Build A Bear

For Victoria's birthday, she received a gift certificate for Build A Bear from her friend Carson. Grandma Carol also had been asking to take both girls there, so we went to Build A Bear this past week. It's a shop in the mall that allows a child to choose the exact bear they want and go through the whole process of creating it. (See my slide show above.) First, you choose the bear style you want. Both of my girls wanted pink bears- Victoria's is a light pastel fuzzy pink bear and Bella's is smooth groovy multi-colored hot pink bear. (Can you tell their personalities?) Then you choose what you want your bear to play/sing/say, for example "I love you." Bella choose Bram's Lullaby and Victoria would not part with the Hannah Montana theme song. Then you go to a giant machine that is filled with fluff to stuff your bear. You push down with your foot on a lever and pump fluff into your bear. Afterward you choose a small red heart for your bear. You kiss it to show you love your bear; rub it on your forehead so that your bear will be as smart as you are; rub it on your ear so that he'll know your secrets; and rub it on your nose so that he'll know what your thinking. Then you put the heart into your bear and the lady sews her up. Next you take the bear to the bathing station and give him a bath. Then you choose an outfit for your bear. Bella choose a white dress with silver sparkles. Victoria choose a ballerina outfit- pink tutu and leotard with pink tie up ballet shoes and a pretty pink bow for the ear. Victoria was able to put the outfit on all by herself, except for the tie up shoes. Then you sit down at a computer station and come up with a name and birth certificate for your bear. Bella's bear is called "Bella the Bear." (Very original.) And Victoria's bear is called "Bow the Ballerina." They had so much fun. They have been hugging their bears all week. They've even taken them in the car to swim lessons. We've been playing nothing but bears- dressing them, feeding them, putting them to sleep and talking to them. Thanks Carson and Carol for the wonderful gifts!