By Patricia Gajo
While most people dread a four a.m. wakeup call, for nine-year-old Gabriella Gajo 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.
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 smalls 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!”
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.”
Inside the theatre, Gabriella attentively watched her favorite character, Nala, and mouthed along to all the songs, including Hakuna Matata, which means ‘no worries.’ During the second act, as if by cue, the wiped-out Floridian drifted off to dreamland.
Part of the Gajo birthday tradition is to reflect upon the last year and pinpoint one’s best and worst moments. When asked to reflect, Gabriella responded, “The worst was taking the FCAT (Florida Comprehension Assessment Tests. 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!”
What a beautiful idea to leave a GREAT legacy!
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 becoz I didn’t have enough money, i had to draw those dresses which I never had the chance to wear at all but which my dolls were able to. Actually, I was able to create a hundred dresses for my dolls named Karen, Trinidad, Donna, etc.
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 becoz 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.
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.
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?
Wow, great article – I read it this morning! Happy Belated Gabby!
I once read ‘grandchildren are the prize for having children’. We lucked out because both have been our trophies (our 2 kids and 3 grands). 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!
Wow! Time flew by me! My picture of Gabby was in our Florida reunion in 2006! Truly a rtip to remember for both of you! Julie, you are an awesome grandma!
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.
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
I like those photos.