Lily's American Girl Birthday

Lily turned seven on February 18, and we celebrated by taking a weekend trip to Dallas to visit the American Girl store.

 

I came up with the original idea, after trying to come up with fun yet affordable ideas for a birthday party in February...and that's hard! Plus, I know many can relate to this, but we already have so much stuff...so many little things and toys that soon lose their sparkle as soon as they're opened and tossed to the side.

 

Anyway, we ultimately wanted it to be Lily's choice: a local birthday party with friends or a weekend trip to the American Girl store. She's really gotten into American Girl dolls lately, so she quickly chose the latter!

 

And her birthday with her friends at school was special...I sent homemade cupcakes; she wore a birthday pin; I read books to her class and had lunch with them that day. So this was kind of a win-win!

 

Our options for "nearby" American Girl stores were limited to Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, or Nashville. We wanted to go somewhere within driving distance, and that was honestly our only prerequisite. Rob liked the idea of Dallas (I think he was secretly hoping to run in to Dak Prescott), so that's what we went with.

 

If you plan a similar out-of-town trip, check the area hotels to see if they offer an American Girl package. A few in Dallas did, and we ended up choosing the Marriott because we had a lot of points built up! The package made the trip extra sweet. As soon as we arrived, Lily was given an American Girl present from the hotel...a cute bed and bathrobe for her doll and a $25 gift card to the store! When we got to our room, milk and cookies were waiting on Lily and her doll too!

 

And now backtracking a bit...for months Lily has been flipping through her American Girl magazine, and she's had her heart set on eventually getting the doll Z Yang. Once we planned this trip, she was excited to arrive at the store and hopefully purchase the doll with some birthday money I told her she'd likely get from mom and dad, grandparents, etc. The morning we left for Dallas, Rob and I surprised her with the doll...it was a total surprise, which made it so much fun! And this way she was able to have Z on the drive over, and she was able to save her birthday money for accessories for her new doll!

 

 

 
I'd also put together some small goodie bags for the girls to open the morning of our trip. They got a few new movies for the car ride and some goodies from the Target Dollar Spot! :)
 

 

As soon as we arrived at the hotel, Lily had this package waiting on her!
 

 

We kept the food simple on our trip. Food wasn't the focus, and we honestly just grabbed dinners at places near our hotel. Still lots of fun!

 

 

 

The morning of our trip to the store, we had a few presents for Lily to open. She got money and/or gift cards from her grandparents and great-grandparents, and her great-grandparents had also given her a few accessories for Z. And they were all sweet enough to give Hadley a little bit too so she wasn't left out!

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to explore and shop!

 

 

I'd made reservations for us to have lunch at the American Girl Bistro, and I can't recommend this enough! It was inside the store, and we ate as soon as we arrived. The restaurant was adorable and filled with other little girls having special experiences. The waitresses were as sweet as could be and greeted Lily by name. Her doll had a special seat at the table, along with her own cup and saucer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poor Julie was in dire need of a new hairstyle. I booked a salon visit after lunch for a style for her, and Lily chose to get Z's ears pierced. (She originally wanted a hearing aid for Z, but we found out that a hearing aid required poking a permanent hole in the doll's neck. And if the aid was removed, the hole would be pretty visible.)

 

 

Julie looking like a new woman.

 

 

 

After a long day at the American Girl store, Lily still had some money left over that she wanted to spend. We went to the Galleria, and she spent the rest of her birthday money on Beanie Boos at Claire's. I think she got 10 of them because they were buy one/get one half off.

 

 

 

We had plans post-mall to visit The Perot Museum, but the girls wanted to return to the hotel to play with their toys. We were all pretty worn out, so Rob and I were good with that.

 

I snapped the pic below the morning we left Dallas and headed home. The sweetest sight ever.

 

 

It was a fantastic trip, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. We made some sweet memories as a family, and it's a birthday that Lily will remember forever, I believe.

 

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Hope everyone has a happy Monday.

 

 



Gift Guide for LIttle Girls

Aah...it's here! My gift guide for the little girl(s) in your life! I had such fun putting this one together. I hope y'all enjoy and get some inspo for your little one.

 

*This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting me!*

 

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Would make such a cute stocking stuffer. The brush has a little mirror on the back, and it comes with a hair tie on the end.

 

 My Rainbow Brush

 

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I'm new to the whole PlasmaCar thing, but the reviews are darn near perfect. No batteries or pedals. Just moves by gravity and turning the wheel. Plus it supports the weight of an adult, and I'm not going to lie, I want to try this thing out.

 

PlasmaCar

 

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Santa always brings our girls pajamas. Hadley would adore this gown because the girl is dinosaur obsessed.

 

Dino Ragland Nightgown

 

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Lily has a drawer full of lip balm, and I know she'd have so much fun making her own.

 

Lip Balm Boutique

 

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Here's another option for making your own lip balm. This one is $23, and the one above is $25.

 

Lip Balm Lab

 

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Maybe it's the nurse in me, but I don't think it's ever too early to teach our kiddos how the human body works. It's so much easier when they can visualize and touch (and remove!) the parts.

 

Squishy Human Body 

 

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How cute is this body scrub? Would make bath time a lot more fun!

 

 Strawberry Cupcake Sugar Scrub Sundae

 

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This is something both of my girls would love. Helps with fine motor skills and in recognizing numbers too.

 

Paint By Sticker

 

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We're always looking for games to play as a family. With this one you build lines by matching up colors and/or shapes. It sounds like some strategy is involved too, so it'd keep the adults engaged as well.

Qwirkle Board Game

 

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Y'all. I can't. Rose gold slippers with a cat nose and whiskers?!?

 

Metallic Cat Faux Fur Slippers

 

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I can't recommend any product by Djeco highly enough. Their puzzles and craft kits are like works of art. Well-made, unique, and so much fun for the kids.

 

Djeco Foil Pictures

 

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An affordable smartwatch for kids. This is high on Lily's wish list. And it's only $45 right now.

 

 Kidizoom Smartwatch

 

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Looks like such a sweet game that encourages using your imagination to tell a story. And it doesn't hurt that it's beautiful!

 

Fairytale Spinner Game

 

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Gap jammies are always my favorite for the girls. Hadley would love this pair.

 

Festive Dino Sleep Set

 

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We have this game already and bring it out a good bit. Each player tries to fill up their tree stump with acorns. Really cute and easy to play for the youngest too.

 

The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

 

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We're big into arts and crafts over here. How much fun would this be to not only paint but then to display somewhere in your yard?

 

Paint Your Own Stepping Stone

 

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Blast from the past here. I love introducing my girls to things I enjoyed as a child.

 

Spirograph Tin Set

 

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Kind of random, but when I saw this I knew both Lily and Hadley would adore it. The element of surprise always gets them, and they both like anything that's small. Plus this doll is scented which is always fun.

 

Cupcake Surprise Scented Doll

 

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I love this as a gift idea. Encourages critical thinking and builds confidence as you build your own electronics! Rob would enjoy doing this with our girls.

 

Snap Circuits

 

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Similar to the stepping stone above, wouldn't it be sweet to have some of these hand-painted vases in your home?

 

Paint Your Own Vases

 

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For my dinosaur-loving girl, this pair of leggings was created by a mom who got tired of having only princess options for her little one. This pair is so cool, and the message behind it is even better.

 

 

 Dinosaur Leggings

 

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Both Lily and Hadley love Enchantimals and would have fun with this little playhouse.

 

 Enchantimals Panda Tree Playhouse Set

 

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We are big fans of Barbie over here. I sometimes set up a Tupperware container full of water for my girls to pretend their dolls are at the pool. I think they'd like this better!

 

Chelsea Pool and Water Slide Playset

 

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How sweet is this sweater? 

 

Critter Graphic Sweater

 

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Messy but fun, we love playing with stamp sets around here. Melissa & Doug makes some of the best products.

 

Wooden Stamp Set

 

 

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I don't know any little girl who doesn't love a bath bomb. It'd be fun to make your own!

 

Bath Bomb Lab

 

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Lily got this for Christmas last year, and she still has fun playing with all of these. The size of the dolls is just right for little ones.

 

 Barbie Dreamtopia Rainbow Cove

 

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Another slipper option. And you can't beat unicorns.

 

Faux Fur Critter Slipper

 

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A great idea for the younger kids, this toy helps with colors, counting, and sorting. And I could honestly see both girls playing with the bears on their own.

 

 Rainbow Counting Bears

 

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 Hard to believe, but it does get cold in Mississippi. Love the double poms on this hat.

Double Pom-Pom Fair Isle Beanie

 

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Mess-free?!? This has Hadley's name all over it.

 

 Color Wonder Mess-Free Art Desk

 

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For the budding fashion designer. Lily would love this.

 

Light-Up Tracing Pad

 

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Such cute and cozy pajama bottoms. I love the dachsunds.

Fleece Sleep Pants

 

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Lily's backpack is loaded down with keychains. I know she'd like this one, plus it's scented which makes it extra fun!

 

 

Scented Pom Pom Keychain

 

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A cute pair of high tops to pair with leggings. And they're lined with faux fur.

 

Sueded Faux Fur Lined High-Tops

 

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 Proof to your little girl that she can be anything she wants to be. Would be great for car travel too.

 

Career Dolls Magnet Set

 

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A really neat kit where kids mine their own crystals.

 

Crystal Mining Kit

 

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These magnetic blocks are beautiful.

 

Tegu Magnetic Wooden Block Set

 

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Fun for the kids...maybe not so fun for the parents? But who doesn't like having their voice sound like something else?

 

Multi Voice Changer

 

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Y'all know Hadley is getting this. Hatch your own dinosaurs!

 Animal Planet Grow Eggs

 

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I want this nightlight in my room! It has a timer (which I love), and it creates amazing images on your child's walls and ceiling. So cool.

 

Moon and Sky Projection Nightlight

 

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We never tire of Play-Doh over here. And these additional sets are always fun to have.

 

Sweet Shoppe Frosting Fun Bakery

 

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Both Lily and Hadley prefer this size doll to a regular Barbie doll. And I like that they look like kids.

 

Chelsea Birthday Party Dolls

 

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Lily has this dresser, and she's gotten so much use out of it. It's a perfect place to store their doll's clothes, shoes, and accessories.

 

Wooden Wardrobe

 

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A fidget spinner with lip gloss. Perfect for a stocking.

 

Lip Gloss Fidget Spinner

 

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If your little girl is into American Girl dolls or anything similar, this ice cream truck will be a HUGE hit. Lily got this from Santa last year, and both of my girls have had the best time playing with it. It comes with all of the pieces pictured, and they're really well-made.

 

Sweet Stop Ice Cream Truck

 

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A unicorn wallet to house her money.

 

Girls' Unicorn Wallet

 

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A sweet little wallet and wristlet. Love the dino.

 

Girls' Friends Clutch

 

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Allows your artist to turn drawings into animated scenes.

 

 Magic Scene Creator

 

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Christmas is a time to stock up on socks and undies. Amiright?

 

Critter Crew Socks

 

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Love the bright colors in this set, and we still prefer mittens to gloves over here.

 

Hat and Mittens Set

 

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These wristlets are fun because they're a jelly material and feel really cool, and they smell divine (the scent stays, too). Plus you can add little jewels to make it your own.

 

 

Yummy Gummy Wristlet & Bracelet

 

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 Just one of the books we hope to add to our collection.

 

Miss Lina's Ballerinas

 

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I'm much more fond of this kind of Hatchimals craze (i.e., you can find them, and they're much cheaper than last year's version).

 

Hatchimals Egg Carton

 

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These really are fun for little kids. They can write down their "secrets" so no one else can read them...then shine the light over the page, and the ink is revealed!

 

Invisible Ink Pen

 

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Hadley adores these cars. A girly twist on race cars.

 

Cutie Car Candy Car Pack

 

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Neither of our girls have their ears pierced yet, but they do like to pretend. I love this clip-on set. They look just like real earrings!

 

Clip-On Earrings

 

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Well, that's all I've got. Now I'm off to do some wrist and arm stretches from all the computer work. ;) Hope y'all enjoyed this gift guide, and more than anything I hope it gave you some ideas for your little one.