Our American Girl adventure started because all our middle daughter asked for her eighth birthday was an American Girl doll. We wanted her to understand how valuable the American Girl dolls were and encouraged her to start reading American Girl books when she was six. We enjoyed discussing about various topics highlighted in the books with her and by her 8th birthday when she asked, we knew she was ready to own her American Girls doll.

In every book American Girl has published, the words are chosen with intention and purpose, to inspire girls to think about who they are and who they want to be. From creating beloved characters who become role models to partnering with pediatricians and other experts who offer advice for each stage of girlhood, the books are intended to give girls the confidence and courage they need to face challenges.

Since its inception in 1986, American Girl has devoted its entire business to being a trusted partner in building girls of strong character and helping them reach their full potential. A wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel, American Girl is one of the nation’s top omni-channel marketers, with direct, retail, and publishing divisions to serve the American Girl brand and its customers.

A mom friend recommended that we visit the Boston store and this past Memorial Day weekend, we made our way to Natick Mall in Natick, MA for our American Girl adventure. When our oldest daughter turned eight, we went through the same process with her and she now owns her beloved American Doll Addy. However she couldn’t resist asking us for another doll when Luciana, the American Girl doll of the year was unveiled.

American Girl believes in creating girls of strong character because character counts. For more than 30 years, American Girl has believed in a simple truth: Every girl has the power to change the world. Part of that power derives from learning that character counts, that enduring values—like authenticity, fairness, respect, and perseverance—provide a solid foundation for facing new challenges and solving problems in an always-changing world.

Like the characters who came before her, 2018 Girl of the Year™ Luciana Vega shows what it can mean to be a girl of strong character in her time, in this particular historical moment that we all share, where creative thinking, collaboration, and STEM literacy provide opportunities for meaningful growth.

Encouraging girls in STEM matters in more immediate ways, too, and Luciana brings visibility, engaging stories and experiences, encouragement, and valuable lessons to girls at a time in their lives when they are learning that they hold within themselves infinite potential, no matter where their interests and talents lead them.

As much as we were eager to buy our oldest daughter Luciana Vega, we also wanted to instill character and money smart values so we decided to give her half of the doll purchase if she comes up with the other half and not from her savings account. She was up to the challenge and it was everything to see our STEM girl proudly pick up Luciana Vega when we got to the store.

Since our American Girl adventure came about thanks to our middle daughter, her doll choice was American Girl of the Year 2017 Gabriela McBride, a dancer, an artist, and a poet out to inspire real change. Our middle one who is budding ballerina couldn’t contain her excitement when she picked up Gabriela McBride.

Our two oldest didn’t want to leave their baby sister out of the fun and offered to get her a WellieWisher doll Kendall! This WellieWisher is an inventor and an artist who loves solving problems with a bright idea! There are five WellieWishers characters: Willa, Kendall, Ashlyn, Emerson, and Camille who learn together empathy, kindness, and the importance of being a good friend.

Our American Girl Adventure in Natick, MA was one adventure to surely go down our family memory book of best day ever, according to our girls. We proceeded to check in our hotel at Hampton Inn because we couldn’t wait to explore more of Natick, MA. As soon as we got into the room, they couldn’t wait to dress up in their American Girl matching outfit and playing at length with their dolls. Thank you so much American Girl for the wonder-filled adventure and moments and we have the feeling it’s not the last time we’ll visit your store.