Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #12: Surprise! (A Photostory) + Giveaway Winner

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!!!!

It’s Christmas! Finally! December 25th, 2017.

I hope you all are having a very merry Christmas. Please, chat away in the comments. Tell me what you got, what you’re having for dinner, how your family celebrated, traditions, etc.

And now, onto the epic Christmas photostory I promised you! (Apologies in advance for any blurry/dark pictures!)

“Can we open presents now?” Lindsey begs.

 

“Why not?” Crystal replies. “It is Christmas, after all.”

“I think this one is for you, Lindsey,” Molly says, handing Lindsey a bright red bag.

Lindsey unwraps the present.

“The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict!” she squeals. “Thank you thank you thank you!!!”

“This one is yours, Grace,” Morgan says sweetly, holding up a brown box tied with a bright red bow.

Grace opens the box. “Earrings!”

“This one is for you, Morgan,” Emily tells her sister softly.

“Aw, a chew toy for Chocolate Chip! He’ll love it – thank you!” Morgan exclaims.

“Now, here’s your present, Em,” Morgan says, handing Emily a Santa Claus bag.

Emily pulls out the wrapping paper.

“Oh, a music book!”

“Thank you, everybody.”

“Hey, Crystal, here’s yours,” Molly tells Crystal, holding up her present.

“Oh, for me?” Crystal asks. “Thank you.”

“Eek! A fairy costume! Hold on, let me go put it on!” Crystal shrieks.

She returns a few minutes later wearing the glitzy costume.

“McKenna, this one is yours,” Lindsey says.

McKenna opens the box excitedly. “A FITBIT!!!!”

“It fits perfectly!” McKenna exclaims. “You guys are da best!”

“Here, Molly,” Grace says, holding up an owl bag. “I think this one is yours.”

Molly pulls out the tissue paper, practically smothering herself.

“SAT Secrets! It’s just what I wanted!” Molly exclaims. “Thank you so much!”

Lindsey snorts ungracefully.

Emily elbows her. “Lindsey.”

All of a sudden, the doorbell rings.

“Hey, who’s going to get that?” McKenna asks. “We’re all in our pajamas.”

“I’ll get it,” Crystal answers. “I’m the only one not in my PJs.”

“Um, Crystal, maybe you shouldn’t-”

Crystal ingores her and jets up the stairs in her fairy costume.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“Oh, my apologies,” Crystal says, sliding her fairy mask on top of her head.

“Is this the American Girls in Alaska family?” the girl asks in a Southern accent.

Crystal nods. “Yes, it is. I’m Crystal.”

“Hey, who’s this?” Grace asks, bounding up the stairs.

“I have no idea,” Crystal replies.

“I’m Tessa,” the girl says in a Southern accent.

“Hey, I’m Grace,” Grace introduces herself.

Molly suddenly appears out of nowhere. “Hello. I’m Molly. Sorry we’re all in our pajamas.”

“It’s fine,” Tessa says. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Hey, who’re you?” Lindsey asks rudely.

“Lindsey, be nice,” Morgan chides, appearing behind Lindsey. “Hi, I’m Morgan, and this is Lindsey.”

“Are you our new sister?” McKenna asks. “Hi, I’m McKenna.”

“And this is Emily,” Morgan says, prodding Emily forward.

“Why don’t you come downstairs?” Crystal asks Tessa.

“Alright,” Tessa agrees.

Back downstairs, Morgan says, “We’re so sorry, Tessa. We don’t have a present for you.”

“Yes, you do,” Tessa tells her. “You’re my new family. And that’s the best thing I could ask for.”

WELCOME TESSA!

-End of Photostory-

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I GOT A NEW DOLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tessa Elizabeth is a customized Truly Me #24 doll who I bought off of Ebay. I purchased a wig from Beautifully Custom, the Cocoa Caramel Swirl wig. Isn’t it gorgeous????

Anyway, I love Tessa sooooo much, and I hope you’ll all welcome her into the American Girls in Alaska family.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for . . .

The giveaway winner!

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Kaylyn!

Congratulations, Kaylyn!

I will be contacting you shortly to get your shipping address.

Thank you so much to everyone who entered!

If you would like to enter another giveaway of mine, never fear, because I will be doing one shortly. I am thinking about doing one for my 100th post, which is very soon.

A big thank you to AG Doll Dreams for her amazing Fitbit tutorial and to Micah @ Mixiepixie7 on YouTube for her mini book tutorial. Go check out AG Doll Dreams blog here and, if you’re allowed to, check out Micah’s channel on YouTube.

Okay, everyone! That is all for now! I will be back later today with The Christmas Tag, which I was nominated for. But until then . . .

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

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Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #11: Christmas is . . . Caroling

Okay, everybody! This is it! The last TDOC post before Day #12 – Christmas!!!!! Can you believe it’s just one day away???

ONE. DAY.

I can’t believe it, either. In the meantime, here’s a very, very short photostory!

There’s a knock on the door. I rush over to answer it.

It’s carolers! (Sorry this picture is so dark.)

“Hi,” I squeak nervously. I’ve never been very good around people.

(Also, now you can see how amazing Em’s hair looks!)

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa la la la la, la la la la!” they sing merrily.

“Troll the ancient yuletide carol, fa la la la la, la la la la.”

“Thank you so much!” I cry. “Merry Christmas!”

Okay, that was it. This post is super short because I HAVE to get to work on my Christmas photostory. It’s going to take a long time to do, so I’ve gotta go!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Countdown to Christmas: One day!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #10: Christmas is . . . Holiday Hairstyles

Day #10???? Say what now????? 

Yep! It’s Day #10 of TDOC here on American Girls in Alaska. Today I will be doing my first ever hair tutorial! I will be showing you two cute holiday hairstyles, as modeled by Grace and Emily!

Style #1: Flipped Braid Bun

Step 1: Braid your doll’s hair.

Step 2: Grab the braid by the end and pull it up. (My mom is holding it here, Grace’s hair is not floating.) 🙂

Step 3: Tuck the elastic part under the braid.

Step 4: Bobby pin the braid so that it stucks to the doll’s head.

Ta-da! Simple and chic!

Hairstyle #2: French Twist Braid

Step 1: Seperate a small section of hair from the doll’s head.

Step 2: Seperate that section in two.

Step 3: Cross the left section over the right section.

Step 4: This is a bit hard to explain, but you’re going to take hair from the rest of the doll’s head and add it to the the section on the left (the one that is hanging down).

Step 5: (Sorry, this one is a little blurry.) Pull the left section over the right one. (Like you’re twisting it, which is technically what you are doing.)

Step 6: Continue to grab hair and add it to the section hanging down before twisting that section over. If you know how to French braid, this should be very simple.

Sadly, my picture of the side of her hair would not upload, but it looked really cool! 😦

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you try these styles, send pictures to americangirlsak@gmail.com!

Just a friendly reminder, tomorrow is the last day to enter my giveaway. 🙂

Countdown to Christmas: Two days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #9: Christmas is . . . Ice Skating

Day #9 already!?!? Can you believe it?!?! I can’t wait for Christmas!!!

And, in the spirit of the season, I did an ice skating photoshoot of Molly! If you like this photoshoot, check out AG Doll Adventure’s ice skating photoshoot here. Coincidentally, we did ours on the same day!

The poem, Frozen Floor, is one I wrote myself. I hope you enjoy it!

A mirror

With no reflection

Step, glide

Wind in face

Thrilling

Exhilarating

Slice of blade

On frozen floor

Swish, swish

Free

Flying

Not wobbling

Soaring

Skating

Arms, legs

Flying free

Twirl, spin

Can’t fall down

Cold air

Can’t breathe

Graceful

On the frozen floor

Did you like it? I wrote the poem about a month ago, but I never realized how well it would fit with this photoshoot.

Quick story, when I was skating, there was this boy there who was like, “Mom, there’s this girl taking pictures of her doll.” Why is it that people don’t think that dolls are for bigger girls, too??? Amiright???

See you all tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas: Three days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #8: Christmas is . . . Charity

Okay, everyone! It’s time for Day #8 of TDOC! I can’t wait for this one!

“Hey, everyone, it’s Emily. I’m breaking out of my shell today to lead TDOC Day #8. Why? This post is about a topic that is very important to me!”

“Some of you may know about Operation Christmas Child (I’ll call it OCC for short). OCC is a great organization led by Samaritan’s Purse that gets shoeboxes full of little presents to children in foreign countries. Some of these children are very poor, and the shoebox you pack and send to them may be the only present they get on Christmas. Today, I will be showing you how to pack your shoebox.”

“You can pick up your OCC shoebox at places like your church. At this time of year, it is too late to do an OCC shoebox, but this may be helpful for next Christmas.”

“When you pack your shoebox, make sure to include a “wow” item. My “wow” item is this cute flower purse. Then, you can pack the rest of the box with personal care items, or smaller toys. I am including a box, a pencil, some hair accessories, and a comfy pillow.”

“However, do not pack candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans. This information has been taken from the Samaritan’s Purse website.”

“Now, pack your shoebox!”

“My box is all packed!”

“Once your box is packed, take it to an official drop-off location. You can find the locations here.”

“Remember, this shoebox may be the only present a child in a foreign country gets for Christmas. Do you part and help make a child’s Christmas special!”

“Alright, that’s all for now. My sister will be back tomorrow with a super-cute photoshoot!”

Hey, everyone, it’s AGs in Alaska. I just wanted to let everyone know that I did not mean to offend anyone with my giveaway rules post. I hope no one thought I sounded too harsh, I promise I was just trying to make sure everyone who wanted to enter could get the chance to. I am super excited for the giveaway, and I want as many people as possible to enter! So I’m very sorry if I offended you. 😦

See you all tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas: Four days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #7: Christmas is . . . Building Snowmen

Hello, people of the earth! Greetings! ‘Tis I, AGs in Alaska . . . with TDOC, Day #7! Today, Lindsey is building a snowman.

Quick question – do you guys have any ideas for other TDOC posts? I need two or three more ideas. TIA!

P.S. All of the lyrics are from the movie Frozen, and the song is written by Kristen Bell and Katie Lopez. 

Do you want to build a snowman?
Come on lets go and play

I never see you anymore
Come out the door

It’s like you’ve gone away…
We used to be best buddies

And now we’re not
I wish you would tell me why!

Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn’t have to be a snowman

Go away
Okay, bye…

Do you want to build a snowman?

Is that snowman not the cutest thing ever?!?!?! And isn’t Lindsey adorable in her little outfit?!?!?!

I can’t believe we’re so close to Christmas. Remember to enter my giveaway, guys! I am choosing the winner in just a few days. 🙂

See ya later!

Countdown to Christmas: Five days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #6: Christmas is . . . Sledding

And . . . we’re back, with TDOC Day #6!!!!!

CHRISTMAS IS IN SIX DAYS PEOPLE!!!!!

In the meantime, here’s a cute photoshoot of Grace and McKenna!

“Ahh!”

“Erm, Grace? I’m still here!”

What is up with her hair???

See you guys tomorrow! Hope you enjoyed the photoshoot!

Countdown to Christmas: Six days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #5: Christmas is . . . Warm Clothes

Happy-Almost-Christmas, friends!

Today’s TDOC post is a winter lookbook. Not all of these looks are Christmas-themed, as I don’t have very many Christmas clothes. I would love it if you guys commented on which outfit you liked the most!

First up, we have this lovely outfit Morgan is modeling! She is wearing McKenna’s school outfit, a sweat that I’ve had forever, and a headband I made!

Here’s Emily! She’s wearing coveralls that came out of nowhere, the True Spirit AG meet outfit shirt, the Real Me AG meet outfit pants and shoes, and Emily’s Holiday Outfit necklace. Sorry the shoes aren’t showing.

Molly is wearing her meet outfit skirt and shoes and Molly’s Holiday Outfit sweater.

Lastly, Lindsey is wearing some random AG pants that totally don’t fit her, her meet necklace and meet sweater, and the shoes from an AG Easter outfit.

Alright, that’s all for the outfits! Don’t forget to vote on which one you liked best in the comments!

Countdown to Christmas: Seven days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #4: Christmas is . . . Baking

Hi, everyone! It’s Grace here! Today, we’re going to be making some delicious Christmas cookies!

Bonus: this recipe can actually be followed and used to make real-life cookies! However, American Girls in Alaska is not responsible for any injury, damage, or death that will not occur while making these cookies, but she has to say that just in case anyone does anything stupid.

The supplies you will need for this recipe are: 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs, and sprinkes.

But before you mix anything, preheat the over to 375° degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix well and set aside.

Okay, I’ve got it!

Step 2: In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer or a firm wooden spoon, mix the butter until it’s creamy and lighter in color.

Step 3: Mix in the brown and white sugars.

Step 4: Add the vanilla and eggs. Sorry the eggs weren’t showing in the ingredients picture!

Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture.

Ta-da!

Step 6:  Make little cookie balls that are the size of the rounded part of the spoon.

Like these here!

Step 7: This is my favorite part! Flatten the cookies slightly and shake holiday sprinkles on top.

Step 8: Place them onto ungreased baking sheets and bake them for 8-12 minutes!

This is how the cookies turned out!

Sorry some of these images are weird, the camera wasn’t focusing right. It was going in and out and in and out really fast.

Anyway, a bonus picture to show you the giant mess these made!

AGs in Alaska had to wipe her hands on tissue paper for wrapping presents before taking pictures.

Anyway, hope you guys liked this post! If you make these, shoot us a picture or two at americangirlsak@gmail.com, or through our Contact Page. 🙂

This recipe is from The First Book of Baking by Jeanne Besser, and the recipe credits go to her. 🙂

Alright, see y’all tomorrow! Au revoir!

Countdown to Christmas: Eight days!

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #3: Christmas is . . . Giving

Hi, Christmas cookies! I hope you’re having a blessed Saturday. Are any of you going to Christmas parties today?

Wait. Did I just say . . . GIVING????

As in . . . A GIVEAWAY???

Oh, yes. Yes I did. It’s time for . . .

AGS IN ALASKA’S FIRST-EVER GIVEAWAY!!!!

I totally wish there was a way to make all caps, all caps. Because that’s how I feel right now!!!

Okay, I’ll skip to the good part. I’m sure you’re all wondering by now what I’m giving away, and not just reading my endless banter. I’ll happily oblige.

I am giving away . . .

Emily’s Holiday Dress!

Emily is standing on our deck railing, and I am hoping she is not going to fall off like Grace fell off a gazebo in Washington.

Back to the giveaway. A quick thing you should know is that this dress is NOT BRAND-NEW. I bought it used off of Ebay with a few other outfits in a package. Since I already own this dress, I thought I would give this one away. It has been GENTLY USED, but it is not BRAND-NEW. The dress does not smell like smoke or even laundry soap. As you can tell from the picture, it’s still gorgeous.

It’s also a retired outfit from American Girl, so that may bring some extra appeal.

Of course, a few pictures for a giveaway quickly turned into a photoshoot.

Please note that the necklace Emily is wearing will not be included in the giveaway.

Here are the giveaway rules:

• You must be following my blog.
• You must be 18 or older OR have a parent’s permission to enter the giveaway.
• You must live in North America.
• You must actually want to own this dress, and are not entering just to win something.
• You must reblog this on your blog.
• You must enter by Sunday, December 24th (Christmas Eve). I will randomly select and announce the winner on Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day).
• If you are not yet following my blog, make sure you click “confirm subscription” in your email after you click the follow button, or it won’t count.
• If you win, I will send you an email asking for your home address/P.O. Box.

And guess what! There are a few ways to get a bonus entry!

• If you have a YouTube channel, create a video about this giveaway and post it.
• If you follow my blog using your WordPress account, follow using your email. If you follow my blog using your email, follow using your WordPress account. (I am so sorry to anyone who uses Blogger or another blogging platform!)
• Tell a friend about this giveaway. If they agree to enter, you get an additional bonus entry. (Emphasis on “agree to enter.” If you tell a friend but they don’t enter, it doesn’t count.) Tell me what friend it was who entered, and make sure they put in their comment that you are the one who told them.
• If you have more than one blog, reblog this on your other blog.

To claim your bonus entries, simply comment in your original comment which ones you did, or post another one.

Okay, that’s all for now! I hope you guys have a great day, and I’ll see you tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas: Nine days!