Girls Day Out

Dad and I have been thinking, talking and praying.  Our kids birthdays are always special days.  We have fabulous parties and make that day special for our kids.  This year we wanted to take birthdays in a different direction.  Oh we will still do the parties, the cake, the presents, but gifts from Mom and Dad will take on a new spin.  Instead of just giving the kids something, a gift that will no doubt be broken in just a few short months or lain aside forgotten, we want to create a memory with them.  Do something fun, unique, just for them.

C was the first one who got to experience this, a shopping adventure with Mom.  Family emergencies interrupted our grand plans but we still had a great time shopping on a smaller scale.  Now it is B's turn.  Our sweet little Curly Girly is four years old.  I seriously can't believe it.  How did that happen?  Anyway, after talking it over I knew the perfect memory making gift we could do together.  An afternoon at American Girl Place.  There is finally a store near us.  B is at the perfect age to really enjoy all of the 'girliness' and appreciate it.  It was just the place to celebrate B turning 4 and what a special little girl she is.  So we made our reservations for lunch at the Bistro and found somewhere for the boys to hang out for the day.  Nana, C, B and I headed off for an afternoon of girly fun.

B knew that we were heading somewhere special for her birthday, she just had no clue what that was.  She was in little girl heaven when we walked through the revolving door into the store.  She just stood there for a moment taking it all in.  I wish I had taken more pictures but I was truly just enjoying watching her run from display to display, looking at all of the dolls and clothing.  She was so excited.  She kept telling everyone it was her birthday too.

Lunch was absolutely fabulous.  If you have never been to American Girl Place for lunch, you really need to go.  The staff went out of their way to make sure it was a memorable dining experience.  The food was amazing and not just 'kids menu' foods either, there are plenty of adult foods to choose from.  C brought her doll with her and they had a little seat just for her doll.  Since B didn't have a doll (yet), they let her borrow a doll of her choice for lunch.  B was so excited.

Even C was excited to be at American Girl, which honestly surprised me.  She is right in that awkward 'tween' phase where I never know what mood she will be in.  C was ready to enjoy this girl time with her little sister.  (Sorry for the pictures, I only had Nana's phone as a camera).

B could barely eat her lunch, she was so excited.  She kept making sure her doll had enough to 'eat' and 'drink'.  They not only provide doll seats but little cups and saucers for the dolls, how cute is that?  Everything was new and fun.  She couldn't wait to go shopping and spend her birthday money.  Doesn't she look adorable with her 'friend?

Since we were at the store to celebrate B's birthday, she got a birthday cupcake as part of her meal.  As you can see she was one happy little girl.  She enjoyed her treat and was ready to get shopping.  We spent the next hour wandering through the store, from one end to the other shopping.  I wish I had taken more pictures of our shopping adventure but the girls had me hopping.  In the end C got a new swimsuit, sun glasses and earrings for her doll.  B received a brand new American Girl doll that has hazel eyes and curly blonde hair just like her from her Nana and Poppa.  She also picked out another dress for her doll.

Here is a picture of the doll B got from the website.  Isn't she adorable?  Just like my Curly Girly.  After our shopping adventure, the store had a scavenger hunt and crafts going on.  So we hung out a little longer and played.  The girls had a great time.  We may just have to make a trip to American Girl our new favorite birthday adventure.