BabySparkles: Our Mosaic Family

Their first night outside

2008-12-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

They watched SparkleBerry walk away through the bushes. It felt a little bit scary to be alone in this new place. It has been really quiet as all the BabySparkles had been watching. There old home was now high in the sky. A strange sight to be here and only being able to look at where they once lived so happily. Then it was as if all the creatures in their new home suddenly began to sing at the same time. A nice welcome song just for them.

One by one, someone new would fly, walk, or crawl by their spot in the woods. Everyone was talking to someone different. A symphony of words and sounds played between the newly arrived BabySparkles and those who had always lived here. Each having their own story and so curious about who the BabySparkles were and why they had never seen anything like them.

Diamond and Sapphire were busy making all sorts of SparkleGraphs in the night air. Their friends were dazzled by the multicolored display of lights as everyone joined in the dance.
Slowly, everyone left until no other new friends were left with them. The BabySparkles could see the bright light start to glow in the sky and they knew it was time to get back home. Their day was ending as the sun rose to light up their strange new home. Life was full of surprises.

"None of them are like us", whined Diamond. "They are really scary. I don't like different things that scare me." Ruby flew up near her and softly fanned Diamond with her wings.

"Everyone is different. Look at me and you", Ruby said softly. "I have a red tail and you have a yellow tail. Different can be fun and does not have to be scary. Did you like those Plumnickle berries?"

But we are sisters, smiled Diamond. "And yes, I loved those new berries.

Exactly said Ruby. Those berries are different than any you have every eaten. They were delicious and different. Different can be really good. We sisters are all different but we still love each other. Now, we must go home. We can do more fun things tomorrow. With that, all of them flew toward the tree they now called home.

BabySparkles start to explore

2008-12-11T17:04:00.002-05:00

The BabySparkles slept in their new home for the first time. Soon, they would get used to the bright light by staying in their dark home during the day. When the stars would come out, so would the BabySparkles. Night time in this strange land was a lot closer to their old home on the moon. So they started to explore their new world at night.

Onyx flew out in the evening twilight and he was followed by the rest of his sisters. Onyx was always the one to go first since he was the boy. They were out looking for fun. It didn't take them long to run into SparkleBerry. All their question came out at the same time. SparkleBerry just laughed as he was not able to understand a single one.

"Slow down", he laughed.

They all stopped talking and looked at each other. Sapphire started to speak first.

"SparkleBerry, what do you call this place?", asked Sapphire

"We call it Berry Patch.", he said. "It is full of all kinds of berries. My favorite is the Plumnickle berry. This part of the forest is full of all my friends and anything you would like to eat. Here, Sapphire, try a Plumnickle berry. She smiled really big and shared this delicious treat with all her sisters and brother. This was going to be a really fun place to live.

"Where is your family?", asked Ruby.

"I will let you meet them sometime." "They will enjoy you a lot", smiled SparkleBerry.

"Are you really strong and tough?", said Onyx.

"Not, so much.", responded SparkleBerry. "I get along with everyone." "I just like to eat."

"Enough questions.", said SparkleBerry. "It is time for me to go to sleep now. You can tell me all about the BabySparkles tomorrow. Have fun tonight but be careful."

BabySparkles Meet SparkleBerry

2008-12-04T09:38:00.001-05:00

Papa flew over and stood right by the kids and mama. He has a strange look on his face and was looking around for a back door. It was then that the kids saw the face that took up the whole opening and it became really dark in their new home.

"Don't be afraid, I am SparkleBerry." came the soft spoken words from the rather large creature.
"Come out and talk to me."

With that the light came back into their home and the face was gone. Papa slowly flew back to the opening and disappeared outside. After him came Mama and then the BabySparkles one by one.

The BabySparkles hid behind mama as the really large furry creature just stood there with a smile on it's face. Bernie, their new friend the bee, buzzed around lecturing the big creature as it just laughed and playfully swatted at him. Bernie landed right on his nose and they both laughed causing Bernie to fly off end over end until he caught himself.

SparkleBerry spoke first. "Ya'll look different" Bernie says you come from that light in the night sky that we call the moon.

So, Papa told a story of how they came to the forest from the moon. How the big thing took their old home right out of the ground and moved it inside. How they woke up in a world they had never seen before. One with light and so many strange things and creatures. Both the creatures listened quietly to his story. When he had finished, he asked them to tell him about this strange place his family now lived in.

Finally, it was the BabySparkles and family's turn to sit there and listen. They were about to learn so much about their new home.

SparkleBerry told all about the Appalachian Mountains and the forest in which they were standing. He was a black bear and Bernie was a honey bee. This forest place had many creature in it like deer, butterflies, chipmunks, ground hogs, and birds. There were so many different things mentioned that the BabySparkles forgot most of them. Sapphire finally flew closer to get a better look at SparkleBerry. She always was the curious one.

Making new friends

2008-11-20T08:47:00.001-05:00

A loud crashing through the nearby bushes sent Mama into the nearest hollow tree. The kids and Papa followed in a straight line right behind her. As the crashing sound came closer to the tree, Papa peered out the opening and the kids huddled together in the back.

In the dark of the tree hollow, the kids and Mama could just make out a pair of eyes. She could see that those eyes were just as scared as her family.

"Don't be afraid.", Mama said in her best soothing voice. "We would not hurt you."

"You are a strange looking bee.", said Bernie.

"We are not a bee." "We are Sparkles and these are my BabySparkles.", smiled Mama moonlight. "We come from that big light you see in the night sky."

"Oh, the moon?", said Bernie. "You must be tired." "That looks so far away."

"We didn't fly that whole way.", laughed Mama, "We took a ride on a really large creature."

Another large crash and the whole tree shook. The BabySparkles were really scared now.

"Don't worry.", smiled Bernie. "That is just SparkleBerry the bear coming to get some honey." I will fly out and tell him to be more careful." With that he left their tree with a strange buzzing sound. After he left, Papa came over to Mama. This looks like a safe place to stay for a while. Why don't we make a place for the children to sleep. So, Mama set about making a home.

SparkleGraphs

2008-11-10T11:20:00.006-05:00

The BabySparkles are a distant relative of the firefly. They were born on the Moon and still have the tail lights like their cousins. However, these tail lights don't just shine a white light. They shine in colors and beautiful patterns. We call these patterns: Sparklegraphs. Sparkgraphs are a beautiful pattern of light that BabySparkles use to communicate with each other. The BabySparkles make these patterns using swaggle, wiggle, and their tail point. It is all about how fast they move their tail and the directions they move it in to describe these beautiful SparkleGraphs. Here are a few examples of them. See previous posts about the individual BabySparkles to see more.

BabySparkles: On to the Forest

2008-11-07T11:00:00.001-05:00

Papa, Mama, and all the kids took off into the bright sunlight. The sun was new to them. Their home on the Moon had always been in the dark. Others had told them stories of a light brighter than their tails but none of them had ever seen it. Now, it hurt their eyes to see something so bright.

It was also weird to be flying in this place. Their wings worked so much better than they worked on the Moon. They could really fly fast. Anytime one of the kids strayed away too far, Mama warned them to stay close. What dangers could there be in this strange place? They all worried about that answer.

Diamond looked around and saw nothing but these tall things that seemed to grow straight up as high as they could see. Everything here was just so different. What cruel thing had left their family in a place like this. Life was suddenly so much different. How would they ever figure it all out.

Raspberry Roodles and Blackberry Bears

2008-10-29T08:01:00.010-04:00

Raspberry Roodles and Blackberry Bears

Live on the mountain
and hang out in pairs

The Roodles are red and bears have black hair
They really look different
but neither one cares

Raspberry Roodles dance and plant flowers
wrap things in green bows
play in rain showers

While Blackberry Bears skip and sing loud
wrap things in pink bows
ride a rain cloud

Both of them happy and this you can see
So look really close
in a plumnickle tree

Little ones came from this wonderful match
time to grow happy
and one day did hatch

Blackberry Roodles and Raspberry Bears
the sweetest thing found
on earth anywhere

The beginnings

2008-10-20T20:21:00.003-04:00

The nights had been cold and dark when Mama Moonlight and Papa Starlight left the Baby Sparkles to sleep. Now, the big blue marble was high in the sky to cast moon shadows everywhere. So, they kept watch for the new wingless creatures who started to appear with the blue marble’s light. Papa could hear the big digger coming closer and closer to their home.

“Mama,” said Papa Starlight, “we need to go get the babies ready to move.”

“Yes Papa.” Mama Moonlight said with a sad look on her face.

Papa and Mama started to gather all the Baby Sparkles’ clothes and food. Papa quietly started with the clothes and Mama went to the kitchen. But just as Mama gathered up the last bit of food, the room turned upside down and everything splattered on the floor. The whole house was moving. Mama grabbed the babies and held on. Where were they going?

BabySparkles first trip

2008-10-20T20:16:00.003-04:00

Mama and Papa hugged the kids close as the topsy-turvy ride became just a gentle swaying back and forth. The loud noises were scary but they dared not go outside to take a look. Finally, Papa could hear the babies sleeping and then Mama joined them. He kept an eye open while drifting in and out of sleep until he heard a loud crash.

The noise had the whole family awake again. So much time had passed that Papa didn’t know if it was night or day. Now, all that Papa could hear was the loud roaring while he was being pressed tight against Mama and the babies.

“Mama!” Cried Papa, “Are you okay?” Before she could answer, all the lights went black.

Papa woke up to a really bright light in his eyes. He had no idea how long he had been asleep. It could have been hours or days. Papa could smell things and hear sounds he had never heard in his life. Diamond was the first to speak.

“Mama”, She squealed, “What is that sound?”

“I don’t know dear.” Mama whispered softly. “Papa, I think its time to leave our home.” She added. “Everyone gather up our stuff and let’s go.”

Sapphire Details

2008-10-16T13:55:00.006-04:00

Name: Sapphire
Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Blue
Gender: Female
Light Color: Blue

Information

Sapphire is the smart one and she loves poetry. Her days are spent trying to understand how everything works. Often, she is deep in concentration while investigating the newest object of her inquisitive mind. However, she is quick with an explanation to the entire group of some curious happening they don't yet understand. Her poetry soothes their hearts when she is in the mood to share. She is next in line after Onyx

Ruby Details

2008-10-16T13:34:00.006-04:00

Name: Ruby
Hair: Red
Eyes: Blue
Gender: Female
Light Color: Red

Information

Ruby is the oldest of the sisters and her first love is music. She will get all the baby sparkles together to make a symphony of light while she plays music. When the baby sparkles are without Mama and Papa; she becomes the one all the others find will keep them out of trouble. Sometimes her family tires her out and she likes her time alone. She retreats to her special place just to be alone and play her music.

Pearl Details

2008-10-16T13:25:00.006-04:00

Name: Pearl
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Blue
Gender: Female
Light Color: Silver

Information

Pearl loves art and is a cousin not a sister. Although she has been adopted by all of the family and treated as if she is really just another one of the girls. She has spent many hours making new artistic patterns with her tail. The rest of the sparkles can't always figure out what Pearl sees the beauty in everything and everyone. She never loses faith that each and everyone will be good at everything and listens to everyone when they have problems.

Onyx Details

2008-10-16T12:15:00.007-04:00

Name: Onyx
Hair: Black
Eyes: Green
Gender: Male
Light Color: Orange

Information

Onyx is next to the oldest in the family and the only boy. He loves the outdoors but can often be seen inside reading a book. Onyx is full of pride, which gets him into trouble but is also scared of the dark. Like a typical boy, he is always testing his strength to try and master his world. One of his gifts is the gift of honor. He is the fastest of the baby sparkles at flying and often trying to show up the girls with his skills.

Jade Details

2008-10-16T11:18:00.007-04:00

Name: Jade
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Blue
Gender: Female
Light Color: Green

Information

Jade is the nature girl in the family. When she lived on the moon, all they knew were rocks. She had never seen a tree until she came to the mountains. Now, plants are her first love. Her gift is empathy so she spends a lot of time helping out all the forest creatures. Is she can get away with it; she will spend hours lying under a tree just daydreaming. Jade is just a little older than the twins.

Diamond Details

2008-10-15T21:04:00.017-04:00

Name: Diamond
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Gender: Female

Light Color: Yellow

Information

Diamond is the twin sister of Amethyst. She isn't as playful as her twin and prefers to sleep when she isn't sharing things with her sister. Mama is always scolding her and telling her to go outside and do something. When awake she always has a smile on her face, she is like the sun radiating happiness to the rest of the family. Since big brother Onyx is the protector of the little twin girls, you will often see all three off on some new adventure.

Amethyst Details

2008-10-15T21:00:00.004-04:00

Name: Amethyst
Hair: Light Brown
Eyes: Blue
Gender: Female

Light Color: Purple

Information

Amethyst is the twin sister of Diamond. As the youngest in the family, she is always playful and into mischief. Amethysts' gift of joy keeps the entire family laughing with all her funny antics. While her twin sister Diamond can be seen frequently with her, she is always teasing her brother Onyx. Even with the teasing, he is still the protector of the twins. She never likes to be alone and tags along with anyone willing to let her come along.

BabySparkle Background

2008-10-15T20:56:00.000-04:00

The Baby Sparkles were born in a moon crater. A happy home was made by Mama Moonlight and Papa Starlight for the babies until humans came back to live on the moon. The family had to keep moving every time the humans came too close to their home. Until one day, the machine that is used to mine for moon rocks dug up the family home while they were preparing to move. The family was transported back to earth and ended up in the Appalachian Mountains.

To the human eye, Baby Sparkles look a lot like fireflies with the same light on their tail. However, their tail contains a gem that lights ups in a completely different way. They can use these lights to communicate with spirals that sparkle in the night. Each Baby Sparkle has a set of SparkleGraphs they make along with all the everyday ones that have been taught to them by Mama and Papa. You can look at the individual pages to see which of the favorite SparkleGraphs are shown for each baby sparkle.

There are 7 baby sparkles; one boy (Onyx) and 6 girls. Two of the girls, (Amethyst and Diamond), the youngest ones, are twins. One of the girls, (Pearl), is a cousin.

The babies now live in an old forest on top of a mountain. Take an evening walk in the twilight on a moonlit mountain night. The twinkling lights from fireflies will fill the early evening. If you look closely, you may just see the colors of SparkleGraphs shimmering in the cool mountain air.

BabySparkle Stories

2008-10-13T16:19:00.002-04:00

The BabySparkles stories address issues that multiracial or multiethnic children encounter in their daily life. This is not a black and white issue. Here we refer to it as a mosaic family.