Hi guys! Guess what we took our first trip of the year! A very special trip I might add for Aria’s 9th birthday!
This year for Aria’s birthday, I gave her a choice: a traditional birthday party or a special trip to Los Angeles to visit the American Girl Doll store. Every year, she gets a little older, and I knew how much she’s always wanted to go. I wanted to make sure she experienced it while she still loved dolls, so I let her decide. Without hesitation, she picked the trip.
So, early Saturday morning, Aria, Dayjhan, and I boarded a 6 a.m. flight to LA. Our first stop after landing was breakfast at Clementine’s, where we enjoyed a cool meal to kick off the day. Right across the street was the Westfield Mall, home to the American Girl Doll store, and Aria could barely contain her excitement. We arrived about 15 minutes before the store opened at 10:00 a.m, and she counted down every single minute.
The moment those doors opened, she zoomed in without waiting for us, her eyes lighting up at the sight of all the dolls and accessories. It was so sweet to watch her giggling, touching everything, and taking it all in. After much deliberation, she picked out two dolls—one was part of a package that included a backpack, accessories, and an outfit, while the other was a standalone doll.
Next, she treated one of her dolls to a spa day at the in-store doll salon, where they both got their nails done. Aria chose purple nail polish with confetti sparkles for herself, and her doll got teal polish. Watching her delight in this experience was priceless.
After the salon, we explored the mall a bit before heading upstairs for lunch at the American Girl Café. But not before we got to visit with our cousin Ochante. The best celebrity stylist in Los Angeles. (Check him out here). After our visit, we headed into the café to eat. The café was absolutely adorable—her doll even got her own seat at the table, a mini cup of tea, and a birthday crown. Aria beamed with happy as we enjoyed a three-course meal. The appetizers included mini cinnamon rolls, and for the main course, Aria had bowtie pasta, Dayjhan had chicken and waffles, and I tried a breakfast pizza.
As a special surprise, we gifted Aria one more doll after lunch. She was over the moon! Yes, the dolls are pricey, but you only turn nine once, and seeing her happiness made it all worth it.
We spent some time exploring other parts of mall buying random things like candy and silly socks and then headed back to the airport. Knowing how unpredictable LA traffic can be, we left early but still made it in good time. Our Lyft driver made the ride memorable, sharing his dreams of starting his own business and even having us sample one of his drink creations (don’t worry—it was safe!).
At the airport, we grabbed a quick lunch—Chick-fil-A and Panda Express—and had a sweet surprise when we ran into our other cousin Shawana, who’s a flight attendant. Although she wasn’t on our flight, it was still nice to see her. She even gave Aria some birthday bucks! Score!
The flight home was smooth, though Aria experienced some ear discomfort during landing. But after some cuddles, she powered through like the strong kid she is.
Meanwhile, back home, my amazing cousin Lisa and my friend Christina held down the fort, watching Ivy, Riley, and their kids. It truly takes a village, and I’m so grateful to have such wonderful people in our corner.
This trip was everything I hoped it would be for Aria—a day she’ll always remember and cherish. The American Girl Doll store may be pricey, but the experience was absolutely worth it. Watching her excitement and joy made it unforgettable.
Happy Birthday, my little American girl. You’ll always be our doll.
