This year, our family is keeping birthday parties as simple as possible. We’re celebrating, but with immediate family because we can spend more time enjoying the day instead of planning it. When my older daughter turned eight, we wanted to celebrate our memory of when she came into the world. Since she is a Floridian at heart, she was very excited to receive the Maryellen doll from American Girl since this 1950’s doll is from Daytona Beach, Florida. To make the day extra special, we took a trip to the Tyson’s Corner American Girl store for a small birthday celebration. Check out what we did, and enter to win a Maryellen doll!
American Girl Themed 8th Birthday
This was our first time to check out the American Girl store, which was very exciting! From the hair salon to the cafe, we reserved everything in advance for our small party. The reservations helped everything go as planned.
My daughter immediately spotted the section in the store for her brand new Maryellen doll. We gave ourselves plenty of time for shopping to pick out just the right items. In all, we spent about four hours at the store!
Our first stop was the doll salon. You can pick out whatever hair style you like for your doll, and you can watch as the stylists work on your doll. My daughter treated her oldest doll, Samantha, to a hair do and manicure. Her sister did the same with the Nanea doll.
The stylists did a wonderful jobs with the dolls’ hair! I liked that the stylists not only made the dolls’ hair look nicer, but they also taught my daughters how to care for the hair. Since the Samantha doll is a few years old and was the first doll my daughter got, the hair has gotten tangled, frizzy, and uneven over the years. It looked so much nicer when we left.
Our next stop was the American Girl Cafe. With pink, flowery decorations, this was the perfect place for a special celebration. Not only did the cafe work well for children, but the food was also appealing for adults.
Both of my daughters had the best time ever. For the celebration, each daughter and each doll received a tiara to wear. The dolls also had their own cup and plate so they could enjoy the meal too!
Even though we didn’t sign up for a birthday celebration package, the bistro surprised both of my daughters with a goody bag. Inside was a Celebrate tee for the doll, a wand, a birthday box for the doll, and an activity book. This was very special since we were media guests, but the party package looks well worth signing up for when you’re celebrating a birthday.
While dining, we all enjoyed taking part in the game questions that came in a box on the table. Since we don’t always find time to sit down as a family, the game questions were a nice way for us to re-connect.
Not only did the birthday girl enjoy the experience with her dolls, but she also liked the meal and ate all of her salmon.
After the meal, we indulged in some of the fantastic desserts. The waiters came out with a cupcake and candle so we could all sing happy birthday! It was a very memorable experience. 
Afterwards, the birthday girl and her sister made their final decisions about what items they wanted to buy. Of course the new Maryellen doll received some very special items from the 1950’s, the jukebox and the poodle skirt outfit!
Although the trip to the American Girl store was a longer drive than we would usually take for a birthday celebration, the experience was perfect for an 8th birthday. With fun in-store photo shoot opportunities, play areas, fun displays, and more, the store was a memorable place for my children to go. While this might have been our first visit, we’ll certainly return in the future!
Maryellen Doll Giveaway
Enter to win the Maryellen doll! Make sure you stop by The Sammie and Georgie Show‘s video below to let them know in a comment that you’re entering, and follow them on YouTube!
Follow the entry requirements in the Rafflecopter widget below. Entry requirements include following Theresa’s Reviews via email and social media, following The Sammie and Georgie Show, and following American Girl.
For more American Girl ideas and party tips, follow Theresa’s Reviews on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.
You also might enjoy reading more about Luciana Vega, the 2018 Doll of the Year and check out American Girl Cafe & Hair Salon Experience!
Let’s Chat!
What’s your favorite thing about the Maryellen doll? Share in the comments below!
Disclosure: I received a free item, but it in no way influenced my opinion.
