Remember that Poem?

I think it goes something like this.

ahem.

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways....

Addy

Felicity

Rebecca

Josefina

Julie

Kaya

Kit

Mollie

So you say that's not it, eh? Sounds about right to me!

Jeremy decided that the girls would LOVE a visit the American Girl store in LA while he had a little bit of time off of work this Summer. He was SOO right. They were so excited, I can't believe they let any of us sleep the night before we went.

Ok, so maybe not everyone was EQUALLY excited.

The store is huge and we were in total girlie stuff overload. We had a great time looking at all of our favorite dolls and accessories. The historical dolls are both girls' favorites so that's where we spent the majority of our time.

That's right, there's even an escalator! Downstairs were the Just Like You dolls, a library full of AG books and a doll hair salon. Upstairs you could find all of the historical dolls and their belongings, Lanie who is the girl of the year for 2010, a portrait studio and the official American Girl Cafe.

When it came down to choosing which doll would be going home with us, Abby just had to have Rebecca. She is a little girl from 1914 who happens to be a Jewish Russian immigrant to NY. Abby seems to have a special spot in her heart for these particular stories. (Eh, who am I kidding? She loves them all and had a terrible time choosing which doll she wanted!)

Amelia decided Josefina was the girl for her. I think she liked her earrings and that she is from 1824 New Mexico (which she thinks is just like Yuma!) I'm sure the fact that in the books she owns a horse had NOTHING to do with her choice. (Note sarcasm....)

These people just don't miss a trick, I tell ya! They had these handy little doll holders in the bathroom stalls.

And the boys? Well they were as patient as two testosterone filled beings can be in a world of ribbon, lace and high pitched squealing.

(Sights similar to the above were very common all around the store and even spilling out into the courtyard)

After the girls decided on their dolls (and Daddy tearfully paid for them), we took a little break and perused the surrounding stores. We found a 3 story Barnes and Noble and an Apple store where we all had a great time playing games on ipads.

We had 2:30 reservations for lunch at the cafe. While overpriced, the food was fantastic and the experience top notch. The restaurant is all decked out in black white and pink. Lots of dots and scroll work everywhere, including some very cute and funky chandeliers. The little black and white polka dot box on each table had conversation starters and the kids had fun going around the table and asking questions about our childhood memories and favorite things to do.

They have these little doll chairs that they will loan you for your doll. They even bring out a mini place setting for them.

Along with loaning you a chair, they will loan you a doll if you don't have one. We looked around and found this boy for Marshall to use. Of course, he was played with rather roughly and had his noggin banged on the table a few times.

The kids all enjoyed mugs of hot chocolate...

and a yummy desert. There was real, healthy food in there too... I just didn't take any pictures of it. :)

This was my view as we ate... All girly and cute...

When we got up to leave, I noticed this was Jeremy's view. Gotta love it.

We didn't eat out out on the balcony, but the kids wanted to check it out before we left. All in all, it was a great day!

THANK YOU, DADDY!!