Build a Bear

    Yesterday was a very special day for Ashlyn.  Ashlyn has been asking to go to Build A Bear for some time now.  She has really wanted to make a special stuffed animal.  I had planned on taking her, but I felt that since it was such a special treat, she should earn it.  She and I agreed that if she read 25 books, we would go.  We created a special chart to track her progress.  She read a lot of books at first, but we have been kind of busy the last few weeks and she hasn't been reading as much.  At the end of this week, she wanted to make it her goal to finish once and for all.  Yesterday, she read her final book and it had come time to finally receive her reward she worked so hard at.  She has gotten to be a really good reader.  She is amazing at sounding words out.  Her phonemic awareness is profound for a 4 year old.  I am so proud of her! 

     She called her Gram and invited her to come along on our special trip.  Of course, Gram agreed.  We headed to the mall and Ashlyn was smiling the entire time.  Build A Bear can be a little overwhelming with the plethora of choices, but Ashlyn has always been a decisive girl, and she immediately picked out an adorable cat.  She helped stuff her, gave her a bath, and then picked out an adorable outfit.  She then picked out the very fitting name of Rose.  Rose has not left Ashlyn's side since.  We had such a great time watching her and I hope that it is a memory that Ashyln keeps for years to come because I know that I will.  I think we may start another chart, but this time I think we are going to aim for 50 books.  I wonder what she will pick for her reward this time?

Here is Ashlyn's chart.  She added a lot of decoration to it.

Ashlyn ready to go in.

Looking at the animal choices

Picking a cat

Pushing the pedal to stuff her

They get to pick a little heart to put in them and the lady working there had Ashlyn do a bunch of cute things before they put it in Rose.

Kissing the heart and making a wish

Putting the heart in

Giving Rose her first bath

She really liked this part

Giving Rose her first hug

At the dressing room

Trying on an outfit

She did a great job creating a birth certificate

Rose and her birth certificate.  She even picked out high heels for Rose

The happiest girl in the mall ccarrying her very special cargo