Build-a-Bear

Brody got a gift card for Build-a-Bear Workshop for his birthday. Our friends Alex and Daryl gave it to him, so we set a date to go to the workshop with them. I always like to build anticipation in the kids, so I'd been telling them today that we were going to go this evening.

Luke: (wide eyed) Oh, yeah! (clap, clap) (even though he doesn't know what it is)

We met Alex and Daryl at the mall, had some dinner, and headed off to the Workshop.

We were greeted by the Workshop Host who explained the process: pick an animal, pick a sound, fill him with stuffing and a heart, give him a bath and fluff him, choose an outfit, shoes, accecesories, ect, give him a name and print a birth certificate. It is quite a process!

Luke eventually settled on a grey cat and we chose "fudge pup" for Brody.

Luke had been pushing the buttons to hear the sounds long before we chose an animal. His favorite - the Star Wars theme song. Really? Please, no. Yes, that's what he got. The cat now plays the Star Wars theme song. Brody's pup says six different sweet phrases.

Moving on to fill their friend with fluff...the kids had to step on the pedal that controls the machine. At first Luke was afraid of it, but then did it on his own. Brody loved it so much he kept going back to step on it and laugh.
They had to chose a heart to put inside their animal. It was cute to hear this young guy tell the kids, "shake it up to get it started, rub it on your forehead so your pet will be smart, rub it on your tummy so he never gets hungry, rub it on your heart so he knows you love him, and give it a kiss and make a wish." They put their heart inside, he sewed them up, and they were ready for their bath.
Brody's went straight for the uniform with a football attached so that's what he dressed his pup in. Luke looked around at the uniforms with the various balls but really wanted the fireman hat. So his cat is dressed as a fireman and plays the Star Wars theme song.

Howie and Alex sat at the computers and filled out birth certificates. "Smokey" the fireman cat and "Niner" the football playing pup officially belong to the Howland boys.


Brody was so happy carrying his box out of the store. We know Luke had fun...his bedtime prayer: "Dear God, thank you for Mommy and fun at Build-a-Bear. Amen.