The American Girl Store

Oh my, it's a toss up on who was more excited...me or Carly...for our mommy daughter trip to the American Girl Store.  This was Carly's birthday present from us and she also got to spend her birthday money that she had received at the store.  Rodney, Blake and Avery came long enough to see Carly's initial reaction and then pick out the doll.  After that they split to do something unrelated to dolls.
Here is Carly outside the front of the store.  It is the 25th Birthday for The American Girl.

Carly picked out a red haired, blue eyed doll.  She immediately started pretending with the doll.  She would talk to her and ask her if she liked certain things.  I caught this shot on the escalator, she had her doll standing on the step right in front of her.

Here she is with her doll.  The lighting isn't great in this picture but the doll's hair really is a very close match to Carly's.

They have everything set up in glass cases, even the outfits.  It really adds to the amazingness (word?) of the store.  Everything comes in a sweet little box.  Carly loved this casserole set...she had already spent her limit by this point so she had me start taking pictures of things she wanted for Christmas. Smart girl...

After we shopped we had lunch reservations for the Cafe in the store.  This was really a great memory for me.  It isn't often that I get the kids one on one like this.  Carly was excited about it too because she never stopped talking.
Here she is at our table.  They have neat little seats that clip to the table for your doll.  Then someone comes around and leaves a cup and saucer for the doll to use.

The part I really loved was how Carly would pretend with the baby.  She was feeding her, one time the baby spilled and Carly had to wipe it up, one time she smacked the baby because she said "poop" at the table which is potty talk, and then she got tired of being in her chair so she had to sit in Carly's lap.

The lunch is a little on the pricey side but it was VERY nice and there was lots of food.  We packed up half of our meals to bring home and part of our desserts which Rodney and Blake promptly attacked.
The meal starts with warm cinnamon rolls (not as good as Grandma Nancy's though)

Then they bring a plate of appetizer type things.

We ordered from cute little menus.  Things like tea, milk and juice were included and you could have as many or as much you choose.  I had both the hot ginger peach tea and an iced tea and Carly drank her weight in pink lemonade.

A happy girl with her mac and cheese and pink lemonade.

The desserts were adorable!  We were both so impressed...by this point we were very full so we ate the chocolate mousse and then saved the cake and cookies for at home.

As we waited to pay we took SEVERAL "by request" pictures for Carly.  I won't bore you with the MANY I took but here is a cute one where I made her smile instead of the goofy faces she thought were so funny.

The table next to us took this picture.  We had a great day together. 

After we got home she unloaded everything to show daddy.  As soon as she did she took it all to her room and we have barely seen her since.
Please bring your little girls so we have a good excuse to go back!  Rodney won't allow that to be a weekend outing for just Carly and I. :)