A pilgrimage of sorts

It all started in December. Somehow in the past 3 months, I have been to the American Girl store in Atlanta three times. Our first visit was on December 23 for a birthday party. Being in a mall on the 23rd of December was interesting. I am sure that you can guess the percentage of male shoppers in the mall that day. Now, in the American Girl store…there were all the moms and their girls with ginormous bows in their hair…and the poor (emphasis on poor) hapless dads and brothers that were obviously dragged into this haven of feminity. After witnessing one grandfather tell a tiny girl that she could pick out whatever she wanted…I am so curious to know what the store brought in that day. Why oh why did I not invent The Pleasant company?

After the party…Katie decided that she needed an American Girl doll. She had always loved the books, but had never shown an interest in the dolls. Neither of my girls has ever been interested in dolls. They like stuffed animals, but barbies, babies and dolls have been outside of their preferences. Until now. My mom decided that she would let Katie pick out a doll for her birthday (which is on New Year’s Eve). I tried to make reservations to have lunch while we were there – but they were booked. Ahhh…all those poor dads and brothers.

We headed for the mall on that cold, last day of December. Madalyn was cautioned in advance that it was NOT her birthday…but she did have some Christmas money to spend. Katie picked out Kirsten and a few outfits. Madalyn got a mini Addy with her money. On the way home Madalyn quizzed my mom on when exactly she would get her own doll. Answer: on her birthday if that is still what she wanted.

So…yesterday we made the pilgrimage once again - bringing Katie's friend Audrey with us. Madalyn’s birthday is not until April…but Madalyn wanted to have her doll to bring with us on our cruise over Spring Break. So…because schools were out here yesterday for a teacher workday, it seemed like a good time (meaning less crowded) to go. Madalyn has been vacillating between several dolls – first it was Josephina, then Addy, then Felicity…and I think it changed four more times in the car on the way. When we got there, we rounded the circuit…and then Madalyn settled on Felicity. Oh, wait, nope…it’s Elizabeth.


Madalyn picked out a few outfits…Katie picked out another outfit for Kirsten...we found back packs to store the dolls...I plunked down their college savings…and then we had an American girl fashion show.

Now we are all worn out, and a quick repast at the bistro seems to be the ticket.

The dolls had a challenge picking out what they wanted for lunch.

Get a load of that chocolate milk. Don't think we make it quite like that at home.

Here Madalyn is carbo loading just in case she decides to run a marathon later in the day.


We had a lovely pilgrimage...now we just need to head to New York or Chicago where they have stores, restaurants, and theatres...right after we get that second mortgage on the house...