American Girl's Do Lunch

When I was a kid the only American Girl store was in Chicago. I dreeeeeamed of going there. When our choir group went to Chicago in High School I dragged my group there on one of our free time excursions. But I didn't have my doll. Or a the time to really do it up. So when Val moved to Dallas and we discovered there was a store there, we began to talk about "doing lunch" with our dolls. She said she felt so silly calling to make the reservation and explaining that no, it was going to be two adults...and their dolls.

 One of the coolest things about AG (American Girl) lunch is that they have special chairs for the dolls so that they can sit at the table too!

We were some of the earliest girls for our reservation time slot. Once things got going it was packed!

Me and Kirsten

Something happened to her eye. We call it the Mad Eye Moody thing goin' on. I'll send her to the doctor when she comes out to play more later in life. Seriously, I mean the AG doctor. Your doll comes back with a hospital gown, bracelet and balloon. 

Val and Samantha

We had been hoping to do tea but didn't realize they have special days for full on tea. 

Our server was so awesome, he brought us our sparkling strawberry watermelon lemonade (yes, it was as amazing as it sounds) in our big soda glasses AND a tea pot!

Our girl got tea cups with their own lemonade!

The food was excellent. They had delicious grown up options as well as some wonderfully presented kid friendly ones.

On the table they had these neat conversation cards. 

 We laughed at this one because Valerie's love of mittens extends to her own hand sign for mittens. See below.

 For dessert we had a tasty chocolate mousse cup topped with cookie crumbles. Yes, when selecting our choice we went solely for presentation.

 The girls liked it too!

 The AG experience extended all the way to the bathroom where they had doll hooks in the stalls.

 Yep! Your AG doll can even watch you pee. 

 Of course we had to do a little shopping, and get photo proof of our coordinating outfits!

 When we got home we needed a rest so the girls tried on their souvenir outfits. AG Dallas shirts, skirts by me and the flower from dessert! 

It was seriously a great adventure! I had so much fun! I remember reading about others adventures to the store in the catalog and magazines and thought it sounded like so much fun! The dolls have changed, some have been retired, and there are many new dolls!  I still to this day enjoy the magazine (ad free...well except for everyone who writes in and talks about their American Girl stuff...but no body bashing or negative image pushing) and all the great ideas and activities they come up with! I love that this company pairs reading with play, and promotes positive, healthy traits and attitudes. (Unsolicited plug over.)

Know Before You Go: 

-Different stores offer different things. The Dallas store didn't have some of the things I've seen in the LA or Chicago store when I peeked in.

-Make reservations!

-It's pricey. Plan how much you want to spend or what you intend to buy before you go! It's really easy to get caught up in the moment!

Thanks sister for putting together such a fun Dallas adventure to remember!

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Finish It Up Friday-Pillows, Skirts and a bit of Dallas Fun!

I just finished these pretties just in time to brig them with me to Dallas to give to my sister and Matt!
When I was here for the Dallas quilt show Val eyed the fabric I intended to use for a project for my friend Destinie. They also needed couch pillows that matched their decor. I took some of the pillows home with me to use as reference. Then I used scraps from Destinies quilt to make these cases. Look how good they look in their Living Room with her Pinterest art and Live A Colorful Life's wedding quilt.
Our dolls have been reunited as we are going to have an American Girl adventure tomorrow. They are looking a little loved and disheveled.

So I finished some skirts for them to wear.

Val is one of my favorite sandwich makers. They taste like home. She made me this one for lunch.
This evening we went on an adventure of the golf nature to Top Golf. There are two stories of driving ranges and you play games where the balls have GPS trackers in them and track if you hit certain targets and how many points you get.
Matt's friend Graham joined in too and it was great to have him with us! He's a new golfer and he's picking it up quick!
The orange sections are the ones Luke hit. Shortly after he hit his ball in the 9 target.

It's like bowling. And they have giant lawn games, snacks, meals and grown up beverages.

So much fun!!!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Finish it Up Friday!

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Skippyjon Hunger Games with a Twist of American Girl

I have finally semi mastered the art of reading and knitting at the same time. When I would complain that knitting took away from reading time my mom would tell me how my grandma Peggy would very often read while she knit. So I knew it was possible if the pattern was simple enough.

These guys were pretty simple. Since Luke and I had just picked up The Hunger Games it seemed the time to try. Success! Though I confess I didn't really enjoy the book. It was kind of not very uplifting. And kind of a plot that's been used before. Don't get me wrong, I was sucked in and totally wanted to know what happened! BUT I also totally wanted to get it over with. Sigh. My reading groove is off as of late.

On another reading note: I love the company American Girl. Love the books, love the magazine, love the creativity they encourage, and love the dolls! Play, read, create, what's not to love!? (ok maybe the price.) But really, I think it's worth it. From the beginning I've told Luke if we have girls we're making a quest to THE original AG store in Chicago. I remember reading about it and hearing about it and finally, on a high school choir trip, going there!! Even in high school it was dreamy!
Any way, I have three friends, that I know of, with girls who have AG dolls. So I made them(the dolls) each a little bolero sweater

and a matching hair clip! There's a chance I had more fun making them than they will playing with them.

 We'll see. I plan to deliver them when I get back to Fresno.

Which will be the 17th. It crept up on me and I ignored it.

Last book note: I picked up two more Skippyjon Jones books at Costco.


That kitty boy is so funny!They came with audio CDs! I read them aloud to Luke. I enjoy those books so much! I'm pretty sure there written for grown ups.
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What are you knitting now?

Thats what Charlotte and Levi asked me on Monday at Monday Night Football dinner! Can I just say it warmed my heart that they knew I was knitting!!!
It also warmed my heart to see these pictures of the two of them in the hats their Grandma (find her blog here) bought for them!

 Levi with his bulky dino hat and Charlotte with her hat made to match her American Girl Doll's Hat!

Here's Charlotte's doll's hat.

International Hats

My friend Alex (au paire from Germany) brought clothes appropriate for the season she was to arrive in the US. For her Summer. Unfortunately for her, winter is coming! Eek! I took it upon myself to make her a winter hat!

 Then I found out my dear friend Cindy found a steal of a deal on an American Girl Doll to give to her grandaughter Charlotte for her birthday. Since I knew I would have some extra yarn, and LOVED making Alex's hat, I decided to make a doll size version. So now I have a German Girl Hat and an American Girl (Doll) Hat.

 Then...my imagination started to get to me...Charlotte's doll would need mittens! American Girl is all about the ensemble right?

 (Of course now I'm working on Alex's mittens haha.)

 I've got to say I had so much fun giving these to Charlotte! I confess I'm pretty happy with how they came out! AND with the fun I hope Charlotte has dressing up her new doll Molly!

 Aren't those kids cute! I just couldn't cut that happy little guy (Charlotte's brother Levi) out of the picture!

When Bugs Get Smashed...

Their eyes pop out...
The Friday school was scheduled to get out I got called in for a sub job. (Woooh subbing on class party, candy, sugar day.)I hoped in my car and headed to rescue the administrator who was filling in until I could get there. I was on my way through a medical office complex and Mr. Smarty pulled out in front of me. I honked I braked...there was nothing I could do. Some of his first words to me were: "I have to go catch a plane" and "Can I run in and go to the bathroom? I really have to go." Hmmm. Think he was in a hurry? While it doesn't look too bad, the internal damage was...substantial. Whew. I was very glad his insurance called to accept fault. My sister and her boyfriend very kindly drove me to school, and picked me up, and took me to Sal's after for some yummy comfort food.

Then, on Wednesday:

Mom had her own little adventure. (More details here.)

Ugh. Let's just the week before Christmas 'twas rough.

One upside was I got to spend some of the time hanging out with my buddy Cady! She was catching up on her AR reading. During breaks we made wrapping paper for her Grandma's present...and went to get a Christmas Tree for her doll Zoey. Here are Zoey and Cady in the back of the rental car with the completely decorated tree!