Build-A-Bear Workshop

Whew--this is a long one, folks. "Bear" with me ... har har har ...

Family shot outside BAB. Tanna was pretty much over the pictures at this point--do you like his fake smile? ;o)

While we were at the beach last week, we visited Build-A-Bear Workshop--a regular place for the peeps in our fam. For Kate, we got an elephant--named her Ellie. I wanted to get the panda bear, but when I saw how furry it was in person, I passed. No thanks on the shedding. Plus, it's an election year, so the elephant fits. ;o)

Kate and her Ellie. Kate ended up eating part of the tag. No joke.

See?

The kids in our family LOVE Build-A-Bear Workshop. I mean L-O-V-E it! When they visit the A-T-L, BAB is a favorite place to visit. It's also on the things-to-do list when the kids go to the beach or to another city where BAB has a store. (Unfortunately, there isn't a BAB where they live.)

Riley (left) and Bekah pose on the beach with Hershey (bear) and Briar (bunny).

I guess it all started when Robin and Steven were expecting Rebekah. They made her a bunny rabbit named Briar. Then, when Robin was pregnant with Riley, they made a similar-looking bear, naming him Hershey. As they've grown, the girls have had lots of photos made with Briar and Hershey--they are well-loved and still going strong, even with the other BAB additions to the family.

Abba chose a husky dog this time--goes along with her recent addiction to the movie "Snow Buddies." She named her dog Rainbow.

Same thing with Abigail and Anna-Claire. Johnny and Anne bought them each a BAB animal that has been special to the girls. The Sesame Street characters have been faves for them--but they have some other good ones, too. And as the years have gone by, the collection has grown ... including lots of clothes and accessories--or, as Abba calls them, "sets."

Anna-Claire got a bunny. I am not sure if there was a final say on the name. A-C was still warming up to the rabbit last week. ;o)

In case you're not familiar with the concept, it goes something like this: BAB offers these stuffed animals or dolls, only they are not stuffed. You build it yourself at the store. Basically, you go and select your flat animal (the selection changes, with some animals being "special editions," etc.). You can pick out a little heart to go inside, and--for a little extra $$--you can also include special sounds to include in the animal as well.

Kate and Ellie getting fluffed!

Next, your animal is stuffed when a BAB employee attaches it to the stuffing machine--which you (or your young'n') can operate by stepping on a pedal. Once the stuffing amount is to your liking, the BAB person will sew the creature up and hand it over. Before picking out accessories, you can fluff your critter at the fluffing station, which looks like a plastic bathtub with air coming down over the animal.

More than one person pointed out that there was an outfit that matched what I was wearing! LOL! I am not sure if that is a good thing. Bekah actually got this outfit for Spotty, her new BAB animal.

After that, you can pick out a special outfit and tons of accessories, if you want. Of course, this all costs extra--but there is quite a selection! Our nieces really get into it. They have a bunch of outfits and love to play BAB, dressing their animals up for various scenarios. Oh, and I can't forget this: Before you leave, you can name your animal and print out a birth certificate and everything. When you check out, you can also get some free bows and stickers--so be sure to ask for them if they aren't offered.

Kylie and Eric at BAB back in March

As an aside ... it was so funny when Kylie and Eric (Tanna's brother's kids) were visiting from California recently. We went into BAB, and I asked them if they wanted to get an animal. At first, they didn't because they were all flat--they hadn't been to BAB before and didn't understand that the whole experience is the making of the animal. Once they got it, they were all about it! LOL!

Here's a pic from last January--it's of Grammy, Kate and me--Phillie the Groundhog is in the box.

Another aside ... We got Kate's first BAB animal--the groundhog--back in January when Grammy (my Mom) was visiting. We had a great time building Phillie--we bought her a little Groundhog Day shirt to wear, too!

Rebekah and Riley at the stuffing station. This is serious business, folks!

Anyway, a lot of the fun is the experience of making the animal or doll. I've also heard of people using the process to help children stop using their pacifiers--the paci is sewn into the animal, so I suppose it's still comforting to the child to know that it is there. BAB also does birthday parties. Abigail had a BAB birthday party--but because there is no BAB where they live, she had the mini BAB kits for each party participant to build. Target used to carry them--they were a big hit at the party. Also, I should mention that there are BAB knock-offs, too. Can't remember the names of them right now, but they are out there.

The girls set up this group shot on the stairs.

Surprisingly, BAB isn't as expensive as one might think. Some of the merchandise can be a little pricey (like anywhere), but BAB offers some very reasonable dolls and accessories, IMO. Also, BAB regularly has coupons floating around and offers a pretty decent rewards program as well. Check it out.

So there you have it. That's our BAB story. What's yours?