American Girl

On Saturday Caroline and I took a trip to the American Girl Bistro and Boutique in Dallas. We went with friends and had a lovely time. I called for dining reservations about 5 or 6 weeks ago- none available until after Christmas. Well, they had a few at very odd times that simply would never work for our schedule. We heard rumors that they would accept walk-in's if you were willing to wait- and here's just a little food for thought- if you are willing to pay someone to do the hair of your daughter's doll, I am guessing you are willing to wait for lunch, right? Suffice it to say, we were willing- on both counts- but no dice. They were so overbooked that they would accept no walk-ins whatsoever.

The girls were slightly dissapointed but that didn't last long. How could it? We were in little girl heaven. To be able to see in person all those dolls and outfits and accessories and books, oh my! To touch them and hold them! Heaven, I tell you!

Caroline had saved her allowance diligently, as she has been anticipating this trip for months. She threw all caution to the wind after seeing everything in person, though and chose different things than she had thought she would. She thought she wanted the Julie doll. She's the "historical" doll from the 70's. Caroline likes her alot. I like her little toy Barbie styling head alot. I had that toy, and I did so love it. I also had the same record player as Julie only mine was a different color. Man, Julie has cool stuff.

Caroline chose outfits and "camis and panties". And a cast and a set of crutches, I didn't really understand that but she really wanted it. Her friend chose a hairstyling chair and a darling little ballet outfit with yoga pants. Cute, tiny little things.

Most of the girls were just in awe in the wonder of it all. And of course, we saw a fair share of overindulgence. Here's a hint Mom, when the boxes stack up taller than your ten year old maybe you've gone too far. It's possible they don't need all of those things today. You know? It was fun to let her spend money and chose her own things. She spent $100 of her own and I paid $20 for her doll's hair style at the "salon". For you inexperienced American Girl Mom's, I am not kidding. I do admit, Nikki's (that's the doll) hair looks much better. Caroline could easily have spent several hundred more, for that matter I could have easily done it too. There's a whole lot of really cute stuff there. But there was really some relief on everyone's part that there were limits, and that we would return another day to buy more. I mean how special is one doll outfit ($26 outfit, I might add for you inexperienced Mamas) if you bought 12 of them? If you only got one or two they are pretty dang special.