Eleanor's first Build A Bear Workshop experience!

Checking out the fluff!

Cohen was in charge of the stuffing!

Happy girl!

Giving her new bear sweet hugs...

...and patting him so soft!

Build A Bear Workshop debuted their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Mr. Cohen just HAD to go and make one, so when Melinda was in town a few weeks ago, she (we) took the kids to let Cohen "build" one. When we got there, Miss Eleanor went all goo-goo eyed over all the bears and puppies - well and all the softness in general! We decided she should probably go ahead and make one, too! She picked a big fluffy, velvety bear and we got in line to stuff him. Cohen was in charge of stuffing both his Ninja Turtle and her bear and then the girl sewed them up and handed them over. Cohen was excited, don't get me wrong, but what happened next was THE sweetest thing I've ever seen! Eleanor hugged that bear like she had been waiting all of her life for him - hugged him so tight and then started patting his back like he was her long-lost best friend! It was so innocent and sweet and definitely an experience I won't soon forget. Needless to say, she may sleep with her little pink bunny, but her big brown bear has also found a permanent place in her crib with her and there have been countless times I've checked in on her and seen her using him as a pillow!