Better Late Than Never

So most of you know that Jessica and her girls came to visit us a few weeks ago. The girls wanted to go to the American Girl store that is in the city for their birthday and Alice and I were more than happy to go along with them. Unfortunately the day we went was by far one of the coldest days we've had all winter (and the weather has just gone downhill since - did I mention I'm ready for spring??) and "the city of wind" also lived up to it's name. We took the train in and so we didn't risk arriving late we had to arrive in the city an hour early - not the best idea we ever had since the store wasn't open yet. Thankfully our cabby had the idea to go into the hotel across the street from the store and see if they would mind us camping out in their lounge while we waited. Thank the Lord they were happy to let us stick around!

The store was interesting to say the least - I know I would have loved to go there when I was younger and obsessed with my Kirsten doll. It was so neat to see them all decked out in the same clothes I dreamed of being able to afford for my doll when I was a kid. They have about five times as many dolls now as they did then though so we were certainly in doll heaven. I very much wanted to get one for Alice, but Matt and I decided that she'd get better use out of one when she's older. And for what they cost she'd take care of them better then too.

The one thing I was not impressed with, however, was the store lay out. They had such a small coat check area and it was right next to the escalators. That leaves you with an itty bitty space to put stand in line and put your coat back on. I was less than thrilled with the other customers too. It seemed like 99% of people left their manners at home - quite a few adults even let Lily hold the door for them while we were leaving. Jess and Kate were already at the cab and Lily and I were left holding the door for strangers. Needless to say I mumbled something under my breath and pushed through with her. Overall it was a very good day though.

The next day we went to the Dupage Children's Museum in Naperville. I hadn't been to a place like that since I was a little kid visiting Grandma and Grandpa Rice in Memphis. It was a very interesting place with tons of incredibly interesting toys and whatnot. By far Alice's favorite thing was the gigantic Light-Bright. It's basically a large pegboard in a frame with a piece of plexi on one end and black lights all around the inside of the frame (the general area of the place was also lit in black lights). Then they had several colored plastic pegs that appeared to glow when under black lights. SO FREAKING COOL! I had to pull Alice away from it several times to her dismay. In the gift shop I finally found a classic toy baby bottle with magic milk in it for Alice. I've looked everywhere and all I've been able to find requires batteries (seriously)!!! I wasn't sure if Alice would understand it yet, but it's quickly become one of her favorite toys.

All in all it was a wonderful visit! I know Alice misses the girls. Whenever I say "Lily" (Alice was very fond of her and she still says her name every now and again) she immediately goes for the door. Come and visit again soon!!!


I don't have many pics from the American Girls store, so Jess if you've got some post to your blog!! :)