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Lea Clark, American Girl, Girl of the Year 2016, Giveaway,sadness

Lea Clark, American Girl of the Year 2016 Giveaway

by Deborah Cruz

It’s been a difficult past 7 days. The kind of epic bad days those tear jerker country songs are made of. Last Thursday, my youngest daughter’s pet Guinea Pig got pneumonia, I took him to the vet, got him meds and we held him all day long nursing him back to health and then he just died. I was mad. I wanted a refund. I did all the things I was supposed to do and yet, still, I had to break my kids’ hearts.

We had to tell the girls when they came home from school and they both had massive breakdowns, one of which was outside on the front porch, screaming and wailing. Of course, this in turn broke our parent hearts and we all sat sobbing for most of Friday evening.

Lea Clark, American Girl, Girl of the Year 2016, Giveaway

Saturday, we had a funeral for said Guinea Pig. Sunday, I was awoken at 10:30 by my daughter who insisted we go to 11 a.m. mass. Did I mention that I hadn’t slept since Wednesday night when the guinea pig first presented with the sniffles? So to mass I went, after spending all of 5 minutes getting ready. Did I mention I am on the board at our school, which is at our church? Oh yeah, did I mention I know everyone there and I looked CRAZY.

Monday, my husband gave me the news about the death of David Bowie. Then on the way to finally get my stitches out from my second surgery to this never ending broken leg saga, just when not walking like a pirate was in my line of sight, my car decided that it doesn’t like the cold. In fact, it hates the bitter cold we are experiencing so badly that a censor automatically turns traction control off which in turn reduces the engine power basically leaving you stranded in traffic moving at the pace of a slow turtle. We’ve had snow days, delays and elearning ( shoot.me.now) and it’s only Wednesday.

***Update: Thursday, my daughters’ school was locked down due to a crazed man and a hostage situation in the neighborhood addition behind the school! Bonus, the school didn’t even inform the parents until pick up. I’m assuming it was to avoid mama bears like myself from scaling the building to get to their locked down children. This is no joke a terrible week.

The car can’t be seen until Friday. Oh and the dog also has to be seen Friday by the vet because apparently the stress and bitter cold have also made her start losing her hair on her flanks. Great alopecia one more thing to worry about. On a week when we have a thousand places to be, the snow, ice and bitter cold does not want us to do any of it.

Any ways, now that you know how horrible my last 7 days have been I will tell you that I need a little joy in my life. They say be the change you want to see in the world so I am turning this frown upside down, pulling on my big girl panties and faking it until I make it and all that. I’m holding fast to the little victories, like I had my first shower in 4 months standing on my own 2 feet without using the bench for the elderly that I have been dependent upon since September.

To start the happy train rolling, I am giving away one 2016 Girl of the Year doll, Lea Clark!

I refuse to let this chaos keep me down so I spread a little happiness by giving a Lea Clark doll to my daughters and through the generosity of American Girl; I am also giving one away to a lucky reader.

I love that American Girl’s 2016 Girl of the Year, Lea Clark, dives into adventure and helps girls see life through a new lens and is in collaboration with the world wildlife fund to help protect animals and their habitats. Grace was perfect for my eldest daughter because she is a little chef and loves all things Parisian but Lea is my youngest all the way. She even looks like my little girl.There is so much to identify with and my little girl adores Lea. I think yours will too.

Lea Clark a talented photographer with a love for animals, discovers a wide world of possibilities when she embarks on a faraway adventure to Brazil.   Available for only one year, Lea’s collection includes a beautiful 18-inch Lea doll featuring long wavy hair and warm hazel eyes, plus several tropical-inspired outfits, accessories, and toys that reflect her Brazilian travels—including Lea’s Rainforest House with over 30 pieces! Coming this summer, an all-new, action-adventure film will debut on DVD from Universal Studios Home Entertainment .

Written by award-winning author Lisa Yee, the 2016 Girl of the Year books—Lea Dives In, Lea Leads the Way, and Lea and Camila—introduce girls to a curious ten-year-old girl with an adventurous spirit. On a family trip to Brazil to visit her older brother, Zac, who is studying the Amazon rainforest, Lea is excited to capture everything she sees with her camera. Soon Lea   makes some incredible discoveries, but she also faces unexpected challenges, including a fear of the ocean, tension with Zac, and finding a baby sloth that has been gravely injured. With the help of her family, her new Brazilian friend, Camila, and her late grandmother’s guiding inspiration, Lea finds the inner strength and confidence to live her new adventures to the fullest.

Giving Back with Lea Clark

To show girls that, together, they can make a difference in helping protect animals and their habitats, American Girl has created Wild at Art, a year-long fund-raising campaign in support of World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Starting January 1, American Girl is encouraging girls to use their artistic abilities to host an art sale and donate the proceeds to WWF. To launch the campaign, American Girl has made a $50,000 donation to WWF and also invites customers to contribute at American Girl retail stores and americangirl.com. Parents can visit americangirl.com/wildatart to learn more and register for Wild at Art, plus get animal-themed craft ideas, and be entered into a sweepstakes for the chance to win one of 17 Lea prize packages.

In addition, from January 1 through December 31, 2016, for every purchase of one of the three plush animals in Lea’s collection—the margay, sea turtle, or sloth—American Girl will donate $1 (up to a maximum of $100,000) to WWF.

Just leave a comment below telling me who your favorite American Girl doll is and why. One lucky reader will randomly be selected to win a Lea Clark doll.

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34 comments

Amy 2016/01/14 - 5:22 am

Our favorite AGD is Clarissa. She was our first and dealt with bullying and being new. Plus she looks just like my eldest daughter.

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Kelly D 2016/01/14 - 9:42 am

Rebecca Rubin is my favorite because I like that she is from NYC and I also like that period of time- the early 1900’s.

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Tonia L. Clark 2016/01/14 - 5:13 pm

My daughter is a HUGE American Girl doll fan and has always wanted one! She has a used one my mom bought off ebay a few years ago. She’s been dying to have one for some time now. I really liked last years doll but this one is super cute too! The stories each doll has are really sweet and have good morals.

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Maya Blabks 2016/01/14 - 10:42 pm

My favorite American Girl doll isMelody even though she isn’t out yet. I love how ag finally came up with a black beforever and she’s up to date too. I was tired of look at all the white girls – not to be racist – though I do like Lea a lot and I hope I win.

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Sarah 2016/01/15 - 1:45 am

My favorite doll is Lindsey because she is the first and only doll I received as a child. Plus I love her unique auburn hair.

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Paula Caudill 2016/01/15 - 7:46 am

Our favorite is Grace, we love everything about her, he Paris theme, clothes, hair and her face, she’s beautiful! Sorry, I don’t have instagram, so I could only enter the first entry. Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂

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Melissa Cross Botelho 2016/01/15 - 8:07 am

I like Julie as she is a hippie doll from the 70’s

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Tabathia B 2016/01/15 - 8:43 pm

We like Addy because she is a doll of color and represents a age of slavery and oppression but is beautiful

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amyc 2016/01/16 - 1:37 pm

We love Molly because she reminds me of my daughter.

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Amber Gormley 2016/01/16 - 4:16 pm

Our favorite is lea because she loves animals and likes to explore.

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Sarah Hayes 2016/01/16 - 7:58 pm

I love lea! she has a fun adventurous spirit and I know my daughter would love her

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Michelle C 2016/01/17 - 9:24 pm

Samantha is my favorite. She was the one that my oldest daughter was first interested in and she brings back some wonderful memories.

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Rochel S 2016/01/17 - 10:16 pm

Rebeccah because she is jewish just like I am

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Amy 2016/01/18 - 9:40 am

Molly is our favorite American Girl doll. My daughter is 9 and has glasses and feels that she can relate to Molly.

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Maria S. 2016/01/18 - 10:53 am

My favorite American Girl doll is Samantha. She was my first American Girl, and she was the first of the book series I read. I don’t remember much about picking her out, other than it was in a catalog with Jess on the front and I kept changing my mind!!! My parents even surprised me with her coat, Christmas dress, pajamas, and the movie! I’m glad I chose Samantha cause a few years later she retired. She’s back though and I still need to buy that bicycle outfit to go with the good old three wheeled bicycle of hers from the Pleasant Company days.

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Ken C 2016/01/19 - 4:11 pm

Rebecca is from a great timeframe

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Laura J 2016/01/19 - 4:41 pm

OH we have always loved Julie! Such an inspiration with her stand up for whats right! Love that she plays on the Boys basketball team!

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Dandi D 2016/01/20 - 7:07 am

My favorite has always been Samantha because I really like the Victorian time period.

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Stacey 2016/01/20 - 4:22 pm

I have always loved Samantha.

My daughter Kailey and I loved Grace. She is going to have a Paris themed birthday party next month. We also love Kailey, not only because of her name. There is only one book written about her, but I feel that we really get to know Kailey during that book. It is one of the best written GOTY books.

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Jenny Chen 2016/01/22 - 3:29 pm

Its so hard to choose because each girl has their own amazing story with beautiful life lessons, but if I must pick one I have to say Grace: my daughter and I can relate to her the most with her love of baking, PLUS I love Europe! She has the most adorable patisserie, which is amazing (wish we had it but couldn’t afford it), and love her travel outfit. I guess that’s why we also like Lea, because of her camera and love of travel 🙂 Its just a different side of adventure, but just as inspirational!

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Jenny Chen 2016/01/22 - 3:31 pm

(not sure if my comment loaded, so I am trying again..)

Its so hard to choose because each girl has their own amazing story with beautiful life lessons, but if I must pick one I have to say Grace: my daughter and I can relate to her the most with her love of baking, PLUS I love Europe! She has the most adorable patisserie, which is amazing (wish we had it but couldn’t afford it), and love her travel outfit. I guess that’s why we also like Lea, because of her camera and love of travel 🙂 Its just a different side of adventure, but just as inspirational!

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Mashae 2016/01/22 - 3:33 pm

Our favorite right now is Samantha. She was my childhood doll that I have passed on to my daughters. We are loving her era and connecting her history to when the girls’ great grandparents were growing up! Her stories are full of her being a friend to others no matter how different their backgrounds may be.

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Kristen 2016/01/23 - 12:41 am

I like Julie because she reminds me of my friend’s little girl with her blonde braid and her colorful, funky clothes.

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brandi streeval 2016/01/23 - 9:36 am

my daughters first favorite doll is grace she just got her for Christmas grace is her first favorite lea is her second favorite she rally wants lea my daughter loves american girl so much.

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Danielle Fitch 2016/01/25 - 5:13 pm

My daughter would live to bring Lea home! 🙂
She has been wanting an ag doll for a long time now. 🙂

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Danielle Fitch 2016/01/25 - 5:16 pm

Oops! I didn’t follow directions on my last comment….
Our favorite AG Doll is Kirsten. She was the first AG doll I got as a little girl! 🙂

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Kristin Ramirez 2016/01/25 - 5:37 pm

My daughter and I have two ultimate faves and they are from the historical line. Kit and Josephina. I love that the characters stories show my daughter she can endure anything all with compassion and a positive attitude (we have read the books a million times over). And the dolls themselves are just gorgeous.

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Jess Breen 2016/01/27 - 11:38 am

I’m so sorry to hear of your awful week!! I hope with all my heart the rest of the year looks up for you.

As for the giveaway, my favorite AG doll is Lea Clark! What a fun doll and good story about conquering fears–something my child could really learn from! I hope I hope I win her for my little one!!! Thanks for th chance. X

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Birdiebee 2016/01/27 - 2:40 pm

Personally, I love the Lea Clark American Girl Doll the best and what she stands for.

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Terri Irvin 2016/01/30 - 5:32 pm

We all love Julie Albright because she fights for what’s right!

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Katherine Palmer 2016/01/30 - 7:48 pm

I would have to say my favorite American Girl doll would be Isabelle Palmer. She had to go though the ups and downs of being bullied then gaining a friend, She also learns that you can use many of your talents to help others.

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Minh Thien 2016/01/31 - 4:41 am

I love Ruthie and Grace so much. Ruthie has always been one of the kindest person ever! And Grace is wonderful. I love her story, her character and everything else!

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Ashley B. 2016/01/31 - 12:01 pm

I had Molly as a little girl and my sister had Kirsten! We loved those dolls so much! Lea looks so fantastic and we love the other classic dolls like Addy and Samantha! I still have some of the books from my childhood that we love reading!

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Kaity 2016/02/14 - 6:03 pm

I love all American Girl dolls, but my favorite would have to be Rebecca Rubin. Her story is great, and she’s such a pretty doll! Rebecca is deffinatley tied with Kit though, because Kit’s story is intriguing!

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