Build-A-Bear..what a Pooh-rific time!

Welcome Soccer Monster: Today we decided to finally dust off that $25 gift card that Grandma Judy gave Kade (about 9 months ago) and head on over to the local Build-A-Bear. At first, Kade didn't really want to go...but what is new, he just wants to stay at home and play imaginary airport with daddio or cook on his new play kitchen with anyone. Once we got through a much longer than planned lunch at On The Border, we headed over to see what fun we could have. Well, much to our delight...Kade had a great time. For those who have never been, the store name pretty much sums it up with one glaring exception...they forgot to mention that once you build your bear you will be inundated with a million accessories to go with said bear to make sure you don't leave without spending an arm and a leg. The whole thing only took about 30 mins and went a little something like this:

First, Kade looked at the 30 or so bear options and much to his parents surprise...he chose the most expensive bear...he must get that from Jen ;-) He also chose the most obvious bear in the whole wide world...Mr. Pooh. The amazing thing was that there was no ambiguity about the selection process. We went down the line and he knew exactly which one he wanted. Didn't throw a fit about it (much to daddio's delight)...he just said that he wanted Pooh...like John Winger (Bill Murray) in Stripes..."That's a fact, Jack". Next, we head on over to the stuffing machine where Kade got to pump up his Pooh (see foot pedal pic). After super-sizing Mr. Pooh he got to go pick a heart to put inside Mr. Pooh...and interesting twist which I was not expecting. When the lady instructed him to kiss the heart before putting it into Mr. Pooh I was like...hey...what are you trying to do to my son...turn him into a soft leftie? Then we went over to accessorize Mr. Pooh....what a scammola! Of course Kade chose the soccer outfit as a tribute to his favorite Backyardigan's episode...Soccer Monster (see previous blog). But no...we were not done with the accessorizing....we needed to pick out some skivvies for Soccer Monster...so he has clean undies just in case he got into an accident on the way home...just like yo momma told you. In actuality, that one was a desperate effort to get him re-engaged with potty-training...but that is a different blog altogether. Finally, the Pooh-Man is fully decked out, so its time to head over and print his birth-certificate...that's right...you heard me right. So now we officially welcome the latest addition to the Cavagnaro family...baby Soccer Monster...born on 1/28/2007...hey do I get a tax deduction for that one ;-) Seriously though, Kade loved the whole thing...which should make grandma proud...despite the fact that i still ended up shelling out $10 when it was all said and done.

It's a good thing that this bear was not in the house or I would have gotten soaked for an additional $41...although Grandpa Russel would have been the happiest little camper in town!!

P.S. - these were taken with the SD500...not the XTi

P.P.S. - Kade insisted on sleeping with Soccer Monster tonight...oh joy...bless that little beating heart.