Happy 4th of July!

''When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation...''

''.....We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...''

....So announced the Declaration of Independence, exactly 248 years ago today. Isn't that amazing?? That the USA is still running with the exact same governmental structure as it was over two centuries ago. And it's only through God's grace that we are so blessed.

This is just a quick post, because today I am going to a special Independence Day Mass at my church, then a parade, and then watching fireworks tonight. But I wanted to take the time to honor this holiday on TheAGSpot. So I will leave you with one more cute/patriotic picture of Ellie.

Sister Tag with Kit and Maryellen!

Hello, awesome people! Diamond nominated Kit and Ellie for Sister Tag! Thank you so much Diamond! You are awesome! Now, the rules are;

• Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog
• Answer the eleven questions below, and then have your sister do the same
• Nominate seven bloggers and ask them the same eleven questions

1. Which of you is older?
2. What’s your favorite thing to do together?
3. What is your sister’s favorite food?
4. What’s a character trait in the other that you appreciate?
5. What’s a character trait in the other that you don’t appreciate?
6. What’s one hobby you have that the other doesn’t?
7. Who keeps a cleaner room?
8. What’s the biggest way in which your sister can annoy you?
9. Describe each other in three words.
10. How do the two of you differ personality-wise?
11. Why do you love your sister? (C’mon, you know you do!)

Ok, let's get started! Ellie goes first, and her talking is in pink.

1. Kit is older-she is almost 12, and I am 10.

2. Play cards! We play Go Fish and SlapJack a lot, especially when we're bored.

3. Um....uh....*whispers* ''Kit! What's your favorite food? Uh-huh-ok, thanks!'' Ahem. Kit's favorite food is Greek olives.  I personally think they taste like they've gone rotten, but to each her own, I guess.

4.  Kit is always ready to listen, and she doesn't freak out easily.

5. KIT DOESN'T LIKE FASHION!! AHHH! SERIOUSLY, FASHION. IS. LIFE. Oh, and how she  likes to wear a black shirt and navy blue shorts. SERIOUS Fashion No-No.

6. Fashion is my hobby, and Kit's is photography and writing.

7. We share a room, so it's kinda hard to tell, but our room is usually pretty neat.

8. Kit isn't really the annoying type, I mean, she doesn't do it intentionally, but it drives me bananas when she wears stripes and polka dots, or another Fashion No-No.

9. Calm. Book-loving. Competent.

10. Well, like I said, Kit is a lot calmer than I am, and she prefers to read than be fashionable. Kit is more of an introvert, though she isn't shy, and I am definitely extroverted.

11. Hmm......I love her because she is always ready to listen to me when I'm upset. But don't take it too seriously Kit!

Thank you, Ellie! Now it's Kit's turn. Kit talks in Green.

1. I am older, almost 12 (on June 30th, exactly) and Ellie is 10.

2. I know this sounds weird, but we seem to bond over cleaning our room.

3.  Ellie's favorite food is cupcakes with vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles. I have to say I can't argue much.

4. I love that Ellie is always so ready and smile-y. She always makes anyone feel welcome.

5. Well....Sometimes I feel like she is too high-strung. You know, how she freaks out if her favorite dress isn't clean....I mean, it's just a dress!

6. My hobbies are photographing and writing. I suppose Maryellen's are fashion.

7. I think I'm neater, even if we share a room.

8. When she tells me there's something wrong with my outfit! Argh!

9. Stylish, Smiley, Sassy.

10. I prefer sitting and reading a novel with a glass of iced tea, and Ellie is more of an active-type-girl.

11. Ellie, I love you 'cause you are so sweet and sassy.

Thank you, Kit! That was so sweet!

AND NOW! THE NOMINEES ARE.......................................................................................................

Chrissa and Grace at FromADollsPerspective

Madi and Katie at Dolls'n'All

Taryn and Delaney at DelightfulWorldofDolls

Melody and Carol at AG's Wondrous World

Suzie and Melody at DollDays

Kennedy and Einsley at ProjectAGRunway

Char and Jamie at SewSweetDollies

I can't wait to see your posts! Have fun!

P.S. I'm planning a Q&A post for sometime next week-if you have any questions for me, comment them below!

The U-Pick Garden of Eden 😛 A Photostory

Hello, Awesome Readers! Due to a sudden bout of Summer Vacation boredom ;), I made this little photo story. Enjoy!

''So why are we here again?'' Adalyn asked her rommate, Kit, as they walked through a U-Pick farm.

''Because I want blueberry pie for my birthday, and we are going to pick blueberries.'' Kit answered patiently.

''But why can't we just buy blueberries from the store??'' Adalyn persisted, impatiently.

''Because produce from a grocery store is not usually organic, and because it is usually shipped from the west coast, leaving a larger carbon footprint. And, by going to a U-Pick farm, we are supporting local agriculture.'' Kit explained.

Adi rolled her eyes. ''Blah, blah, blah,'' she imitated; ''Picky, picky, picky. It's just some berries!''

''Adalyn,'' Kit said in a warning voice.

''Ugh,fine.'' Adalyn grumped, as she followed Kit.

Kit leaned over a sign showing what direction to go in. ''C'mon, Adi, blueberry picking is this way,'' she said.

When they reached the blueberry patch, Kit handed Adi a pail. ''Get picking!'' she said cheerfully.

''What's to stop me from just sitting?'' Adi asked defiantly.

''If you don't pick a full bucket, you won't get any pie.'' Kit said matter-of-factly.

Adalyn looked at the pail in distaste.

''Fine.'' Adi took the pail.

''Good.'' Kit started plopping berries into her pail.

''You know, I think this whole 'organic' thing is a whole load of baloney,'' Adalyn said as she picked.

''Adalyn, pesticides can have a detrimental effect on health, and by using less chemicals, we can help preserve wildlife.'' Kit told her roommate.

''Yeah? Well I think vegetables and fruits aren't worth worrying over, because there are WAY better things out there! Like chicken mcnuggets!'' Adalyn shot back.

Kit looked Adi straight in the eye. ''Adalyn,'' she began, ''you know what? Every time you say things like that, you are underappreciating God's wonderful creation.''

That made Adalyn stand up. ''What?'' she asked.

Kit plucked some blueberries off the bushes. ''Look, Adalyn. When God created blueberries through evolution some two million years ago, He created them for us then-still-evolving humans to eat. He made them taste good, and He made them a pretty color. If we say that they are ''boring'' then we are not appreciating the wonderful care that God put into them. How about that?''

Adi looked down at her pail of blueberries. It wasn't even half full.

Slowly, she turned to the bushes and started rapidly picking.

A few minutes later, she held her now-overflowing bucket of blueberries up to Kit's. ''I'm done!'' she said, happily.

''Awesome, Adi! High Five!'' Kit said.

Adalyn slapped her hand into Kit's triumphantly.

As the two girls walked home, lugging their heavy buckets, Adi said; ''That...was actually a lot of fun.''

''I knew you would,'' Kit replied.

''In fact,  you did so well, that I thought you could help me with picking, threshing, and grinding the wheat into flour for the pie crust!''

''WHAT???''

''I'm kidding! The flour we can buy.''

''Phew.''

The Road Not Taken; A Poetic Photoshoot

The Road Not Taken
                 By Robert Frost

                                            Two Roads diverged in a yellow green wood

                                             And sorry I could not travel both,

                                                I looked down one as far as I could,
                                               To where it bent in the undergrowth

                                                      

                                                      Then took the other, just as fair

                                                    And having perhaps the better claim,

                                                    For it was grassy and wanted wear,\

                                                    Though, as for that, the passing there

                                                    Had worn them really about the same

                                                               

                                                      

                                                    And both that morning equally lay,

                                                    In leaves no step had trodden black.

                                                    

                                                    Oh, I kept the first for another day,

                                                    Yet knowing how way leads onto way,

                                                    I doubted if I should ever come back.

                                                      I shall be telling this with a sigh,

                                                     Somewhere ages and ages hence;

                                                 

                                                Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I,

                                                 I took the one less traveled by,

                                                And that has made all the difference.

So what did you guys think?? I was staring into blank space when all of a sudden I had this idea-and I think it came out kind of cool!

                                               

                            

#ilovemysisters Challenge!

Hi, everyone! Light4theLord over at dollsnall.com started a new challenge that I decided to take part in! The rules were that you take a picture of your dolls together, and share it on your blog with #ilovemysisters! Here is my entry, and I challenge YOU to try it too! I have this sweet one of Ellie and Kit together.

Okay.......well........maybe not every single second. I have two sisters, and I can tell you from experience that things can get pretty heated when we disagree. But we still love each other. Most of the time. 😏

Happy Birthday Emily Claire!

You know what's up! Emi C.  turned EIGHT today! Happy birthday Emily! Her sisters and roommates made today special for her-what you ask? Read and find out!

Emily wriggled with excitement on the stool as Ellie did her hair. ''Hold still, birthday girl!'' Ellie said good naturedly.

''But I'm just so EXCITED!!'' Emi cried, throwing her arms up. ''Well, good thing you're done now,'' Maryellen stepped back from her hair. ''Lets go-we have somewhere to be!''

A few minutes later, Ellie led Emi Claire out the front door. Emily squealed in delight! There stood Adalyn and Kit by a table filled with birthday delights!

''Hey Birthday Girl!'' Kit greeted her cheerily; ''Good thing you're here-I've been trying to keep Adi from eating your cake!''

''Its beautiful!!! How-why-what-how did you know what I wanted my cake to look like??'' Emi stuttered and burst out. Ellie grinned. ''Oh, the picture taped to the fridge that said 'WHAT I WANT MY BIRTHDAY CAKE TO LOOK LIKE' gave us a pretty clear hint!'' Emily giggled. ''It's perfect!! Absolutely, and it couldn't any better!'' But she didn't see..

Someone coming up the walk.....

Emily stopped mid-sentence. She stared. Her mouth hung open, and she......

Ran over and squealed ''Marie-Grace!!!! It's you!!!!! You came all the way from New Orleans! But how?? I have so much to tell you, I-''

Marie-Grace stopped her; ''You can tell me later, mon ami, but right now, you have your own party to attend!''

''Believe me, it would be beyond rude to miss your own birthday, so come on!'' Emily smiled a smile so wide, Cecile could probably see it in Louisiana. ''Okay.''

They had so much fun. They made jelly-bean bracelets.....(and ate them, mmmmm!)

Then they played sticker tag! Kit explained it; ''It's just like regular tag, except in order to tag someone, you have to put a sticker on them. The person with the least stickers at the endo of the game wins!'' Everyone loved it. ''Catch me if you can!'' called Marie-Grace to Emi, who was hot on her trail.

Then, Maryellen said it was cake time. Everyone joined hands and said grace over the cake before singing happy birthday.

(extra picture of the cake-it's real! it was really, really good, too!)

Then Ellie cut the cake. She hated to, it was so pretty, but Adi said ''C'mon people! It's a cake! It was BORN to be eaten!!'' and that sent everyone into giggles.

Goodness, the cake was delicious. Everyone loved the combination of chocolate cake and butter cream frosting. It certainly didn't last long!!

Finally, when everyone had finished, Ellie looked at Emi. It was time for presents!

Maryellen handed her the first one. ''It's from me and Kit,'' she said, smiling.

Emi took off the bow and opened the box. It was.............................

''A teaset! I love it! Thank you!!!'' Emily gushed over the beautiful pink and purple set of place settings for four.

''Here.'' Adalyn said, pushing an awkwardly wrapped gift over to Emily. ''It's from me.''

Emi read the note on the package. ''To Emily; Happy birthday or whatever'' and a picture of some kind of balloon-turned-mutant.

Emily tore open the paper.

''Look!'' Emi said. She held up a prettily embroidered shirt that said 'I've Been To Paris' with blue and yellow flowers.

Emily leaned over and hugged Adi. ''Thank you so much. I love it, and it means so much!'' she whispered into Adalyn's ear.

Then she turned to Marie-Grace. ''You're the best present ever! Who says all gifts come in boxes?''

''Who says I didn't bring a gift?'' Marie-Grace smiled. ''Look behind you!''

Emily twisted. Out from under the table walked a tiny white Persian kitten!

''Ohhh.....'' Emi breathed at the tiny ball of fur.

''You should name her Muffin,'' Kit said

''No, you should name her Marshmallow,'' Adi said.

Everyone looked at Emi. Emi looked at the kitten.

Then Emi looked up decidedly. ''Her name is MuffMallow.'' she said firmly.

''Thank you! So much!'' She cried as she hugged Marie-Grace. ''Thank you all of you! It's been the most wonderfully fantabulous, fabulous, amazing birthday ever!''

And it was.

              The End.