We've owned "Big Joe" for a year and a half now. The kids loved him at first but stopped using him when his Styrofoam beans shrunk. For Christmas this year my wife and I cut 3" craft foam into 4" x 4" squares to revitalize "Big Joe." He is much more comfortable now and holds his shape much better with the beans and squares. The cover is very durable and even wiped clean without absorbing a child's potty accident.