Just My luck.

Since the news of Kirsten's retirement broke I decided to go into the vault and take a look at the girls. Currently they're all in a back closet where I keep dishes and other kitchen things I'm not using.

Well I was looking at one of the white bodied Samantha's when a rogue asparagus steamer fell from the shelf onto the floor. What I didn't notice at the time was that the steamer had first hit an American Girl box on its way to the floor.

What kind of box? A rare box, one of the red boxes that the dolls originally came in. Currently I only have two. One was perfect until today. The discovery was sudden, and shocking. I had heard the steamer fall, but it wasn't until I was putting Samantha back that I noticed a bit of a mint condition Kirsten peaking out through the newly formed rip in the box. Disbelief came, followed by intense anger and a slew of expletives that surely woke all of the American Girl dolls sleeping in their boxes. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. How could an asparagus steamer do this kind of damage, and of all the places and things to hit on its way down. Of course it would hit the perfect mint condition white bodied Kirsten with an almost perfect box to match. Luckily Kirsten was unharmed, but her box is ruined. I'm sure I'll never forget how it happened either.

Goodbye Kirsten

This picture sums it up so well. Farewell Kirsten! Your timeless beauty, looped braids, and heart of gold will live on in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know you!

I wonder what Pleasant Rowland thinks about the retirement of the original core characters? Anyone know a way I can get in touch with her?

Well here it is, the official letter sent out by American Girl announcing Kirsten's retirement. Less than one year after the announcement of Samantha's retirement.

Looks like Kirsten's newer baking outfit will go quickly, as well as her Holiday treats.

It only leaves me to wonder, who will take her place? After Samantha Parkington was archived, Rebecca Rubin was introduced in January. Already Rebecca has led many to believe that with the new characters even more of the quality that American Girl customers used to love will be things of the past. For example, Rebecca's wig cap is much discussed in the collecting circles as it is significantly thinner than most of the other dolls wigs. It's difficult to pull it into a pony tail as the hair towards the nape of the neck really shows the makings of her wig.

Just disappointing, is all that it really is. Half of the fun of being an adult who had the American Girls collection as a child would be, the ability to buy your children the exact same cherished toy that you had so known and loved. Even though Rebecca Rubin is cute, and she does have an interesting collection I cannot say that I don't have a bit of resentment for her taking Samantha's place... well at least trying to take Samantha's place. I only wonder. Next year if they do retire Molly, what will there be for me to do at the AG Place store?

The beginnings of a new blog with news of the end of a beloved character. It's been speculated about which of the original three dolls would be next to be retired. Last year it was Samantha, this year it seems will be Kirsten's turn.

I discovered the sad news whilst on my daily web-browsing of the American Girls website. There it was, the heart mark of death, with the words "Soon, we'll say farewell..." I already knew what it meant.

After living through last years retirement of Samantha I already knew what I should do. Get the accessories. What little that you can. It's no secret that Kirsten's accessories have been shamelessly retired. Still it's important to know that last year the Samantha doll was backordered three times by Mattel before truly becoming unavailable. The accessories were backordered once, if not just let to be sold out. Leaving people like myself to places like eBay, where accessories regularly sell for double what you might have paid retail for.
Kirsten will probably be available through just before January, though her accessories will surely sell out in the coming month or two. While the news of this is still fresh it inevitably makes me wonder, when is it Molly's turn?