Long Live the Queen
Priscilla had a few small celebrations this year, including a fun time celebrating her at the fire festival and a mini surprise party at Bistro 91 with her dance friends. But this was the day we had actually planned from the start!
Emi, Priscilla, and I headed to the DC American Girl store for a Pet Adoption Day event. If you haven't been, American Girl stores host a ticketed "Pet Adoption Day" event where children select a Truly Me plush cat or dog, get an official adoption certificate, visit a grooming station, and receive a goody bag with a pet bowl and book. Because we booked our tickets a long time ago, the grandmothers knew to help a girl out with some birthday funds. Mom and big sister Emery contributed along with a few others who gave her cards with cash, so Priscilla had quite a nice amount saved up for her free-for-all shopping spree.
She felt like the queen of the store! She ultimately landed on Raquel, the Girl of the Year 2026. I absolutely love that they weaved into her story the fact that she is the great-great-granddaughter of the iconic historical character Samantha Parkington! Of course, a shopping spree isn't complete without a little mystery, so we also grabbed three of the Mini Mystery Packs from the Delicious Dishes Collection, keeping our fingers tightly crossed for that elusive rainbow cake. After her shopping haul, we walked around the mall briefly with Priscilla looking blissful in her new matching outfit and Crocs, pushing the Raquel collection inside her new Bitty Baby stroller.
We ended the day having lunch at Seasons 52, where our waiter went above and beyond to make her feel special. He placed a birthday plaque next to her, served her very first Shirley Temple in a fancy glass, brought out a birthday dessert, and then gave her a handwritten birthday card complete with a coupon from the manager. She was certainly queen for the day!
