August 2011: Washington Visit
This trip was jam packed with adventures that Allie and Jackson wouldn't normally get to do on an average day. We went to "JUMP" an indoor jumping playyard, the Point Defiance Zoo, and the new American Girl Store in Seattle. Allie had karate class several times a week and Jackson kept us all on our toes. Of course, back to school shopping was also a highlight. On my last day, we had lunch at Chuck E. Cheese and played on the machines. All of us "girlz" got pedicures (with Jackson climbing in my lap the whole time). We went to karate, picked up a deli supper at the grocery store and we played on the playground. WHEW! At 10 pm, they took me to meet the airport shuttle.
Click small images below to view larger images.
Jackson Acted as Escort for our adventures.
Pictures above from left to right (click to view larger image):
Allie at Karate Class, Jackson the artist, Jackson just being cute, Jackson after pedicure, Allie sleeping in American Girl Pajamas with her new American Girl Bitty Baby doll.
Pedicures for the Girlz!
This was so much fun! Ashley and Allie deserved a bit of pampering. It
was nice to do this together. It was Allie's very first pedicure. Of course,
she chose "silverlicious" nailcolor. She was so proud of her hands and
feet. Grandpa said that this should become a tradition. Grams will
take Ashley and Allie for pedicures every time we visit, time permitting.
Picnic at Manchester State Park
The afternoon that we spent cooking hotdogs and making s'mores
had to be the hotest day of the year. It was just so hot, that we couldn't really enjoy our cookout.
The chocolate bar melted in the sun which
made it hard to get the s'mores to work right. But, they were good
anyway!
Chuck E. Cheese Time!
At the Playground
Above: Jackson and Allie on Playground
They had a good time on the playground. Allie was in her karate clothes and it became quite the conversation
starter for the other children there.
Of course, Jackson holds his own in any setting :)
At "JUMP"
Jump was an indoor jumping playground that is opened on a limited basis each day. The last picture shows the
"corral" available to contain the little ones while the larger children play on the bouncing houses.
At The Port Defiance Zoo
We had a great time at the zoo! Allie's favorite part was the bird show, also
starring "Harold" the dog as seen above. After the show, Allie got to go on stage
and pet Harold and a pet rat.
American Girl Store in Seattle
American Girl opened a new store just north of Seattle
in Mid July of this year. We had reservations at their bistro for lunch where special chairs and place settings were set
for the dolls. Allie took her "look like me" AG doll and they were dressed in their matching dresses (made by Grams,
of course). If a child eats in the Bistro and forgets to bring their doll, "companion" dolls are availble to lunch with
young
guests and returned before leaving the AG Bistro. That way, no one has to feel bad about not having a doll
companion at their lunch table.
Of course, everything was pink and girly. The menu and drinks were little girl oriented featuring (among other items)
strawberry sparkling beverages, a lunchplate of mac and cheese with fruit, and chocolate fondu for dessert.
We spent time browsing the doll displays in the main store area. Most of the dolls were displayed behind glass in a
menagerie of their available accessories and furniture. It is possible to spend many dollars in this store.
We gave Allie a choice of choosing another doll, or matching outfits. Of course, we got both :) Allie chose the "bitty
baby" doll which is actually more age appropriate for her than her "look like me" AG doll. We bought the starter set
complete with backpack, 2 outfits, hat, bottle, shoes and pj's. Allie got the pj's to match as seen in her "sleepytime"
picture at the top of this page.
Going to an American Girl doll store is actually quite an experience.