American Girl

It was our first. And I'm sure it will not be our last. 

It's official, we've been immersed head-to-toe into the American Girl doll world. There's no going back now! This weekend we visited the American Girl store in Columbus, OH for Lexie's 10th birthday.

American Girl packages with their names on them received upon check-in at the hotel

As the story goes, Lexie's family had this trip booked for their family of four for Lexie's birthday several months prior. Turns out, this weekend was High School Homecoming weekend and Lexie's older brother was taking his girlfriend to the dance, which meant Brother couldn't go and so Dad had to stay home to supervise (neither of them shed a tear I'm pretty sure). That left two open spaces for the hotel room and the birthday meal at the American Girl cafe. Karry gave Lexie three choices of friends she could ask; Lexie choose Kayla because "Kayla is nice, we have fun and play well together and Kayla doesn't have any drama". There you have it, the drama-free friend was chosen! What an honor and special privilege for us to spend this memorable weekend with Lexie. It was a weekend we will all remember!

The girls carrying all their luggage, their dolls, and their doll's luggage into the hotel

 The hotel was amazing (one of the nicest I've ever stayed in) and treated the girls like royalty. Lexie and Kayla were greeted with special American Girl packages upon arrival which each included a bed, blanket and pillow for their dolls. At 3pm milk and cookies were delivered to our room for the girls and their dolls and later that night the dolls received turn-down service for their beds with a piece of chocolate. The dolls! Not the girls, not the mom's (Ummmm I could've really used that), THE DOLLS. How fun for the girls to receive such special treatment!

The cookie and milk delivery (cookies already eaten!)

The bed with turn-down service and a chocolate

 The main purpose of the 4-hour trip south was to visit the store which did not disappoint and MANY HOURS were spent inside. Our experience included a birthday meal in the cafe, spa and salon appointments for the dolls, and lots of shopping. Are you beginning to think that the dolls received better treatment than the humans on this trip? You are right.

 It was a fun birthday lunch that included appetizers, drinks, an entree and of course cake and ice-cream! Even the dolls (here we go with the dolls again) had their own chairs, cups and plates.

 After lunch Lexie's doll had an appointment for the spa and Kayla's doll had an appointment at the hair salon. Kayla chose for her doll to receive a fancy up-do with a sparkly crown. Unless you're there to witness it in person, you wouldn't even believe that each doll has their own hair stylist, chair and cape. 

The finished 'do!

The Easton Town Center, where the shopping and hotel were, is an amazingly huge indoor/outdoor mall with every up-scale store and restaurant you can imagine. There are beautiful fountains, outdoor model train sets, park-like settings, and fireplaces. Despite the cooler than predicted weather, our weekend was very relaxing and even included lots of hot tub time and sleeping in until 9am! (I haven't slept until 9am for three years!)

The dolls went with us EVERYWHERE but in this hotel, it's encouraged! In case you momentarily forgot this weekend was about Lexie and not her dolls. Lexie said "It was the best birthday ever!" We truly did all have such a fun weekend  - the girls, the mom's, and the dolls. Kayla and Lexie can't wait to go back! Happy 10th Birthday Lexie! Thanks for letting us come along on your super fun birthday weekend!