Our little household has a new addition by the name of Twinkle. She is a little bossy, quite demanding and has only been here for, well... half a day. Yet already she is expecting to sit at the dinner table, requesting her own car seat and no doubt demands for her own bedroom with en suite will follow if her seven-year-old owner has anything to do with it.
You see, IJ is completely and utterly in love with her (and convinced that she has feelings too). Twinkle was created today at the Build-A-Bear Workshop in Nottingham and has been taking over our household ever since.
We went to try out the bear building experience thanks to Estelle at Publicasity who arranged the visit for us (and thanks to lovely Caroline Smailes who put our name forward). We headed off to the the city with IJ determined to wear her new school shoes and school bag for the occasion. From all the bears on display, IJ managed to choose a frog.
We were made to feel extremely welcome by the staff as we were taken through the stages of the bear/frog-building process from choosing a sound (IJ opted for a lullaby rather than a bark, thankfully) ...
To selecting a beating heart (yes, really) and adding the stuffing...
.... checking the frog for huggability and giving her a quick wash.
Choosing an outfit proved the most challenging part as there was just so much to choose from.
In the end IJ opted for a dress and bright pink shoes rather than a cheer-leading outfit or pyjamas, and went off to the dressing area to create the final look.
After compiling a birth certificate we were able to take Twinkle home and the pair are now inseparable. Already Twinkle has been taken for a walk around the garden in a push chair, attended a picnic, and been read a bedtime story while all the time sitting on a pink, fluffy heart-shaped cushion. I am drawing the line at cooking a separate meal for her.
We thought the whole bear/frog building experience was great fun and Twinkle has proved a huge hit. In our case the end result would have cost just under £40 (we got Twinkle and her accessories free of charge), so for us a visit would have to be reserved for a special occasion although there are cheaper bears available. We would definitely visit again and add to our bear/frog collection. Our visit today has left one little girl very very happy.
Looks like much fun was had! This could be a nice idea for my twinnies for Xmas, will have to see if we can conjure up £80!!! I think they would enjoy the whole building experience. Cheers Mich x
Posted by: Michelle Twin Mum | September 02, 2010 at 08:14 PM
Oooh there is a build a bear type place in the Trafford Centre - girly would absolutely love to go there!
Posted by: Whimsical Wife | September 03, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Welcome Twinkle! She looks utterly fab - probably what the off-spring of Kermit & Miss Piggy would have looked like if they'd ever got it together (OK, I'm showing my age now...)
Posted by: Hot Cross Mum | September 03, 2010 at 06:56 PM
Kermit and Miss Piggy? You're absolutely right. Now that's conjured up an image I had never expected to see!
Posted by: Rosie Scribble | September 03, 2010 at 07:13 PM
This is so cute. I read somewhere that 77% off all women in Britain fall asleep hugging a teddy bear. I am not surprised anymore :)
Posted by: Metropolitan Mum | September 05, 2010 at 06:06 PM
Aw... Twinkle! How cute! What a great idea that Build-a-Bear workshop is.
Posted by: Talli Roland | September 06, 2010 at 03:58 PM