PATRICIA GAJO | Freelance Writer + Lifestyle Blogger
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notes + observations + star addresses

American Girl in the Big Apple — a 10th Birthday Celebration

15/10/2019

1 Comment

 
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My niece at the American Girl Place in NYC for her 10th birthday. Some dreams do come true.

Happy Birthday, Gabby!

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY, LITTLE GIRL
The following is an article I wrote for my niece when she turned 10 years old. Today she turns 21. Pass the tissues, please...

While most people dread a four a.m. wakeup call, for nine-almost-ten-year-old Gabriella Gajo (she’ll hit double digits in one week) last Saturday couldn’t have started early enough. With her doll Samantha tucked under one arm, the young Florida resident flew from Orlando to New York to live out the American Girl dream.

​Accompanying Gabriella was her grandmother, Julieta Gajo, who told West Orlando News: “When Gabby was six I promised her that if she were a good girl I would take her to the American Girl Place to celebrate her 10th birthday.” Fast forward four years, and there they were in the Manhattan boutique and café sipping milk from tiny teacups and eating chocolate mousse from itty bitty bowls.
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Gabriella sipping milk from her tiny cup at the American Girl Cafe.
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A doll gets her hair done at the Hair Salon while her owner looks on.

​For those not in the know, the American Girl phenomenon is the best thing since the Cabbage Patch Kids, and possibly even Barbie. Initially, the concept began with the Samantha doll in 1980. Afterward a pre-teen novel set in turn-of-the-century New York debuted showcasing Samantha as the star. Eventually different characters from varying U.S. states and eras appeared, more dolls and books followed, and today the American Girl brand is a capitalist heaven—albeit one with sugar and spice and everything nice—ranging from clothes (for doll and doll-owner), furniture, accessories, body products, movies and video games. At present there are seven American Girl Places in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston and Minneapolis; and plans to open new locations in 2009.
Today the American Girl brand is a capitalist heaven—albeit one with sugar and spice and everything nice
But devotees don’t come to the American Girl Place just to shop; there are many other ways to spend the contents of their piggybanks. Here one can partake in a Disney-esque tea party. There is also a photo studio and a salon where dolls are caped and seated in little swivel chairs to have their hair done in braids, pigtails, or any one of the many designs offered in the catalog. They can even have their ears pierced.

“I saved $106,” Gabriella said, pulling out wads of small bills from her blue glittery purse. “I got Samantha’s hair done, and her ears pierced; I bought her a nightgown and accessories and school stuff. She has a new hat, coin purse, pencil case and eyeglasses like mine!”
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Gabriella perusing the body products at the American Girl Place
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Eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one...", says Gabriella as she counts her hard-earned money.
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Gabriella hugging her favourite doll Samantha.

​A good eldest sibling, Gabriella also picked up a doll (Kit Kittredge from 1934 Cincinnati) with the savings from little sis’ Kiara who was at home in Orlando waiting impatiently for her own 10th birthday. Afterward, Grandma and granddaughter strolled through the hustle bustle of Times Square to see the Broadway version of The Lion King. “I saw a million people walking, talking, yelling and shopping,” said Gabriella in Wonderland. “It was different for me because people in Orlando don’t walk on the street. There were also lots of little carts where you could buy food; they made the air smell good.”
Afterward, Grandma and granddaughter strolled through the hustle bustle of Times Square to see the Broadway version of The Lion King
Inside the theatre, Gabriella attentively watched her favourite character, Nala, and mouthed along to all the songs, including Hakuna Matata, which means ‘no worries.’ During the second act, as if by design, the wiped-out Floridian drifted off to dreamland.
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About to get a kiss from Grandma - a.k.a. Lola

​Part of the Gajo birthday tradition is to reflect upon the last year and pinpoint one’s best and worst moments. When asked her thoughts on this, Gabriella responded, “The worst was taking the FCAT (Florida Comprehension Assessment Test). And the best, after my baby brother Alex being born, was coming to the American Girl Place.” That happy note was music to grandma’s ears.

​Mrs. Gajo summed it up, “It was certainly a big day, but it was absolutely worth it. These are priceless memories you carry with you for the rest of your life. I’m not sure who had more fun, Gabby or me!”

Originally printed in the West Orlando News on October 15, 2008 (Gabriella’s birthday).
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Gabriella, or Gabby, as she is called, on the plane from Orlando to New York City. It was a magical day.

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About the author

I'm a freelance writer and culture reporter living in Paris. You and I will get along if - like me - you enjoy fashion, travel, art and gastronomy. ​
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Original comments:

1. Michelle Tolentino says
OCTOBER 15, 2008 AT 9:27 PM
What a beautiful idea to leave a GREAT legacy!

2. Pura Ella Jamoralin says
OCTOBER 16, 2008 AT 11:37 AM
I enjoyed your article on the American girl dream which is actually every girl’s dream. How I wish I could bring back the hands of time when I was small and I had to scrimp my allowance or “baon” to buy paper dolls with matching dresses. Then because I didn’t have enough money, I had to draw those dresses. I never had the chance to wear them but my dolls did. Actually, I was able to create a hundred dresses for my dolls named Karen, Trinidad, Donna, etc.

3. Julie and Pancho (mom and dad) says
OCTOBER 16, 2008 AT 1:52 PM
Thank you Patricia for the beautiful article and awesome pictures. I know Gabby enjoyed her time and the memories will last her a lifetime.
Just to add for anyone to read. Although Gabby said she dreaded the FCAT, she ended up with the highest levels for her grade!! She’s a very smart and caring girl. We’re very proud of her.

4. Vienna McVean says
OCTOBER 16, 2008 AT 9:48 PM
Thank you for the American Girl Place article that brought back memories of my childhood. It made me think of the grandmother I never had. But the attention and love of my parents and family compensated for it ten-fold.
I fully realize now that the best gift we could ever give our grandchildren is the “gift of our time”. Mrs. Gajo must be proud to have been able to fulfill a four year long promise to a deserving grand daughter. This little girl will always remember this trip to New York with Grandma in the big city of bright lights and big dreams. By the way, was Gabby good the past four years?

5. Jaclyn Tolentino says
OCTOBER 17, 2008 AT 7:55 AM
Wow, great article – I read it this morning! Happy Belated Gabby!

6. Julieta Gajo says
OCTOBER 18, 2008 AT 2:36 PM
I once read ‘Grandchildren are the prize for having children’. We lucked out because both have been our trophies (our 2 kids and 3 grandkids). We enjoy every opportunity to be together and mark milestones and make memorable ones.
Kiara is now planning her trip —she has 3 years to save money for her shopping spree. Yesterday, she was asking if she could go to the American Girl Place when she turns nine, instead of ten. And I agreed!

7. Lits Reyes says
OCTOBER 18, 2008 AT 3:00 PM
Wow! Time flew by me! My picture of Gabby was in our Florida reunion in 2006! Truly a trip to remember for both of you! Julie, you are an awesome grandma!

8. Epi Quimson says
OCTOBER 18, 2008 AT 4:18 PM
Patricia’s article reminded me of my own grandfather. When I was eight years old, I told my lolo (grandpa in Filipino) about my dream of playing the piano. He said promptly, “Get dressed. We are buying you one.” I brought home a piano that day. From its keys come the music that I still enjoy, my lolo’s memories alive in each note. I was lucky. Gabby is lucky. Her trip to New York with her grandmother will be one of those pivotal moments, filled with love, family and devotion, never to be forgotten.

9. Gabriella says
MARCH 10, 2010 AT 7:43 PM
Thank you soooo much! It was the BEST birthday ever and I hope everyone can experience what I got! I’d like to thank my Lola and of course Tita Patricia who made this all possible for me
I love you all!
Gabby
1 Comment
Julieta
26/2/2020 03:02:01

Thanks for sharing the ‘celebration of shoes’. You have a way of breathing life to the tour. I felt your joy of viewing the lovely Louboutin exhibits.

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