The Lunch & The Bash!

First I want to thank you all for the sweet wishes for our best girl! It was a special birthday for her in many respects and I have been anxious to share the rest of the details.....it was a big big weekend. :)

On Saturday my Mom, Lauren & I boarded the train and ventured to downtown Chicago for our day at the American Girl Store. Its in a new location right on the Miracle Mile and of course its as gorgeous as ever! Lauren has been dreaming of her look alike "big doll" for years now & has long cherished her Bitty Baby. I know in part she worried about sweet Bitty being relegated to "second favorite doll" status, but finally my tenderhearted girl was ready for her doll. It was a magical day and we felt so lucky to have my Mom with us for this celebration. It was the ultimate girly day! AND we even bumped into another JOH Mama(Kerry M. ) and her daughter Grace ~ they too were celebrating a special milestone!

And because our family apparently likes really BIG weekends :)~ we also hosted her family party the very next day on Sunday. Another wonderful day and Lauren received so many glorious & thoughtful presents. I could absolutely share endless details, but just this once(or twice?) I'm going to let our photos tell a bit of the story. Here goes nothing......


Lauren on the train ride downtown; I love how excited( and somehow tiny) she looks!!

Did you know you can send your doll to the salon? Lauren's look-a-like now has pierced ears just like her! If you peek really close, you can see Lauren's ear sparkle too! It also melted my heart just a bit when L inquired if she could hold her doll's hand during the procedure ~ she didn't want her doll to be scared!

Lookie lookie what we found! This soccer uniform matches Lauren's uniform almost perfectly! It was a must have!

Our lunch was full of sweet treats and yes, Lauren changed her doll TWICE during our stay at American Girl. lol

Are the rest of you wishing you had stock in American Girl right about now? Me too!! Well, its hard to resist a matching ensemble for the girls........I'm weak were cuteness is concerned, but at least I'm self-aware. ;0) The girls all dressed for the party!

Even Miss Lilly(doll) got a present or two at the party! Every well heeled doll simply must have a set of stylish wheels. Right? Right? And yes I do realize that if I ever had any male (blog) readers they are probably long gone now.Screaming about burning eyes and all..... Sorry fellas! *grin*

Lauren and Alyssa showcasing the long awaited and desperately desired bed tent!

Yup, she got new wheels too!(remember lots of family giving gifts too!) It was time for the 20 inch bike........my heart lurched a bit; it seems like only yesterday she was struggling to reach the pedals on her tricycle.

And last but not least, our little cupcake......who helped himself to quite a bit of chocolate cupcake at the party. :) AND who had an awfully grand time at the party and all weekend long! I promise more pics of our chocolate bandit soon! Do you think he looks a bit "caught in the act?" giggle.....