Drinking the American Girl Kool-Aid

Look, for the record: I still think that, wholesome as they are, American Girl dolls might actually be Material Girl dolls. I still think $90 for a doll, $28 for her outfits and $75 for her horse is ridiculous. Then why did I capitulate? Why does The Pea have 2 American Girl dolls -- and why do I find myself looking longingly at the soon-to-be-archived Nellie doll and wishing that 3 American Girl dolls for one little girl weren't way too extravagant (no, really it is -- I swear, she's not getting another one)?

Damn you, American Girl! I'm hooked! Your dolls and all their stuff are just so cute and so well made.... your storybooks are so wholesome and enjoyable (I sobbed my way through the whole Addy series).... That first free-shipping coupon was like starter crack to me. It looks like I'm not just eating a slice of humble pie, I'm scarfing down the whole thing.


Case in point: The Pea and I went to our second American Girl Fashion show this weekend. The event wasn't quite the lavish affair that we attended in April, but it was still a sold-out event.



The venue was simpler, but just as festive. How could it not be with all those excited little girls and their dolls, all dressed up?


I'll admit the food was a disappointment. Dry carrots and dry sandwiches? I gave up a juicy In-N-Out burger for this? Bleh. I did like their goody bag, though -- they had little bracelets and hairclips for dolls and a scrapbook for the girls.


The format of the show was identical -- little girls parading around in historical and contemporary American Girl fashions. The only difference was the fashions being modeled (the focus this time was on winter and holiday clothing). I was happy to see a bit more diversity in the models this time, including one little girl in a wheelchair.

This was one of my favorite outfits, featuring Kirsten's beautiful holiday sweater.

Outside the main hall, they had a variety of American Girl products for sale -- way better than the April show -- including souvenir shirts for dolls and girls, American Girl posters (a great deal at $2! I bought the last Samantha poster right off the wall) and an assortment of American Girl books.




Yeah, yeah, it benefits the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital and all... but --dare I say it? -- what brought the glow to my heart was really the fun mother-daughter girly time we had. No amount of crack could give me the high that I get when I see The Pea enjoying herself. And that look of happiness on her face is more addicting than any hard substance in the world. So pass me a glass of that $30 American Girl lemonade, please -- I'll enjoy it while we have the money and while The Pea is young enough to enjoy it with me.