Brand new doll & First day approaching

Catherine has been saving her money up to buy herself a doll (because I can't see spening $40 on a doll - I know I'm mean and terrible!). We were going out shopping today and she really wanted to buy her doll today.
She was $10 short, so Bobby and I decided to forward her the money so that she could buy it today.

She was a lucky girl this doll was on sale! So we picked up an additional one for her friend (Birthday party on Sunday). This doll is by Mattel - it's a Teen Trend doll and she is Gabby. Now we're on the lookout for more outfits and her puppy. :)

She's a really cute doll (I wish that her hair wouldn't tangle so easily though). Catherine is so excited. Now, the reason I think this is so cool is because Catherine is so much like me - but with one exception - she's never cared a whole lot for playing with dolls. When I was a little girl, I loved playing with dolls (I still have several from my childhood at least the ones past 8 yrs since our house burned when I was young) and I would have loved this doll. Infact, when I put Catherine to bed tonight we sat and brushed her hair together! :) Something I've waited to do with my daughter for years! :)

School starts monday and I have a first-grader that will be away from me all day. :(
Today we went to the mall and got her first day outfit, shoes and earings. Why the last minute? Because this girl of mine has over 35 outfits not counting any dresses (which is probably near 2 dozen) I wasn't planning on buying any new clothes until the fall....but you know how it is, you have to have the perfect first day outfit! :)

Last Thursday was the back to school night for us parents. I was there to help out with the PTO. Then we got to go to our childrens classrooms and meet the teacher and find out some info for the upcoming new year. (This year will be tough for the 1st grade because PA has decided that the K shouldn't know 30 sight words but 130, so they have to make up for it, since they didn't learn those extra words last year)

Anyways....Catherine gets to sit by the boy that she likes and she's so excited.(well, he likes her too, I saw his mom and she couldn't wait to get home to tell him who he'd be sitting by! Too cute!) :) So she's looking forward to the first day...favorite teacher, favorite boy, best girl friend, she get's to eat lunch there, etc... :)