Wendy's Build-a-Bear Birthday Party

Wendy invited some friends to help her celebrate her birthday (which was really a festival this year, as she had 2 weekends of family celebrations and then wrapped up with this friend event) at Build-a-Bear, a store at the mall where children can select a bear, stuff it, dress it and take it home. Part of me felt bad at enabling the rank American materialism and soulless mall culture that I hate, while the other part of me felt totally gleeful that I did not have to cook for/host/clean up after a (probably crazy) large kid party in our home. Given the price tag of a Build a Bear (!), only a few guests were possible, so Wendy and her friends enjoyed a very fun, peaceful celebration together and Wendy was really happy. The look on her face as the very nice Build a Bear staff person led the group through their paces was sheer joy. And we have to give a special shout-out to Fer, who participated in the whole thing so kindly, even though she really felt a bit too old to truly enjoy it. We were able to pick up a One Direction fan magazine for her on our way out as recognition of how great she had been with the other girls at the party, especially the younger ones.








We finished up with pizza and cupcakes back at our house, and Wendy was thrilled that her best friend from school was able to sleep over to cap off the celebration.