THAT’S RIGHT GUYS…
I am officially an adult!
I got my first 18″ American Girl doll when I was eight years old, and now I’m 18.
I always knew that I would not grow out of dolls by now.
And when I started doll blogging, I knew that I would not stop even when I became an adult.
I’m happy to see I was quite right! I’m still here and DWOD is still going! I plan to do this even when I move out and get married—I can have a room for just my dolls, lol.
I don’t think I’ll stop until my author career takes off and crowds my doll hobby out. But that won’t happen for at least seven years so rest assured.
For this momentous occasion of my ascent to adulthood I went to the American Girl store, of course. Because why grow up just because you grow old?
Two of my online besties (Olive and Josie) flew down to come with me!
I brought Del, of course. And here is Olive from Hidden Hollow AG Dolls‘s Kit, who immediately stole Del’s jacket. (She was peeved.)
Our table at the party! I had done the bistro birthday package a couple times before, but this time I decided to go with the private party package in those special little rooms:
EVERYTHING WAS SO PINK! If you know me you know I LOOOOVE pink, and the AG store is full of it, lol!!
From left to right: Josie (you may know her from her now-retired blog Josie on the Go), me, and Olive!
The lady in the back did our dolls’ hair in a birthday style. Del was peeved at the ribbons in her hair and wanted to smack the stylist but I stuffed her back into her seat.
Just look at that face of utter peevedness. And that crown. Del constantly mumbled something about “what unicorn barfed up skittles to make this”
I quite enjoyed my crown, however. I am queen.
The guy asked me which party favor craft I wanted, and when I couldn’t decide, he gave us both!
We made tutus for our dolls (Del definitely loved that, of course) out of tulle and elastic and there was a unicorn deocration we could tie yarn onto for the mane and tail.
I still need to finish my tutu and actually do the unicorn thing but Josie and Olive were quite swift with theirs.
Don’t get any drink at the AG store except for their classic pink lemonade. It’s absolutely perfect and you can’t go wrong!
We ate pizza and salad. Sadly, the bistro in general was closed for regular dining, and the party package I did wouldn’t have let me order their yummy bistro food anyway (I really wanted their pretzels which I enjoyed for my 13th birthday and my 15th birthday).
They brought this cake in for a photo and then afterward took it out. Josie was like, was the cake fake?! We don’t get any?!
When they brought it back in and she was relieved it was not, in fact, a prop, the employees were shocked and were like why would it be fake?!?!
The slice they gave me was small and I still didn’t finish it XD
The party favor bag came with goodies, including this rainbow tutu. Del just LOVED it. Clearly.
Olive setting up Kit at Maryellen’s diner.
Josie and I had met at this AG store twice already, and so for the third time as is tradition we took our obligatory photo in the little Wellie Wishers house. :’)
With rewards points, I bought two outfits, and then Josie and Olive bought me two outfits and two mystery food packs! Thank you guys! ?
Here are the outfits! I bought the two on top, and Olive and Josie bought me the two on the bottom.
For the mystery food packs Josie got me, I got the smoothie and berries one, and they all helped me feel for the chopsticks in the sushi one so I would be sure to get those. (For those of you who don’t know, I have an obsession with ninja)
This was taken the next day outside the Orlando outlet malls. Look at these cuties! (Olive’s Kit and my Del)
Thanks Josie for holding up my reflector!
I can’t wait to show you how cute my dolls look in the outfits.
My room is crazy right now because I dumped my suitcase smack dab in the middle of it (I hate unpacking just as much as packing) but pictures are coming soon, rest assured!
Until then, I would love your thoughts on this idea for a photostory series I had…
Summer School Chronicles
All Delaney Danger Clark wants is to have an awesome summer. Failing her final exams and being unable to graduate messed that up completely.
Now she has to spend six weeks in summer school with weird kids while her best friend goes to summer camp! To make matters worse, her enemy Jasmine has to do it with her, and the teacher hates her guts.
If Del wants to complete summer school in time to have the rest of her summer off, she’ll have to actually pass — which will require her to keep the shenanigans to a minimum and her enemy from snitching on them.
Because somehow I don’t think her teacher approves of the entire class pounding on their desks singing “we will rock you” at Del’s lead.
(Although I may have to do it next year because setting up an entire school scene (not to mention plotting the entire series) takes a while and people start school back next month XD)
Have you ever had a birthday party at the AG store? Would YOU still have a party as an adult? ? What are your thoughts on that photostory series idea?
Love you all so much! It’s SOO cool to call myself an adult doll collector now.
I always knew I would get to this point—although I still feel 14! :’)
P.S. Thank you Olive and Josie for taking a lot of the photos in this post!
Awww this is so amazing! Happy 18th and congratss on your adulthood!??♥️
Thank you so much Siya! It’s so exciting!! ??❤️
ahh happy birthday, madi! i always enjoy reading your posts, they’re always so fun! i actually got to have my tenth (i think?) birthday at the AG store and it was super fun!
Thank you so much, Liesl! That made me go “awwww!” out loud! And yesss, that sounds so fun ?
HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY MADI Wishing you Happiness and Blessings. Thank You for sharing your birthday party.
Marion
Awww thank you so much Marion! ❤️
Welcome to adulthood! so glad you’re still into dolls! I would love to have my party at the AG store, but the store closest to me closed several years ago and New York is just way to hard to get to.
Thank you Jessica! I’m so happy I’m still into dolls too! Oh nooo, that’s so sad. I wish the stores would stop closing ?
Welcome to adulthood! As an adult collector, (and a writer as well by the way) you can’t be too old for dolls! I hope the year ahead is a lovely one, full of adventure and blessings! Despite what life throws us sometimes. :)
Thanks so much, Sarah! (Writers unite!) This means so much to me ❤️ Thanks again ?
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Wow, I can’t believe it, you’re 18!!! It sounded like it was fantastic!
I wish I could have a birthday party at an AG place but my birthday is during the winter (with snow nooo) and I don’t think we should travel to Chicago during that time lol. I’ve only been to an AG place once and that was sooo long ago…
The photostory sounds cool!
have a great day!
~Victoria
Thank you so much Victoria! I can’t believe I’m an adult now!!!
Awww dang it!! Have you considered doing a half birthday party? ??
AYYYYY LOOKIT U GIRL SO CUUUUTEEEE ????
An me of course, lookin fab ?
Love u love this post so glad I could comeeee hug hug
Dumping your suitcase right out in the middle XD mood
Most crazily, ~Olive
NO YOU ???❤️??
hug hug ??
LOL facts tho ?
Happy 18th birthday, Madi! I hope you had the best day ever! What’s it like being an adult?
No, I’ve never had my birthday at an AG store before, but I would love to someday! It looks and sounds so awesome and fun! I have only been to an AG store once. Sadly, the one closest to us closed a few months ago. Hopefully I can go again in the future!
And yes, I would definitely still have a party there as an adult! I will love AG dolls forever. :)
Tell Del I think she rocks that rainbow tutu and b-day crown! ??
Have a great rest of your day!
– June
April: DEL WE MUST HAVE REVENGE ON THE UNICORN THAT BARFED SKITTLES ON YOU!
Emma: Why are you so weird and crazy?
April: It’s a gift. ;)
Thank you so much, June! It feels the same to be an adult… no difference yet! ?
I’m so sorry the one closest to you closed! That’s no fun at all ? I hope you can have a birthday party there soon. They’re pretty fun!
LOLLLL! I told Del. She very grumpily said “thanks I guess if you like skittle colors” ?
You too, June! ?
P.S.
Del: DUDE YES, wherever that unicorn is I’ll find it >:(
Glad you had a great birthday with your friends and dolls. The cake looks delicious. Wishing you blessings and happiness throughout your birthday year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADIGRACE
Marilyn
Thank you so much Marilyn, you are so sweet and kind! ?
This looks fantasticly awesome ! Oh ya happy 18th birthday . It sounds like you had quite an adventure!
Thank you so much Ev! It sure was fun!
Happy Birthday, Madi! I hope you have more birthdays to come! I wish I can also celebrate my birthday in an AG Store or even go to one. :)
Thanks a million, Clark! I sure hope you can too! ?
Ugh, don’t be an adult!
I don’t identify as an adult…
THAT LOOKS SO FUNNNNNNN
Now I want to have a BAB birthday party…*looks up prices*
If only I had friends to do it with. Hm.
HAPPY BIRTHDAYYYYY
Your photoseries sounds so good! For years I didn’t have any series ideas and now I have a bunch…
Let’s just say you and I will both be blogging for the next 7 years…
WAAAAAH ADULTHOOD
Broooo you should that would be so fun ? you could bring Mischief because, you know, Mischief.
YESSS LONG TIME BLOGGING GANG
Happy birthday Madi!
I love your photostory idea!
I have a lot more I want to say, but I can’t think of how to word it, so thats all I’m gonna say for now lol.
Thank you so much! LOL, mood. ? Thanks for commenting ?❤️
Happy (belated) birthday, Madi!!!!!! ??? Looks like you had a WONDERFUL day!!!!!!!! also, I read your 13th birthday post just now. It’s funny to see how you’ve changed but also haven’t. If that makes sense. ?
also also, I love the series idea!!!!!
Awwww Rayna THANK YOU!! Oh my gosh, yes. Isn’t that crazy?! ?
Yayyy thank you!!
I’ve had a birthday at the AG store, but not a party. It was when I was SIX. Pfft. and when I got Sadie. My Truly me 56. She will always have a special place in my heart. No matter how messy her hair is. XD. I’ve never had their food, but my BFF says the Mac and cheese is gross. There used to be a store ten minutes away in the Mall of America. Now I have to drive 6 HOURS to the Chicago one. You look like you had so much fun! And let me get one things straight. Even if you’re an adult in age, you can still be a kid at heart. I LOVE DELANEY SO MUCH! AND THE SONALI MOLD! Yes, she does look thoroughly peeved.
Sadie
LOLLL, mood ? First dolls are so special! Oh my goodness, six hours ? That’s so far!
And YESSS kids at heart forever ?
YESSSS THE SONALI MOLD. It’s like, my favorite mold. ?
Thanks so much for commenting, Sadie!
Sorry about my username. For some reason auto fill for my name is Joss the Boss. Happy Belated birthday!
Haha! No worries! Thank you!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Sadly, I have never been to an AG store. The closest one is like 7 hours away. :(
It looks like a lot of fun, though, and with Del, I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to the AG store? LOL.
The pics looks great!! I love the one of Del and Kit!! It’s so cute!!
As for the photo story series? YAS!! Now that you’ve introduced me to it, I, uh, am dying to read more! <3 It's sounds amazing!
I think that even 6 months from now when I turn 18, I'm still going to love my dolls. Josefina will always have a special place in my heart since she was my first doll, so even if I grow out of dolls (not that I will any time soon), I'm going to keep her. :)
OO, those outfits you got… awesome… <3 Did you get the Joss ones specifically for Joss/Sadie/No name? Or are they for everyone to share? I know when I get clothes, I can never keep them specifically for one doll, even if I intend to.. haha.
-Haley
THANK YOU HALEY!!
Bruhhh 7 hours what :(
AWW THANK YOU! I really wanna make it, it would be so fun ?
And yesss! Why grow out of dolls just because the calendar turns to your 18th year? ? I love that plan, too.
I got the Joss ones and the Kira one specifically for Joss, yes! The newest doll always kind of gets the new stuff for a bit… then they all share. ?
Happy birthday!! ?? I’m going to be 18 in August, and I TOTALLY get what you mean about not being very mature yet ? I still spend all my time in my imagination instead of reality lol. THIS WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE A PHASE. ??
ADULTHOOD GANG ✊ Oh my gosh, right, lol? I’m probably a mental eight year old but I just can’t ever stop dreaming and daydreaming ??
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!! so glad y’all had a fun time!!
i remember planning AG birthday parties when i was little and then them never coming into fruition :”) aka the AG equivalent of putting 50 items in your hollister shopping cart and then closing the tab knowing your wallet would have a heart attack :”) maybe one day i’ll live out my dream ;-;
TYSM MADDIEEEE
Wait is it really the equivalent of 50 AG items LOL bruhhh I could have just bought a ton of stuff instead of doing the party ?
Yesss you need to live out that dream :’)
I’ve gone to the AG store for my birthday, but I’ve never actually had a party there! I like the look of the new stopmotion series!
That sounds so fun! I hope you can have a party some time! And thanks so much!
Happy Birthday Madi!!!!
Thank you Gigi!!!
“When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown-up.” –C.S. Lewis
Some habits from childhood need to be put away, but not all of them. Keep doing what you love.
But I’m not a man. ???
Kidding ??
That made me laugh so hard Madi ?
???
It sounds like you had a lot of fun at the AG store! I really enjoyed looking at all of the pictures! Especially the ones with Delany wearing the tutu!? I think that your photostory idea is really cool! It sounds like it will be really funny!
I’m so glad you liked the pictures! Del, however, is not. ??? And thanks so much!
[…] madi @delightfulworldofdolls celebrated her 18th birthday at the AG store!! […]
OMG, I cant belive that iv’e finally found someone else who loves AG dolls as much as me! It’s always been my dream to start an American girl blog of my own. I received my first AG doll when I was three, Iv’e grown up loving everything about them! Do you have any advice on how to start my own blog? Thanks!
Oh my goodness Emberlynn it is so nice to hear from you!! I’m sooo happy you found my blog! To start your own blog, I’d say go for it! You can easily make a free one through WordPress.com and just get started! They make it super simple and you can start blogging right away! So nice to meet you! ❤️
Happy Birthday Madi I can not believe you are 18 now.
I know right!? Thanks Grace!
I wish I could have a party at the AG Place Cafe but I live in Canada and we only have those regular stores with just a hair salon for dolls.
Awww man! ?
Thank you, I hope to have a b-day party there in a few years. :)
XD I do like skittles colors, but I actually don’t like the skittles candy themselves all that much. (The green ones are pretty good, though.)
The photo story series with Del and Jasmine sounds SO GOOD!
– June
April: YES. I WILL HELP YOU.
I hope you can too!
Haha! The green ones are pretty good! And I hate the grape but like the orange ?
Thank youuu!!! I think it would be a blast to make!
P.S.
Del: OK GOOD
Happy birthday.
I have never been to the American Girl store but I would love to.
I can’t wait to see what happens next in the story.
I don’t think I will grow out of dolls either.
My mummy still likes them
She doesn’t play with them though.
Love Jayne
Thank you Jayne! I hope you get the chance to go to an AG store super soon. And hurray! Here’s to never growing out of dolls ?
Hi Madi! I hope I’m doing this right! I’ve read your blog for a while but just subscribed! Happy birthday! Also I love the idea for the summer school photo story!
Thank you sooo much for subscribing — it’s so awesome to meet you and hear from you! I’m so glad you stopped by! Thank you so much again!
Yeah, 7 hours… It’s really too bad.
There’s no reason to grow out of dolls. :)
Haha, I get that. When I got Saige, I always gave her knew things, and then I felt bad for Josie. lol. The same thing happened with Hollie, too, I gave her all the new/best things. XD
-Haley
Happy Birthday! You and I are almost the same age!
It looks like you guys had so much fun, and Del looks wicked (as always) in those outfits. ;)
~ Megan
Yooo, that’s crazy! Thank you Megan! Del says thank you, too. ;)
Of course. :) I love your blog.
Thank you so much Sadie <3
Congrats! I love the outfits you got too! ?
Thank you so so much, Brooklynn!
Happy birthday!
And I am very much an adult who still has birthday parties :)
Thanks so much! Hehe, yesss. ?
Not a private party like you. That was AWESOME! But there is a group of us that go to Tyson’s Corner quarterly to celebrate birthdays. The last time I was there was January of 2020 and I was in the celebrating group. Yay! I love the pink lemonade! And the cake! Wow!
Del, Del, Del…failing finals and summer school. Well, the way to not have your summer destroyed is to work hard during the year. Yes, I’m one of those goody two shoes. There is even a song about us. ;-)
I love this post – Happy 18th birthday! Welcome to adulthood. You absolutely do not have to lose whimsy at the expense of a number. Hang on to it now and always. A friend’s mom got her first bitty baby as her 75th birthday present.
Rock on!
That sounds sooo fun! Isn’t the pink lemonade so delicious? I don’t know how they do it. Must be a really good mix ;)
Oh, Del! Just when I think she’ll learn her lessons the hard way her skull turns out to be thicker than I thought. :’)
Thank you so much!! I’m happy my heart of a child hasn’t gone away yet. I hope to always be a fun-loving adult.
Thanks so much for commenting, and I hope you’re doing well! <3
Isn’t it the best when our dolls misbehave? Lol
IKR? XD
Eep, I loved seeing all the pics! :D :D That’s so epic you got to do that, and on your 18th – that’s rad! <3
I love the photostory idea :D :D
*sends squishes*
Thank you so much, Livy!! *hugs* ❤️?
Happy Belated Birthday Madi! Sorry I’m late, I have been super busy lately. It looks like you had a great time at the AG store :)
Thank you so much Hailey! Haha same!! And thank you ❤️