In honor of fall break, we took a day-trip to Chicago with Granny, Poppie, and Luc so the girls could visit the American Girl Doll store! The boys went sight-seeing in the city all day, while the girls "girlied-it-up!"
Our first experience on the train was an eventful one - daddy and Tess got on a train just before the doors slammed shut with the rest of us on the outside! After mommy tried to pry the train doors open as it pulled off, we waited about 15 minutes until the rest of us boarded another train to meet them (in case you were wondering, Daddy was skilled at keeping Tessa occupied and having fun until mommy arrived on another train). The girls liked the train ride at first, but after having to ride 2 different trains (one for quite a bit longer than the other) each way, they reported they are NOT city-girls (although their mommy says SHE is!). :)
When we arrived at the store, the girls were in awe!!! They didn't know what to look at first.
The store is absolutely enormous - 2 floors of girl-heaven.
Look - American Girl Dolls even have a mini-cooper!
Nora was in her element - posing every chance she got!
This one was pretty fussy most of the time we were in the store (especially after having to wake up at 5:15am and staying awake all day leading up to arriving at the store), but she managed to pose for some pictures.
We changed the kids' clothes for their photo-shoot with their dolls! Here they are on the cover of their very own American Girl Doll magazines! - look closely, you'll see their names on the cover a couple different times.
After LOTS of shopping and spending (Thank you Granny for all of the doll accessories!), we waited outside the restaurant for the event we were all waiting for....
THE LUNCH EXPERIENCE! First, the waitress positions your doll in her own seat at the table with you. The girls sipped on their waters while they waited for their food to be brought out.
They were starved, and so were Mommy and Granny!
The "warm-welcome" - hot cinnamon buns
Next, the appetizer tray
Granny & Mommy's salads
The "American Girl Picnic Lunches" for each of the girls
And lastly, the fancy dessert plate!
The dolls even got their own plates with refreshments.
Here is Olivia's doll ordering. ;)
Luckily, Tess perked up in the restaurant and just played and played with her doll and all of the pretty things on the table!
Tess is giving her doll a sip of tea.
Olivia is sharing her fruit skewer with hers.
The place was totally pink and totally fancy!
Oooo-la-la!
Grubbin'
Ta-da!
On our walk outside to meet the boys, we met "Orsie the Horsie"!
At the end of the day, we took some very sleepy ladies to Gino's East for a pizza dinner!
This morning, the girls have had a ball with their dolls and all of their accessories!
And the adults are all pooped! :)
