Emma's Fifth Birthday Outing

 Well, even though we were just there a few weeks ago, we couldn't pass up another chance to hit the Mall of America when Emma begged to take her fifth birthday outing to the American Girl Store.  This was especially true since I felt so bad for Emma.  She, of all of the children, has had the hardest time making friends in Bismarck.  There just aren't any little girls her age who she has hit it off with.  Even Sara, the little girl in her Joy School, decided to drop out halfway through the year leaving poor Emma as the only girl in the group.  Consequently, when it came time to pick a buddy to accompany her on her birthday outing, there was nobody for her to pick.  It just broke my heart to hear her say she had no friends.  I would have given anything to fly Kelly up to play with her, but Kelly was in Florida enjoying a Mayo away rotation in sunny Jacksonville.  Since we couldn't make that happen, we did the next best thing instead--traveled down to Minneapolis so that she could have an extra special birthday outing with her mom and her sister as buddies.

 

We began our trip with a side outing down to Rochester.  While there, Nick took advantage of a board review class while the kids and I shopped and played.  Then we enjoyed a pizza night with many of our old friends.  The following morning some kids came over and swam at our hotel, and then we looped back up to the Mall of America for the official celebration. 

 

The celebration began with dinner at Emma's favorite restaurant there--The Rain Forest Cafe.  This is the second time she has enjoyed their famous birthday lava cake, complete with sparkling explosion upon arrival.

 

 

 

The kids squealed and laughed until the sparklers went out, and then they all helped Emma scarf down her mountain of cake.  Then, following cake and ice cream, Emma got the privilege of opening a few of her birthday presents early.  She had a pretty good guess what they were, since she had consulted Grandma McArthur before the purchase, but she was nonetheless ecstatic when she tore off the paper and it was confirmed that she was in fact the proud new owner of a "big" American Girl doll!  This is a big right of passage at our house.  Both of the girls started with a Bitty Twin, and Maddi had to wait much longer before she was finally entrusted with one of the big girl dolls.  Emma, on the other hand, begged her way into getting hers a full year early--a decision I hope none of us regret!

 

How could anyone question the decision, however, when there was nothing but sheer joy on Emma's face as she embraced her new friend!

With dinner done and gift wrappings tossed aside, we finally made our way over to the American Girl Store to complete the birthday excitement.  Emma shopped, shopped, and then shopped some more!

 

Then the girls took dolls to the doll salon and watched as their hair was primped and styled.

 

I don't know how I ever survived a childhood without all of these All-American Girl experiences, but fortunately I did.  And even more fortunately, my girls will never have to wonder how they survived without it because they have been raised on American Girl.  It's a bit of a pricey obsession, but I have to say, it is worth every penny.  And I love it as much as the girls!  Thanks Emma, for letting us share in your special outing!