Last Wednesday Annie came home from nursery with a teddy bear called Bertie, apparently we had to take him on an adventure during the week, take photos and then return him to nursery the following week for ‘show and tell’. I had never come across this activity (except on American TV shows where an unlucky kiddo has to look after a crying doll to scare teens off having babies!) but it was surprisingly good fun.

Annie decided to take Bertie to the pick your own farm, as it’s still winter there was nothing growing but they have a nice little play area and Annie loves walking around and telling us about the lovely strawberries she picked last summer, that child has an amazing memory for food.

Bertie got taken on the swings and slides, both on his own and with Annie, he got to play in the sandpit, visit the wendy house, climb a tree to search for honey and even drive a tractor, an action packed morning by any bear’s standards!

Of course, as Annie is only 2, it became increasingly clear over the week that she was becoming really attached to him, she wanted to take him to bed at nap time, she read to him and pushed him in the buggy and so we had to spend the last half of the week reaffirming that he belonged to nursery not us.

I’ll admit that I was nervous taking her into nursery yesterday because I was certain she would refuse to give him back or kick off and shout about how unfair the situation was but yet again I was surprised. Annie handed him back to one of the ladies and didn’t create any fuss about the loss of her furry friend, I was really proud and it’s another sign that she really is growing up.