Before I delve into all the budget planning for the coming year, I want to tell you about a special family day we had this month. For me, wealth is being able to have family experiences that can be enjoyed without fear of a credit card bill the next month. I will gladly go without a fancy car or designer purse to save for special outings. My part-time job provides funds for our “wants.”
Every Christmas season we try to have a family day, such as going to the Nutcracker. My husband is a peach about going where his girls want to go. This year we went to Chicago for the all-out American Girl experience and holiday tea at The Peninsula Hotel. My daughter had intended to get the doll Molly as a Christmas present, but she was retired and sold out! We were stunned but ‘Saige’ was the choice after a LOT of deliberation.
Children’s Tea
The Peninsula Hotel is very walkable from American Girl place. We tried to make a reservation in early October and they were already booked! They added another seating and we lucked into a reservation. The Peninsula is elegant, yet comfortable. They offer a children’s tea along with the regular tea menu. Gluten-free is also an option. A wonderful thing about afternoon tea is the relaxed pace, which is usually elusive when you are used to dining with children.
Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel Chicago
Saige Living it Up at the Peninsula
When you walk the streets of Chicago with a doll, you meet other doll lovers of all ages, races, and walks of life. They all are eager to get a closer look, and know the doll’s name. I tried to savor the experience, knowing that in the US, American Girl dolls are kind of the last stop in girlhood before the pre-teen years come knocking. Three years from now American Girl will seem as far away as the days of Elmo and Cookie Monster do now.
If you are up for a little humor, see what happened when Conan O’Brien visited American Girl Place!
is back for a reprise on television this week. The movie is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Saige loves painting and horses and fights to get art back in her school’s curriculum. The movie airs this Friday, November 15, at 5:00 pm eastern or 4:00 central time on ABC.
The Healthful Saver 