The Stuffies and Squishies were very excited to welcome home Rise from Artemis II and couldn’t wait to hear about the journey. #artemisii

Baby Ele, Chai Bear, Platypus, and Puppy stepped into Brown Bear Bakery, where Chai Bear’s cousins poured the coffee and waved hello.
They shared warm sweets, and Puppy said, “Everything tastes nicer when it’s made by family.”

Baby Ele watched the butterflies and said, “Spring is flying all around us.” Chai Bea’s dreams came true.

Baby Ele looked at the new orchid and said, “Hello, little flower.”
Forager Mouse smiled and said, “We will sit with you while you grow.”

Baby Ele slipped on the rug and cried “Agh!” He needed Heart more than ever.

Baby Ele stood on the magic rug and waited.

The rug waited too.

“So,” said Baby Ele at last, “are we going somewhere?” and the rug, hearing this, seemed to think it was a very good idea.

Baby Ele found a small dusty lamp and gave it a careful rub with his trunk, just to see what might happen.

Baby Ele, Platy, Puppy, and Chai Bea drifted up in a small balloon; “We are very high,” said Platy, who liked to be sure of things.

“Yes,” said Puppy, “but we are also together,” and that made the sky feel just right.

Baby Ele and Forager Mouse walked slowly down the little path, hoping the daffodils had woken up.

Baby Ele found a tub of warm chocolate and decided it was the finest bath he had ever seen.
When he climbed out all gooey and grand, he knew he would need another bath, this one kindly given by Heart.

Baby Ele found a king cake and bowed to it politely before taking a nibble.
“Good morning, Your Sweetness,” he said, and he ate it happily in the quiet morning.

Baby Ele found a shiny ring and set it on his head, deciding it was the perfect crown for a very small king.

Baby Ele scooped a little hill of snow and packed it into a wobbly snowball snack.
He took one crunchy bite, shivered with delight, and thanked the sky for dessert.

Baby Ele lifted his tiny trunk and said, “Shh,” to the noisy stuffies and squishies.
They all got quiet and snuggled close, and Baby Ele felt very proud.

The sea turtle turned to Baby Ele and said, “Hop on my back.”
His voice was slow and kind, like the tide thinking about where to go next.
Baby Ele climbed aboard, ready for an adventure!

Baby Ele climbed onto the pink cowboy boot.
He sat there quietly.
“This is a very good place,” said Baby Ele, and he felt pleased.

Forager Mouse and Baby Ele gazed at the blooming amaryllis.
“It is doing its best,” said Forager Mouse.
Baby Ele nodded, and the flower kept being beautiful.

Baby Ele opened the door slowly.

“I am going up to 608,” he said.

Then he stopped and looked back.

“Don’t wait up,” he added.

Baby Ele said, “Breathe in,” and Chai Bear tried very hard while the puppy rolled over and the platypus balanced politely.
“Pilates is better with friends,” Baby Ele said, and everyone agreed, even though they all wobbled a little.

Baby Ele stood very still beside his Oreo gingerbread house, feeling warm all the way to his ears, and he said, “I made this myself.”
His friends sat with him quietly, and they were proud together, because it is good to make a thing and be with someone who sees it.

Baby Ele packed the snow with his trunk while Chai Bear patted it gently, and together they made a Snow Elephant that leaned a little to the left.
They sat beside it quietly, feeling happy that it was just right because they had made it together.

Baby Ele was quite delighted with his new red Grinch blanket.

“Chai,” whispered Baby Ele, his tiny trunk curling with anticipation, “do you think it will be as wonderful as everyone says?”

Chai Bear folded his paws thoughtfully.
“I believe,” he said, “that anything called For Good must be very special indeed.” #wicked

Baby Ele wasn’t quite sure what to make of the little Labubu.

Forager Mouse dipped his tiniest brush into a petal’s worth of pink, painting Baby Ele’s round cheeks with great care.

In Denver’s bright river, Baby Ele rode a rainbow trout, hat tipped and proud.
“Yee-haw!” he squeaked, as the trout splashed silver dreams all around.

Chai Bear held the shiny new Bearista mug and smiled.
“It’s just a mug,” said Baby Ele, but he asked to hold it next. #bearista #starbucks

Baby Ele sat beneath the oak tree, his trunk lifted in quiet wonder.
“One by one,” he whispered, “the leaves are learning how to fly.”

Chai Bear curled up tight as thunder rumbled overhead.
“It’s okay,” he whispered to himself, “the sky just forgot to use its inside voice.”

Baby Ele put on an acorn hat and a leaf blanket, and said, “Look, I am Platy!”
Chai Bear floated beside him under a white sheet and whispered, “Boo, I am a ghost.”
They walked into the moonlight together, giggling softly at how brave and silly they felt.