An Early Birthday Present

January was a big month for Addy.  Since learning that we are having twins, we made of list of things that are priorities for us to get done before I am possibly put on bed rest or can't travel very far from home.  For a few months now Addy has been asking to go to the American Girl Store to get a "big girl doll" for her birthday. It really is a special experience for girls to go to the store and pick out their doll and eat with her in the cafe.  It wouldn't have been my preference as a soon to be five year old, but Addy is definitely more "girly" than I was (or am).  Derek and I decided that the American Girl experience would be the perfect way to celebrate her fifth birthday and we opted to take the trip in January so that I would be more comfortable going.  We headed to the store in St. Louis because it is much smaller and is connected to a suburban mall; as opposed to the much larger Chicago flag store that is located in downtown and would have required a lot more walking for me.

We arrived in St. Louis Friday evening and headed straight to the store in hopes that it would be less crowded Friday evening than on Saturday and Addy would have an easier time checking out the dolls and making her choice.  We were so glad to get there and find the store virtually empty.  Even though we had looked through the catalog and discussed Addy's options many times before arriving, she was totally in awe of all of the options when we arrived and it took some effort to focus her on the task at hand.  I have to admit that it was a bit overwhelming for her mom!  Everyone who knows me well knows that dolls (and girly things in general) really aren't my thing; so being immersed in so much of it all at once is a daunting task.  After making several rounds around the store looking at all the dolls and making a long list of accessories that she wanted, Addy decided on Saige who is the 2013 "Girl of the Year."  It was the doll she had originally picked out of the AG magazine the week before our trip, but once she was immersed in all of the doll craziness, it took a few trips around the store to come back to Saige as her selection.  We left the store on Friday night with a doll, an outfit and one happy little girl.

Addy and Carter posing with Saige in her balloon

Our Happy Little Shopper

That night we stayed in a great Drury Inn that was very close to the hotel and provided a bed for Addy's new doll that she was able to take home.  On Saturday morning we headed back to the doll store to get our name on the list for lunch (they don't accept advance reservations).  We took the 11:30 slot, shopped a bit on the connecting mall, and then went to eat lunch with Saige.  Carter was given the option to eat with his Dad at another restaurant on the mall, but was just as excited to eat with Saige as Addy was.  The cafe is very small and doesn't seat a lot of people at once.  Addy had the "tea party" option off the menu and loved her hot chocolate and petite sandwiches and desserts. Saige even had her own plate and tea cup.  It was a  very special meal that Addy loved and I am so glad we took the time to do with her.

Matching jammies!

Boy time with the tablet

Addy, Mommy and Saige enjoying lunch

Family pic

Even Saige had her own place setting!

We finished up our Saturday by heading to a few stores we don't have in Bloomington/Normal including a giant Babies R Us to purchase a few baby items that aren't available in the store in town.  After much encouragement from Derek, I finally bit the bullet and purchased the stroller I have had my eye on for the twins.  I loved the stroller when we rented it at Disney, so I succumbed to Derek's peer pressure and bought it.  I am very excited!

I am so glad that we went ahead and made the trip.  Addy loved picking out Saige and the doll hasn't left her side since we brought her home.  Never in my life did I ever imagine that I would watch YouTube videos on how to care for a doll's hair, but that is exactly what I was doing the night we bought her!  The things we do for our kiddos!   Although I'm not a big "doll person" and probably never will be, it was a great experience for our special little girl.  

 

Addy and her new friend