Gwen's sleepover!

Hello, everyone, this is guest blogger Gwen Thompson! This is my first time posting on the blog, which lately is more for all the girls here, and not just Avery. Life has been pretty busy, so sorry for the lack of updates.

Well, as you may or may not know, I moved to Yorkshire to attend Mondale Preparatory Academy, where my two best friends from Edgewater, Sonali and Chrissa, transferred. I missed them so much, not to mention that Mondale has an amazing orchestra program (I play the violin). So, here I am! Though, I almost feel bad about coming here. Because of me, Erin moved away. But, she still comes back for visits, so I suppose it's all right.

Anyways, March 27th was my birthday, my first one celebrated here at Mondale. It was the first weekend that I didn't have mountains of homework in what seemed like forever! To celebrate, I invited some of my closest friends to a slumber party. Unfortunately, Chrissa was sick with a flu that's been going around, and Avery was doing things with the science fair (I'll make sure she posts to explain!), but Mia, Emily, Sonali, Jess, and Ruthie were able to make it.

The group came to my room where we all changed into our pajamas, ate popcorn, and talked. I had a great time, and I hope my guests did, too.

Coconut and Licorice had fun as well!

-Gwen
PS: Brooke apologizes for the poor indoor lighting and messy scenes.

Jess and Ruthie: A Tribute

Jessika and Ruth-Ann,
Some people have the power to chance our lives- even after they're no longer a part of it. A sister is a forever friend.
♥

[[Our 200th post is dedicated to Ruthie, Jess, Sitara, and everyone over at MLWB]]

Kirsten Larson

Kirsten L. Larson

Minnesota circa June 1854

Photography Notes
A lovely girl came into the studio today. A bit shy, but very friendly and polite. She was a stunning child with bright, blue eyes and long, shiny blond braids, tied with cobalt ribbons that brought out the colour of her eyes. She wore a simple, yet beautiful checkered pink and white spring frock with a crisp white apron. An amber heart was worn around her neck, and one could tell that it looked much like a family heirloom. A circle of daisies was placed atop her blond head, and pink ribbons trailed down her back.
I know not much about the Larson family, only that they live on a farm outside of town and are from Sweden.

The Yorkshire Times: Holi

[[A break in hiatus to bring you a newspaper article. Once again, thanks for the inspiration Sitara and Starr. This post is in newspaper form, and I do not mean to copy anyone, it's just a really great idea. Sorry if all the facts are not correct. Lucille Durham, Patrick Liam, The Yorkshire Times, and Mondale Preparatory Academy are all figments of my (Brooke's) imagination, and are not meant to represent real people/places.]]

The Yorkshire Times
Monday March 1st, 2010
Lucille Durham-Community Life Reporter

Local Youth Celebrates Indian Festival

March first, to many American citizens, is just another day. The start of this month brings hope of fair weather, and with any luck, the sun will be shining warmer and brighter ever day. But the first of March happens to be so much more; it is the Hindu spring festival, Holi. Holi is the second most important festival of India after Diwali, and I had the pleasure to meet a young, Indian-American girl, Sonali Matthews.

"Holi is the festival of spring and color," the thirteen year old eighth grader who attends Mondale Preparatory Academy explains. "It is to welcome the spring and win the blessings of Gods, so there will be fertile land and good harvests."

Ms. Matthews grew up with Hindu customs, as her parents are direct immigrants from India, and both sets of grandparents still live in the country. To celebrate the holiday, Sonali dresses in a bright pink frock, to symbolize the color aspect of the festival. The Matthews, like other Indian families across the world, will mix traditional, colorful dyes as well. Her family will be preparing regional food like 'Gujia' and 'Papad' in celebration.

Happy Holi, Sonali, and all others who celebrate the festival!

Article Written by Lucille Durham
Photography of Sonali Dhara Matthews by Patrick Liam