An American Girl Birthday

Saturday, Hannah and I met Grandma at the American Girl Doll store for a special birthday lunch and a little shopping to celebrate her 8th birthday. We were running a little late and parking was absolutely crazy. After circling for about 20 minutes (really!) we finally found a parking place and met up with Grandma.

When we walked in Hannah let out a squeal of excitement. She excitedly told Grandma that Mommy was going to buy her an American Girl Doll outfit. Imagine her reaction when Grandma told her that she was going to buy her a doll. She squelaed even more and hugged her Grandma for all she was worth. She was SO excited!

Hannah had been wanting a McKenna doll for months but the sheer volume of dolls, clothes and accessories made it so hard to choose. We looked around for a while and then had to take a little break from our shoppping to check in for lunch. At lunch, her doll Samantha, got to sit in a chair at the table and they had tablewear and a balloon for her too. Hannah and Samantha also each got a birthday crown. She was in heaven and we hadn't even ordered. Hannah had pretzel bites with honey mustard sauce and Tic Tac Doe pizza. Next, she was surprised with a birthday cake complete with candles and ice cream. She loved everything and we had so much fun just watching her excitement and joy.

After lunch we went on a hunt for just the right doll. She looked at McKenna, but she changed her mind because she didn't think Mckenna, the doll, looked like the "real" McKenna from the movie. We checked out several other dolls and  narrowed it down to two. Finally she picked a doll with brown skin and beautiful curly hair just like her! At this point she just about thought she had died and gone to heaven but oh wait, Grandma wasn't done. A doll has to have some clothes. So a few (at least 20) trips around the store later, her new doll had a cheerleading outfit, a pair of pajamas, a sweater, some shoes, earrings and of course pierced ears.

Hannah spent the rest of the weekend styling both of her dolls hair, dressing them and having a tea party too. Grandma and Grandpa, thank you SO much for such an incredibly special day and for bringing our little girl so much joy. This is one birthday she will never forget. We love you guys!

Samantha and Hannah all ready for the party!

Samantha with her balloon.

Tic, Tac, Doe - Pepperoni always wins.

A "Let's Celebrate" t-shirt for Samantha.

Cake!

Make a wish sweet girl.

Halloween Happenings

We began our halloween festivities with the traditional Halloween party and parade at Hannah's school. Normally I don't get an opportunity to be there, but this year, my terrific boss said "Go, and enjoy the day with Hannah!" Sandy, you are the best boss ever!

I got to help Hannah into her Hermoine costume and wig and then we went back to the classroom for the party and a guest appearance by the famous Professor Ludwig. Professor Ludwig made the kids some creepy Halloween floats complete with blood (grenadine), worms and a rat! A couple of kids were a little grossed out but they all enjoyed their creepy floats.

Next was the parade around the school, so many adorable costumes. When the kids returned to the to the classroom, they had plenty of treats and games too. The hands-down favorite was the mummy wrap contest where they got to wrap up a classmate in rolls and rolls of toilet paper. After the kids were thoroughly sugared up, the teacher let us take them home. Thanks Mrs. Quebedeaux! :)

When we got home, I got Hannah to eat a bit of something without sugar and finish her homework real quick. Normally, we would then head out into the neighborhood for trick or treating. But Hannah had a nasty cough and all week we there was a steady torrential downpour. So we headed to the mall where we met up with Dad and some of Hannah's friends from school.

Dad was great and had even dressed up as a hiker. We waded through the throngs of people for about an hour and got a fair amount of treats and then decided to head home. By the time we got home the weather had cleared briefly so I gave into the pleas for trick or treating at just a few houses in the neighborhood.

Soon the trick or treater flow petered out and we got Hermoine ready for bed. She was still bummed about not getting to do the whole neighborhood. Next year sweet girl, hopefully the weather and your health will cooperate and we can rock out the neighborhood! But all in all we still had a great evening.

Hermoine

Hermoine hard at work on a Halloween quiz.

Halloween Treats

Professor Ludwig

"Now for the blood..."

"One large rat"

Mummy wrap time!

Happy Halloween!