American Girl Girl of the Year: Grace Thomas

If you've been an avid reader of my blog for some time now, you'd know our love for American Girl dolls by reading this, this, this, and this. I've been on board the AG train since I was 8 years old. I pawned over Kirsten for a year before Santa finally brought her to me.

And now I get to share that love with my mini me. Adrienne is just starting to really love playing with American Girl dolls. She will dress them in different clothes, style their hair, and then make up magical adventures that they all go on together. She also loves it when her dolls look like her. So when American Girl debuted their newest Girl of the Year, Grace Thomas, Adrienne squealed. Grace Thomas looks almost identical to Adrienne.

Grace has gorgeous long brown hair with side swiped bang. She has big blue eyes and tiny freckles adorning her face. She comes dressed in an Eiffel Tower shirt, a pink skirt with a black bow on the front, and grey boots with bows on the sides. She even comes with a tiny charm bracelet that she can wear! Adorable.

Thank you American Girl for creating so many wonderful childhood memories.

American Girl Grace Thomas c/o American Girl.

American Girl Movie: "Grace Stirs Up Success"

If you haven't seen American Girl's newest Girl of the Year doll, Grace Thomas, head over to their website and check her out. She is a beautiful doll that has long brown hair with side swept bangs and blue eyes. She even comes with a tiny charm bracelet!

And now, American Girl’s 2015 Girl of the Year gets her very own movie! An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success is available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand today! The movie is about Grace's passion for baking and trying to save her grandparent's bakery! Both the book and movie promote friendship and empowerment. I know what we will be watching tonight.

Bitty Baby [American Girl]

Today is the day! American Girl has reveled their brand new Bitty Baby! Joy of joys. I know.

Last week, American Girl sent Adrienne a gorgeous brown (looks more like black) haired Bitty of her very own. If you have been reading my blog for a good bit now, which all of you should have and shame on you if you haven't, you'd know we love dolls. I probably love dolls a little more than Adrienne, but, well, who cares.

Anylivingvicariouslythroughmychild, American Girl has launched a brand new Bitty Baby, featuring 11 different dolls to choose from, trumping the previous 7. Bitty Baby also comes with a new pink and white sleeper, a hard-cover book, and a little plush star. Gone are the days of the Bitty Baby Bear and that makes me sad. But the new story book sort of makes up for the disappearing bear. These new books are gorgeous. They are actual story books for little girls instead of board books for Bitty.

In addition to all of the changes, American Girl also dropped a whole new line of accessories and furniture for the baby dolls. Like actual wooden furniture. Finally. We currently have the old plastic Bitty Baby canopy bed and highchair. I can't believe I spent what I did on those two pieces and they aren't even wooden. What you do for your kids never ceases to amaze. So, bravo American Girl, for making more high-end furniture. With more quality things, the prices have, of course, gone up. The furniture is pretty pricey and the new Bitty Baby currently retails for $80, whereas the previous Bitty retailed at $55.

Adrienne received her first blonde-haired Bitty Baby from the Easter Bunny when she was two. For a year and a half, that Bitty Baby has gone so many places with her and hasn't missed one night of sleep in her bed. They just are tight like that.

So, now this new Bitty Baby has been thrown into the mix. I was a little worried the old Bitty would suddenly loose an eyeball and start walking around trying to dump the new Bitty into the garbage. I mean, hello, Toy Story 3. Nothing has happened yet.

The old Bitty still sleeps in the princess's bed. The new Bitty sleeps in the Bitty Baby bed. All is well.

A Bitty Baby is well worth the money. These dolls withstand the test of time and last way past childhood, making them great to pass down to other generations. I've had my American Girl Kirsten since I was eight. And she still looks brand new. I applaud this great company for making so many little girl's lives magical.

Read my other posts on American Girl, here and here.

Saige Paints the Sky Review [American Girl]

In addition to sending us a doll, American Girl also graciously allowed us to screen their new movie, Saige Paints the Sky, before the public even sees it. I pretty much felt like American Girl royalty.

The movie goes along with their Girl of the Year doll, Saige Copeland. You probably already know my views on this company from reading my last post. True Life: I'm an American Girl addict.

One night last week we decided to pop some popcorn, get some drinks, turn the surround sound on, and settle in for a family cuddle puddle. Side note: Adrienne said Saige had to have her own popcorn bowl as she doesn't do well with sharing any type of food.

The movie is super heartwarming. It's basically about a young girl who goes through the normal life hardships at that age; losing a best friend, things not going her way, overcoming stage fright. Those are the norms, right? Pretty sure. She also leans heavily on her grandmother, who is played by none other than Dr. Quinn herself, Jane Seymour. 

The movie also centers around Saige's love for art, horse-riding, and singing. By the way, the soundtrack is adorable. Cute, girly little songs and such. Valuable life lessons are also included at no extra charge!

But, I'm not going to lie, Adrienne lasted about ten minutes, tops, before her tiny attention span moved on to coloring and then on to wanting to find Saige some pajamas. The movie is definitely geared towards the seven to twelve year crowd.

Anyilovebeingamoviecritic, this film was really sweet. Would I watch it again? Probably not. Would my nine-year-old self watch it again? Um. Yes. Over and over. It would have stayed in my VCR. Oh, and I legitimately couldn't remember what a VCR was called and had to Google it.

Saige Paints the Sky will be out on DVD and Blu-Ray tomorrow, July 2nd! Be sure to order a copy. It will also air on NBC, July 13th, so there is no excuse not to make your little girl's night. 

Saige Copeland doll, Saige Paints the Sky movie, and image of the movies c/o American Girl. Adrienne's pajamas are from American Girl.