365: The Reboot: Build-A-Bear Workshop

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Build-A-Bear Workshop

By Christina 7:00 PM

So this concept has been around forever, and its been such a success that the number of knockoff versions are immeasurable around the country. Even while in Dubai I ran across a Build-A-Bear. I've never really had any reason to ventured into one of the stores before. Who knows why since I have quite a few adorable nieces and nephews scattered all around at that perfect age for a teddy bear. While in Myrtle Beach we decided to to a "sister's adventure" and build teddy bears together. Now... those of you that know me, this is probably not something that would naturally come to mind as an activity that I would enjoy. Screaming kids in a small space with lots of fluffy stuff and dress up clothes. Yeah.... that part I could do without. But I didn't really pay attention to any of that. It was really about doing something just with my sister Laura, who since getting married has been living so far from me in Jacksonville, NC. So it was an experience just for the two of us. We picked our "bears" - I selected a chocolate colored teddy bear and she chose the puppy dog. Then we went to give them life. We had to select a heart, kiss it and then the "BearBuilder" began to fill them with stuffing. Maybe because we were adults, but I definitely felt as if the employees at this particular workshop could stand to attend a few guest service classes. Personalities must have been on vacation. Anyway... so from the stuffing we went to create their birth certificates. I was extremely creative and name my bear "Buddy"... it was the sample name on the sample birth certificate immediately over my computer. I know... creative. From there we went off to select "accessories"... now what girl doesn't love accessories!? Well... this is the part where I began to feel slightly foolish b/c walking through the racks of clothing, shoes, swimsuits, etc. I was reminded I am in my 30's selecting clothing for a teddy bear I just stuffed. Ha ha ha I was excited to see an entire sports line... but no surprise... my New Orleans Saints did not have representation. THAT'S what I would have loved to picked out. So I settled on dressing "Buddy" in a very Christina-like manner... he ended up in the coolest outfit they had with a little vest over a white t-shirt, jeans, converse sneakers, aviator sunglasses and of course a cell phone attached to his wrist (they didn't have blackberries). The cell phone does crack me up.. when you open it its a photo of my exact same bear and the buttons all make noise... there is even a camera button. LOL Laura ended up making a present for Travis, her husband that is just about to leave the Marines, so he was in full Navy uniform. Very cute. After paying we headed out. That was definitely the most expensive stuffed animal I ever purchased, especially for myself (I don't think I even own other stuffed animals). But the time spent with Laura and the laughs we had were so very worth that small cost. So now I have "Buddy"... who sorta looks like he could be a trendy assistant to me.. maybe that will work. www.buildabear.com