My daughter just turned 5 years old, and now that she’s in kindergarten we decided to hold a party. She invited all of her friends from school and a few from daycare. My husband and I decided to make it a bring-your-own-stuffed-animal party, knowing that it’s hard for some kids to leave their parents at that age. It turns out that the comfort of a familiar stuffed animal can ease that transition.
When the guests began to arrive, I was somewhat surprised at the diversity and craftsmanship of some of the stuffed animals. The well-worn bears you might expect to see were all there, of course, but some of the kids brought more exotic species. I know a little girl from my daughter’s class brought her prized teddy bear monkey, and I counted at least two penguins. Sure enough, the party was a great success. The kids were so busy discussing and playing with their plush toys to even think about feeling homesick.
I had always harbored preconceived notions about raccoons. To me, they were nothing more than scavengers who terrorized raided my birdfeeders at night and bullied the household pets if we accidentally left them outside. Having seen them scrounging for meals in dumpsters and trash bins, I believed raccoons were a public health hazard. All of that changed last week.
I heard a ruckus outside my bedroom window and turned on the exterior light. It was a band of baby raccoons foraging for their breakfast/supper in our trash. Their adorable little eyes took a while to adjust to the light, and they didn’t see me for several minutes on end. The baby raccoons looked just like Gund stuffed animals I had seen my nephew playing with. How could I possibly hold a grudge against these nocturnal visitors?
You can try to prevent it from happening all you want, but it’s just inevitable. Kids are some of the most efficient mess-makers alive, and they are especially adept at covering their stuffed animals with layers of filth. Whether it’s food particles or bits of dirt from being dragged around outside, teddy bears are often covered in various debris that doesn’t belong in the bed at night.
In order to clean your Gund teddy bears, begin by wiping the bear with a damp cloth. Don’t use soap, but be sure to wipe with gentle, delicate motions. Sometimes a hand vacuum cleaner will suffice. Most stuffed animals feature a small tag that only attracts notice when you need cleaning instructions. These directions should determine whether or not you can safely throw the teddy bear into the washing machine.
My family and I just returned from a two-week vacation in Florida, and we couldn’t be more refreshed and invigorated. It’s funny to think that we almost called the whole thing off because of a cat. My 4-year-old daughter has a special attachment to Fuzzy, the tabby cat we got right around the time our daughter was born. The two of them grew up together, so it really wasn’t surprising that my daughter insisted on taking the cat with us on vacation.
But that just wasn’t an option. Thinking quickly, I found a plush cat online and gave it to my daughter along with the promise that Fuzzy would be well taken care of by the neighbors. The idea took some getting used to, but eventually the girl acquiesced and we set off on our cross-country trip without incident.
The majority of teddy bears manufactured are made from Mohair, or a fur that is shorn or combed from long haired goats and woven into cloth. Others are made from Alpaca and some teddy bears are made from recycled materials, such as old quilts, dresses and fur collars.
There are also bears that are crocheted. These bears do not use fabric; they make the fabric crocheting and at the same time make the bear. The yarn for these bears can be made of various materials.
President Theodore Roosevelt remains one of America’s most celebrated leaders. He set the wheels in motion for one of the most serious undertakings in the history of mankind: the Panama Canal project. He garnered legend as a member of the Rough Riders volunteer regiment during the Battle of San Juan Hill. And of course, his likeness has been chiseled into the Mount Rushmore, between the equally honorable visages of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.
Perhaps Roosevelt’s greatest work came from his wilderness conservation efforts. He championed the efficient use of outdoor resources and recognized the importance of passing them on to future generations. Teddy bears derived their name from the great president – and not just because of their chubby, loveable appearance. To this day, the stuffed bears offer a reminder of Theodore Roosevelt’s illustrious achievements.
For many small children, a simple piece of cloth can provide real comfort. Chances are, you developed a close bond with your baby blanket, toting it all over the house until mom and dad encouraged you to curtail the habit. Stuffed animals represent a step up from the blanket fixation, and it’s no coincidence that they are often imbued with human names and “personalities.”
Whether it’s a raggedy teddy bear or a new plush tiger, a stuffed animal represents a child’s constant companion during a highly important stage of social development. We’re all familiar with the image of the little girl hosting a tea party for her dolls and stuffed animals. This scene could easily be seen as a snapshot of the socialization process. By the time we’re finished with stuffed animals, we are more ready to make real friends. The success of this process cannot be denied.