One-year Blogiversary!

Hey guys! Happy, well, 2-day-late Memorial Day! Thank you to everyone who has and still does serve our country! What did you do for the holiday?

Like always, our parents took us to see the parade in town. I think my favorite part was watching the marching band, and I was even more excited when Mom told me that they were from our town's high school. That means that in just a few more years, I'll get to wear one of those snazzy outfits and march in the parade, too!

After the parade, we went to a friend's house for a barbecue, then headed home later that afternoon. It was such a gorgeous day that Zoe and I decided to take a blanket, the dogs, and some food into the backyard for a picnic.

Before going inside, we decided that we'd do something to honor the fact that - however hard it is to believe - today is the one-year anniversary of our blog! So much has happened in the past year - we started middle school, we made some new friends, we lost our dog, got a new one, and then found the first one again, and discovered some interesting things about our past - but it seems like it was just yesterday that I was clicking the Publish button for our very first post. It's been a great year, and I hope that the coming one will be as well!

So, just for fun, we decided to imitate the first picture that we ever published on this blog. It didn't turn out exactly the same, but it was pretty close!

Before I sign off, I want to say thank you to everyone - followers, commenters, and readers alike - that likes and supports our blog! We love getting feedback and comments, and love knowing that our blog is being read and enjoyed.  Feel free to comment with any questions or feedback that you may have!

That's all for now! Thanks for reading!

Our 12th Birthday!

Hey everyone! Zoe's and my birthday was last Tuesday, but we've been really busy this week with school, so I haven't had time to post pictures until today.

Now that we're in middle school, there's not much time in the mornings before we have to leave for school. As a result, Zoe and I have to suffer through the whole day before we can open presents. Consequently, we burst through the door the minute we got home and immediately began to pester Mom into letting us do so. Eventually, after making us finish our homework and our chores, she laughingly agreed.

Mom isn't one for wrapping things, so she had just put everything into one big box.

The box on top was addressed to Zoe.

The first things she pulled out were a pair of shorts, tights, a long-sleeved green t-shirt, and a pair of blue sneakers with purple laces. Underneath all that, though, was something that Zoe liked even better.

A brand-new skateboard! She doesn't know how to ride one yet, but she's wanted to try for ages.

The box underneath the first was addressed to me.

Inside the box was a pretty pair of pink shoes and a soft brown dress with a pink flower attached at the collar. I couldn't wait to try it on!

The next box was for both of us, but Zoe let me open it.

Cute! A flower-patterned long-sleeved t-shirt, a white vest, a pair of capris and some strappy purple sandals. Zoe and I both loved them.

There was one more box that was just mine - the rest were for both of us.

The box was too small to hold clothes - could it be a book? A game?

IT WAS A JOSEFINA DOLL! I couldn't believe Mom had gotten her for me! She was perfect - I loved her at first sight.

Zoe took the next box, and I took the one under that, and we set to opening them.

Cool! Zoe pulled a new backpack out of her box, and in mine, I found an American Girl magazine, a Snooze-a-Palooza! book, and an Apples-to-Apples game!

Mom had also gotten us a couple of pairs of shoes. Green Crocs for Zoe, purple fuzzy ones for me, and bunny slippers for both of us!

I promptly stuck the slippers on my hands and started waving them around.

After opening the shoes, there was only one box left. It was long and skinny, and I was completely puzzled as to what it held. I reached my hand inside and started to pull out something smooth and square.

HOLY GUACAMOLE! IT WAS A MACBOOK! Zoe and I were beyond excited. Mom told us warningly that she had bought it intending that we would share it, and if there was ever any disagreement about that, she had no qualms whatsoever about taking it away. Neither of us cared. Having a shared laptop was way better than having none at all!

We set to packing away all the empty boxes and tissue paper into the one big box, then brought it inside. Once there, Mom told Zoe that she had one last present for her, something that was too big to wrap. She pointed to the corner, and Zoe let out a squeal when she saw what was standing there.

Paintbrushes, tubes of paint, a sketch pad, an art portfolio, and a painting easel! Zoe was really excited.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good birthday, especially when Mom brought out a lemon and a chocolate cake after dinner.

What do you do for your birthday? What's your favorite part?

That's all for now! Thanks for reading!