{ Throw Back Thursday - Halloween 2014 }

My name is Harper and first, I have to apologize for the silly title to this post...especially since technically it's no longer "Thursday" at the dorm as we are on the east coast!  BUT, I figured it would still be okay since it's still Thursday on the west coast and in Australia and other parts of our big ole world, right?  Super, so glad you all agree!

So, yep, we have been super busy and not had even one extra moment to post about all the stuff that's been going down here at the dorm.  Some of the girls have been in after-school clubs like marching band, orchestra and chorus, practicing for their upcoming Christmas concerts.  Some of us have been busy after school with Edge Club and others, like me, with basket ball.  Boy, fall sure is an exciting and busy time of year!  AND, soon Christmas will be here and we are all super excited about that!

So now, back to my Throwback Thursday topic of Halloween though!  I know you guys are like, geez, Halloween?  Just go with me here, okay?  Now, lots of the girls were away Halloween weekend on a camping trip.  Since there were only four of us at the dorm with nothing to do on the Saturday after Halloween, we decided to throw ourselves a little party.  Hollie and I were the ones to get all the goodies together and decorate the kitchen.  We had loads of fun doing it too!   

We pulled out some of the decorations from last year and added a few more new things we made.  Hollie got to do most of the baking since our normal 'baker-chick', Cindy, was out of town.  :)  So, I got to add my own style to the decorations...I hung up the little paper bats from the ceiling and I really enjoyed throwing confetti all over the tabletop and floor.  Oh, making a mess and calling it a party is sweet! 

Hollie finished setting out the candies and cookies.  She really did do a great job at them.....they were all detailed and really added to the festivities. 

It was getting close to the time for Faith and Trey to arrive and Hollie was still flitting around the table getting everything "just so" when I saw Trey creep into the kitchen.  I knew by that mischievous look in his eyes that he was up to something.  All at once it occurred to me that Hollie had no idea he was standing right behind her.  Before I could utter a word, Trey took a deep breath and screamed at the top of his lungs like someone had just stabbed him in the butt with a knife.  It startled me so much too that I screamed back!

What happened next was one of the funniest things I have seen in a loooong time.....Hollie was so freaked out by Trey's blood-curdling scream that she jumped straight up and at the same time, did a complete 180 degree turn and then, as if that wasn't bad enough, she fell backwards into the table!  At this point I was laughing hysterically and thinking; Oh boy, Trey was soooo gonna get it now!

And just as soon as I had that thought passed through my brain, Hollie jumped at Trey, trying to lay hands on his neck!  In those few moments, Trey started backing up away from Hollie.  Oh, it was sooo dang funny.....I could tell he was genuinely afraid of Hollie!  What a hoot!

At that moment, I knew it was time to step in and save my buddy Trey.  If Hollie could, she'd finish the job and Trey is too good of a basketball buddy to loose him over a prank, so I ran over and squeezed myself in between the two of them.  "Okay, okay - let's all take a couple deep breathes!" I interjected.  

Hollie backed away and started her self-relaxation technique of  breathing "in through the nose, out through the mouth" to calm herself.  Poor thing, Trey totally scared her!  Apparently though, Coconut wasn't scared at all and decided to take advantage of the fact that Trey's Candy bucket had hit the floor.  She was trying desperately to snarf all the candy from Trey's bucket into her own. 

Just then, Faith arrived and saw exactly what that sneaky little Coconut was up to.  I told Trey to go and get some food.  Meanwhile, Faith and I saved Coconut from a guaranteed tummy ache by cleaning up all the spilled candies and putting them back in Trey's bucket.

As I was helping Faith, I could hear Hollie telling Trey about her Mummy Face English Muffin Pizzas.  Shew, thankfully, she had calmed down and wasn't trying to put a choke hold Trey!  That was a close call.

Faith and I returned Trey's bucket to him and told him to keep an eye on Coconut cause now that she'd gotten a whiff of the candy in his bucket, she'd for sure be stalking him and take an opportunity to steal a piece or two.

Faith made her way over to Hollie as they hadn't seen each other all week due to school work and stuff.  Hollie was telling her how she'd made Mummy Dogs out of Crescent Rolls and hot dogs with yellow mustard eyes. 

Since Faith and Hollie were catching up with each other's lives, Trey and I decided to go thorugh our stash from trick-or-treating the night before.  We did some trading of candies which was great as he and I don't like the same stuff so it works out super good to trade with each other.  Needless to say, Miss Coconut was hanging around to see if we left anything on the floor.  Not a chance!

As the afternoon came to a close, we all decided that the party was a great success and we'd have to do it again next year.  Hollie and Faith wanted a photo of themselves together since they are besties and they both had new costumes this year.    

Lastly, we all got together for a groupie photo - you know, like a selfie but not....a group instead - and even the canine's got in on it! 

  18 Inch Doll Outfits & 18 Inch Doll Accessories by:

Hollie, Faith & Harper's costumes by by American Girl®

Trey's Skeleton costume by dspencer6a0n~ eBay®

Mummy faced English Muffin Pizzas by Pippaloo ~ Etsy®

{ Happy National Peanut Butter Lovers Day! }

Okay, I bet ya'll didn't know that March 1st of this year is National Peanut Butter Lovers Day, did you?  Doesn't that include, like, everybody? I mean, who doesn't, right? So, it got us girls to talking about all the foods that peanut butter is good on!

We girls here at the dorm decided to have some snacks that are good with peanut butter in honor of this day! It goes with pretty much anything: celery, crackers, pretzels, apples, bananas, chocolate, toast, pancakes and SO much more!! Coconut and Hershey are wild about peanut butter, too! I swear, whenever I open the jar I hear paws clicking down the hall and they're there in an instant!

One of my favorite foods is the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They are the BOMB!! I mean c'mon... everyone has had at least ONE in their lives!

So earlier, I made some yummy snacks to celebrate this day! Mmm, tasty!

"Hey, Isabelle! Did you know that most kids will eat 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before 12th grade?"
"Wow!" Isabelle exclaimed. "That's a LOT of PB&J's! Where did you hear that from??"
"Harper told me! She had to do a research report on it for school this past week!"

"Say, Harper! Can you tell Lanie and Isabelle more about National Peanut Butter Lover's Day?" I asked.
"Sure! It's referred to as a "national" holiday, even though it's not official. Peanut butter has been very popular since the early 1900's, but no one knows who invented it!! It is an $800 million dollar industry and has many different brands. The most popular brands are Jif, Skippy, and Peter Pan."

 
"Whoa!" Lanie said. "I'm just now realizing how much I use it! I've heard it's unhealthy for you, though. Is that true?"
"Well, it can be healthy in moderation. Peanut butter is a great source of healthy fats and proteins.  The healthiest kinds are the brands with no added oil or sugar. Believe it or not, it can actually reduce the risk of certain heart diseases! Wild, huh?"
"Oh, golly! Who would have thought peanut butter can help your heart? Well, hears to my heart! I'm gonna heat my muffin and then smear peanut butter all over it. What are you gonna have peanut butter on today, Harper?"
"I'm going to put it on my banana!! It is super good with them!"

Isabelle, didn't you tell me that one of your favorite peanut butter treats is Peanut Butter Panic ice cream? I think I would have to agree with you on that one...the chunks of chocolate mixed with the peanut butter cups...so yummy!! But I think today I'll stick with a good old fashion PB&J!

So lets all toast to National Peanut Butter Lovers Day! Hip Hip Hooray!

How will you celebrate this day? What is your favorite peanut butter treat??
~Cindy ♥

{ Hanging Out with Isabelle ~ American Girl® GOTY 2014 } Part II

Starting where we left off;

I went to get the little parting gift we got for Isabelle and returned to the bedroom.  Harper, Hope and I gathered around to give it to her.  We love giving presents......it's much more fun to give than receive! 

Isabelle hopped up on the bed to open the box.....Harper could hardly contain her excitement!  She loves to give presents!  And, she was a bit anxious because she had suggested this particular gift.

"Go ahead Isabelle, open it, open it!  If you don't do it NOW, Harper is going to faint!" I exclaimed.

Isabelle carefully opened the box to reveal a super adorbs pair of reindeer socks!  She had admired a pair that I was wearing the other day so Harper felt sure that she'd love a pair for herself! 

"Yipeeeeee!  Oh, I absolutely LOVE these reindeer socks!!  I especially love his red nose!!" Isabelle squealed.  "Aren't these just like yours, Christina?"  "Yes, they are!  It was Harper's idea.....she remembered how much you liked mine the other day." 

"Oh, Harper.  I love these.....every time I wear them, I promise to think of you!"  Harper blushed a little but deep down she was proud of herself for being able to give her new friend something that she knew she'd love. ♥

Just then and without warning - Isabelle jumped up and exclaimed "Let's take some selfies!!!!  That way I'll always have photos of each of you and our fun times together!"  We all agreed it was a superb idea! 

I was first!  Yay, me and Isabelle together!!  Cool beans!!

Next up - Harper and Isabelle!  Don't tell Harper but it's a bit out of focus.....however, it's still very sweet and Harper thought the "soft focus" made her look "glamorous!"  She's so funny.  

Then it was Hope and Frolics' turn.....and it was in that moment that I saw my opportunity to totally photo bomb them!  Just as Hope was saying; "one.....two....three!"  I jumped up on the bed behind them and waved!!  Ohhhhh, I timed it perfectly!    

"Christina!!!" Harper yelled at me from the other side of the room, "You totally photo bombed Hope and Isabelle's selfie and that is not nice!"   It took me a minute to pull myself together and stop laughing so that I could say - "Sorry guys, I couldn't help myself.....it might not be nice but it sure is funny!!!!"  Let me see the photo! 

Isabelle spoke up to calm Harper down a bit.....and fortunately, she and Hope were giggling too!  "Oh, sweet Harper, don't be upset with Christina.  That's SO her to do those kinds of silly things!  She is such a goofy girl.  This photo will be a great reminder of just how much fun I have had here!" Isabelle said. "Now we need to go find the other girls... cause I need to say goodbye now.  You know I am leaving and I cannot wait to meet the little girl who will love me forever!!  I am super duper excited!"

{ Hanging Out with Isabelle ~ American Girl® GOTY 2014 } Part I

Hello all!  Christina here.....Saige is super duper busy so after begging her constantly for the last couple days, she gave in and is letting me make this post.....Cool beans for sure!! 

Yesterday Isabelle and some of us girls had some time to just hang out. Whew, with Christmas right around the corner, there has been an awful lot of activity around here and not much time for just chillaxing!  After lunch, we went to the upstairs bedroom, which we all call "the Kanani Room".  We decorated it in colors that reminded us of Hawaii, so yeah, that's why we call it that.  Moving on.  We got Isabelle some yummy hot chocolate and all plopped down to chill.

"Hey Christina, This is a cool bedroom" remarked Isabelle.  "I love the colors!"  I agreed with her that the colors were super nice.  "Isabelle, tell us about your house!"   

Isabelle thought for a few seconds and just as she saw the Capiz shell wind chime over Harper's head, she exclaimed, "Oh, I know, I know!  In our living room, my mom has hanging this beautiful mobile she made.  She named it 'Pond Dreams'.  She created it two years ago after one of our visits to the aquatic gardens at Kenilworth Park.  It had just rained and big round lily pads covered the pond like shining green scales ~ water lilies and lotuses were scattered around the pond like jewels.  The water was sooooo still that it mirrored the sky and the reflections of clouds seemed to glide dreamily around the plants.  It really reminded me of the Claude Monet painting we had just seen at a special show at the National Gallery.”  Oh boy, we were all glued to her story!  Totes cool, she had been to the National Gallery!!!! Isabelle continued; “My mom seemed just as taken by the beauty of the lilies as I was because as soon as we got home she set about working on ideas for this new mobile. Piece by piece mom mounted the different fabrics and scraps that she collected at flea markets, thrift stores and rummage sales onto wire frames.  After this, she hung each portion on a wire connected to the ceiling in our living room.  When she was finished, it looked like a single water lily surrounded by lots of green lily pads and clouds and rippling water.  Randomly placed tiny crystals reflected just like the raindrops in the sun!”  We all agreed that we wish we could see this beautiful piece of art her mom created.  We were almost in unison with our replies; "Isabelle, you must promise to send us a photo!"

Just then, Harper jumped in;  "Tell us more Isabelle!  What's it like being a ballerina?  Do you get to dress up in pretty costumes?"

Isabelle was eager to share; "Well, this Fall, my mom encouraged me to design my own costume and so I took out my tablet and my stylus and began sketching and guess what my inspiration was??  The pond lilies!  When I was done, my mom really liked it!"  Isabelle went on;  "So I used 'Henrietta' - my moms sewing machine - to sew my costume.  Whenever I spend time in my mom's sewing room, I forget about all the things at school that are bothering me.  I just relax and enjoyed the rhythmic sweep of my arm as I send the needle in and out of the material."  Then she described her costume, "The tutu part of my costume looks like a pond lily;  the gold, yellow and pink layers surround me like the petals of my favorite water lily.  I also designed a 'lucky' flower sash for around my waist.  My teacher has a 'lucky scarf' and I decided I wanted something similar.  I will wear both my lucky scarf and my tutu over top of my black unitard."

Now, at this point ALL us girls were so glued to what Isabelle was saying that NONE of us noticed Daisy, the beagle pup, inching closer and closer to Isabelle's hot cocoa.  Then the unthinkable happened - Daisy started licking the whipped cream right off the top of Isabelle's hot chocolate!  Not only did it gross me OUT.....I was SO embarrassed!!!!  "Bad Daisy, bad, bad Daisy!"  I scooped her up and had to totally hide my smile at the bit of whipped cream stuck to her little black nose. 

In the sternest voice that I could muster, I chided;  "Daisy, you are not allowed to have whipped cream!"  Isabelle was super understanding and giggled, "Well, you might as well let her lick the rest since I think I'm going to pass on finishing it myself!"  Harper snickered too....but reminded us all that Daisy's tummy might not agree with the rich, creamy treat and none of us wanted to clean up after that!  Yew!

About this time, Hope spoke up and said, "Bring Daisy over here and put her next to Frolics, Christina.  Daisy always minds her manners when she's around Frolics."

Now, Frolics had been minding his own business but when he realized he was being volunteered as the beagle "baby sitter" - again - he lowered his head, hoping we would change our minds. 

Knowing Frolics would be less than thrilled about my request, I decided to butter him up first!  "Oh Frolics, you are such a good boy!  I wish Daisy here were half as well behaved as you are.  You are the best little buddy ever!  Would you please keep your eye on Daisy for me?  She could definitely learn from you, you sweet little boy.  And, I'll give you a cookie if you do a good job, okay?"  Well, now, I knew that using the word "cookie" would definitely get his attention and I was right!  He looked up at me wagging his tail and I knew I'd convinced him that beagle-sitting would be worth it!   



Hope, seeing my ploy, jumped in on the act.  "Oh Frolics, you are the sweetest, kindest doggie ever!  We all love you soooo much!"  And, we both lavished him with some love for extra measure!

Frolic lapped up all this extra attention and nuzzled right up to Daisy.  We all swore it looked like he was whispering "the rules" to her!  And she certainly looked like she was paying attention.....let's hope so! 

Meanwhile, Harper had gone to the kitchen to get Isabelle a new cup of cocoa.  And, we all reminded her to keep a watchful eye on it!  Daisy can be pretty stealth when she wants to be!    

 
We spent a bit more time listening to Isabelle tell us about her good friend, Luisa.  And, how there was a girl named Renata that isn't very kind to her and calls her "Dizzy Izzy" every time she makes a mistake on the dance floor.  We all agreed that was not very nice at all and that the best thing to do with a person like that is to "kill them with kindness". 

Isabelle also told us more about her mom's sewing room and her mom's sewing kit that she keeps in a old carved wooden box that belonged to Isabelle's grandmother - which made it very special to her mom.  After this, I left the room to go and get a little present that we had gotten for Isabelle.  I'll share more on that in my next post!!  Stay tuned!  ~Christina :D

{ GOTY 2014 Isabelle's Visit! } Part 2

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It's me, Saige.  I'm back to finish my post about our super fun party for Isabelle! 

I hurried and did my homework as soon as I got home from school today but boy was I tired!  I could barely keep my eyes open in Algebra class until my teacher randomly called on me to come up to the smart board and solve a problem.....oh boy, THAT opened my eyes for sure!!!!!  I should NOT have stayed up as late as I did last night.  Not gonna do that again!

So, back to where I left off last night;  After Lanie and Isabelle had some get-to-know-each-other time, all four of us Girl Of The Year girls started talking about how special it was to be 'that' girl.  It's so much fun but it is also a big responsibility to do the right thing, set good examples and make a positive difference in the lives around us.  McKenna, Lanie and I had fun sharing our stories with Isabelle.  We're anxious to find out more about her story during her visit.

 

I finished up my punch and was going back to get some more when I burst out laughing.....poor Harper was Meatloaf's current quest for a playmate.  She was trying to politely "shoo" him away but he was having none of it!  None, nada, zippo, zilch!  Too, too funny!

 

 

Just then I overheard Cindy telling Trey that he could now have some of his favorite cookies.....BUT, not 15 of them at one time!  "No scarfing, Trey!" Cindy scolded.  In my mind I was thinking; Yeah, good luck with that!

 

 

Got back just in time for a quick photo of us all together as the party was starting to wind down.  And, Oh.M.Gee.  There was Meatloaf.....again.   That dog is the most persistent dog I know!  Fortunately, Meatloaf finally found a willing playmate.....seriously; I was thanking God for Coconut in that moment!  Off they ran, chasing that poor green balloon all over the kitchen - it's amazing it didn't go POP!  Secretly I was wishing it would just to see Meatloaf hit the deck.  :)  Too bad my wish didn't come true! 

Lanie wanted a photo of just her and Isabelle together.  Lanie has really taken to Isabelle.  She thinks they could easily be sisters.  I definitely think they could too!  All though, I must confide that Isabelle's eyes are more of a greyish-hazel color as opposed to Lanie's greenish-hazel eyes.  Still, if you saw them on the street, I bet you'd swear they were sisters for sure!    

 



 

This was the last photo before I sent Lanie to bed.  They both look so sweet together, don't you think? ♥ 

Well, I hope you enjoyed our party photos.  I know I speak for all the girls here at the dorm when I say that we all sure had fun welcoming Isabelle to our dorm for her visit.  Each of us hopes to spend the next few days just hanging out around the dorm getting to know Isabelle better.  I'm sure we'll have more to share in a few days!  ~Saige ♥