My aunt Sally used to live a block off of Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, just down the street from the John Hancock building—and about three blocks from American Girl Place. As long as she lived there, she talked about the adorable little clones and their mothers carrying red bags that meant they had been to Little Girl Mecca: the American Girl store (see an earlier post about our trip this winter to Little Kid Mecca, Disney World). I would laugh appreciatively and nod my head. Then I became a mom to a daughter. And suddenly, when she turned 5 this spring, my mom suggested we take Madeleine to Mecca in Chicago. And my aunt happily signed on, seeing the trip as an opportunity to catch up with old friends, spend a ladies weekend with us—and get the real dirt on this whole American Girl doll thing.
After a quick and easy flight from Minneapolis to Chicago, we checked into the charming, boutique Talbott Hotel, where Madeleine got her own welcome letter and key, which she insisted on using every time we opened the door. She squealed when she saw her very own American Girl travel bed just waiting for her new doll (we had booked the hotel’s AGD package). She wandered around the suite, exclaiming: “Mom, it’s like a princess castle! It’s beeeeaaauuuutifull!” Having never been to a princess castle, I couldn’t quite sign on there, but it really was a lovely (and quite large) suite for a downtown hotel. She was thrilled when a cupcake and milk were delivered just for her (and her doll). And then found herself just about in heaven when Tim, the concierge, called to say that our horse and carriage were waiting outside.
On to the American Girl store, which inside is a sprawling confection of flowing doll hair, cute outfits (modern and old-fashioned), interesting historical stories, dioramas and little girl delight. We had lunch in the café, which—some parents might be happy to find—serves alcohol! They even have little doll chairs that attach to the table, and some loaner dolls in case your little one doesn’t yet have a doll (M didn’t). The waiters came and delivered a cake, singing her happy birthday before moving onto the next table with a birthday kid (little boys are also welcome, of course). And then it was on to the retail floor, where she picked out her first American Girl doll: McKenna, the doll of the year, who also happens to look a bit like her.
Madeleine promptly changed her doll’s name to Laura and carted her around with us wherever we went for the rest of the weekend, from an early morning stroll to Oak Street Beach to a trip to the Field Museum to gawk at the dinosaur bones, mummies and giant, lifelike bugs. During dinner at Coco Pazzo, we sat on the terrace enjoying pasta and flirting with the saucy Italian waiters while Laura reclined in her own chair. Same story the next morning as we dined outside on pancakes, berries and egg white omelets at PT, the Talbott’s popup restaurant. And after a Sunday wandering around Chicago, Laura and Madeleine together enjoyed their first trip on the subway.
I finally get what all the fuss is about, and so do Sally and my mom: the dolls might be on the pricey side, as are their clothes, but they’re well made and pretty darn cute. To be honest, anything that engages my daughter’s imagination and help teaches her responsibility is cool with me. I guess that makes us converts.
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Madeleine took her doll all over town. Here they are at the beach ... |
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...at the Field Museum ... |
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... and taking a carriage ride. |
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Photos by Sarah Elbert