American Girl Dolls

I hope that title makes any American girl in her 20s or younger so excited that she just wants to run around in circles the way that dogs do when they find out that they're going for a W-A-L-K. First, though, let's look at some FOOD!!!

Snack: melted cheese and tomato sauce (vodka sauce, to be exact) on a La Tortilla Factory wrap (12 g of fiber, baby!). I wanted to eat four more of these. 

Amazingly filling breakfast: blueberry chocolate protein oatmeal! I really wanted to make protein pancakes yesterday morning, but I was weary about using eggs one week past the sell-by date. Instead, I made about one cup of rolled oats (any less hardly ever fills me up), cooked them in the microwave and added 1/4 cup of low fat cottage cheese, 1/4 scoop of chocolate protein powder and a handful of blueberries.

 It tasted good, and it kept me fueled through several hours of shopping with my mom. I expected my stomach to start grumbling after an hour or two, but it never happened. I was very satisfied. 

While at a local Westfield Shopping Center (same day), I stumbled across a kangaroo and a joey supervising the Westfield Playspace. I was surprised at first, and then I remembered that the Westfield family is Australian (and Jewish- like me!). I bet a lot of you didn't know that! 

Back to the food, I had lunch today at Walker Bros with my friend Jessie. Even though they have the best tasting pancakes and omelettes, I stuck to my usual: the chopped salad. It has all sorts of fun things in there, including GOOD grilled chicken breast (sometimes chicken on top of salads in restaurants is gross and fatty), bacon, bleu cheese, red onions, tomatoes, cucumber, asparagus, egg, and tortilla strips (although I swear they forgot the strips on my salad). They use a citrus vinaigrette dressing that is fabulous, although I always get it on the side. 

It comes with a bialy with their famous whipped butter and jam. 

When I got home, my parents asked me if I wanted to go to the dog park with them. I wanted to exercise, and I figured that walking around with them in the great outdoors could suffice. I changed into black yoga pants (black= BIG mistake) and hopped in the car with everybody. 

Mickey, in true form, would not let me take a picture of him. He always runs away when he sees me pull out the camera. He didn't notice, however, when I took his picture from the side mirror. How cute!

We all had a great time. There were so many exciting new smells for everybody. 

We love living near some big dog parks. 

There is so much open land!

American Girl Dolls

How many of us had American Girl Dolls when we were growing up? They just had their 25th anniversary. Being a 25-year-old, these dolls were all the rage in my childhood. 

When I was a child, there were only a few American Girl Dolls. Each girl was from a different period, and she came with her own clothing and accessories. She also came with a book explaining her background and the period she came from. Felicity Merriman, for instance, came from the 1700's. She lived during the Revolutionary War period. We learned all about the clothes that she wore and what she did in her day-to-day life. I suppose you can say that these historical dolls were educational! At least to an extent. 

My mom got my baby cousin Molly a Molly Doll earlier in the year, so we get catalogs from them every once in a while. I was interested to see how much they changed over the years, so I flipped through the one that we got yesterday. 

First, I can't believe how many new historical dolls have sprung up! There is a hippie doll named Julie Allbright from the 1970s. 

There's a Hawaiian doll named Kanani!

Another fun fact about American Girl Dolls is that you can buy all sorts of accessories. For instance, with Kanani, you can buy her fun outfits. You can also buy her a Shaved Ice Stand (for $115!!!!). 

In addition to the periodic dolls, you can also purchase a modern American Girl! 

There are different skin tones and hair colors so that you can choose one that looks like you. I think the one on the top row with the light skin, freckles, hazel eyes and dark brown hair is me. Don't you see the resemblance?

You can buy your doll a piano (it plays music!).

If you doll is Jewish, you can buy her a Hanukkah Gift Set (I had this!!!).

If you wear glasses, then  you can buy your doll a pair of glasses. 

You can buy her crutches, an arm cast and an ankle boot. 

I think that my favorite was the headgear! You can buy your doll headgear!

You can get matching braces! AND a retainer!

Ok, I'm not dissing this at all. I remember getting a catalog every month and flipping through it from front to back and circling all of the things that I wanted. Every once in a while, I got a new pair of clothes for my dolls. It was the most exciting thing for me to see a new package arrive from the American Girl Company. When any of my friends got new doll accessories, we'd go over to their homes and play with them and beg our parents (usually unsuccessfully) to get us the same thing. Sure it seems materialistic, but we were kids! We worked hard to get perfect report cards and do our chores and make our parents as happy as clams just so we could get something exciting for our birthdays or holidays (or a great report card). We also thought that our dolls were real people and would therefore get just as excited about a new pair of clothes.

I just can't believe how many new accessories are there. You can get your doll a pet!

Now, if you're wondering if we just toss our dolls away when we come of age, take a look at the top of my closet! I'd like you to meet Ms. Samantha Parkington, Ms Felicity Merriman and Katie. Katie is a modern American Girl, but she's wearing Felicity's dress. Go figure. Felicity is also wearing Katie's clothes. 

I did take pleasure in chopping their hair many years ago, and I was hoping that I could get them new heads one day (you can send your dolls to the "doll hospital" for new heads, arms, etc.) Unfortunately, I learned that Samantha and Felicity are "retired" dolls! I'm so sad! I guess the girls are going to have to keep their trendy shoulder-length haircuts. 

I also had a Kirsten doll (also discontinued), but my mom gave her away!!! So mad!!! 

Annnnd now I'm heading to the city to be social. It's about time! 

I hope all of you are enjoying your weekends!