Christmas is coming!

I tried to fight it, but Christmas is coming fast. My neighbor has at least 3 Christmas trees up in her house already, and everywhere I turn I see lights going up on houses. I don't like Christmas coming before Thanksgiving, but I can't fight it anymore.
The Christmas spirit is working its way into my heart, though. Samuel and I got an opportunity to preview a new Christmas movie Holly and Hal Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure. It is a one hour movie that will be on ABC Family on Tuesday, November 24 at 7PM ET/PT. It will also be on Saturday, November 28th at 10am.
Hal and Holly Moose are the very first characters to inspire a book from Build-A-Bear characters, and now they have their first movie.
First stop on our special day, Sam and I (along with our friends Jeannie and her grandson Christian, and Sarah and her daughter Maddie) went to the movie theater at the Mall of America to watch the new movie. We got to meet Hal and Holly Moose, brother and sister. Sam and Christian didn't feel comfortable around the giant animals, but Sam did consent to sit on the other side of me for a picture op. The little girl is a stray who got in the pic. We were all given a cute little bag/backpack from Build-A-Bear with coupons and yummy fruit snacks.
Then we went to see the movie. Hal and Holly Moose came in to start off the show and Sam just loved waving and saying "Hi, Hal!"

The movie was really cute. Hal and Holly are siblings and Holly has to stay home from a big party to babysit her brother. Hal dreams of flying with the reindeer on Santa's sleigh one day. The Aurora Borialis sets of dreams of finding the North Pole for Hal, who tricks himself out of his sister's care. They end up finding the North Pole only to find a big storm coming that will keep Santa from being able to deliver the toys for Christmas. Of course they find a way to save Christmas, and their dreams are also realized through the coarse of the movie. It is a great message of believing and never giving up your dreams.

After the movie we went to Build-A-Bear to make Hal and Holly Moose dolls. Sam was just amazed at being able to help fill his Moose with stuffing. He was happy with the flat animal, lol, he didn't know any different, but he sure does love his Hal. In this picture he is holding Hal while stepping on the peddle to fill my Holly for me.

After the animals were stuffed, their little hearts were kissed and put inside of them, and then they were stitched up, we went over to give them a "bath" with air and a brush to fluff them up. Sam was super cute brushing his Hal.

It was a great experience getting to make animals with the kids that will always remind them of the movie. Build-A-Bear is a great experience anyway, but to have an animal that you associate with a movie makes it special.

After we made our Moose we put the kids' Moose in their new backpacks to carry around with them. Here they are standing in front of the store with their moose.

It was a super special day for us! I loved watching Sam enjoy his day without his siblings. I so appreciate the experience that Build-A-Bear provided for us. The movie was just adorable and I can't wait to share it with the rest of the kids on TV. It is also going to be on DVD November 25th. You can check out Holly's Blog, too.

Aren't the kids cute staring up at the super tall (3 stories) Christmas tree?! They were just in awe!

Look for the new Christmas movie Hal and Holly Moose: Our Uplifting Christmas Adventure on ABC Family November 24th! You can also enhance your movie experience by making the characters at Build-A-Bear! Sam is totally in love with his Hal Moose, whose antlers have Christmas lights that really light up.

Thank you Build-A-Bear for the great day with my son and for the wonderful gifts!