The First Day of Summer!

Happy summer, everyone!

The first day of summer is coming to a close, but I definitely had a super fun "First Day of Summer"!:D I went to the beach, since it was like the hottest day ever.XD Besides having some awkward sunburns on my hands and legs, it was really fun! I got to read a bit in my new book (one of them, at least- UNWANTEDS EVERYONE), play in the ocean, and take pictures of Leah!

 

Here are the pictures I took!:D Leah had as much fun as I did.;)

Sorry that sometimes the pictures are a bit dark, it's either direct sunlight or total shadows.XD

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I hope you liked the pictures! Did you do anything for the first day of summer?:)

-Emma-

Leah's Birthday Dilemma - A Photostory

Hey everyone!:)
I'm sorry I haven't been posting as much as I should be! GAH! It's just hard to sometimes feel motivated.;)

I will be posting the Hit or Miss results tomorrow and if you haven't voted yet, hurry and do so!

Also, I HAVE FORTY-NINE FOLLOWERS! That is so close to fifty, my big goal for this year! I really want to do something special for that celebratory occasion, so when I hit fifty, I'll have to choose something!:D

Now here is my most recent photostory for all of y'all!:D

I'll let Leah take over from here...

I walked through the house, trying to figure out something to do when I was bored. I couldn't go hiking, walking, to the zoo-

"Hey, Leah!" Jess broke into my train of thought and I looked up with a smile on my face.

"Hi," I greeted. I noted the box in her hands. What could that be?

"I thought I would remind you that it's Faye's birthday today and we're celebrating tonight. Do you have anything to give her?"

The smile on my face dropped. 

"Um..."
Gosh, I felt awful. Forgetting your sister's birthday and being the newest girl in the house? Embarrassing. Terrible. Ugh.

"I didn't know," I said. 

"Great!" Jess cried, then laughed at herself. "Not great that you forgot, but great that I got an extra thing when I went shopping for her birthday. It's a Disney tsum tsum of one of her favorite characters, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You can pay me back later." 

She scooted closer, pushing the tsum at me, her eyes darting around in search for Faye. I did a quick analysis of the situation and my new family. Everyone was artistic in some way and every girl was thoughtful. All of my sisters would be putting a ton of thought and care into their present for Faye. I couldn't be the only girl who gave her something store bought. Forget something that was just handed to me! 

"Sorry, Jess. I have something different in mind," I replied and shoved the tsum away.

"Oh, okay. That's fine," Jess said. I paused.

"Aren't Faye and Hailey twins?" I asked, furrowing my brows. Jess nodded. "Then it's Hailey's birthday, too."

Jess tittered. "No... Faye wanted her own birthday this year. Apart from Hailey. So, she's declaring it's today. That's why I wasn't surprised that you didn't know." Jess winked and left. I snorted. That sounded like Faye. 

Pulling out my phone, I scrolled Amazon for something Faye might like. A legitimate lightsaber with LED lights caught my eye. Then the price did. I gasped, almost dropping my phone.

"One hundred and fifty-eight dollars?" I shrieked as I closed the app in a hurry. There was no way I had that much money. I put my phone away. Lightsaber or not, I was determined to get Faye an amazing gift with lots and lots of thought. Just like what all of the other girls would be doing. 

I strolled to the kitchen where Eden was putting away her things.

"What are you doing?" I asked her.

"Oh, I made Star Wars inspired cupcakes for Faye's birthday party tonight. She is going to love them!"

"Do you want my help?" I questioned, eager to join in on something that Faye would be majorly excited about. 

Eden jumped up, her eyes wide. "Your help...baking?"
A memory flashed across my mind as the smell of smoke and charred cookies burned my nostrils again. I cringed. Maybe baking wasn't the best thing for me to do.

I laughed nervously. "Never mind." 

I pulled away from Eden as she went back to work. What could I possibly do? I thought to myself. 

Isabelle and Caroline sat in the living room together, talking in hushed tones. I perked up at the sight of them. Whatever it was, it looked like it was for Faye's birthday and didn't require preheating an oven. 

"Hey, girls!" I cried. "What are you two up to?" I glanced down at Caroline's note pad. 

"We're writing a fan fiction script for Episode VIII with everything Faye wants in the eighth movie: more Kylo Ren, a Luke and Leia reunion, BB-8 being super adorable...the basics," Caroline explained. She was obviously giddy over writing such an exciting story.

"Saige is even going to make a cover for the 'book'!" Isabelle added. 

"I could help!" I exclaimed. An awkward silence followed. "Um. So who's Kylo Ren?"

"You should probably sit this one out, Leah," Isabelle said, her voice quiet and soft.

"Oh, okay. No problem," I backed away, feeling embarrassed.  

I slunk to the ground with a sigh. It was hopeless. I just wasn't creative like all of my siblings. I checked the time. Only an hour until Faye's party and I had as much as I had started out with. Faye would hate me for sure. 

The hour flew by and one hastily thrown together card later, I was as ready as I would ever be for the party. 

Guilt weighed on me as I looked at the pile of awesome presents at Faye's side. Eden passed out her cupcakes, which were fabulous. It was definitely a good thing I stayed out of that, I decided. 

Faye began the present opening and she picked up a skateboard.

"RAD!" she shouted, her face lighting up. "Thanks, Adam!" We looked around for Adam, but he was nowhere to be seen. Weird...

The presents whizzed by, each one amazing and totally thoughtful. Each one Faye burst out with a huge thank you and a beaming smile. The presents ended and Faye was about to get up when I walked to her, handing her my boring card. 

She took it from me with a smile and read it. 

She kept her same smile on, but there was no enthusiastic reaction, not that I expected one. She closed the card, said thank you, and I slipped away. Written across my face was shame and embarrassment. I couldn't believe that that awful card was the best I could do for Faye's first birthday with me there. Ugh, ugh, ugh! 

Jess discreetly came to me and slipped me the Obi-Wan tsum. I sighed, taking it away from her. I gave her a weak smile and took it to Faye. I guess it was better than just a card. Right? 

"There's also this," I muttered as I held out the tsum. Faye's eyes widened, her hands reaching out to take it from me. I stared at her, waiting for a reaction. 

Faye oggled at the tsum, unable to take her eyes away from it. I braced myself for another awkward thank you when Faye squealed so high pitched that I was sure my ear drum shattered. 

She leaped up, squeezing the tsum with all of her might.

"OBI-WAN!" she screamed. I gasped. She loved it! 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Faye careened to me, wrapping me up in the most powerful hug I had ever experienced. I almost fell down. 

She pulled away from me as she retightened her hold on her tsum, stroking his fluffy hair.

"Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan! Obi-Wan!" she continued and I stared, dazed at her. How was it that she loved him so much, when I was sure she wouldn't like it at all? 

I smiled as I watched her pet him.

I guess sometimes life surprises you. I grinned. It was a very, very good thing I didn't meddle with the cupcakes.

***

I hope you liked the story!:) I had fun making it!;)

-Emma-

 

Jess Needs Help - A Photostory

Hi everyone!
I finally was inspired to make this photostory, and I am so excited to get it up!:) I also took pictures for TAUT (the ones I could take at home), so when I get to go to the park I'll be able to post the next part immediately!:)

Okay, well, here's the photostory!

Jess walked into the house after coming home from running some of her errands. She had to go to the dry-cleaners for Isabelle's coat and had to pick up flour for Grace's baking.

As she entered the living room, her anger flared as she stared at it.

I just cleaned this room! Jess thought. Clothes, trash, and knickknacks were scattered across the room already, even though Jess had only left an hour ago. 

"What happened here?" Jess asked, her voice growing louder. "I just cleaned this room!" 

"Oh, yeah. I guess it is pretty messy," Julie agreed. "Maybe you should clean it?" 

Jess' face turned bright red as she stormed out of the room after saying, "All of you stay here!" 

She gathered as many people as she could and told them to go into the living room.

"Okay. I am used to cleaning for everyone. I cleaned up after five girls for a long, long time, but now that number has tripled and I can't keep up with everyone's messes! I need some help!" 

A snore was her reply.

"Emerson!" Jess shouted, waking her sleeping sister up.

"Huh? Huh? I'm up!"

Jess waited for a response. 

Julie was the first to walk up to her.

"I wish I could help, but first of all, cleaning isn't one of my skills, and I got basketball practice." She looked at Faye. "Let's go! Sorry, Jess." 

They walked out, striking up a conversation about sports. 

"I'm sorry, but I am really busy. I have to work out everyday and my rock climbing class is every other day, and then there is school. I try to make sure not to make a big mess, but sometimes it's impossible. Anyway, I have to head out." Leah excused herself and Jess sighed. 

She turned to face Emerson, but she had fallen asleep again. 

"What about you, Adam?"

He went up to her, eyes serious.

"I'd love to help, but....I've got....things...." He looked out to space, his eyes wide, and Jess pursed her lips, a little frightened. He shook his head then frolicked away. 

She watched as they all left, refusing to give her the help she needed. 

"Molly?"

"I was going over to Emily's to play," she began. "It was my day off!" 

She started to walk away when Jess called to her.

"I know it's been a long time since I've gotten a day off."

Molly lowered her gaze, feeling badly, but still left. 

Jess stared sadly at the door, but knew that she had to clean up the room.

"Oh, Jess-"

She twisted to face Emerson, who had awaken from her slumber.

"Yeah?"

"Did you pick up my frozen yogurt?"

UGH!

"I forgot," Jess replied, scowling. 

"Well, the frozen yogurt shop doesn't close for another hour..." Emerson trailed off, giving Jess a hopeful look.

"Fine. I'll be back soon." Jess grabbed her purse and stomped away. 

Molly stood out on the sidewalk, feeling horrible for deserting Jess. Jess had been right, she hadn't had a day off for a long time, she was always cleaning up after everyone.

She straightened up. She knew what she had to do. 

After sending out a few texts, she flew back into the house and got to work cleaning up the messy living room. She put everything away, then dusted, vacuumed (shockingly, Emerson didn't wake up...?), and took out the trash. 

The last detail was twisting the vase to face the room. Now all she had to do was wait for Jess to get home. 

Jess walked into the room with a bulging bag and a frown. 

She gasped when she saw the living room. Looking at it in awe, she smiled. 

Jess ran up to Molly and gave her a big hug.

"You did this?"

"Well, it sure wasn't Emerson!" Molly laughed and Jess joined in on the giggles. "Now you can have a day off, too!"

"I really appreciate you doing this and missing out on your playdate, but I still have more errands to do. I only had to come home to give Emerson her frozen yogurt," Jess lifted the bag up for emphasis.

"Oh, no! I texted Nikki and she said she would take care of it after her horse back riding lessons," Molly replied, unable to hide her grin. 

"That means-" Molly went over to Emerson's sleeping form and grabbed the blanket that was entwined around Emerson. "-you get to relax!" 

She ripped the blanket toward her and Emerson came tumbling off the seat. Her eyes opened wide at the sneak attack.

"What?" Emerson growled.

"You said you had to finish your book report!" Molly shouted.

"But that was this morning!" she whined. 

Emerson sulked away and Molly pushed Jess onto the chair. 

She tossed the blanket over her and began to enthusiastically tuck the blanket around Jess' form. 

"Now how is that?" Molly asked then snorted when she saw her finished product. Jess began to talk, but she only heard muffles. 

Molly pushed the blanket under her chin and laughed.

Jess laughed, too. "Thank you, Molly." 

"No," she responded, stepping away. "Thank you."

***

I don't know where this story really came from, other than the fact that Jess is pretty much the sole provider of house keeping for my AG's and that must be a big responsibility, especially since I have so many dolls(seriously, I've lost count. It's bad.XD). Then it sort of turned into an appreciation post. I think it's really important to tell the people that take care of you all of the time how grateful you are for their help. I know that it can make someone else and yourself feel great.:)

I hope you liked my post!:)

-Emma-