Mommy and Me American Girl Style

This sweet girl was ecstatic to go on her first overnight Mommy and Me day.  She had been looking forward to her turn ever since I took her  older sister Faith several years ago.  My plan is to take each girl on an overnight trip every two years beginning at age eight.  It is for special one-0n-one time, but also a time to intentionally talk about growing up without all of the siblings around.  Jason came home from work at noon.  Joy had pretty much been pacing the floor all morning.  If Jason hadn’t come home early I might have lost my mind!

We had lunch at a nearby dollar theater and caught a 3D movie.  I’m still in love with 3D.  I may be the one to invest in a living room 3D TV someday.  Our 500 pound TV with rabbit ears will have to die first though!  🙂

Then I drove to the Dallas Galleria where the much anticipated American Girl Store is located.

I wasn’t sure where to park so it had been quite a long walk by the time we arrived at the entrance of The American Girl Store.  This has been exactly how she wanted to spend her Mommy & Me day ever since we visited the store last summer.

Joy spent around 30 to 45 minutes looking around and deciding on her doll.  First we looked at the dolls that you buy to look like you, but she soon decided that she would rather buy one of the historical characters.  We looked at every one.  She narrowed it down to three of them Kit, Caroline, and Julie.  We went around and compared each looking especially at the outfits and hair.  I wondered how long it was going to take and then all of a sudden she said, “I want Caroline!” and she was ready to go!

Joy spent her entire life savings, and then I contributed the rest.  Caroline was carefully taken out of the box so Joy could carry her around.  The excitement is unmistakable!

Photo with Saige

Posing on the way up to the second floor.

Since Joy’s doll was brand new she wasn’t yet in need of the salon, but it was fun to watch.  Joy was given a paper telling her how to care for her new dolls hair.

And then it was time to eat.  Dining with your doll.  What a dream!  They brought Caroline a little cup of pink lemonade.  I thought they would be bringing her food, even play food, but they didn’t.  Joy and I both thought we remembered that from the time we had visited the store before, but Joy wasn’t too disappointed.  She was having too much fun.

The meal was $15 each and included an appetizer and entree.  Joy chose the Fresh Fruit with Yogurt Dipping Sauce and banana muffins.  I had the Warm Artichoke Spinach Dip.

For her entree Joy chose a cheese pizza, and I the Strawberry Spinach Salad.  It was fantastic!  In fact Joy was ready to go long before I was.  The food was so good I HAD to finish every bite!  I had fun comparing my two daughters–whereas Faith is all about the food, my Joy is more interested in what she’s going to DO!  After much prodding to hurry, I finished my meal and we drove to our hotel…