Xmas 2014 A little more giving

Nearly over, found some more pics I had wanted to have done over a week ago, but here they are today...

There were gifts under the tree, and the gifting of the pets to Emily and Trinity, the other girls had a little something more waiting for them outside of the party.

For Hanalei a sea shell wind chime and a little treasure chest

 

For Maddie: a book from A Game of Thrones, and a book mark

and some LEGO minifigures, particularly the sheets to make up her collection.

 

 

"Hoh! Its a castle!"

 

With lots of secret spots and hidden treasures.

Look at all these Polly Pockets

It's the characters from Disney Cinderella

 

A battery compartment

Antoinette, got my old Polly Pocket Disney Cinderella castle (from when polly pockets were really teeny). It's been waiting on my display shelf for just the right girl, I think she likes it.

 

Some groovy boots for Llewellyn

 

For Miriam, an American Girl skate board (unreal)

 

woohoo, I wonder if Maddie'll help me get this right, hmm this outfit I can take care of  

much better

 

Hey Maddie...

guess what I got for Xmas.

for Josefina - a flower loom

There was also a parcel that had come in the mail

 

from Josefina's friend Mariana

the Dream Catcher

 

For Mercedes

A complete set of the Harry Potter books 

Must read without delay.  (Mercedes' middle name is Hermione, so she feels some connection)

Pippa found this large parcel

and got a handle on her gift

A bicycle

the helmet strap did not quite fit, she didn't like it anyway

and found a more appropriate outfit to ride around in

 

 

2015 - what to do with a New Year

I was going to set myself some dolly resolutions, or rather intentions (like Karen Mom of Three), and see how I went.

1. 2014 was the Year of the Shoe, I still want to buy shoes, and probably will - I have a lot of dolly feet to cover, so whether I call it that anymore we'll see.

2. I want to follow through with the shocking announcement at the Xmas table that I was setting up a school room. For the moment it would cover the American Girls, if there is room the Journey Girls will come as well. Maddie is in high school and has to catch the bus there, she is older than the AGs and JGs, and whilst a little country school would be fun and Anne Shirleyish I didn't want to do that (there is also a space issue).

3. I want to buy something directly from the American Girl online store. I've emailed their international department and been informed that the postage cost starts at $60 US, and that is for items totalling up to $170 US (and the shopping list has started). Note to self: must save the money up, and don't forget the exchange rate (I think its down to 75c!! US to $1AUS )

4. I want to try to make some doll clothes using these patterns:

 

 

 



5. I want to finish each girls room/space, including beds with bedding. Antoinette's is the closest, Pippa's getting there (those two I've cheated with a bit as I already had beds to fit them), Llewellyn has an unfinished bed frame, and the bed I once was a CD case, has moved to Mercedes room -for now.

and

6. I want to take more pictures of my dolls in public places that are out of my comfort zone (ie my own house/backyard, and parents/sisters houses), and blog them, and work out who my girls are - likes interests backstory, forward story. Blogging conversations in colours according to the speaker was a bit much (some colours are hard to read or tell apart), so how to do it better.

Have yourself a Merry little Xmas - Lunch devoured

Due to blogger loading very slow, a summer cold (yay-not) returning to work, and blah blah excuse excuse, it is now January 1st and I'm still talking about Xmas. Happy New Year anyway.

 

The story continues (but I've forgotten what I'd planned so now its mostly pictures)...

 

Whilst lunch was being set up downstairs, the girls took to some games, to pass the time

 

A monopoly board.

Mercedes bagsed being banker

 

whilst the other girls waited,

and waited

Mercedes wanted to make sure all the right notes were in the right places

 

Pippa and Antoinette played princess dominoes

"Do you have a favourite princess Pippa? Mine's Cinderella."

"Ooh, hmm, I'm not sure I have just one favourite. I do like Cinderella and her pretty dress, I also like Belle out of Beauty and the Beast, she has pretty brown hair, I really like something out of each of the Disney princess movies."

"Maybe we can watch them together some time?"

"That would be cool, we could have a princess party." 

 

"We both got pets for Xmas."

"We are lucky aren't we?"

"Yes. It's nice that Coconut and Pudd get on well together."

"It's a good Pudding, that's what."

"We get to be roommates too."

"Good Pudding, he likes a rub under his chin."

"I like to keep my room tidy."

"Oh, I like to make crafty stuff, and Pudding helps don't you Pudd..."

"Um."

 

The table was set

"Lunch is ready"

The girls came downstairs and sat round the table. The girls without tiaras were given a paper crown.

Wow and yum were the general concensus.

"Are we supposed to say grace?" Mercedes asked.

"The new Girl of the Year?" Trinity was confused.

"No, like a prayer, for the dinner."

"I think if you want to you can," Catherine spoke up, her dolls had never really asked about religion, and Xmas was being called X-mas, with Santa, as Catherine didn't think about religion anymore herself, and trees and presents and food in her opinion did not have anything to do with the religion commonly attached to this time of year.

"I think Grace is very pretty," Trinity added. "Will she be coming to visit us here?"

"Not sure yet, Trin," Catherine replied.

"Did Grace bring us this dinner then?"

"I think she's in Paris," added Josefina.

"Well it would be cool if she did come, so I will say Grace as a new years wish."

!

 

Whether there was grace or not Pudding and Coconut had food in their bowls, and had started eating already.

 

There were alot of plates and cups to clean when lunch was done, and the kitchen sink did not look like it was up to the task.

Anyone want to help me take the dishes to the big sink?

 

(chirup)

 

("Don't put your hand up Hanalei, you're our guest") whispered Miriam.

 

Catherine left the room, it would be quicker on her own anyway.

 

"So, what do you girls think about this being the school room next year?" Maddie asked

 

"Wha..?"

"Who wants to go to school?"

Really?

 

"Who wants more comfortable seats?"

 

"Who wants puzzles?"

 

"Who wants excursions?"

 

"Who wants to go up stairs and play games?"

Emily and Coconut with the Xmas trainset

Hanalei, Pippa and Antoinette playing princess dominoes

 

"Let's try to read the rules for this game."

 

"I have some Monopoly trivia for you."

The Longest Monopoly game ever played was 1,680 hours - thats 70 straight days!
Longest game in a bathtub was 99hours, longest game underwater 45 days and longest game upside down 36 hours

Um, I don't think they're that keen.

Trinity and Pudding though had the right idea, a little nap in the corner.

Her badge saying "I heart Santa"

 

358 days to go.