Canadian Girl meet American Girl

May 27, 2009

My first born celebrated her 10th birthday last week. The actual day was Friday, the same day we were leaving home and setting up camp for the weekend. In anticipation of this we planned a little pool party with friends for earlier in the week.

Celine also was given her birthday present on that day to have time to play with it since we don't bring toys camping.

Here she is: American Girl doll Chrissa. American Girl meet Canadian Girl, Canadian Girl meet American Girl. (We may live in Maine but Celine, Damien and myself are Canadians.)

I thought the American Girl craze had passed over us since up until a little while ago our girls weren't that interested in the dolls. Inwardly I was relieved. $100 for a doll is kind of steep, even if they are good quality, and I thought "was a doll really worth that?"

As her birthday approached and we asked Celine what she wanted for a gift (I won't do guessing games with kids this age) she told us what she really wanted was an American Girl doll.

At that point I suggested looking around on Etsy for something handmade. If you're going to spend that much it would be good to support an handcrafter/artisan. But nothing appropriate could be found and her heart really was set on an American Girl doll.

That's a big gift and we are not an extravagant birthday gift family. To make it work Grandma sent money, Nana & Papa sent money, Mommy & Daddy contributed and even Celine contributed a few dollars of her own.

She even choose a gift-free birthday party and instead we asked friends to help with the cost of their swimming (all the birthday funds went to her gift and the supper afterwards) because there are no cheap indoor pools around here. We had a fun take-out pizza and fresh fruit supper at home and then went swimming, even mommy & daddy (if that ain't love I don't know what is - I hate pool swimming).

Now maybe this all seems cheap to you and perhaps I'm presenting it wrong. I sure hope not. Our daughter couldn't of been happier with her birthday and the kids all loved going swimming.

Celine adores her new doll and realizes that a birthday is not about the quantity of presents but the quality of love, fun and relationship with others. I think that's one of the best "gifts" we give our children.