I can't believe this is the 5th week I have done a Guess that Picture!  Friday was my first math test of the semester, and we had a fire drill near the end, so I'm not sure how great I did.  Thankfully we have re-takes!

Here is the photo I posted last Sunday (without any modifications!).

Loran is on the LEFT and Jabrai is on the RIGHT!  You had it right on Priya!  Thanks so much for participating every week!

Here is the photo for this next week:

Your question for the next week (that goes along with the photo) is where did this bulletin board end up???  I promise you have seen this photo before either in the Archived Photos, or in a Show and Tell Wednesday on my blog!

Next week there will be a photo story (I think...)!

~Lily

Below is the Guess that Picture Answer from last week.  

This is Josefina's display case from the old American Girl Place.  I don't remember if this the same one at the new place! 

Here is Round 4's photo:

Your job is to guess which doll which doll is Loran.  (Think about both Loran and I have "L" names...).

I am sorry for not posting this sooner, I have had a long busy week and have been playing catch up today!!

~Lily

I am sorry for not posting this sooner... I had every intention of doing so, but my mind was wrapped around going back to school tomorrow (making sure I had everything I needed), and a few other things!

I have never posted a photo that was pixelated mainly because whenever I attempted to pixelate a photo, it never worked!  However, I tried again tonight, and it worked!  Here is your photo for this week:

I tried not to make this photo too hard... ok, here is the question that goe along with it, you should be able to answer even if you haven't seen the photo.  This photo was taken at American Girl Place in Chicago (the old one) in 2007, which doll's story does this represent?? 

Again, I apologize for not posting any earlier, I just had my mind wrapped around so many other things!  I hope everyone has a great 4 day week.  I'll try to post sometime this week (perhaps a Show and Tell Wednesday on my blog).

~Lily

_Hey Everyone,
I finished "Ready to Fly" McKenna Brooks' 2nd book.  I really enjoyed it, and I would give it a 4.5 overall. 

I really love McKenna's overall character which is to just be yourself.  I really like that.  I really like how McKenna is willing to take the time to volunteer at Hearts and Horses, and how she supports her friends, no matter what decision they make. 

What I don't like about McKenna's story is when McKenna went to Hearts and Horses, she is very uncomfortable with people with disabilities.  I really don't like this and think American Girl should have left this out of the story.  I think she really doubts people's ability to do things based on their disability.  I don't think this is the way you should judge people, and while I know American Girl is trying to teach girls this, I think they could have approached the lesson in a different way. 

If you read the McKenna books or have any of her things, I would love to see photos and/or see your thoughts on the McKenna books and items.  Feel free to email reviews, or photos at [email protected].  I'll be sure to post them on my website.

Have a great weekend,
Lily

PS: The Dolls have posted photos of Cecile on their page.  Be sure to check it out!  They have taken some snow photos that they would like to share as well... I don't know when that post is planned for, but I'll let you know if I hear anything!!

_ American Girl is going to publish 3 new mysteries!!!!!!  The mysteries will be released on February 28, 2012.  Now that I have told you that there are going to be 3 new mysteries, I am sure you are wondering who the mysteries are going to be about!!

The 1st mystery is going to be CECILE REY'S first mystery!  Here is the cover.  The title is "The Cameo Necklace" and is written by Evelyn Coleman .

_ Here is Amazon's description for Cecile's mystery: "As Cécile exits a crowded showboat after enjoying a lavish Floating Circus, she stumbles--and when she gets up, she realizes that the cameo necklace she borrowed from her aunt is no longer on her neck. Knowing that the necklace was the last gift Tante Tay's husband gave her before he died, Cécile is desperate to find it. As she tracks down the people in the crowd who were near her when she fell, her search takes her into many corners of New Orleans, from a society tea party to the crowded French Market, even the dangerous cypress swamps...and deep into secrets she never imagined! An illustrated Looking Back essay provides facts about the 1850s.".  I am not sure why Amazon is spelling Cecile's name that way, but I decided not to mess with it...

The 2nd mystery is going to be MARIE-GRACE GARDNER'S first mystery!!  The title is "The Hidden Gold", and is written by Sarah Masters Buckey... one of my favorite AG authors!!

_ Here is Amazon's description for Marie-Grace's mystery: "Marie-Grace can't wait to begin her journey up the Mississippi River with her father. The steamboat they're traveling on is the biggest and fanciest boat Marie-Grace has ever seen. It's crowded with all sorts of interesting passengers, including Wilhelmina Newman, a girl her age. Wilhelmina is traveling alone, and she's carrying a secret in one of her trunks--clues to hidden Gold Rush treasure. Marie-Grace and Wilhelmina have to unravel the clues to find the gold--and they're not the only ones looking for it! An illustrated "Looking Back" essay provides facts about the 1850s."

The 3rd mystery (and the last that I know about) is REBECCA RUBIN'S mystery!!!  It is called "The Crystal Ball", and it is written  by Jacqueline Dembar Greene!

_ Here is Amazon's description for Rebecca's mystery: "Rebecca and her neighbor, Mr. Rossi, seem to be having bad luck. When Mr. Rossi sprains his wrist, Rebecca takes over the care and feeding of his pigeons--and discovers a strange black pigeon with an eerie message warning Mr. Rossi of danger. Where did the pigeon come from, and what sort of danger is lurking? Is Rebecca herself now in danger as well? Only a visit to a fortune teller will reveal the truth!"

I was on Amazon the other day to purchase McKenna's books (Kindle Edition) and saw these.  I went back Wednesday evening to capture these, deciding I ought to share them with you.  I did change the description font color to black so it would stand out, but I didn't do anything else to the description of the books.  The screen captures are directly from Amazon.com, and I do NOT own the images. 

I am so excited to see the new mysteries, and can't wait to read them.  What do you think about the new mysteries?  Are you excited to read them?  If you do read them, I would love to hear your thoughts.  You can email a Review to [email protected], and I will be sure to post it. 

Have a great Friday,
Lily

Hey Everyone,
I finished McKenna written by Mary Casanova on Monday.  The book was really good, and I thought I would write a little review for others who want to read the book.  I also put a photo of the book so you know which book I am talking about (since there are 2 books!).

_On a rating of 1-5 (1 being worst, 5 being best) I would give this book a 4.5.  I really liked the background story.  I think there are a lot of girls who are behind in school and who are embarrassed or afraid to get help.  I think they also don't want to tell anyone about their help just like McKenna Brooks didn't. I also like that when McKenna breaks her leg, she takes the opportunity to focus on just being herself... McKenna Brooks.

I think the story would have been a little better if McKenna realized that she could focus on being herself McKenna Brooks without her breaking her leg.  I think Mary Casanova wanted McKenna to break her leg so that she would be able to realize that (plot wise),but I think you could have left the broken leg out and still have a good plot line.  I also didn't like that she questioned Josie's ability to tutor her just because she is in a wheelchair.  Those are the 2 downers for me and those 2 things are why I only gave the book a 4.5

I really liked the book over all and can't wait to read Ready to Fly.  If you read the book, feel free to submit your review and your opinion at [email protected].  I'll post your review here on my website (unless otherwise noted by you). :0)

Have a great week,
Lily

PS: I just wanted to note that I do realize the twitter feed at the top of the page is not working properly.  I am not sure why this is, but you can get a feed directly from twitter at twitter.com/agpixplace.  I will approach Weebly about why this isn't working.

Hey Everyone.
I just took a little peak at McKenna Brooks' collection.  I love almost everything (including McKenna).  It's going to be hard to keep myself under control when I go to buy!! :0)

ALL PHOTOS SHOWN BELONG TO AMERICAN GIRL!

If you click on the photos below they SHOULD blow up, I have never used this feature before, so let me know how it works for you.

Well... here she is:

McKenna on the front page of American Girl.

McKenna's Starter Collection.  Although I like everything, I don't think I will be getting this.  I might just get one or two of these outfits.

I LOVE this, but where would I put it.  Again not practical, but definitely too cool to not post. :0)

Again, this is not really practical, but it is something definitely worth posting.  If I won the lottery and got a huge house I might get it... but I don't even play the lottery meaning there is no chance of that happening. :0)!

Ok- how cool is that umbrella?  Seriously?!  A doll umbrella... this is a must buy for me! :0)

Here are just the photos blown up.  Incase you can't see the other photos.  I added the price in blue, but the photos belong to American Girl.   These photos don't blow up.

McKenna is definitely adorable, but I highly doubt I will get her (I know famous last words!).  I will read her story before I make any decisions.  I just don't relate to her story at all and I don't know if I should get any more dolls unless I really relate to them (like Kanani).

Oh- here is something interesting:

I don't know if Kanani is shown on purpose, or if that is by accident.  I just thought it was funny enough to show you! :0)

Enjoy looking at McKenna's collection, and playing her games.  Let me know what you think of McKenna!

Lily

PS: Happy New Year! :0)