Meredith's American Girl "Birthday"

Meredith's big wish for her 5th birthday has been an American Girl doll for several months now. I decided it would be really fun to invite all the people that love her out to the store so she could pick out the perfect doll. We found out that if we went today we could get Aunt Sandy AND Laura, Vic, and Sarah, too - so we couldn't pass that up. Luckily, I didn't get any push-back from Meredith on getting to have an early birthday celebration either! :)

Meredith took a trip back to the babies before getting into the big dolls so she and Jillian could do a little playing
Meredith picked a doll that looks like her - brown hair, blue eyes, and freckles. She finally came up with her name late this afternoon - Rebecca!
After picking her doll, she had the task of picking out a few things for birthday presents from Gigi, Grandma, Bubbie, and Aunt Sandy. This was so serious, it meant she needed to RUN!
Oh, my silly girls and their silly poses! Jillian has at this point, adopted a little grey kitten. She found that she could open the boxes herself and find such fun treasures! When she found a kitten, she pulled down two, took one to Meredith and then told me "Kitty. Home." Meredith put hers away but Jillian was very insistent that this kitty was hers!
After shopping, we headed to the Bistro for lunch. The dolls all got their own chairs and Meredith and Jillian each had a crowns for their dolls.
We had lots of dolls celebrating - Laura, Victoria, and Sarah all spent last night getting their childhood dolls ready for the big day!
Helping her doll drink Lemonade.

Meredith has passed down her Bitty Baby that Aunt Sandy gave her when Jillian was born to her little sister - I had suggested she let her borrow it just for today, but she wants to make sure Jillian has an American Girl, too!

While we waited on lunch, Aunt Sandy let Meredith open her presents. She got the perfect presents - almost all for her new doll!

Meredith fell in love with this dog in the display, but they were all out of him. They seriously had every other one of the other 12 dogs, but not this one. Amazingly, Sandy had shopped early at the New York store and had randomly picked this exact dog out for her. Can you see her happiness??
The Sooks just got back from Hawaii and PJ picked out this little turtle for Meredith - she was thrilled!
Sandy asked me to get Meredith to pick out a dress that she could make for her, so we browsed the online store. She was a little disappointed that they didn't have a turtle option (ha!) so Sandy made her this dress and gave it to her in advance to wear. When she saw it, she said "Maybe I can ask her to make one for my doll when I get one" not knowing there was one ready to go! As lunch arrived at our table, there was one present left - this dress. She didn't see it and we started to eat. I looked over and saw that Meredith looked a little sad. When I asked why, she told me that she didn't look enough like her doll since they didn't match. We quickly got her to open the last present, and she started beaming! Aunt Sandy saved the day!

There was even birthday cake and ice cream to celebrate!
Me with my sweet 4-year-old! I will take advantage of calling her that for just a little while longer. Can't believe 5 is right around the corner.
The cousins took time to play with the animals that Aunt Sandy treated them to. So Jillian's dream of taking Kitty home was realized!
Having fun with Aunt Sandy!
So loved that all of these ladies and my favorite little guy were all with us to celebrate and spend such a fun day with us!