Build-A-Bear (from July)

As another special treat (partially for Ainsley's birthday) that we did when my mom was visiting back in July, was we took the kids to Build-a-Bear in the mall.  Often times we visit this store and the kids pretend with some of the stuff but we always walk out empty handed.  Well this time they actually got to build a bear and take it home with us.  Ainsley was SO excited and Bailey was in awe of the whole process.

Oddly, the first stuffed animal Bailey picked out was the Sponge Bob Square Pants and he was so excited about!!  Ainsley was also pretty interested in getting the Pinkie Pie my little pony stuffed animal.  I had to work some mom magic to steer them both towards actual bears.  Sorry kids.  (And look how little and tiny my bump was back then.  A far cry from the wide load I am today!)

 

Here they are holding "their" selections - a rainbow bear for Ainsley and an adorable plain brown bear for Bailey - and patiently waiting their turn to stuff their bear.  Even though we have been here several times to watch this process, they were both mesmerized!

 



 

Below is Ainsley stuffing her bear.  The workers have the kids step on a peddle to make the stuffing come out of the machine.  Then they have them pick out a fabric heart and rub it on different parts of their bodies to put magic into it.  I can't remember all of the little sayings but they are something like, "rub it on your smile so that your bear is always happy" and "rub it on your heart so that your bear always feels your love."  It is so sweet, engaging, and imaginative.  And then the kids kiss the heart and put it inside the bear.  Ainsley has made a bear here twice before, once when she made her Meow-Meow before Bailey was born and once for a birthday party, so she was excited and happy but it was Bailey that was really entranced by the process.

 

 

 

Then it was Bailey's turn.  Here he is stepping on the stuffing peddle and watching the worker fill up his bear.

 

 

Sweet boy.  He was so excited to get his bear back to snuggle.

After the kids made their bear, they took them over to the "washing station" to make sure that they were all clean and pretty before they picked out special outfits for them.

Selecting clothes took a lot of guidance so I didn't get any pictures of it but Ainsley chose a pink princess dress for her bear with lots of accessories and Bailey got his bear a pair of Sponge Bob boxers.  :)  Thanks Mom for such a fun outing and special treat for my munchkins!!

Another perk of this store is that the kids get to bring home their new friends in these great cardboard boxes that look like little houses.  Here they are later that week, adding some more personality to their bear's homes.

Fun!  Fun!