The year of the bear. or bunny.

Truly, this has been a year unlike so many others. There have been many wonderful experiences this year that I know I will not forget. To accurately feel the weight of that joy, however, it has to be balanced by other events. Thus, this year has also become one of heartbreak and incredulity.

I don't want to add to the doom and gloom of the world news by describing in gossip-like detail the actions and consequences that are painful. No, as someone that keeps up-to-date on world events, I'd personally like one less depressing thing to read... and write.

So, I have once again chosen to focus on my favourite pastime. Oh yes. I have been visiting with my beloved Build-A-Bear Workshop.

After I said goodbye to my much-adored bunny, Entropy, I had a bunny-sized hole in my heart. To remind me of her sweet little face and how much she meant to me, I have now adopted an exceedingly adorable new Build-A-Bear creation:

Her name is Chai Latte.
The official picture does not do her justice -- she is far cuter in person than this picture could ever show.

Her little face and exceptionally huggable fur make her one of my most favourite, if not MOST favourite, build-a-bears I have ever adopted.

I've adopted a few more cuties and I will be posting their pictures and names very soon -- but this little cutie deserved to be in the spotlight.

I'm very picky when it comes to bunny faces and to be honest, most stuffed bunnies do not measure up to the cuteness of a real bunny. Chai comes close. She has completely stolen my heart. Of course, it didn't hurt that her ears are positioned so that if you put bows or flowers around them she looks like she has 'puppy-tails' in her 'hair' ... almost like when I put my own hair up into puppy-tails. Although I think hers look cuter than mine. Ha!

She's certainly the cream of the crop of cuteness. I have 24 build-a-bears now, and Chai is my special treasure, with a special birthday to boot.

Thank you Maxine, for creating Build-A-Bear.