Teddy Bear Clinic

The kids had some special activities planned for today.

They got to visit mommy at work (which was pretty fun to begin with), they got to bring their teddy bears, AND they got to bring their teddy bears in for a check-up! Rouge Valley Health System had a Teddy Bear Clinic!

I wasn't able to stay the whole time (because I was actually working) but they had about 10 stations for the kids to go and play and learn about what happens if their teddy bears have to go to the hospital.

They also got to collect stickers as they went along.

Nickolas started the day saying that he wanted his chair, so that was what we brought in. He soon nixed that idea, his wheelchair went in the corner of the room and he cruised around and wanted to see and touch, crawl and run (what he has been calling crawling really fast).

Nick's bear also came with his wheelchair, but left it behind really early in the morning too.

The teddy bears got arm bands, had their vital signs checked, by the "nurse" and also by the kids. Nick LOVED taking his bear's temperature (in the ear).

 They had a station of crafts, with the idea of making teddy bear feel better.

The Teddy bears - did I mention the kids renamed their teddy's Fred (Nick's bear) and Sally (Katheryn's bear). I have no idea where they came up with those names!
The teddy bears got blood work and IVs done.

It was very important to blow bubbles to distract the teddy's while blood was taken.

And of course a (latex free) bandaid at the end. (Almost as good as a sticker)

 Then it was time to look at surgery.
Nickolas is going to be the doctor and his bear was going to be the patient and go to sleep.

And Nickolas was very excited to be the doctor!

Katheryn didn't want anything to do with dressing up like a doctor... until she saw Nick was all dressed up!

 Sally didn't need to have surgery, but after some tests...

And some special tests

Can you guess what this is?

It's a MRI/CT "machine". They did have a little tiny one - you can see it in the picture above, but Sally and Fred were too big for that model.

Sally got a cast on her leg, that has to stay on for a week.
Look at those doctors orders! Maybe Katheryn will be a doctor!

The teddy's were discharged home to the care of their owners with a prescription for cuddles and sleep!

They were so excited for the whole time at the hospital!
Katheryn was literally skipping through the halls, and Nick made new friends during lunch time. I'm sure Kyle hadn't even left the parking lot when they were both passed out!

Nick's favorite part was dressing like the doctor and playing on the floor. Katheryn's favorite part was playing in the tube with her bear.
Mommy's favorite part was hearing the kids playing and Katheryn saying "I know which one is mommy's office" and being so excited about seeing their pictures up.

Build-A-Bear

The kids got a Build-A-Bear gift certificate for Christmas, and after a couple of calender dates were aligned we finally had our date!
It was a whole family affair  - Kyle had Katheryn and I had Nick. Also my brother-in-law, sister-in-law came with my niece and nephew, and my mother in law.

I've seen the store before and thought it looked interesting, but never really went in to see what it was.
You get to personalize everything.
You get to pick the type of bear, add some sounds, add stuffing and then pick out all of the clothes and accessories.
Sounds fun right?

First there is a whole row of empty bears. And you get to pick one.
Ideally the one your kid wants.
Nick liked all of them. Every one he was in front of he wanted.
Katheryn on the other hand knew exactly what she wanted.
The polar bear. Because "polar bears are my favorite"

After picking the bear you want then you stuff it.
They have a whole machine filled with stuffing!



The kids get to stuff their own bears by stepping on a lever and fill it as full as they want.

Nick kept crying when we gave him the bear. He still wasn't too sure about what we were doing.



Nick and I got to tag-team the lever. He was a little unsure at first, but once he figured out that what I wanted him to step on actually did something. Then he got into it.

We got some sounds in it as well. For Nick's I chose giggling and a multi-sound from Happy Feet 2. So when you press the hand/foot it makes a sound.

After the bear is stuffed like you want it, you get to choose a heart to put inside of it.
Awwww

Katheryn had to rub the heart against her heart, against her hand, tell it a secret (Katheryn looked at the lady completely confused with that one), give it a kiss and then put it inside.

Then it's time to get dressed!
There are a TON of clothes to pick from (alot more girl clothes than boy clothes).
But everything from holiday clothes, pajamas, costumes, work or just every day clothing. They even had underwear!

Nick didn`t really care about the clothes. But the sun glasses were a definite hit!
And those cool shoes!

Nick just really wanted those sunglasses!

And yes I know it looks like he`s strangling his bear.

But we finally got Nick`s bear all cooled up!

All of the kids got some accessories.
Accessorizing at the toy store!

Katheryn`s polar bear not only came with a red dress, shoes, hair ribbon and red purse - `red is my favorite colour`. But also the stroller and a cell phone!

Katheryn was happy with what she got!

Nick`s bear came with the sunglasses, and his very own wheelchair. Including a rocking shirt - that plays the guitar!

And his very own guitar! (which doesn`t actually make any noise)

Definitely a super-fun adventure for the kids!