Finding treasures that I didn't even know were lost

Earlier this week, the boys' bedroom received a fresh coat of paint and some furniture rearranging. As I was cleaning out their toy box (because they didn't do a good job of it themselves), I was surprised to run across several of Christian's Treasures... waaaaay down at the bottom of the toy box. I thought I had already put away most of his things, but wouldn't you know it? There they were just waiting for me... and waiting for just the right time to be discovered! In fact, I didn't even realize these things were lost. I guess I had forgotten about them or thought they were tossed long ago.

The first thing I found was...

...Christian's birthday frog! It's squishy and rubbery and feels gross when you hold it-- all the things he loved most about it! This was perched atop his 3rd birthday cake and I remember him laughing and squealing with delight when he first saw it. He also enjoyed showing it off to his friends when they would visit.

The next treasure I discovered was this...

...Christian's once upon a time it was clean stuffed elephant. I think we acquired this when he was a baby-- perhaps a baby shower gift? I honestly don't remember. But I do remember Elephant keeping him company in his pack and play (ummm... we just didn't do a real crib this time around). And as Christian got older, this little guy was soft and worn and dirtied up just like his buddy Blankie. Except I just know Elephant was quite jealous of Blankie-- he just couldn't compete!

And as if that weren't enough blessings bestowed upon this mommy in one evening, God had this very last little guy waiting for me...

... Christian's bear! Yup, it's one of those cheap, tiny, and useless Happy Meal toys. (Please excuse Bear's nekkidness-- he used to own a little red shirt and only be half nekkid. I hope he's not embarrassed.) Some of our IRL friends and family might remember Bear. Christian carried him everywhere!!! I couldn't believe how attached he was to Bear. Maybe he liked it so much because of its small size and the ability to shove him in a pocket. Bear... wow, I wish I could adequately express the adoration that Christian had for him. It just really was his favorite buddy, y'all!

So where are they now?

Well, Elephant can be found lounging around my desk in the living room. Bear has endeared himself to David and imagines a life of travel to some exotic (and not so exotic) locales.

And frog? He sits on the kitchen windowsill just taking it all in and helping to remind me of one very real and important thing...