Tag: American Girl

  • A Birthday Weekend

    A Birthday Weekend

    Eleanor turned seven on Friday! We celebrated with the dinner of her choice, followed by birthday cake. What did she choose, knowing we would make anything she wanted, go to any restaurant, or order whatever she liked? A cheeseburger happy meal. So McDonald’s it was, plus cake, just for the five of us.

    The next morning, Brandon’s mom and I took Eleanor and three of her friends to the American Girl Place Café for a birthday lunch. Very cute. (I like the whole party planning thing, but there’s definitely something to be said for signing up for a tried-and-true birthday party complete with goody bags.)

    Eleanor's Seventh Birthday, American Girl Place Café

    Eleanor got a matching dress for her and her doll as a birthday gift, and she was thrilled that they were twins! The girls came back to our house after the party and we had a sleepover, so E broke out the matching pajamas that night too. A lot of fun was had! And very little sleep.

    The next day was Brandon’s birthday, so we had family over for both him and Eleanor. More celebration! More cake! It has been a very sugar-filled weekend, and very sweet all around. Brandon’s birthday does get lumped in with Eleanor’s a bit because they’re only two days apart. (It’s the same way with me and Calvin.) It’s such a big deal to kids, and not so big for us, you know? We’re both happy just to see them having a good time.

  • Eleanor’s Girl

    Eleanor’s Girl

    I wanted an American Girl doll when I was a kid. Not just any doll though — I wanted Molly. My mom and I would look through the AG catalogs together, and I know she wanted to get one for me, but we couldn’t afford it. Thus, when Eleanor asked for this 18″ Götz doll last year for Christmas, and I was happy to oblige. It was her big gift from Santa, but only recently has she grown more attached to it.

    Eleanor and Her Doll

    The doll is the same size as American Girl dolls (and from what I understand, made by the same original manufacturer), so we have a dress for it from AG, and a few other things from Target’s more affordable Our Generation line. We ran into an obvious problem with the doll after Eleanor brought it to my mom’s house for a sleepover though: she had no PJs! Oh, what a world.

    Determined to solve this pressing matter, my sister came with me and Eleanor recently to the American Girl store in Chicago.

    AG

    We had never been, and the amount of stuff you can get from AG is overwhelming. Eleanor wanted the pajamas we came for, plus more clothes. Plus a bed. Plus a dog, a cat, and a friend for her doll. At first, I was steadfast. We came for doll pajamas, and we were getting the pajamas! “Maybe for your next birthday, maybe for Christmas…” was my response to most requests. Then, because I am crazy, I started to think that ‘hey, I never did get an American Girl doll when I was a girl. Maybe we should get one, and Eleanor’s doll can have a little friend. And awwww, look how cute Molly’s mini Jenny Lind bed is! Just like Eleanor’s!’

    So I bought her the pajamas. And the bed. And hell, I bought her Molly, too. What am I, made of stone? (The correct answer is money. Apparently, I am made of money.)

    Dolls

    And you guys, of course she thinks Molly is my doll. (Because it kind of is?) But happily, August has claimed it as his own, so now each kid has their own to play with. Eleanor’s girl gets the coveted spot next to her bed though. In the matching Jenny Lind.

    Mini and Full-Sized Jenny Lind Beds