When McKenna was just a little one, she created a Spring Break Bucket List. It was a fun week spent going to the zoo and museums, jumping in puddles, and having carpet picnics. We haven’t had that kind of spring break since. Grad school and babies and Covid all got in the way. So this year when Aaron said he took the week off, he and I made some tentative plans and asked the kids what they wanted to do.

McKenna did the writing while everyone else contributed. We turned it into a 2024 Bucket List due to the extent of their grand plans. Let me translate her primitive handwriting and 3rd grade spelling.

1. American Doll Store
2. Lego Store
3. sleepover with Grandpa
4. Children’s Museum
5. visit Papa and Kathleen
6. bounce house place
7. water park
8. Medieval Times
9. play date
10. park
11. zoo
12. sleepover
13. girls’ day!!!!!
14. boys’ day!!!
15. date day

There was an argument over how many exclamation points there should be after girls’ day and boys’ day. George wanted the boys to have the same as the girls. McKenna begrudgingly added 3 exclamation points for the two to match but then secretly added 2 additional when George wasn’t looking. There were tears…I am trying to block that part out.

Today I packed the kids and picked up Aunt Eve to make the trek to the city. All the kids were so amazed by the sky scrapers and parking garage. It was as exciting as going to the Disney. We could have just gone home after seeing the skyline and lake. We spent some time looking around the American Girl Store which we called the American Doll Store—because boys like dolls, too. The boys each picked out an outfit for their babies—George a cute lamb ensemble and Theo a party dress. Again—I BEG YOU, AG—you need more variety in the Bitty Baby section. McKenna decided to get a Little Bitty Baby which I have been calling an Itty Bitty Baby…she is not amused. Yes. They have tiny Bitty Baby dolls so your full size American Girl doll can have a Bitty Baby of her own…along with all. the. accessories. You can literally buy everything in duplicate (triplicate..?) for your 16 inch Bitty Baby and your 8 inch Itty Bitty Baby so your 18 inch American Girl can play while you play with her. It’s an AG inception.

Lunch was pure nostalgia at the AG Cafe starting with the cinnamon buns and ending with the flower pot mousse. They were spoiled with glitter bombs and kiddie cocktails and edible straws. We celebrated McKenna’s birthday with a song and a DIY cupcake. It was adorable and only a million dollars.

On our way out, we noticed the Lego Store and decided to check it out. The boys each picked out a small set while McKenna asked if she could get something different at AG. She had quite the choice to make. She wanted a mini pet and 2 tiny dolls. She just couldn’t decide. She ended up getting a pet bunny for her dolly while Aunt Eve caved and got her a mini Josefina. I grabbed the mini Julie for Great Grandpa to give her for her birthday. Yes. They even have 8 inch versions of the big 18 inch originals. It just doesn’t stop.

spoiled rotten these kids are

Before bed, George came in to say he had the best day ever. He gave us each a hug while beaming ear-to-ear. He came out of his bed a little while later to tell me again. Theo has been a bit less obvious with his thanks but he’s also three. The before-bed snuggles were top notch, though. McKenna has been skipping around saying that today was the best day of her life then snuck in to cuddle me. I would say that although they were spoiled, the gratitude makes it worth it.