SurvivingInfidelity.com^®

I vaguely remember hearing about a manufacturing change when I was younger and wondered about the value of original dolls vs the newer. That's another reason I'm hesitant to give mine to my girls yet, I'd love to keep them in good shape to perhaps give to any future grand babies. I gave them my 2 Birth Babies already and they have since become hand and footless from not keeping them from the dog lol.

My dd loves American girl history, especially for her birthday. The food at NYC was good. But the best part for us,we made it a welcome lunch for the doll. We had a nice meal no sandwich. Doll was served as well.

She is a grow 15 and talked about it th other day and wants to go again but no buying dolls lol.

I really have to restrain myself from continuing to buy the new dolls as they come out.

My daughter is 26. The Mattel change occurred right after she got her first doll at around 5. My significantly older nieces have the original ones.

Regardless, they were a priceless part of my daughter's childhood. We moved here when she was a high school freshman, and even then she wanted them where she could still see them. They live on a long shelf above her closet still--and likely will 'til she moves out. (We like to hide things that will creep her out up there, too--just to see if she notices. The Elf on the Shelf languished until April before we caved and traumatized her with him--she hates him because, working at Barnes and Noble, his eyes were on her, wherever she was, for two months. But she knows about the T. Rex and just isn't giving DS the satisfaction of telling him.)

[This message edited by solus sto at 11:52 PM, August 29th (Friday)]

I'm too old to have had an AG when I was young, but my DD went through the craze for a bit.

After seeing how much they were - we had a discussion with DD. AG doll is a resposibilty!!

(my big gift at that age was a 'Mandy' doll by Fisher-Price)

Anyway, we live near an AG store and we did the bistro meal and doll and an extra or two for her 9th birthday. Best day of her life, at that point.

One of my all-time favorite pics of DD is at that meal, her smile was just so big & genuine.

ETA: AG is a lifestyle, not just a doll. LOL! But you can get good knock-off stuff with Target's line or even some odds & ends at the local craft store for that size doll. DD & I scored a floral vinyl raincoat for like $2 at the Michael's one day.

[This message edited by wannabenormal at 3:38 AM, August 30th (Saturday)]

I know it's still way too early for Aubrie's post about DD's exciting AG store birthday visit, but it was one of my first thoughts this morning. I would have loved to do this with my DD or DGDs. Now I get to do it vicariously here. Sigh.

Happy Birthday, Aubrie & QS's DD!

((((Thebighurt))))

We're about an hour and a half out still. Massive excitement in the backseat. Despite taking a sleep aid last night, she did not sleep much. Poor girl. She's gonna be wiped out tonight.

I'll be sure to post pics.

AG is a lifestyle, not just a doll. 

Yep. I'm catching that vibe based on the posts here.

Report

Ok. American Girl is the COOLEST place on Earth. Totally worth the 3 1/2 hour drive.

We pull in and the place is already packed out. DD makes a beeline thru the store, finds Josephina, picks her up, grabs a few extras, turns around and says, "Ok. Let's go." What!? *I* wanna look around! I didn't drive all this way to be here 5 minutes. This is a childhood dream. So I meandered. DD finally got into the spirit of things. QS and DS tolerated it. And prevented me from getting Addy (my favorite) and Caroline for myself. Darn it.

Picking her doll out:

*poof*

This is love right here...

*poof *

Out front...

*poof*

Y'all, I have never seen her act like this with a doll before. She stares into Josephina's eyes, whispers in her ear, and kisses her head. At lunch she babied her and "fed" her. This child is just over the moon.

So incredibly neat. Good memories.

[This message edited by Aubrie at 3:53 PM, September 16th (Tuesday)]

Three and a half hours!? You and QS'S get my vote for parents of the year! You gave your DD the absolute best bday she will remember forever. And this:

DD makes a beeline thru the store, finds Josephina, picks her up, grabs a few extras, turns around and says, "Ok. Let's go."  

I'm glad I wasn't taking a drink when I read that! I ended up laughing until I started coughing as it was!

I sense another trip there in the future, maybe without DD. My friends and I spent time there and I'm not sure anyone bought anything.

DD is beautiful and just radiant with her dream come true. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you.

I'm glad I wasn't taking a drink when I read that! I ended up laughing until I started coughing as it was!

You should have seen QS's face. His jaw dropped. I was at a loss for words. (I know. Rare.) He said he just knew we'd be in there all day and have to drag her out. But nope. Her shopping excursion was short, sweet, and simple.

Good news tho. They're going to put in an AG store closer to us. So the drive next time won't be near as insane. And yes. Totes going back!

[This message edited by Aubrie at 4:18 PM, August 30th (Saturday)]

Love it. Sounds like an annual event (at least) when it is closer.

I noticed the "It's my Birthday" sticker. Did they do anything else to acknowledge it?

They had this package deal were the birthday kid gets a balloon, tiara, goody bag, a meal, and dessert. But we weren't keen on waiting till a late afternoon appointment at the Bistro.

So we went to Cheesecake Factory. DD got her own massive slice of s'mores cheesecake.

Really, we could have eaten PB&J in the car on the way home and she wouldn't have known. She's been on Cloud 9 since that doll was laid in her arms.

Nice that they do that, but I think I would "settle for" Cheesecake Factory and s'mores cheesecake instead, too!

I bet she has sweet dreams tonight!!

Awww, someone looks very happy! Why do I have a feeling there will eventually be an SI American Girl Store G2G?

OMG! That's the best idea evarrr!

I think I would have to attend that gtg!

Aubrie did she pick her dress out so she would match Josephina? Because her dress is a great match. So happy for her!

Oh! She is so happy--and so cute!!

I don't want to scare you, but price-wise, AG dolls are a bargain compared to what comes down the pike in adolescence

(Seriously, though--they're the best.)

I'm glad you had fun!

She looks extremely happy and proud. She wanted to get out so she could get busy loving her new girl.

Sooooo how bad is it that I have never heard of these dolls before now?

Sooooo how bad is it that I have never heard of these dolls before now?

Oh, it's fine....you're just a Communist, that's all.

My mom took my little sister there when I was probably about 12 or 13....and I think she loved it more than my sister did. I just remember being amazed (horrified?) as a adolescent boy that there was a whole store devoted to dolls. It looks like your DD (and you) had a great time, and QS got to get out of there quick-like which I'm sure he was happy about.

Sounds like a successful family excursion to me! Awesome!

did she pick her dress out so she would match Josephina?

Yes she did.

Solus sto, I hear you. I'm bracing (and saving) for the teen years.

TG, probably cause you have all boys.

Thanks again guys. Great times. DD is still in heaven. The doll goes everywhere with her. She asks for an extra chair for Josephina when we eat out. She is all calm and "What!? She had to sit somewhere. Duh." You can't just hold the doll any old way. You have to be gentle so you don't hurt her and get a lecture from DD. I can see QS internally rolling his eyes and biting his tongue.