(I haven't re-read this for errors yet - I'm sure my mom will catch any for me. Right, Mom?)
It's been a full year now since I have thrown a birthday party. As I have mentioned, I love birthdays, and I love my kids, and I love celebrating my kids…but taking a break from parties - even the small ones we have - has been wonderful.
Jeff and I have been planning Grace's birthday experience for awhile, and with lots of discussion, unbeknownst to Grace. All she knew is that we had something planned for her at some point, and she'd like it. We had some help: Mom entertained Benjamin for us, and Jonathan's neighbor buddy and his parents entertained Jonathan for us, and each boy thought he had a better day than anybody. Huge thanks for the help, everyone!!! Jeff and I had thought we'd take Grace to the American Girl store, maybe have a special meal at the little restaurant, and choose a little something for her Bitty Twin, Maddie.
When this year's Girl of the Year came out in January, we were conflicted. We had coached Grace to expect that she would need to save up to have a historical American Girl doll, and that she wouldn't be old enough to get one until she was seven or eight years old. But, the Girl of the Year - that would only be available for 2015 - was named Grace! She looked like our girl, and she had a good backstory…what should we do?
Well, after getting lots of advice from parents that we respect, we decided that she could have the Grace doll this year. So, we made a secret plan to make that happen for her birthday experience. It was an over-the-top gift and experience, and it was really special to be able to do this for her. While Gracie was sleeping on Friday night, Maddie changed into an AG shirt. (These things go on sale for $2-$3 online. Don't be surprised if there's a shirt like this tucked into your daughter's birthday gift this year.) When Grace got up the next morning, Maddie's shirt and our explanation broke the news that we would be making the drive to the American Girl store for a special meal and to pick out a little something for Maddie. We had a matching shirt for Grace, too.
Grace was so excited, and all giggles! She asked if she could bring her jar of "save" money to pick out something. She knew about the existence of the Grace doll (even though I had hidden all the AG catalogs that had come in the mail!) and said she would check and see if it was $28. Here are some pictures of excitement we took before we left. I wish we had gotten some pictures of the three of us at the AG store, but she was pretty exhausted at the end, so we didn't. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
Super excited for the trip with Maddie...
and, a little more composed.
Calmly waiting to get there. She did quite a bit of reading on the way - she brought one Addy book and one Kit book.
And, just to prove that I was actually there: a picture from Jeff's phone of Grace and me walking toward the AG store.
Finally here!
We decided to spend some time looking around at everything before our lunch. Here, she's admiring Bon Bon, the Grace doll's little dog.
And this is when we told her we would be giving her the Grace doll for her birthday.
She was overwhelmed.
Grace and Grace...
and Maddie with her new, big-sister doll.
This was a kid-sized bistro set that is supposed to be just like what the doll Grace has. You can see it in the next picture, where our Grace is admiring Bon Bon again.
And, of course, she was admiring the books. I happen to know that book #2 - the one that did not come with the doll - is in one of her gifts from someone else that she'll open on Monday.
I love this picture of Jeff and Grace. She was so thankful for her doll.
After we bought the Grace doll, we had time to look around a little more. There's so much to see and touch...
even doll binoculars.
Such a fun place! Our server gave us the opportunity to do a deluxe birthday meal package for Grace, and we saw mini-parades of little girls walking in and out of the special birthday party room for catered parties, but we opted for "just" a regular meal. It was super special, and an amazing experience for us.
The napkin rings are ponytail holders for dolls or girls.
Each table has a box full of little conversation starters.
Here's one of the menus, in case you wondered what's on it...
This is one of my favorite pictures of Gracie from this day.
And, here's the regular menu.
Jeff is a big softie, so he started us out with a milkshake to share three ways. By this point, the napkin-ring-ponytail-holders were on Grace and the dolls. Grace's hair didn't quite reach, as you'll see.
Then we tried the "fondue," which was actually yogurt instead of cheese.
Much to Grace's surprise, Grandma Doreen had sent a gift card with us...
and Uncle Todd, Aunt Corinne, and Charlotte had, too. (Grace had a mouthful of something yummy at this point.)
A discussion about one of the aforementioned conversation starters.
Her doll was thirsty. She got to take home a cup and plate for each doll.
Crowns for each of them. The server had given crowns to the dolls, and Grace was concerned about not having one of her own, so she asked for one. It was even better than she expected. I am thankful to say that this was the only time during the day that she was asking for something she didn't have. Jeff and I were hoping she'd have a thankful attitude during the experience, and we were happy to find that she did. Look how excited she was to get that crown!
More conversation starters!
Again, we were offered an actual birthday cake with candles, but we opted for the standard girl and doll cupcake to decorate, and we were so glad we did. Grace had fun squeezing out the frosting.
and then sucking on it.
Um…there was plenty of frosting. And plenty to laugh about.
I thought this was a great picture of Jeff!
Cheers! Gracie gave me the doll cupcake "since the dolls can't REALLY eat it."
Now, I mentioned that we did not purchase the birthday experience, but our server *still* gave Grace a birthday gift as we left. Inside, there was a "celebrate" shirt for her doll, a doll-sized gift bag, an activity book, some stickers, a doll-sized pretend balloon on a string…we couldn't believe it. Very sweet.
There aren't pictures of this part, but after lunch, we looked around some more. Jeff and I had decided to let Gracie get her doll's ears pierced as the final part of her gift. We did that, and then worked on deciding how to use the gifts from Doreen and Todd and Corinne. Now, if you've never been to the store, I should tell you it's a little overwhelming in the same way that a large Disney store or Lego store can be. There are so many wonderful things to choose from. Grace doesn't have many opportunities to choose whatever she wants, even within reason, from a store! In the end, she chose the pajamas and dog that were specially made for the Grace doll, and she was just thrilled with those choices.
One last picture at the store as we checked out with our treasures. As I mentioned, we didn't get a picture of the three of us, although I wish we had. She was exhausted with happiness, and we didn't want to push her beyond her limit. So, we called it a day…and what a great day it was! And, three hours at the store was plenty!
On the way home, Grace spent some quality time with her new doll - in the new pajamas - with her new dog, Bon Bon. And, what else? The new book, of course!!!
It was a great day. (That's water, not iced coffee, just in case you wondered!)
When we got home, we were all happy to be together as a family again. And, after an appearance at a birthday party, and a late supper, Grace and Bon Bon got snuggled into little sister Maddie's bed and had a good night's sleep.
