Earlier this year

One week before Baby Tilda died

We were invited to visit and review Build A Bear

We went to our local store in Maidstone

And had the most magical time

I have never sat down and written the review

It has always been too hard

Thinking of the things we did

In our last few days with Tilda

But this week the fabulous team at Build A Bear

Asked us to come back again

And almost one year on we had an equally amazing time

If you are looking for something to do

In the run up to Christmas

Or to mark any other special occasion, anniversary or event

With children of all ages

I think Build A Bear could be for you

It is a wonderful, magical experience

And the whole process of building a bear

And bringing it to life

Is totally hands on for the children

We had a magical time both times

And I would love to share them with you.

January 2013

Seems like a lifetime ago

It was a whole lifetime ago

For Matilda Mae.

We went to Build a Bear

Where Esther and William

Each fell in love with a monkey

For the last 11 months

The monkeys they made that day

Have slept beside them every night

Have been with us on every holiday

And weekend away

They have been the first toys

Esther and William have had any emotional attachment too

This week Esther and William have moved

New bedroom, big beds

And of course their monkeys

Had to move too

When we arrived at Build A Bear

January 2013

We were welcomed so warmly

Esther and William immediately felt at ease

They chose their monkeys

And then helped to bring them to life

Helped to stuff them

With the stuffing machine

Made a wish on their

Little red heart

Cuddled them

Showered them

Brushed their fur til it shined

They then chose outfits

A princess

A firefighter

Before they named their monkeys

Monkey

And registered their birth

And then we took the monkeys home

They have become part of the family

Esther and William’s bedtime monkeys

A bond made all the stronger I believe

Because their baby sister died.

Yesterday we went back to Build a Bear

The very same shop

From the week before

Our world turned upside down

This time we took Daddy

To see what all the fuss is about

The excitement of building a bear

And this time

Both Esther and William did indeed

Build bears!

A polar bear and a little pink teddy.

Stuffed with love

No scent, but sounds

Both our bears sing Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Often at the same time

Yet not quite in time with one another

Our beautiful bears have beating hearts

Inside their love stuffed fur

We wished for things that cannot be so

And cuddled them as tight as we could

Yes even Mummy got to cuddle the bears

Once the bears were stuffed and sewed

It was time for the warm air shower

Esther and William love this part of the process

Grooming their new friends, their bears

After the grooming it was time for clothes

And in Esther’s case accessories!

She has grown up since our last visit

She knew exactly what she wanted for her bear

A dress, a hat, a scarf, some boots, a bag, a coat!!

She has become a super shopper

My eldest daughter

A super speedy shopper

William chose a little suit with a furry hat

For his boy polar bear

Esther and William were also given beds for their baby bears

Beds that double up as chairs

They really were very lucky children

And the highlight of their day

Was getting to sit down in a quiet corner of the shop

In special teddy bear chairs

To listen to their favourite festive story

Father Christmas Needs A Wee

Before we were able to take our baby bears home

And they have been home with us now for 36 hours

And are definitely their new favourite friends

Going to Build a Bear is a wonderful experience

With a lovely end product

You can spend as much or as little as you like

Each time you visit

There are so many bears and cuddly toys to choose from

So many accessories to suit all budgets

If you want to give your little one

A very special treat

Take them to Build a Bear

It will forever hold a special place in our heart

Because of Matilda Mae

We were invited to Build A Bear to make two bears for the purpose of this review.