THE JOHANNESBURG DIARIES - BUILD A BEAR - #BLOGCHATTERA2Z2023

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With our little Z’s seventh birthday in two days, what better gift could she get from her parents than ‘Build a Bear’ at Toy Kingdom at the Fourways Mall. So, off we went, one excited child, two happy parents with an over-excited grandma in tow. Nana had gone for a one-day cricket match.
 When we got there, there was already a crowd of children, chattering for all they were worth, as it was a birthday party treat for another little girl and her friends.

The whole store was filled with not just bears, but all kinds of toy animals which could be stuffed, along with their clothes and accessories. Children could choose the animal they wanted, get it stuffed and then the arena was open… T Shirts, dresses, tutus, trousers with fancy shoes, hair bands and the like.



Our Z chose a limp multi-coloured rabbit with floppy ears. The smiley saleslady stuffed her up with fluff (cotton stuffing) and suddenly, there was a well fleshed out rabbit waiting to be dressed up. Z strolled around and found a pink Tee and a bright lacy skirt with silver shoes, and voila, Snowflake was born, two days before Z’s special day.



It was time for Snowflake’s birth certificate to be created. Z typed in the details with a bit of help. The colourful certificate was printed out and presented to Z, stuffed with love from her little brother, S. Then Snowflake was ceremoniously presented to Z, after which she was placed in a special box to be escorted home.


It was a most enjoyable experience, albeit a trifle expensive. But the smile on Z’s face was worth every penny. As we walked out of the store, I looked back to cast one last glance at the happy space we were leaving behind.

Snowflake, Z's Newest Friend!

It often takes only the kernel of an idea to create a spark which finally ends in sheer brilliance. In the words of Albert Einstein, “Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought.”

‘Build a Bear’ was also one such spark that set out to ignite creativity among children, and also to kindle their ability to make choices, resulting, of course, in the joy of taking their creation home.

“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Albert Einstein again! 


This post is a part of #blogchatterA2Z2023.

https://www.theblogchatter.com/



Comments

  1. Suchita4/03/2023 11:13:00 AM

    Awe Snowflake is so cute. I have read so much about Build a Bear but I didn't know they give birth certificates too. So precious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. deepti menon4/03/2023 12:43:00 PM

      Thank you so much, Suchita! It was an amazing experience, indeed! :)

      Delete
    2. deepti menon4/04/2023 02:07:00 PM

      That came as a surprise to me as well, Suchita. One thing I forgot to mention is that they put a little loving heart inside Snowflake as well.

      Delete
  2. Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu4/03/2023 10:13:00 PM

    You are really having a gala time Maam !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. deepti menon4/04/2023 02:08:00 PM

      Oh yes, Chinmayee! Meeting the little ones after almost two years! :)

      Delete
  3. A Rustic Mind4/04/2023 06:19:00 PM

    I love Snowflake 😍 such a cutie colourful bunny she is 😌
    This 'Build a Bear' thing is so innovative. Glad the kids of today are getting to explore their creative sides so early on

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. deepti menon4/06/2023 02:28:00 PM

      It was my first time, Manali, and believe me, I was as fascinated as the kids were.

      Delete

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