I know, I know...

I haven't posted in ages. But I'm not deserting you! It's just things have been busy with a capitol B. Plus, I have no clue what in the world to post about. Summer's just around the corner (My school ends on Wednesday!!!) and things are starting to heat up here. Except for the fact that it's already hot. So here I am, eating strawberry yogurt, staring into the puffy, overexistant (I don't think that's a word... well, if it were one, it would mean that there is way too much of something. Kinda like nonexistent, but the opposite.) clouds, wondering what to blog about. I could just end the post here, but that would be boring for you...  I'm not that good at multitasking, which is what I'm trying to do. I need to make a list of things to bring over the summer, because Jasper and I will be living out of a suitcase for three months this summer. Any suggestions on what to bring?
Other than that, there are just a few tidbits of news. The absolute most exciting of which is that I'm going to the American Girl Doll store!!!! Estella said she was missing me too much, so she's having me come and visit her. And Emily and Trixie, too :)
And the next thing is that I'd really like to get my own computer. I have to share a computer with everyone, but I'd really love to have my own. There's one that I'd love to get, but *sigh* I'm not sure if Ella will get if for me...
Can you tell that I've got a lot on my mind?

Do You Feel like you know me?

Because I sure don't! Well, I mean, besides the fact that I am me.
My name is Siarra Dakota Jade, but Siarra is pronounced just like Sierra, but Ella likes unique names. Most people call me Dakota. My favourite colour is iris, the Greek word for rainbow. I love bananas, especially banana cookies. I love apple cider, and I'd like to learn French. Hermione has sort of spurred that interest in me, what with her being half French. I love the smell and look of lavender, and I'd really love to have a vase of lavender in my bedroom. I'd love to have an actually nice bed, and a large bedroom. I'm going to be unschooled next year, and I just found out that Hermione is as well. Jasper is my best friend, and I couldn't imagine life without her. I love wishing, and hoping. I'm a definite dreamer, and I like reading. My dream bedside table would have a bottle of lotion, pictures of my friends and family, a hairbrush, the current book I'm reading through, a box of tissues, and my journal and pen.
I hoped you learned more about me!

School Photos

I know... I've been really, super, busy lately. Ella's mother is away in the US for a wedding, so we have to do a mountain of chores. Anyway, right now I'm not feeling up to doing Felicity's birthday post, so I'm just going to do a quick post about school photos.

Every school needs school photos. But how do you take them? It's actually really simple! I've got Kit here to explain it all.

Hey! It's me, Kit, and I'm going to show you how to take school photos.

1. Get a neutral background. I wouldn't do red, or any bright colours, just a cream, white, light shade of blue, grey, ect. You can use a wall, a sheet, a blanket.
2. Get your space. See where you can do it. If you don't have a chair for your doll, I'd just have them stand.
3. Transfer your background to your space. ASK A PARENT BEFORE YOU USE TAPE OR TACKS. They might have objections.  
4. Get your doll(s) dressed up in some nice, flattering colours,  and...
5. Position them in front of your back ground, then focus the camera on their face, though not too close or too far... and take it!

Kit,

and

Dakota :)

Really, really fast.

Okay, some of you might be wondering something. I sometimes reply to comments as Dakota, or as Hannah Harper.
There is a simple explanation. Hannah is Ella's pen name. She has that as her email thing, so when I can use her account to reply, I do, but most of the time, I just use Dakota.
Dakota

Happy Birthday, Felicity!

As today is Felicity's birthday, I'm letting her do a guest post. But before that, we are going to wish her a happy birthday.
Dakota- Felicity, I love spending time together. And even though we are were separated by a stupid barrier of age, I'll always remember you were the one who broke it. You always said that "We redheads have to stick together. We're an endangered species, and we can't break away from the pack." Happy Birthday, Felicity. :)
Jasper- Remember that first day of fashion club? We were going to "break the ice" even though we've known each other for about a millennia. And we decided to watch spiderman, and both Dakota and Ella went through the entire movie with their hands in front of their faces because they both have that fear of spiders thing. You said you wanted to learn to be fashionable, but really, you already are. Your fashion sense is not caring what people think of you, and just being you.
Kit- Even though we don't have much in common, we are still like sisters. I know that I drive you nuts, and you drive me nuts, and I suppose that's how it will always be. But I still admire you, because you, unlike me, admit and take pride in the fact that you are nuts. But in fact, a nut is too small to describe you. "You've got a lovely bunch of coconuts, big ones, small ones, some as big as your head! Give them a twist, flick of the wrists, that's what the showman said."
Kirstin- Even though we don't have too much in common, as you'd rather lace your skates and do a backflip than curl up with a good book, we do have one thing: our pale pack. I love having discussions about weather a book or a movie is better, having staring contests, and failing miserably when you try to teach me skating. I'll always have time to be a friend, even if that means getting banged up in the process. But even more than that, I don't mind. :)

Okay, finely!! Free reign to Felicity!!! Okay... so, we are now going to talk about something very interesting. VERY interesting. More interesting than anything! Er... let me just fine something.

I know!! I'll do an about me!!
Name: Felicity
Age: Er...
Favourite colour: Well...
Okay, let's do something different.

...

My birthday party is tomorrow, and I'm super excited!! It's going to be a ball, and no one has seen a dress yet. I'm super excited!! Oh, wait. I said this.

Blogging is hard work! At the end of each day Farmer Felicity was covered from head to toe in...

Sorry. Being with Ella gives us all an urge to sprout quotes from books. The one above was from Duck for President, which is really funny.

Er...
More later?
Over and out?
Live long and prosper?
Bye?
See ya later?
Take your pick.
Felicity :)

(Sorry, Dakota, I probably scared away all your followers...
"No, no, no! What's the matter with you? All it takes is faith and trust! Oh! And a little bit of pixie dust!")

The Doll Council

Sorry for the slightly lame title... but it's what this post is about! The Doll Council.
The council is the place where we can settle arguments, make decisions, and suggest ideas. I'm going to be telling you how this works. So, listen up!
There are three people on the council.

1. Ella (The person)
2. Kirstin (The eldest, or else the wisest, most mature, and deemed most sane.)
3. Jasper (There is always one who is elected by the people.)

The person who is elected serves a term of three months, with the council meetings once or twice a month. After the three months are up, on the day of or the day before the council meeting, people submit their votes on a piece of paper to either the eldest or the person.
When serving on the council, you wear something fairly formal. This would include a neat and orderly dress, or a skirt and blouse. When attending a council meeting, but not serving on the board, you wear a more formal dress.
To set up the council, you have three (or two) places at a table. At each place, the people on the board can choose either tea or water, which will be set at their place. There will also be either a computer or a notebook and pen, to take notes on. Before the council begins, there is a list of topics that must be covered. During the council, people can bring up topics that they would like to talk about.

I hope that helped if you want to start a council!
Dakota

I've Been Putting Off a LOT of Stuff...

Okay, so, as I've been really busy lazy lately, I've been putting off telling you a lot of stuff...
Firstly! I'm now able to go back home (it was hard saying bye to Catharine), but I do have allergies. Which is a real bummer. So now I can't eat wheat, eggs, and milk. It's super annoying, but at least it isn't everything! Or strawberries!
A bit ago I said that Kirstin finely got to keep her clothes in her closet, so I've gotten a few pictures of that.

These last two are just for fun.

And the last thing is that... Kirstin got glasses!

I just took a picture of Shellie Mae for fun.

Dakota

P.S. Do you like my hairstyle? It's a French side ponytail.

Games!

Hey! It's Ella here. I'm going to share about all the different types of games and toys offered for American Girl Dolls.
Ready?
From American Girl, sadly, there aren't that many choices. There is the Sleepover Set and the Fun and Games Table, but besides that, there isn't much.
However, do not loose hope! You can actually find stuff for them really easily. For stuffed animals, I would recommend Blue Nose Friends, because they are just the right size. However, any four inch stuffed animal would work. Other things are a bit harder, but you can find them. I'd look at party shops for mini things like frisbees and things, and large bouncy balls are good sized balls. You can also get things on keychains, and cut (or remove) off the chain part, and it should be the right size a lot of the time. Then you can look on Ebay of Amazon for other things.
Hope this helped!

I was wondering...

Hi! I know, I don't usually do two posts in one day... But I've been thinking, and I was wondering, do you think I should change things up a bit on my blog? That would include things like:

• Background
• Layout
• Font
• Colors
• And other stuff like that. 

So, what's your verdict? Yes or no?
Dakota
P.S. If you didn't like it if I changed it up, I'd be happy to have suggestions about how it could be better.

Birthdays!

Okay, while I was looking back over my posts, I just realized a fatal flaw.
I forgot to write my birthday!
It's October 13th.
For the past while, we haven't done much for our birthdays. But that changed this year. For instance, for Jasper's birthday (February 21), we actually have a nice party. For the first half an hour, Jasper and I had our traditional "best friends tea" with tea and cupcakes. They were Jasper's favorite flavor (pineapple XL cupcakes with lemon glaze), and it was awesome. Then, as a surprise for Jasper, all the others came over later and we had a huge party! It was awesome.
Then Felicity's birthday party will be on April 21. It's going to be a ball, and I get to plan it!!!! I'm super hyper about all of this. :)
Dakota

Some more things about me

Okay, so I really like doing these things about me, especially because you hardly know me.

• I really love writing on this blog, because it really is good exercise for my creative mind.
• Sunrise is my favorite part of the day.
• I really love helping other people, and saving the earth.
• I admit, before I sat down to figure out my school with Ella (who, by the way is sort of like all of us doll's mother, but more like a friend.), I had no idea what being unschooled meant, and, furthermore, that I was actually going to go it next year.
• Next year, I'm going to (at least, I think I will) be taking gymnastics.
• I'd really like to change the world. 
• I think bulletin boards are the best thing since trash cans, as they are a way to organize your photos and such.
• I love reading, even though I don't have much time for it.
• I hate the philosophy of being too old for dolls. Honestly! It's like saying that children can't make a difference! 
• Some people say I've got a way too active imagination, which really bugs me. 
• I love reading blogs written by or about other American Girl Dolls. 
• I'd really, really, really like to learn how to skateboard.
• I'd like to travel a lot, like Jasper, who's been to three different continents.

Thanks so much for letting my keyboard run away with my imagination! Or whatever you want to call it.
Dakota :)

P.S.
Does anyone know how to make signatures on Blogger? Thanks!

11 Things About Me

Hi, guys! I'm going to do an eleven things about me post.

1. My favorite color is iris.
2. My favorite food is bananas.
3. I love knitting.
4. Even though I love moving around a lot and experiencing new places, I've always wanted to see what's it's like to be in one place.
5. Though I may not seem like it, but I'd really like to learn French. I mean, I do know some stuff, but I'd like to know enough to really speak it. 
6. I don't like having tons of things. You see, I'm really bad at making decisions, so I only like to have like, two or three friends, or I usually only wear one or two outfits in my closet, because it confuses me too have too many decisions. 
7. My favorite drink is apple cider. This might surprise you, as most people think that a bright and cheery gal like myself would choose a bright and warm drink like hot chocolate, and not the brooding, spicy apple cider, but I like it.
8. I can actually be very serious sometimes. And I'm not kidding! 
9. My favorite art medium is soft pastels. 
10. My favorite book is the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan.
11. My favorite flower is lavender. 

Thanks so much for listening to 11 things about me!
Dakota

Impromptu Post

Hi guys, I felt an impromptu post coming on, because I just made a huge decision.

Next year, I'm going to be home schooled from Mondays to Thursdays, and on Friday go to public school for extra-curricular activities, such as art and such. I'm really excited about this, because it's a really cool opportunity.
However, it's going to be odd, having all of us go to different schools. Well, except Felicity and Kit. They'll go to the public school, where I'll go on Friday. Kirstin will go to the American Girl Doll Academy, Jasper will go to The American Girl Fashion School.

Hoping you a good school year,
Dakota

How To Start Your Day Off Well!

Okay, sorry I don't have any pictures, but I've made up a list thingie of how to start your day off  well! Hope you enjoy!

1. Wake up. But before that, sleep well. Get your beauty sleep. Your zzzzz.... because, trust me, you need all the rest you can get! But that doesn't mean sleeping wayyyyyyyy in. It just means making SURE you've got all the rest you need.
2. Do some mild stretching, and drink a glass of water. Make yourself calm, yet wide awake. 
3. Pick out your outfit. Take care with this, but don't spend hours looking through your entire wardrobe. Just spend, say, five or so minutes getting your outfit together.
4. Take a shower. Some people don't like taking their showers in the morning, but I personally do. If you don't, just splash your face with some water.
5. Brush your hair, and wash your face. Brushing your hair is really important, as it is one of the things that people can see from the outside and judge you by it. Also, washing your face is really important to get the last bit of tiredness off of it.
6. Eat breakfast. It helps for you to have a energetic day. Also, try to have something you enjoy. I usually have homemade bread, oatmeal, or rice. Also, I suggest starting your day off with a hot/warm drink. In spring and summer, I usually have tea or coffee (yes, coffee... But I'm immune to caffeine! Because I'm naturally hyper. Honest!), but in fall, I like apple cider, and in winter I like hot cocoa. 
7. Embrace the day. Stand tall, and go get that day! It doesn't matter if you're home schooled, go to public school, private school, boarding school, or if it's Saturday or Sunday. You can do this!!!
8. Smile. :) No matter what comes, smile.

Just Some News...

Okay, so I've got some pretty big things coming up...
Kirstin going off to the American Girl Doll Academy
And possibly to have Hermione come to stay with us! (That's Hermione Evans, not Hermione Granger, who is an American Girl Doll born on Leap Day.)

Also!!! I need your advice.
I'm having a pillow made for me, with my first letter of my name. Should it be D for Dakota, or S for Siarra???

Anyway,
Yours from behind the keyboard,
Dakota!!! :)

Hey, and Welcome to my (Hopefully!!) Awesome Blog!

Introducing... me! I'm Siarra Dakota Jade, but people usually call me Dakota. On this blog, I'll share about myself, my totally crazy life, and also about my friends.
Firstly, me!
Here are some of my favorite pictures of me.

Me wearing an awesome outfit, perfect for camp, or anytime, really. 

Me in my art outfit, with my dog, Pepper, my doll, Emily (who is from England and skateboards, and has mysteriously lost her shoes. :P), and a painting I did for this fundraiser that I helped with.

I love animals, my doll, doing art, helping out at the causes that I help out at (hmm... that sounded strange....), hanging out with my friends, rainbows, horseback riding, and skateboarding.

Next: My totally crazy life. I was gotten at the Kansas City American Girl Doll store. First thing? Road trip! All over America I journeyed (luckily I was with my best friend, Jasper, the entire time!), until going back to Arkansas. Next? We went to California, and then (if you thought we were going to stay there, sorry, I'm letting you down!) back to Asia. You see, I live overseas. 

So much for a normal life!

But I do have tons of friends. 

Such as my best friend, Jasper!

She loves wearing vintage, and just being herself. As well as her acting self, Emma Brown. :)

Then there is Kirstin, who loves studying. And reading, too...

And Kit, who loves playing the violin, and plays in our school's orchestra, while Kirstin sings in the choir. 

Then, lastly, there's Felicity, who does ice skating, and

 sports.

I accidentally took this while she wasn't looking... :P

Anyway, here's my room! I've got pics on my walls, as well as posters, and I've got these quotes on my "laundry line"

I hope you enjoy reading my blog! Thanks!

Ta ta, 

Dakota