I was never ever into American Girl brand -- or really any dolls -- when I was a kid, but Harper and Scarlett LOVE babies and Barbies and 18" dolls and spend hourssss each week dressing and playing with them! Our local library also has a collection of American Girl dolls that I frequently allow them to check out to play with at home. While they have zero grasp on what the actual "American Girl" brand even is, they have always called all of their 18" dolls "American Girls." Therefore, it was no surprise that they JUMPED at Grammy Resa's proposal of taking a train to the hugeeee American Girl doll store in Chicago this summer! #BRB while we pack up Dixey and Aqua and all their clothing changes and accessories to hit the road to Grammy and Papa's house...
Chugga-chugga-CHOO-CHOOOOO, we're off on a 2-day, 1-night girls' trip!
Because Chicago, HERE WE COME!
The train ride [sans carseats and stocked with a special snack car] was a huge hit. Approx. 4 hours later, we made it to Chicago Union Station ...and then off to our hotel where we landed a room on the 17th floor ... and THEN to the long-awaited American Girl store for a super fun shopping experience!
No one was excited or anything. ;) :)
Complimentary check-ups for Dixey and Aqua were performed by a "doctor" on staff at the AG Store!
And then it was lunch time at the AG Cafe where there was special service for alllll the girls, even Dixey and Aqua!
On the shopping front, the kids each got to pick out one outfit for their doll and one play setup thing [which, yessss, made my heart skip about 23 or maybe 28 beats, because holy price tags...but I tried to breathe deeply all weekend and stifle my cheap-AF ways so as not to spoil all the once-in-a-lifetime excitement for the kiddos]!
Back at the hotel, they donned their pool garb and FaceTimed Grammy Beeler to show her their new loot!
"Night cap" at It'Sugar who?!
As a side plug: Dixey and Aqua are also better known as Mary of Nazareth and My Guardian Angel, respectively, as they're actually Dolls from Heaven! I became obsessed with the story of this company after a friend shared about it last year. They are committed to helping children keep Jesus as the focus of their lives, and their mission is to inspire children to become saints! Santa obvi love Dolls from Heaven, too, because he delivered two to our house last Christmas, along with the books about each doll.
Sweet dreams, my tiny saint American Girl! #ily
The next morning, we packed up our things and checked them with the bellman downstairs before hitting the stores along the Magnificent Mile! We bought some Garrett's Popcorn for Daddy and Papa, tried on some fancy shoes at Zara, and whaddya know.................
...ended up back at Water Tower Place for a little look inside the Lego Store...
...but more importantly, more play time at the AG Store!!! #cantgetenough
Harper decided she did not like the outfit I packed her for day #2 of our trip, so she modified my black tank top with a bobby pin and wore it around the city all day as a dress. LOL.
Back at Union Station for our 2:00pm train home, we bumped into some familiar faces! The kids loved making the trek home with some friends in tow!
The next morning at home, the big kids gave Juliette the bottle, diapers, and wipes that they bought her for her babies + the mini-Reese's pieces treat from It'Sugar! She was thrilled with all her surprise gifts...
...and the big kids were thrilled to get their dolls' coffee bar and gymnastics sets out!
Memories for a lifetime followed by FUN FOR HOURS [which made for the easiest Sunday of my life]! Thanks, Mom, for suggesting and organizing the trip!!! I guess we'll start saving up money now for the day Juliette is old enough to have her inaugural trip to Chicago and visit to the AG Store! ;) :-*
