AG

While visiting friends in Boston this summer, we took a quick trip out to the American Girl store. Yep. We took the plunge. Okay, so Richard was not a part of this extravagance as he was already back in Italy. It was me, all me. And, honestly, I was delighted, absolutely delighted, to do it. (I've discovered that the AG empire is loathed by many modern mothers. Not me.)

Of course, having my friend Leslie who is the ultimate lover of all things girly there with us was a treat. We both helped Young One select a doll she thinks most resembles her & then enjoyed lunch at AG Cafe.

I was privy to the fact that one of her best buds had the same experience in Dallas earlier in the summer and another visited the Boston store the previous summer. I had visions of hours of play upon our return to Italy -- play that would surpass Barbies and Pollys.

And so it went.

As per Young One's request, we prepared a tea party for girls and dolls. American Girl Cafe ain't got nothin' on me.

Young One created the menus and meticulously set her little table, to include a flower from the garden. The girls decorated cookies and then enjoyed pink lemonade, prosciutto crudo, Asiago cheese, peach slices, and grapes, while I waited on them as attentively as any cafe waitress.

They played through the afternoon and late into the evening when they paused only to watch an AG movie. They woke the next morning and played some more. They made plans for the next play date.

The play is loving, nurturing, innocent, joyful . . . how could I loathe that? (I know, I know, I know . . . "How much did that doll cost?")