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.
What I love most about Maryellen is her 50s style. My daughter is 8 as well and she’s been asking to get Maryellen Larkin for a long time! Happy birthday to your daughter.
My daughter likes her fun outfits, the 50’s diner too.
I like her 50s style. Its so much fun.
I like the era she represents and I like her clothes.
I commented on the Popcorn Bird Nest Easter Treats post for an extra entry.
My daughter is desperate for Maryellen! Her 50s outfits are just adorable!
I like her outfits
I love all her accessories!!! Such a fun Era!!!
I love Mary Ellen because she is very indepndant! She is very determined and dreams big!
I commented on this http://theresasreviews.com/fresh-spring-recipes/#comment-133596
I would love to win this for my daughter’s birthday next month! She kind of looks like the Maryellen doll, so that’s why I love this doll for her. I also love the 50’s attire. We also live about 30 – 40 minutes from Daytona Beach.
Hi! I left a blog post comment on the post, “Popcorn Bird Nest Easter Treats!” Yum! 🙂
I love Maryellen’s style! She’s so cute and classic and her accessories are some of my favorites!
http://theresasreviews.com/star-wars-the-last-jedi-free-printable-activities/#comment-133602
commented here
THE MARYELLEN DOLL IS WHAT I AM GETTING FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTERS BIRTHDAY TOO
My daughter and I love Maryellen’s time period best. The fifties style is so fun. She has the best collection. Would love to get her Airstream camper one day.
The thing I like most about Mary Ellen is her hair.
I commented on “Simple Fresh Spring Recipes With Seasonal Produce” for an additional entry.
I like the 50’s Fashions and the doll reminds me of my Granddaughter.
I love Maryellen’s style, very cute. My daughter would love her.
I love the color of hair on the Maryellen doll. Thanks for this chance.
Being old enough to remember the 50’s, Maryellen reminds me of my childhood.
That’s awesome, I could see that! It sounds like a neat time.
I commented on How to Simplify Your Life in 3 Easy Steps! We love All Free and Clear!
My daughter and I love American Girl. Maryellen is absolutely adorable with her beautiful hair. I love the 50’s era.
[…] American Girl Birthday (& Maryellen Doll Giveaway) […]
I like her because I love the 50s time period! It’s one of my favorites
What I love about Maryellen is that she looks just like my daughter whose birthday is just a few weeks away. I hope we win <3<3<3
I commented on the 3 Tips for Easter Sunday Brunch post. 🙂
She is so cute, and I like that she is from Florida- my husband and I both have family from there. I am sure my little girl would love her.
I really like the era that Mary Ellen is from and her clothes are so cute!
I commented on this post: http://theresasreviews.com/fresh-spring-recipes/#comment-133696
I like that she is from Daytona Beach Florida where I met my husband on Spring Break when we were in college
We love her hometown too! The Daytona Beach area is really pretty, especially the motorcycle trail / loop near there.
I love her style. So cute, so pretty. Thank you.
She does have a cute style. People dressed so fun in the 1950’s!
Looks like so much fun!!
Thanks, it was a fun and simple birthday!
WOW!!! I remember loving America Girl dolls growing up!!! What a lovely and meaningful post and I adore all the pictures!
xoxo
Asha
http://www.mscoffeeandcream.com
Thank you so much! We had fun with the photos.
OMG! I’ve been wanting Maryellen ever since she came out!!! You’re so lucky! I’m TOTALLY entering!!! ❤💛💚💙💜 (See it’s a rainbow of hearts! 😂)
That’s awesome! Good luck!
I really like how lovely she is. We love all the AG ‘girls’ they are so well made and so cherished. I like the style of this doll and the way she would have a story to go with it.
That’s true, they are made so well!
How fun! These photos are all so cute! I loved American Girl dolls growing up. And that’s so nice they surprised your daughter with a goodie bag!
Thank you so much! We were really surprised by the goodie bag too. It was so fun for my kids!
I commented on American Girl Cafe & Hair Salon Experience
Great, thank you so much!
I like Maryellen’s strawberry blond hair and hazel eyes! She has adorable outfits and she looks so sweet in every picture I’ve seen of her!
Her hair is a unique color! The poodle skirt is one of the most adorable outfits, but we’ve got to collect more.
What i like most is her hair. it is so pretty
She does have great hair!
I think Maryellen is just a cute doll. To be honest, I have never seen an American girl doll that I didn’t love. The tiny details of these dolls are just amazing. I’m a huge fan.
That’s true, they are all adorable! My kids think it’s so fun collecting them.
I love Maryellen because she is all about believing in doing anything you want no matter what the limitations are. I love that her character is a great rold model for young girls.
She is an awesome inspiration for girls, I agree!
I like that she follows her heart instead of the crowd and that she is so cute. My daughter would love it!
My daughter loves her time period and that beautiful red hair.
I commented on Earth Day Recipes.
I most love her classic look, I love the poodle skirt!
I like her outfits.
I love how she shows girls what it was like in the 50’s. It’s great our kids can learn from playing.
I left a comment on A Wrinkle in Time Movie Review.
http://theresasreviews.com/a-wrinkle-in-time-movie-review/#comment-134460
I like her cute outfit and hair.
I love her hair color and her style!! I’m sure that my daughter would love her!
Thanks for the chance hoping to see winner soon! Fingers crossed.
Can wait to see he winner on this one- such a wonderful contest hoping you post it!