Leon went to visit Gramma and Grandad, because Mummy needed a break and Little Leon seemed germy free....  Mostly....

So Grandad sat Little Leon on his knee and began a story he used to tell Mummy and Uncle Tony when they were tiny .......

Once upon a time in a land far far away, (but not where far far away Gramma lives..), There lived a Dragon, his name was Puff and he was a magic Dragon.   Puff had a little friend called Peter.  Peter visited Puff in the cave where he lived every day, Puff usually lit a fire with his dragon breath, keeping Peter safely behind him of course so he didnt get burned and they ate marsh mallows  together.

Well one day Peter went to visit Puff and he was very very sad.  His pilot light had gone out and he couldnt light a fire to toast the marsh mallows.  Well, they both sat quietly in the cool cave wondering what to do, when Peter had an idea.....

Off he ran down the hill, through the gate and into the cottage where he lived with his Mummy and Daddy.  Daddy was dozing in the chair by the fire, his pipe on the hearth waiting to be lit.  Peter shook Daddy awake, Daddy, Daddy, Puffs pilot light has gone out and he cant toast marsh mallows!  Mummy was in the kitchen baking Scones.   Oh dear, she said that will never do!   Wake up Daddy we must go and help.

Marsh mallows anyone......?

So, Daddy, Mummy and a plate of scones and Peter went out of the cottage, through the gate and up the hill to the cave where Puff lived.  Puff was looking very sad, little curls of smoke coming out of his nose where his dragons breath should be.   Daddy was a little nervous, but Peter explained to puff that Daddy had a magic flame that would put his pilot light back on.   So Daddy leaned forward, Puff opened his mouth and Daddy lit the pilot light and jumped back.  Puff burped and a little flame shot out of his nose!

Woo Peter was thrilled, so was Puff and Mummy and Daddy.   So Puff toasted marshmallows, Daddy lit his pipe and started to tell Puff stories of when he was a little boy and came to visit Puffs Daddy and Mummy made buttered scones for them all!

Puffs Daddy...

Little Leon was very happy Grandad had told him his story and asked Mummy to share it with all his friends so that they would be able to tell Grandads story and know what to do if they had a dragon whose pilot light has gone out.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, Little Leon tells the tale of Lemon Zester.... by Strawberry fool!

Am I to you a teabag

hanging by a thread?

So when the water is boiling hot

You will poor it on my head!

There I'd swing compliant,

stitched into a sack

peering through perforations

Hands tied behind my back!

I'd think 'its rather risky here'

From the bottom of the cup

Is that the kettle singing?

Oh, my time is nearly up!

Of course they always matter,

Mistakes, mishaps, mistrusts.

But I cannot keep a straight face,

until I am dustbin scraps.

Trapped without a mask so cool,

smile outside, love within

I cannot be quenched to golden silence

by scalding bubbling rain.

Perhaps it matters little

perhaps he fears me too,

How fears conceal affection

shake hands, goodnight, thankyou.

Ill emulate Cyrano

The flood is up to my hips

My body perfumes water

dissolved Ill taste his lips.

At last the fragrance finds him

Steam risen from the depths

Swirls accross the surface,

The tang of Lemon Zest.......

A poem about tea........ or is it?

by Helen Purdy

On the Sixth Day of Christmas. Little Leons Mummy shares a peom..

Turn and Wave

Painting by Henry Wallis

She stole into my rooms like a thief in the night,

She told me she didn't love me, that I wasn't the 'one',

Somebody else she said, who danced to a different drum.

I gave her all my love, now she has thrown it all away.

The letters and poems she wrote me, all tattered and torn.

Blown away by the wind........

I watched her from my window, saw her walk away,

She did not turn and wave.

This is the last poem I shall write, but do not weep,

 for my lost love, my lost life.

I go on another journey, watch for me from your window,

You will see me dancing in the moonlight

and I shall turn and wave.........

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, Little Leon gives everyone a box of kissess!

Little Leons Mummy is late with her posting because Little Leon has been quite poorly and visited the hospital.  He is feeling much better and is snoozing in his snuggle nest, Mummy and Daddy hope he has a good night, they are tired too!!

A Box of Kisses

The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is for you, Daddy. He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, "Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it?"
The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness.
It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.
In a very real sense, each of us as humans have been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, friends, family or God. There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Author unknown

Little Leon is sending kisses to everyone for Christmas.....

xxx

The fourth day of Christmas Little Leon tells the tale of Butterflies wings..

Little Leon is poorly, so Mummy has only just put this up.  He has a viral chest infection and is currently snoozing on Daddys knee!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas" (For Bereaved Parents)

'Twas the month before Christmas and I dreaded the days,
That I knew I was facing - the holiday craze.
The stores were all filled with holiday lights,
In hopes of drawing customers by day and by night.
As others were making their holiday plans,
My heart was breaking - I couldn't understand.
I had lost my dear child a few years before,
And I knew what my holiday had in store.
When out of nowhere, there arose such a sound,
I sprang to my feet and was looking around,
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
The sight that I saw took my breath away,
And my tears turned to smiles in the light of the day.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a cluster of butterflies fluttering near.
With beauty and grace they performed a dance,
I knew in a moment this wasn't by chance.
The hope that they gave me was a sign from above,
That my child was still near me and that I was loved.
The message they brought was my holiday gift,
And I cried when I saw them in spite of myself.
As I knelt closer to get a better view,
One allowed me to pet it - as if it knew -
That I needed the touch of its fragile wings,
To help me get through the holiday scene.
In the days that followed I carried the thought,
Of the message the butterflies left in my heart -
That no matter what happens or what days lie ahead,
Our children are with us - they're not really dead.
Yes, the message of the butterflies still rings in my ears,
A message of hope - a message so dear.
And I imagined they sang as they flew out of sight,
"To all bereaved parents - We love you goodnight!"

-By Faye McCord - TCF, Jackson, MS


An uplifitng story, because life is not always perfect, Little Leon's sister couldn't hang on and is now his very special very bright gardian angel, Mummy and Daddy think about her a lot and send kisses every night.

Little Leon is a poorly Little Kazoo...

Little Leon has had a pyjama day with Mummy and Noel.  He has a nasty cold with a temperature and gunky eyes.  He has been a sad tooting little kazoo today.

Little Leon invited Mummy for a pyjama party!

Mummy gave him some magic medicine to keep his temperature down and let him sleepy in her bed while Daddy was at work. He was snuggled in the duvet nest and snoozed until lunch time.

Then he got up and had a bit of lunch, but he wasnt really hungry, but he shared some of Mummys apple!  He spent the afternoon resting and showing Mummy his books, they are now on his very own book shelf so he can get them whenever he wants to tell Noel a story.

Mummys apples have attitude!

Its always a worry when any baby has a temperature and especially if they have another condition.  Mummy called the doctors and they have invited him to go visit in the morning, its always best to check with a medical professional if you are not sure and Little Leons Mummy wanted to make sure that he is alright.

Little Leon says thats ok then!

So now Little Leon is tucked up in his own bed in his pillow nest, Daddy keeps popping upstairs to see he is still asleepy and doesnt need anything, Mummy is going to make a spare drink of Milky just in case he wakes in the night and needs  a top up.  That will save her coming downstairs at 3am, (again) :)

Mummy and Daddy hope little Leon is feeling better for the weekend, because Daddy is planning a trip to see Santa!

HO HO HO!