Birthday Girl

Friday was Addy's second birthday and after her photo session (Rachel should be putting up the photos any.day.now.) we took her to Build A Bear for the first time. I think we were all a little overwhelmed at the choices; not just of stuffed animals, but in clothes and shoes and accessories and strollers and stuff.

There was obviously some thought put into these stores. First you choose an unstuffed animal. Addy's favorite animal is an elephant so Rachel, after showing her a few other options, steered Addy in that direction.

Then you help stuff it. See the pedal at Rachel's foot? She (and older kids) controlled how fast and how much stuffing goes in. The helpful employee sewed up the back (the threads are already in place, it's just a matter of pulling them tight, tying a knot and cutting the strings) and then gave Addy her new friend. Next up is a 'bath' (air, not water) complete with scrub brushes to get any excess lint off the toy. Then came the really hard part; choosing an outfit and accessories. See the counter behind Addy? That's about one-sixth of what's available, accessory-wise. They even had sparkly ruby slippers to match the ones Addy wore for her pictures. Addy finally settled on a pair of Pretty Kitty pj's for her elephant, passing up the princess, camouflage, and Broncos cheerleader outfits. (She'll probably get the stroller she was also interested in for Christmas.)

We had a minor meltdown at the cash register - it was well after Addy's nap time - but that was solved by taking her to see the ginormous Christmas tree that was right outside the store. Addy marched around - and around - the tree carrying her new elephant in a box that was almost half her size, and talking to him the entire time. A quick ride on Grandpa's shoulders, with the elephant she refused to put down, then home for a nap in her princess bed. I think my baby likes her new baby.