I have a very firm belief that my family is utterly amazing. Anyone who has talked to me would confirm that I insist consistently that my family is the best. Even my complaints are prefaced with an aside or accompanied by a disclaimer. Even better–this is regularly proven to be true. Whether it’s pulling through in an emergency, going above and beyond the call of duty, or acting spontaneously with kindness, my family members display through their actions what wonderful people they are. ♥ (And if my mother ever starts reading my blog, I know she’ll be reaching for the tissues! n_~)

Last night my mother and stepfather surprised me with an invitation to dinner near MY house. They picked a restaurant and drove into the city to see me. It was very unexpected and really brightened my evening. My husband had left for the weekend, and I didn’t have any other plans. I didn’t arrive at the restaurant quite as fast as they did, not really realizing how far of a walk it was, but when I sat down at the table I noticed a massive pink bag filling the chair beside my mother.

With some grins and hinting comments, the bag was hefted over the table to me. When I peered inside, I saw the pink-eyed face of a white usakumya.

I squealed!! ♥

I’m sure that with my previous post about usakumya (and, if you’re unfortunate enough to be subject to it, my constant pining for an usakumya and/or temporary kidnapping of the bunny-bears of others) it is at least somewhat established that I very-very-very-very-very much wanted one. However, since they’re out of stock on the website I thought I would have to wait until a new release–which was a bit disappointing because I really wanted my usakumya to match my little sister’s.

My luck in finding this fuzzy backpack on Yahoo!Japan auctions was…less than lucky. I’ve been keeping an eye out, but it’s not very easy with a specific release as the target. (Also, I didn’t want to pay an exorbitant amount, and with the current status of the exchange rate slight price increases would be magnified.) The bunny bear is very popular (for obvious reasons, I think), so there aren’t the easiest thing to find.

I learned that my mother decided she wanted to get one for me for my birthday, so she sent my stepfather to the BABY, the Stars Shine Bright store in Paris with specific instructions. He told me that was sure that he saw it in the window but brought a printed image to have the shopgirl to verify that it was the right one. There’s something so amusing about the fact that both my mother and stepfather have the Paris location memorized~ ♥

The best part of the story, in my opinion, was when he said the employee was ringing him up and he pulled out his punch card. She was very surprised! I’m sure it must have been such a hilarious moment–my stepfather looking somewhat out of place in the very small, very pink BtSSB shop…and holding the pink point card from his wallet!

I believe this is the largest size of usakumya–it’s definitely enormous! My stepfather said that it took up half of his suitcase~ ♥ I can’t even begin to express how much I appreciate the sacrifices made so that I could receive such a wonderful present!! I’m still almost in disbelief. It’s going to be so hard to resist the urge to take him to work with me~

I absolutely adore everything about my wonderful usakumya! My birthday isn’t for months, so I’m very surprised that I received it so early, but my mother was afraid I would buy one myself. (She also has a very bad habit of hiding things so well that she doesn’t know where they are. I think that was a real threat, even to such a massive thing as this.)

I’m having a difficult time coming up with a good name for my usakumya. I want to pick something perfect! Mallow (who obviously had to meet the newcomer) was very easy to name, and his name is just perfect. I still haven’t made up my mind if this bunny bear is a boy or a girl, even! Most of my stuffed animals–and, honestly, most anything I assign a gender to–is a boy, so it’s likely that this will be a boy, but I’m just not sure. There’s also the issue of the name. This is one of the best kinds of indecision to be afflicted with! n_n

I’ve come up with some ideas, but I’m leaning towards Lait~ After all, usakumya is from Paris, so perhaps a French name is suitable. I want to pick something white, since it is white, and something food-ish, since Mallow is food-related. I’ve also thought of Cream, Milk, Chiffon, Cake, etc. Hmm… I know what will be on my mind for a while.

When I got home and sorted through the bag, I saw that a postcard of usakumya was included. (I’m considering collecting these Paris shop postcards!) It’s such a lovely touch! It was a bit bent at the bottom of the bag–I’m glad I noticed it. It would have been such a shame if it were just tossed out.

My mother also called to let me know that there were ribbons in the bag. Usually the staff at the shop tie the handles of the bag closed as part of the elaborate wrapping of your purchase, but my stepfather asked that they place the ribbons in the bag instead. The thought was that I might like them for my hair–and I certainly do~ I plan to put them on hair clips! I’m very thankful that I didn’t miss those. I should be more thorough about things like this~

I’m so happy and thrilled and amazed and complete overwhelmed! SQUEE!