Of course I forgot to take a photo of the ratty tshirt first. It was one of my husband's favorites, and I didn't ask him. I found a hole in the shoulder, so I consider myself justified.
The doll clearly needs board shorts.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
American Kid doll
Surely I'm not the only one whose son who wants an American Boy doll for his 9th birthday? "It will be my last doll, Mommy."
But there are no American Boy dolls. There are scary dolls out there (http://www.carpatina.com/boydolls.html). And there are great customized dolls on Etsy. But American Girl does not sell 18" boy dolls. "Why don't they call it American Kid?" my son asked me.
I called the company. "We have boy Bitty Twins," the lady assured me. My son already has a boy Bitty Twin. They are marketed to kindergarteners. Santa brought the Bitty Twin in kindergarten. Now he is turning 9. He wants an American Boy doll. "Which dolls are the most masculine?" I asked her. "Excuse me?" she replied.
So I went to the store in Los Angeles. It was overwhelming, like Disneyland. I found Christian, an enthusiastic guy who was happy to stare at various noses and chins and lips with me. The historical-character dolls go by name, but the "Just Like Me" dolls go by number. Christian explained that 29 is the same as 32, only with longer hair, but 30 is very different (I've forgotten actual numbers). The dolls come with various hair colors, different parts, three skin tones, and so forth. You don't customize; you just choose the best match. We settled on 28 and 29, both with medium brown hair, brown eyes, and "medium" skin. I bought two dolls and a hair brush and headed out to my own stylist. Christian wished me luck.
I have known Victor since long before my husband. I would drive anywhere to see Victor. He decided on 29, which had a slightly rounder face. There was a more delicate chin on 28, which looked more feminine. "We're going to do a proper hair cut," he said, and sat the doll down.
And here he is wearing his new clothes, which I made for him.
But there are no American Boy dolls. There are scary dolls out there (http://www.carpatina.com/boydolls.html). And there are great customized dolls on Etsy. But American Girl does not sell 18" boy dolls. "Why don't they call it American Kid?" my son asked me.
I called the company. "We have boy Bitty Twins," the lady assured me. My son already has a boy Bitty Twin. They are marketed to kindergarteners. Santa brought the Bitty Twin in kindergarten. Now he is turning 9. He wants an American Boy doll. "Which dolls are the most masculine?" I asked her. "Excuse me?" she replied.
So I went to the store in Los Angeles. It was overwhelming, like Disneyland. I found Christian, an enthusiastic guy who was happy to stare at various noses and chins and lips with me. The historical-character dolls go by name, but the "Just Like Me" dolls go by number. Christian explained that 29 is the same as 32, only with longer hair, but 30 is very different (I've forgotten actual numbers). The dolls come with various hair colors, different parts, three skin tones, and so forth. You don't customize; you just choose the best match. We settled on 28 and 29, both with medium brown hair, brown eyes, and "medium" skin. I bought two dolls and a hair brush and headed out to my own stylist. Christian wished me luck.
I have known Victor since long before my husband. I would drive anywhere to see Victor. He decided on 29, which had a slightly rounder face. There was a more delicate chin on 28, which looked more feminine. "We're going to do a proper hair cut," he said, and sat the doll down.
At the American Kid store, they have miniature salon chairs. I didn't buy one, so it took two of us to hold the doll steady while he started to cut.
He cut a lot. Number 29 had long layers.
Here is the talented and generous Victor:
Here is the boy, after Victor finished with him:
And here he is wearing his new clothes, which I made for him.
Handsome, no? I think B will be happy with his Last Doll.
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