One of the highlights of last week’s half term for my children was an invitation to one of the Build-A-Bear outlets. Obviously I was hoping to go next door to the adult version of Build-A-Bloke, but sadly this has not yet been invented (Builder Bloke is close enough and will just have to do).
I took my 10 year old and his friend and my 3 year old Goddaughter BUT my nearly 15 year old daughter was extremely indignant about being left behind. Apparently, (like the fact my mother wouldn’t let me have black patent shoes), she was feeling deprived because she was never invited to a Build-A-Bear party or taken by me when she was growing up and I was in dire danger of ruining her life. Well, I couldn’t have that held against me forever more, so she came too.
It’s a great concept. The kids just love it. It was just brilliant to watch my Goddaughter positively quiver with excitement at the whole prospect of choosing and building her own bear from scratch.
Here is what you do, in picture format. Explains it all much better:-
Daughter trying to look nonchalant about the choice (not technically true that you can only build-a-bear, can build-a rabbit, a monkey, a Hello Kitty, all sorts:-
Goddaughter making her choice (pre-stuffing):-
Then it gets taken over to the huge great stuffing machine. You can then decide if you want it soft or hard (that would work well in the adult shop next door!). You can at this stage put a sound inside and you have to choose it’s heart.
Goddaughter hugging the heart of the bear:-
Kissing the heart of the bear:-
Carefully placing the heart in her bear:-
Teeny weeny dolly sized Goddaughter choosing clothes with the help of my son:-
Choosing outfits (which be warned can take a lifetime because there is SO much choice:-
Daughter’s bear in pants:-
A “couldn’t-be-happier-with-her-build-a-bear” Goddaughter:-
Collecting their birth certificates:-
Thank you to the lovely Dee in the Kingston Branch for looking after us all.
Back at home with my son’s Arsenal supporting monkey:-
My daughter’s finished bear:-
janelle
October 27, 2010absolutely DELIGHTFUL ! all of it…too sweet. x j
TheMadHouse
October 27, 2010I am taking the boys to build a bear at the Metro centre in gateshead tomorrow, I am sure they are going to have a great time.
Expat Mum
October 27, 2010I love that little tongue sticking out with intense concentration. Gorgeous!
Anna
October 27, 2010Great job on the two animals by the older children. I especially like the bespectacled bear with the leather jacket. This Is fun!
kelloggsville
October 27, 2010cute tongue poking out! We love build-a-bear and plan our London trips around it! The money that can be spent there is NOT funny!! I like the dressing it up in front of the mirrors. I’m the mum elbowing the kids out of the way whilst I have a ball!!
Family Affairs
October 27, 2010I know. One can get carried away big time….Lx
Family Affairs
October 27, 2010Isn’t it just the cutest! Like a cartoon character x
Imo
October 28, 2010I want to be there x.x.
Family Affairs
October 28, 2010AAAH. Thought you might. You could start the franchise in Oz?? Lx