My week of vacation is fading fast, but we made the most of it yesterday.

First stop -- Beary Creative -- Erie's budget version of Build-A-Bear. I'm going to write a story about our experience in the next issue of Her Times so I hate to scoop myself, but suffice to say we had a great time. The girls each made an animal -- Lauren a pink unicorn, Kelly a pink bear and we bought pink ballerina outfits for both of them. Total cost? About $20 a bear. (Here's where I'd post a photo if I could).

The girls loved it and there were TONS of animal "skins" to choose from including lots of things for boys (dinosaurs, monsters, tigers, etc.). The store which had been located on Myrtle Street (near Saint Vincent's) has relocated to W. 8th & Pittsburgh Ave. Lee Rider, whose mom owns the store, said their business has increased 100% since the move.

The story behind the store is an inspiring one. Lee -- who was great with the kids, by the way -- told me that his mother started the business with a $200 investment after she had just gone bankrupt. She started Beary Creative and set up temporary shop at local fairs and festivals, craft shows and special events (you may have seen them at Discover Presque Isle last year).

After Beary Creative, we set off down the road to Presque Isle. I took the long drive to Beach 11 because it's a great beach for little kids. With the sandbars so high at Beach 11, I know they can walk 20 feet from shore and still be up to their bellies. When it turned dark and stormy-looking in the late afternoon, we headed home.

By the time we got home, it was all blue skies and sunshine again, so the husband and I decided to take the kids back to the beach for the Presque Isle Sunset Concert Series on Beach No. 1. It was our first time, but it won't be our last. The crowd was impressive, but it wasn't oppressive. There was plenty of room to spread out and we had no trouble parking (we did get there before 6:30 though). We brought dinner with us, so we spread out our blanket and ate while the band played on stage and the kids played at the shoreline and the sun sunk in the horizon.

It just doesn't get much better than that.