On Tacy’s sixth birthday, she wanted to go to Build-a-Bear Workshop.

We drove to the location where we thought there was a Build-a-Bear, only to discover that we were wrong. Thanks to the lousy weather that afternoon (snow…on April 9…ugh), we decided to forego looking for another location and went out for pizza instead.

But she hasn’t forgotten about Build-a-Bear. So when fellow blogger Average Jane asked if we’d like to check out Tropical Hello Kitty, courtesy of Build-a-Bear Workshop, I jumped at the chance. It’s not like we needed another stuffed animal around here, but unlike almost all of the others, I knew Hello Kitty would be special.

And she is. The girls ADORE her. We’ve had to draft a schedule for her sleeping arrangements. Clothing has been sacrificed by American Girl dolls so that Hello Kitty can change her clothes a dozen times a day. The little girl two doors down has a Hello Kitty too, and the two cats got together for a playdate yesterday.

What makes this kitty so entrancing? I’ve got to admit, she is extremely huggable. Much more huggable than any real live cat I’ve owned. Plus, I love her because she doesn’t shed. A huggable, hairless cat - my favorite.

Tacy agrees with the huggability factor. When I asked her, “Why do you love Hello Kitty?” she gave me a look as if to say, “Well, DUH. Why do you think?” When pressed for actual words to describe that love, she told me, “She’s beautiful and soft and cuddly.”

On the Build-a-Bear site, you can purchase your own Hello Kitty and dress her up any way you please. Check out all the furry friends there - personally, I love the donation animals, where a portion of the proceeds are donated to local pet shelters and rescue organizations.

I’ve got a $25 Bear Bucks card to give away to a lucky reader! Email me at mothergoosemouse AT mothergoosemouse DOT com by midnight PST on Monday, June 9, and tell me how you’d spend your Bear Bucks at the Build-a-Bear site. I’ll draw one winner at random (US and Canada only!) and announce on mothergoosemouse on Wednesday, June 11.

The first night I met Kyle, he did card tricks for me.  I was smitten by his patter and smooth sleight of hand.  I’m a magician’s dream audience - I giggle at all the jokes and gape incredulously at the illusions.  And I really don’t want to know how the tricks are done - I love to believe in the illusion.

Our older daughter is just as fascinated by magic, but unlike me, she wants to know how the tricks are done - so that she can perform them herself.  Kyle has tried to teach her a few simple card tricks, but her tiny fingers aren’t quite adept enough to carry off sleights of hand.

Given her interest in magic, I knew she’d love the new DVD from illusionist Lyn Dillies - “Learn Magic With Lyn”.  Even though she’s a bit younger than the target age range (7 and up), she was able to follow the tricks easily and has had a great time trying them out on Kyle and me.  Some of the tricks require more attention to detail than others, but the simplest ones were no problem for her.  So I’m sure that kids who are within the target age range - and who are interested in magic and have the patience to practice tricks (and the patter to carry them off!) - could easily get good enough to perform for their friends or even in a school talent show.

Lyn herself is attractive and engaging, and I admire how she has built a career in entertainment borne out of her own longtime fascination with magic.  Her interaction with the kids in the DVD makes the show even more fun for kids who are watching.

There are lots of books about magic tricks, but watching an actual illusionist perform the tricks and then break them down step-by-step makes it much easier to learn and perfect the tricks.  I would definitely recommend this DVD for kids who are interested in learning magic themselves, and even adults like me - who still believe in magic - will get a kick out of it too.

Buy it!  Click HERE!

Win it!  I’ve got a copy of “Learn Magic With Lyn” - to enter, just e-mail mothergoosemouse@mothergoosemouse.com with MAGIC in the subject line by Sunday at 6pm EDT.  I’ll draw randomly from all the entries and announce the winner on Monday.