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.
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.
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.)
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.
Val
June 25, 2013 at 4:00 pmOh the memories….”Day Dreaming”
Kathryn
June 25, 2013 at 4:13 pmI bought Emm ridiculously expensive poufy dresses when she was three and four because I’d always wanted them at her age and my mom couldn’t buy them. So when she asked, she got a couple. Nostalgia always works in her favor :)Emm also really liked dressing like her doll (but I couldn’t stomach the AG prices for that), have you seen these? http://www.amazon.com/Dollie-Me-Floral-Dress-Matching/dp/B00BOSQS3A
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 4:19 pmNostalgia works in every kid’s favor. And thanks for the link to the matching dresses! I hadn’t seen those, and I know E wants matching outfits. (Birthday, Christmas…)
Lara
June 25, 2013 at 4:17 pmOh I love this! I coveted Samantha when I was a girl, and I think I learned more history from pouring over those catalogs than I did from school. I saved my babysitting money when I was a teen to buy a doll but by that time it wasn’t as socially acceptable to bring your doll everywhere, which made me really sad because I still LOVED playing with her. I’m really glad I packed her away (along with a Felicity I found at a thrift store a few years ago and couldn’t abandon) since I now have a baby girl who will one day inherit them. That Jenny Lind bed is fantastic. We have a Jenny Lind crib, restained in an espresso finish, though I’m pretty sure when she outgrows the crib she’ll move to the guest room bed which looks exactly like the Callin Iron Bed from Urban Outfitters you posted on Babble a couple weeks ago. Wonder if I can find a doll bed that looks like that?
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 4:19 pmI haven’t seen any, but little brass/iron beds like that must exist, right?
Kelley
June 25, 2013 at 4:22 pmOh boy, I dread the day my daughter (now 2.5) asks for an AG doll. My single mother somehow managed to get me not one, but TWO when I was a child (Kirsten and Felicity, both of whom apparently are not even around anymore! Boy, does that make me feel old), so I think I’m going to have a hard time saying “No” when our family is certainly in a better financial position then my mom was at that time. If I’d only held on to those dolls..
Staci @ My Friend Staci
June 25, 2013 at 4:23 pmOh, how wonderful for Eleanor (and August, and you)! I used to receive the AG catalogs and peruse them religiously, many years before I saved up my allowance to purchase my own doll. By then, I’m afraid I may have been too old to truly appreciate it.
I always dreamed of visiting the American Girl Place in Chicago and when I finally got to visit the one in Los Angeles, at the age of 22, I was completely blown away by the scale of it all! I wish they could focus on the historical fiction more, though.
I’m happy the company is still enchanting girls even today!
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 4:57 pmThe history does seem to take a backseat to the dolls more now, especially as the focus moves toward the custom mini-me dolls.
amy purple
June 25, 2013 at 4:23 pmI honestly never even heard of american girl dolls until we moved to chicago.
Jaimie
June 25, 2013 at 4:25 pmOh man, they discontinued Samantha and Felicity? And now there are all these new AG dolls! I had Samantha when I was younger. I have no idea what happened to her though.
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 4:58 pmI know, all of the original dolls are gone. I hear Molly may not be here for much longer either.
Elena
June 25, 2013 at 4:25 pmI bought my 6 year old an American Girl doll for this past Christmas. She adores it. My daughter is in ballet so I sprung for the ballet outfit too and it’s the cutest thing.
Stephanie
June 25, 2013 at 4:31 pmOh man… That is SOO gonna be me with my little girl in a few years. I ALWAYS wanted one when I was younger (back with the original 3…. Couldn’t decide who I loved best… Kirsten, Samantha or Molly!). So I just know I’m going to give my girl whatever one she wants… And then maybe play with it after she goes to bed…. Lol
Elaissa
June 25, 2013 at 4:32 pmI’ve had Molly since I was in 4th grade. Each Christmas and my birthday, Molly would get a new outfit! My sister also has Samantha. We still have all the clothes for both and a few accessories. My mom put her foot down on doll furniture! Have fun with Molly!!
Karlie
June 26, 2013 at 1:37 pmI had Samantha and my sister had Molly and we did the same thing! I was obsessed with saving money to buy clothes and eventually get a the AG baby doll (what were those called? they were precious)- but it never happened. We ended up getting quite the collection of clothes and accessories though between birthdays and Christmas and my mom sewing a few dresses herself, and I’m excited to have girls someday who will get to play with them!
lauren
June 25, 2013 at 4:32 pmaw… i could never decide between molly and samantha. my mother would have bought the doll but i always wanted all of their accessories too. so i only ended up with a couple of outfits for my other dolls (molly’s camp outfit/accesories, samantha’s sailor dress). so cute! now you finally have your molly.
Kayla aka Kilo Bravo
June 25, 2013 at 4:33 pmWow this post takes me back. I too, saved my pennies as a child to save up and buy Kirsten for myself. My parents couldn’t afford all of the accessories (which is what I really wanted, of course) and so we made many of them, including wooden tables and chairs, and a sleigh that I had her sleep in. I also learned to sew by making dresses and aprons for her. Looking back, I probably learned more about doing things for myself because I loved that doll, more than any other toy or class could have taught me at that age. She is tucked away safely (I hope!) at my parents house and I hope to someday have a little girl that will cherish her as much as I did, especially after just realizing she has been discontinued!
Thank you for sharing your trip with your little fashionista, this post really brought back a flood of happy memories for me!
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 4:59 pm:)
Amanda
June 25, 2013 at 4:35 pmI was so in love with Kirsten when I was younger. My parents bought me all the books for all the dolls – but for some reason, never bought me the doll. So like the others here I’ll admit I saved up to buy the Kirsten doll when I was in 7th or 8th grade, back when all the other girls spent their money on makeup and Limited Too jeans. I loved her so much, and also like the others – most of my American history was learned through reading about these girls’ stories!! I think if I were to pick today, though, I’d want a Molly doll along with my Kirsten. Both their stories are fascinating!!
This makes me want to call up my Mom and ask her to send me my Kirsten, which is still in her attic. :)
Kylie @ All Things Lovely
June 25, 2013 at 4:41 pmThis is so freaking cute!! I’ve not heard of these dolls, but when I was a little girl my parents couldn’t afford a real Cabbage Patch Kid for me. So, I was given a fake one. :( Oh the horror! So…when I was 25, I went and bought one for myself! If I ever have children I so badly want to be able to pass on a real one.
Catherine
June 25, 2013 at 4:43 pmOh, this post is so sweet. I wanted Molly, too, but I was one of three girls, and our parents couldn’t afford them. I used to study those catalogs for hours. So happy you got your Molly after all these years. :)
Jennifer
June 25, 2013 at 4:53 pmI would have been powerless against that tiny Jenny Lind bed, too. (I had Felicity, but I always wanted Molly!)
Sarah from a fine line
June 25, 2013 at 4:54 pmThis is absurdly cute. I hate Felicity when I was a kid, she was well loved and I believe is still in her box in my childhood closet. Glad you finally got your doll!
Sarah from a fine line
June 25, 2013 at 4:55 pmcorrection! hate= had! I did not hate her, I loved her with all my little girl heart!
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 5:00 pmOf course!
Vanessa
June 25, 2013 at 5:09 pmThis is so adorable. I had Felicity as a kid…and she’s still at my parent’s house, patiently awaiting my someday daughter. It’s absurd how strong an attachment kids form to those dolls! I can still remember opening the box the Christmas I got her!
Amber @ Wills Casa
June 25, 2013 at 5:25 pmRamona has just become obsessed with American Girl dolls since I took her to the store in New York. I always wanted Samantha, but I never got one either. I was thinking about getting Ramona one when we have the baby. It could be her gift from her new brother/sister. Seems like a ridiculous gift to get from a newborn, but I know she will love it. Plus it gives her someone to take care of while I’m in the new baby haze. Total justified right? Now I want the bed too.
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 5:00 pmPerfect justification. Go for it.
Sara
June 25, 2013 at 5:32 pmI had Kirsten and my sister had Molly when we were growing up…my parents packed them away and recently gave them back to us (now that we both have young daughters of our own). I remember we would get one outfit for Christmas and one outfit for our birthday every year…pouring over the catalogs was one of my favorite activities! We could never afford most of the accessories, but my grandparents made us trunks and beds for them. I’m looking forward to handing Kirsten down to my daughter when she’s a little older!
Kristi
June 25, 2013 at 5:51 pmThat last picture just about did me in. That’s just too freakin’ cute.
Angela
June 25, 2013 at 7:17 pmThis makes me so happy! How fun! I used to wear those catalogs out, dreaming of those dolls and their accessories – When I got a doll, I played with it for years and years, and I still have it at my mom’s house, with the 4 or 5 outfits I got. I treasured them, and I can’t wait to pass them on to my daughter, who is only one…I am going to get her a doll bed too, if she is interested. I hope Eleanor has many happy years of playing with her new toys!
Adriana
June 25, 2013 at 7:34 pmI, too, was split between wanting a Samantha or a Molly – kind of like when you couldn’t decide if you were more like Kristy or Mary Anne or gosh maybe even Claudia from BSC. But then, THEN, years later they came out with the Josefina books and I’ll be damned if she wasn’t Latina just like me! Never mind I was already in high school by then, but my parents indulged me that Christmas with the series. Best thing ever. Well, next to having the customized mini-me AG doll….
Audrey
June 25, 2013 at 7:48 pmMy husband glanced over at my computer while reading this, and he FREAKED OUT. He’s afraid I’m becoming a crazy doll collector. Because I don’t own a single doll (and because he has an irrational fear of creepy doll collectors), I didn’t ease his concerns. I’m probably going to click those links again a few times over the next few weeks; I may even pick up a doll at Goodwill for good measure. Thank you for providing me some classic prank material.
Happy Eleanor likes her doll! A girl’s relationship with her doll is pretty special. I hope you and August can share well :)
Suggestion: kids experience things through dolls (and learn about compassion and caring), so you could get/make some moving boxes for the dolls to help show the kids how exciting/positive the move is.
Chrystal @ Snowdrop Dreams of Books
June 25, 2013 at 8:11 pmWhat a wonderful way of remembering something from your childhood and making a new memory with your children. :)
Robin
June 25, 2013 at 8:17 pmyou totally did the right thing!
Aimee
June 25, 2013 at 8:28 pmI didn’t get my AG doll until I was married and 31 years old. My parents gave me Emily for my MBA graduation. She looks the most like me, but my mom and I were crushed to learn Kirsten had been discontinued. Sigh. My daughter has a bitty baby, she likes to make her eyes open and close and to change her diaper. You totally made the right choice!
Kristina
June 25, 2013 at 8:38 pmAww this is so adorable. I had Molly when I was little too.
Molly @ A New Nest
June 25, 2013 at 8:51 pmAG dolls are a smidge of a sore subject in my family.
When I first wanted Molly (since she was my namesake!) my Mom wasn’t sure I would play with it/take care of such an expensive doll so she bought me a look-a-like – which I LOVED and played with all the time and took great care of, never knowing it wasn’t the real thing. Once I’d proven myself I got Kirsten, Samantha, Addy, and I THINK I had Felicity, but I don’t remember (I feel like a total brat having had 4 of them!). My Molly had a different body type, my Mom told me it was because she was an early edition, and I bought it. I didn’t find out it was a fake until I was 12 when a friend exposed it to me and I felt so BETRAYED.
I still have all of my AG dolls (including my faux Molly) and plan to give them to my own daughter someday (or my niece if I don’t have girls). Although I might get her a REAL Molly :)
Jessica
June 25, 2013 at 9:15 pmAmerican Girl dolls are the best! I had Felicity and my sister had Samantha – we had such great times with them! And I also have to admit to buying another AG doll, as a grown up! She was a Girl of the Year – and she had the same name as me – I ask you, what choice did I have? (Oh and I may have picked out a new dress for Felicity while I was at it.)
Fun times!
Melanie
June 25, 2013 at 9:20 pm“The correct answer is money. Apparently, I am made of money.” That made me LOL so hard. I was lucky enough to have Molly as a kid, but she had to sleep nakie. PJs were too expensive!
Steph
June 25, 2013 at 9:24 pmThis post was great! I think so many of us relate on some level. I laughed outloud at this: What am I, made of stone? (The correct answer is money. Apparently, I am made of money.)
I love the unique style your blog brings. Well done, keep up the good work. Always a treat to read.
nora
June 25, 2013 at 9:51 pmhey i am 27 and still love my american girl doll and all her clothes. i remember begging my parents for everything and i know when i have kids they will beg me too!
JG Smith
June 25, 2013 at 10:35 pmSometimes I think our lives parallel in odd ways (right down to Olivia parties for our same-aged daughters at the same time), but this is just too much. Wasn’t Molly the coolest?
Kellie
June 26, 2013 at 3:34 amDon’t worry, I had to pay six arms and a leg to buy Saige the current AG Girl of the Year and get her shipped to Australia for my 8 year old son’s birthday! He had drooled over the AG website for 9 months and was steadfast in his desire for Saige. Now he wants all of the things, including the bloody three foot tall hot air balloon!! August is in good company ;)
Lori
June 26, 2013 at 6:14 amI convinced my daughter to get Molly too (because that was the one I wanted). She loved that doll and now she is 21 and I’m thinking I need to set aside some new things for my granddaughter one day.
Jan
June 26, 2013 at 6:22 amAs I read this post and the comments that followed, I had to laugh because the doll I loved as a child was nothing like AG or Cabbage Patch dolls. My older sister’s boyfriend gave me a “Little Miss No Name” doll for Christmas because he thought I whined all the time. Little did he know how much I would love that doll with no shoes, hair of straw, burlap-patched dress, huge brown eyes, and large tear! The doll was only available for one year in the 60’s. If you google it, you’ll see why, I think. I once found a website forum of people who owned LMNN as a child. The funny thing was, we were all social workers or counselors. I haven’t been able to find that again, but I found it interesting.
Kaytie
June 26, 2013 at 7:35 amHaha – oh how this story made me laugh! I had a baby Gotz doll first and then graduated to an AG doll when I was little. What an awesome childhood we had together! I never had many clothes or accessories for my doll either but I was always secretly hoping a part of her might break so that that i could send her into the doll “hospital” so she could come home with the hospital gown they always showed in the catalog. I can’t wait for my daughter’s first doll, she’s only four months right now, that’s not too young, right?
Kristen
June 26, 2013 at 8:13 amI had Kirsten and Felicity growing up and loved them (so I’m kind of bummed to see that they’ve been discontinued). They’re currently living at my parents’ house and will stay there until I have a little girl.
Tena
June 26, 2013 at 8:42 amI think it is wonderful that we can bless our children when we have been blessed.
Kristin F.
June 26, 2013 at 8:54 amI had Molly growing up and she’s in my daughters’ bedroom. We can look with our eyes, but not with our hands :). They each have a bitty baby now and we love them, but they are old enough for American Dolls this year!
Bethany
June 26, 2013 at 10:09 amI always wanted Samantha. I, too, would pour over the catalogs, wishing for a doll and all the cool accessories. My parents couldn’t afford it when I was little, but when I was in college, my mom asked if I still wanted one (said no, though I still do kinda want one). I’m hoping I have a girl so I can get her one and we can enjoy it together!
Ashley
June 26, 2013 at 10:23 amI had Molly when I was little and I really think I started reading more after I got her because I wanted to read all of her stories. They’re a special memory for a little girl to have. You’re a good mom.
ashley
June 26, 2013 at 10:57 amThis is so awesome. I was too old for AG, but my sisters had a bunch of the dolls and my mom still has them. Really the thing we liked about them was that once my parents bought the doll all the family that bought kid presents could get some of the accessories and there were things at almost every price point.
Corin
June 26, 2013 at 10:59 amI had Molly when I was a kid! My parents made a deal with me – they would give me half the money and I had to either save up my allowance/birthday money or sell something else to raise the other half … considering the moment I figured out how to ride my bike, I dropped it and went to go read a book or something, parting with it wasn’t hard. ;) And I was OBSESSED with all the little things you could get in the catalog; I remember being particularly taken with her school lunch, with it’s little PB&J and carrot sticks!
Keisha
June 26, 2013 at 11:44 amFYI…www.anawhite.com has a couple easy plans for AG furniture. Much cheaper than buying from the AG store!
Emily
June 26, 2013 at 11:56 amI am dying of cuteness over this post.
Cher
June 26, 2013 at 12:05 pm“The correct answer is money. Apparently, I am made of money.” LOVE it. When I was little, I had Molly (a gift from parents) and Addy (who I got after I saved up my allowance for approximately a YEAR. I remember they used to sell patterns to create the exact clothing American Girl dolls had- in fact my mother sewed the striped pajamas of Molly’s for me to use on Addy! these: http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/item/id/140948/ctc/XSYMAL I wonder if you could still get those patterns?
Joy
June 26, 2013 at 12:17 pmJust the other day, I went into great detail about how Samantha was my favorite, and how I remember weird details of the Christmas book (which involved decoupage, a box of chocolates, and sledding). James turned to me and said, “Wait, American girls were around when YOU were a kid? I thought they were a new thing!” Ha! Remember those catalogs that used to come in the mail? My best friend and I coveted all of those old fashioned things – to go along with our Victorian dollhouses. Now there are these sleek Swedish dollhouses and the American Girls are hip! I need to stop writing now before I get any older.
Stacy
June 26, 2013 at 1:00 pmOh this is why it is good (sad) that I didn’t have a daughter!
Asia
June 26, 2013 at 1:12 pm‘Apparently, I am made of money’ lol. When I first started reading I though, ‘Oh, Nicole is going to sew PJ’s’… then I was like wait, ‘This is not a sewing blog’…
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 3:04 pmI have dabbled in sewing though… I should give it a go at some point! It can’t be much worse than making Halloween costumes for the kids, I assume. Or are tiny things harder to maneuver and sew?
Asia
June 26, 2013 at 1:13 pmOh, and show me your new house already!!!!! I am going crazy over here!
Making it Lovely
June 26, 2013 at 3:05 pmI want to share it! I’m crazy in love with it and I want to plaster it all over the blog! We’re still waiting on some paperwork and negotiations to finish up though. I’ll share it as soon as I can!
Laura Beth @ Perched on a Whim
June 26, 2013 at 2:06 pmYou were not alone in your own desire for a Molly doll, but there were complications around her being my favorite. See, my childhood best friend was named Molly, had brown hair, and her mother braided her hair into the distinct AG Molly braids each day. She sort of had dibs by default.
And my favorite part of this post? The lines that got me laughing out LOUD! “And hell, I bought her Molly, too. What am I, made of stone? (The correct answer is money. Apparently, I am made of money.)”
meg fouts
June 26, 2013 at 2:06 pmI always read your posts…I never reply but always want to! I love this post – it made me smile having 2 girls of my own. I wanted to have will power too when we went to the AG store. We left with original dolls having ears pierced, outfits and both girls getting another new doll! I feel your pain! I love your style! keep up the good work – I follow a lot of blogs and don’t have much time to read them all. Yours is one of the three I never delete and read. Thanks for entertaining me! :)
Carrie Lea
June 26, 2013 at 5:23 pmI wanted Molly, Samantha and Kirstin. I got Samantha and Kirstin but no Molly. (Yes, I was VERY lucky. Also, my parents very much followed the guidelines of the recommended age of 9. Samantha was my 9th birthday present. I think my parents saved for 2 years.) I think my fascination/obsession with all thing WWII time period are a result of no Molly. I still want Molly.
When did Molly get a Jenny Lind bed? She used to have a big oversized red upholstered headboard.
Michelle
June 26, 2013 at 5:32 pmWhen I read that you went to the AG store I thought, “uh oh!”. Personally I wanted a Samantha doll, but not enough to save up for one (also I became aware of their existence around age 12 so I knew my doll-time was limited). FWIW, AG items were one of the first things my little sister saved up for (the dog).
Korianne
June 26, 2013 at 7:14 pmYou picked a good time to get Molly! AG just announced they are going to archive her this year. And her bed is actually brand new! She had a red one before. They came out with they yellow one this year.
Odds and Ends ← A Place for Stuff.
June 26, 2013 at 6:42 pm[…] at Making It Lovely, they’re talking about American Girl dolls, the wildly expensive dolls that most of the […]
shelley
June 26, 2013 at 10:28 pmI LOVE this post! Nice work mama, pat yourself on the back. She’ll likely remember that special indulgence for the rest of her life.
Camille W.
June 26, 2013 at 11:44 pmLike you, I wanted an AG doll growing up and we couldn’t afford one. I have 3 sisters, we all wanted one. Now I have 3 daughters (5, 4, 21 months). When my daughter turned 5 in December, instead of a party, we went to the Los Angels AG store for a girl day, and she chose a doll, we let my (at the time almost) 4 year old choose one too. They are a bit young yes, but they sure love those dolls, and maybe I love them a little too much too. Their grandmothers bought them accessories and matching clothes and PJ’s for Christmas presents.
I read all the AG books as a kid. I’m looking forward to reading them with my girls soon!
Anne
June 27, 2013 at 2:29 amBoth are such cute dolls, and I looove the yellow bed! Having had Götz dolls myself, I can tell you that Götz / Goetz and American Girl dolls are NOT from the same manufacteurer. Götz is a German company, AG US one. They’re not related in any way, but may be produced in the same factory over here in the US.
PS: When do we finally get to see your new house!! So excited over here!
Julie
June 27, 2013 at 3:57 pmI LOVE this story. I have a Molly doll too! She’s all packed up and (hopefully!) preserved for my daughter someday. Thanks for sharing!
robin
June 27, 2013 at 5:35 pmAn FYI: I just received an email from AG that Molly, her best friend, Emily and all their accessories are retiring soon. Thought you’d want to know. Yes, I receive AG emails. My daughter has Julie and Saige.
bethany
June 27, 2013 at 9:06 pmmy mom totally got an american girl doll for herself (actually, my dad got it for her for christmas one year). i am pretty sure it was THE GIFT that christmas. as a child, i loved that my mom had a doll too. ;)
Honor Roll | Making it Lovely
June 28, 2013 at 2:51 am[…] like we got Molly just in time. American Girl is about to retire her, and with her, their historial […]
Jillian
June 28, 2013 at 8:45 amI had Molly as a little girl, and I believe she is still hanging out somewhere in my parents’ attic (I hope). I just read the article you shared about the retiring of the original American Girls. I think that is so sad. My sister, friends and I were totally obsessed with their stories, and we learned so much about history from them. I would pour over the new catalog every time it arrived…they were so beautifully arranged that they couldn’t help but inspire the imagination. I think it is a poor decision on Mattel’s part.
Amanda
June 28, 2013 at 10:47 amI had Samantha growing up, and my husband and I stumbled upon Kirstin at a Thrift Store and happily paid $20 for her. Now Samantha and Kirstin are both retired, which makes me feel like an old lady. :) I can’t wait to surprise our daughters with them when they are old enough to appreciate how special they are!
Heather
June 29, 2013 at 3:41 pmAG dolls and their stories were such a huge part of my girlhood! It makes me happy/sad to know that AG dolls still exist, but not the original ones so near and dear to me. I was 8 or 9 when Felicity came out, and my parents took us on a special American Girl-themed vacation to Colonial Williamsburg built around the release of the Felicity doll. There was an entire week of tea parties, dress-up dances, and events in the historic district that were absolutely magical for my sister and me. I remember thinking it was SO COOL to see the real places and people that were detailed in Felicity’s stories. It is one of my happiest, most treasured childhood memories. (We also took a Laura Ingalls Wilder-themed vacation. No Disney for us…my family was waaaaay too nerdy for that, ha!)
I remember feeling so grown-up when I lovingly packed up my Samantha doll and all her furniture, clothing and accessories for my “some-day daughter.” No daughter yet, but I still open up the boxes every so often to check on everything, and make sure she’s ok. :)
Laurendy
July 1, 2013 at 8:28 pmI asked for a Molly doll for every gift giving holiday and birthday for over 4 years. I finally got one for Christmas 1991. . . and I still have her. . .
She lives on a doll stand in the corner of my bedroom, and my mother still occasionally surprises me come Christmas with a new outfit for her. . .
Oh, and yeah. . . I’ll be 32 next week.
Holly
July 2, 2013 at 9:28 amI just gave my Molly doll to my niece for Christmas this past year. She absolutely loved it. I sat down with her and told her how my grandmother gave the doll to me, and now my grandmother isn’t around and I wanted my niece to have it. Her eyes lit up when she heard Molly used to be mine, and I’ve gotten reports that she tucks her in every night before she goes to sleep. There’s something supremely special about those dolls!
Jen R.
July 3, 2013 at 5:49 pmYou are not alone! My daughter and I promised to “run in real quick” while we were visiting Chicago for the day during spring break last year (she has 4 brothers so needless to say, they didn’t want any part of it!). We came out with Molly and her accessories, and I seriously wanted to buy Emily for myself. There’s something about that store that pulls you in. :) They are only little once and someday they won’t want to play with dolls anymore so I’m just not thinking about the money and treasuring the special moments.