Tonight was American Girl Night at Busch Stadium, so of course I had to take the girls. It was very fun!
We had good seats:
The highlight of the evening was seeing Kolten Wong hit a grand slam…very exciting! Ladybug has been wanting to see a grand slam for a long time, so it was a dream come true for her, and I enjoyed watching her excitement. We had a very fun girls’ night out!
Today is Ladybug’s seventh birthday. I’ve been looking forward to this birthday for almost a year. Here’s why:
Last year, not long after Ladybug turned six, American Girl announced that they were retiring the one doll Ladybug had always wanted…Molly. She thought this meant that she was never going to be able to have her. What she didn’t know, was that I went out and bought Molly the day they announced the retirement, and put her away for this birthday. Ladybug was confused when she opened the box, and then ecstatic. I’m so happy we could do this for her!
For the first time, she requested a non-decorated cake for her birthday. She decided she wanted me to make the Schlafly sticky toffee pudding cake. I was happy to comply!
Happy birthday little Ladybug!
Today was kind of a sad day:
This was sad for me because Molly was the last of the original three American Girl dolls standing. They had already retired the doll I had (Kirsten), and the doll most of my friends had (Samantha), plus the not-quite-original, but also not-quite-second-wave doll (Felicity). While they have introduced new characters, there was something about knowing that one of the dolls that had been in the catalog when I was a little girl was still in the catalogs that my girls pour over.
This was especially sad for Ladybug, because Molly is the doll she wants. Ever since she got her glasses when she was three, and noticed that Molly had glasses, too, she has been waiting to get her. Seeing the Molly movie several times has just made Ladybug love her more. I almost got Molly for her birthday this year, but I didn’t think Ladybug was quite responsible enough to take care of her. Hearing this news was rather crushing, I’m afraid.
American Girl claims to have new historical projects on the horizon, and I hope this is true. I’m sure the “Dolls of Today” are big money makers for them, but I’d hate to see them abandon what made the original company great…focusing on American history!
On Wednesday, we made the long-awaited trip to the brand new American Girl Store at Chesterfield Mall, in Chesterfield, MO. (The store’s “soft opening” began Wednesday; the Grand Opening is this weekend.) Of course, the girls were very excited about going, but I have to admit, I was pretty excited myself. I’ve had an American Girl doll for over 20 years, now, but had never actually been to one of the stores, so I had no idea what to expect. Even if I had had an idea in my head, I’m sure it wouldn’t have come to close to what the store actually is, from the sheer vastness of it and the way the displays are arranged to the “Doll Salon” and the charming little Bistro.
When we first walked in, we were greeted by a (somewhat overly) enthusiastic saleswoman.Her knowledge of the products and the history of the company was commendable, and she was very good at talking with the girls, (not to mention listening to them!), and directing them toward the things that would interest them the most. She also gave us a brief tour of the store, and explained how the different areas were set up. One thing that surprised me was that the “salon” was right in the middle of the store, and the dolls that were being “styled” were on full view for anyone who wanted to watch. For some reason, I thought that this would have been done in the back, out of sight.
From the center, the store was divided into a few main sections. On one side, were the dolls we were there to look at–the historical collection. The displays were very eye-catching, and set up in many different and interesting ways. There was, of course, a display for each doll, to showcase her entire collection. There were also smaller vignettes set up here and there, to showcase something in particular…for example, new items in a collection, like Cécile’s and Marie-Grace’s new summer items, (what we were looking for), or a particular theme, like the bedtime collections for each doll.
Another side of the store was dedicated to the “My American Girl” collection–the line of modern dolls which are offered in a variety of hair colors and styles, and skin and eye colors, so that they can be customized to look like any girl.
And let’s not forget the Bitty Baby section in the back–that was Ladybug’s favorite part of our shopping trip!
The Bistro was also adorable…we didn’t go on Wednesday, but we did have a fun time peeking inside!
My only real complaint about the store was the way the check-out line was organized. It seems like there could have been a more efficient way to have people get through the line, because if you had a lot of items on the way to the register, or a large bag on the way out, you were certain to bump into somebody else in line, or knock over a display, or both.
It was a fun shopping trip. Because of the distance, (not to mention the cost!), it’s not a place we’ll be going often, but I’m sure we’ll go once or twice a year, to check out new items, or to go to the Bistro. Plus, I can’t wait to see what the store looks like at Christmas. I’m also looking forward to the day when we can go back and I can take the girls to have tea (or hot chocolate) in the Bistro!
When I was around ten, I received my first (and only) American Girl doll. Ever since I was old enough to think about having children, I’ve dreamed about the day I could share that experience with my daughter, and give her an American Girl doll.
That day finally came this weekend.
I know they’re suggested for ages eight and up, and Bunny just turned six, but she’s pretty responsible, and she has wanted Kit, and only Kit, for the last three years (that’s right, for half of her young life). So, it was time.
Her reaction was all I had hoped it would be. She was completely surprised–she’s even been saving her allowance to buy Kit herself. She has barely stopped playing with her since she got her–Kit goes through *many* changes of clothes daily. Currently, Bunny is reading Meet Kit *to* Kit. Irony.
It’s so fun sharing part of my childhood with one of my children!
I’ve been a big fan of the American Girl collection almost since it’s beginning. I still remember the excitement of “finally” getting my doll (Kirsten, if you’re interested), as a reward for making high honor roll in sixth grade. It seemed like all the other girls in my class had theirs first, but I think I actually appreciated mine more because I had to wait and work for it. I’m equally looking forward to when my girls get their American Girl dolls someday (Bunny had been wanting Kit for over a year, and I’m hoping maybe when she turns six she can get her).
While I’m still a little annoyed that the company chose to “retire” on of the original three dolls, Samantha, along with her friend Nellie, and all the stuff that went with them, I’m pretty excited about the new doll that just came out. Rebecca Rubin is part of a Russian-Jewish family in New York City in 1914 (thus replacing Samantha, who was from 1904). I (somewhat surprisingly) think it’s great that they’re introducing a Jewish doll–it’s a culturally and historically significant addition to the American Girl family. I also think it’s great that among her accessories is a “Sabbath set,” and I’m hoping for a Hanukkah set in the future.
I do think it would be nice if they added a German Lutheran (shocking, I know!) or Italian or Irish Catholic doll at some point. While I think the Christian faith of a few of the dolls has been mentioned in passing, I don’t think it’s ever been as big of a part of any of their stories (with the possible exception of Kirsten, and the celebration of St. Lucia Day, but even that seemed more cultural than religious) as this newest character. And as I’m guessing that Molly and Kirsten, the other two “original” dolls will probably be retired soon, there is certainly opportunity to create a character whose Christian faith is as ingrained in her life as Rebecca’s Jewish faith appears to be in hers.