American Girl Store Part 1!

     Well, here is part one of my trip to the American Girl store posts.  This will mainly be pictures of large sections of the store.

      If you take the entrance from the mall this is what you see while walking to the store.

      After stepping through the mall entrance, Kaya is the first doll you lay eyes on.

      Behind Kaya is Julie and Ivy with all their new items.
      Before I go further, let me just say that Julie's car was not impressive at all.  It did not look that well made for $350 dollars.  The hood creaked every time I opened it, and the pop-top wouldn't go over the top of the car.  It was made to stay down.:(

      After glancing at Julie's car and other displays(which will be posted about soon) you turn left and your first sight might be the lovely Rebecca wearing her winter coat.

      From where you are standing you shift to the right and will be greeted with pictures of Mckenna and many Mckenna dolls.
     Did you know that when the USA gymnastics team won gold in the Olympics the store sold out of Mckenna's performance gear and leotard?

      After enjoying Mckenna you now make your way left again towards the registers and look upon the store in full action absorbing all the happy girls and pleasant feeling throughout the whole environment.

      Turning around you make your way to the back of the store.

      You stop to enjoy this display...........................

and this one.

     You walk to the other side of the same display and keep pushing towards the back.

      On the way you marvel at the cool pictures of real American Girl dolls and Inner Star U AG dolls.
     After seeing all you want in the back, you decide to leave and head for the center again.

      On the way you stop and look at the adorable outfits on these dolls.
But you cannot see the rest until part 2!
  
      I hope you all enjoyed this!  Part 2 will be up shortly!:)


*Liddy*

Mckenna Shoots for the Stars Movie Review

     On Wednesday, my wonderful parents surprised me with Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!!!!!  I was so surprised and excited.  I watched it that evening, and now, I feel I should review it for you all.

     Mckenna Shoots for the Stars was pretty accurate to the book.  I only know what is in the first book, Mckenna, because that's, obviously, the only one I've read.  My only critique, when discussing book accuracy, is when Mckenna breaks her ankle.  SPOILER Instead of getting distracted in her own thoughts, like in  the book, Mckenna disobeyed her coach and did a gymnastics move that was too advanced  for her. 

      However, there were many great parts which I will begin to indulge in.

 

     Jade Pettyjohn is an exceedingly good actress!  She was able to hone in all of Mckenna's emotions and struggles.  My favorite part of the movie with Jade is when she is trying out different tutors.  Her facial reactions were hysterical!

     Jade looked like a lot Mckenna except for her hair.  Don't get me wrong, I love curly, wavey hair, but Mckenna, the doll and in the book, had straighter hair.  I guess, since straight hair is going out, they wanted Jade to have the more popular hairstyle.  I still loved her hair in the movie though.:)

     Ysa Penarejo was an awesome Toulane!!  She also acted so well!!!!  I love the scene when she turned into a secret spy and followed Mckenna!  Quite funny! 

     I could not find a picture of Kerris Dorsey as Josie, so I am using this one instead.  I enjoyed Kerris as Josie.  She seemed a little old for playing an eleven year-old, but she carried the role very well. 

     Cathy Rigby was great as Mckenna's coach.  Her firm, but loving attitude with Mckenna was perfect like Mckenna's coach in the book.

     Mckenna Shoots for the Stars is a wholesome, fun, family friendly movie that girls would definately enjoy!

*Liddy*                                                                                             

Today's the Day!:)

     It's officially out!!:)  Mckenna Shoots for the Stars is now available on DVD on American Girl and at Walmart.  Are any of you going to buy it this week?  If so, I would love to know!:)

*Liddy*

New MAG and Mckenna Items!

     Well, all the new American Girl outfits and accessories are here!

     The True Spirit Outfit is the new My American Girl main outfit(shown above).  I preferred the My American Girl outfit AG already had before.  I can't envision an 8-12 year old wearing this new outfit. 
     Also, the doll wearing the True Spirit outfit is also new.

      The Butterfly Garden Pj's are so pretty and girly.  Love that shade of blue!:)  The sunshine yellow butterflys stand out beautifully against the light blue.

      The Weekend Fun Outfit is my favorite one out of them all!!  It's such a cute fall outfit.  And the little white vest adds the perfect touch!

     The Allergy-Free Lunch is different, but I like it.  If had many food allergies, I would enjoy having a lunch set like this for my doll.

     MEATLOAF!!!!  Love that name. 

      American Girl also has offered dols with hearing aids and dolls without hair.  I think this a great idea !

      I love the neon yellowish leotard in Mckenna's Performance Outfit.  Her hairstyle in this image is unique.  I would love to learn how to do it.

      Seperately from Mckenna's performance outfit is Mckenna's team gear(shown above).  This set comes with a jacket, a bracelet, soft shoes, and a gold medal.

     The movie is out on pre-order now!!!!!!!!!:D  On Mckenna's movie site you can see all new clips and images for the movie.  Are any of you going to pre-order the movie??

*Liddy*                                                                                                       

Interview With Actress Jade Pettyjohn

     I recently had the privilege to interview Jade Pettyjohn.  Jade Pettyjohn is an eleven year old singer, dancer, musician, and actress.  For those of you who don't know,  Jade will play Mckenna Brooks in Mckenna Shoots for the Stars which comes out on DVD July 3rd and airs on TV July 14th at 8/7 c on NBC.  Without further ado, here is the interview!:)




Me:  What was the audition process like and when was your first audition?


Jade:  The first audition for American Girl was late May of 2011 and the callbacks and the mix and match followed in Mid June.  Basically, when a project is started they have a whole bunch of people audition.  I don't know how many people they called in.  It is usually about 50 girls.  Then the call back is when they are trying to take it down from there top choices into about 5 or 6 people. Once that happens they do a mix and match where they have the top picks from the bigger roles do the scenes together to see how everybody works with each other.  That part can take a while.  :)


Me:  Do you feel you are like Mckenna in anyway?


Jade:  I do. I feel like we have a lot in common.  We both have supportive parents and I feel like we are both determined to do what we love.  But mine is with acting and hers is with gymnastics.




Me:  Did you become good friends with Ysa Penarejo and Kerris Dorsey?  If so, do you still keep in contact with them?


Jade:  I did. I still keep in touch with them via facebook and email. When we were shooting we would go to each others condos and watch movies and pop popcorn and go shopping and all that fun stuff.




Me:  Was it hard being away from your home during the summer while filming?


Jade:  Well of course I missed my home and stuff a little bit. Especially because my Dad was still working.  But I would skype with my dad and we would have dinner together over the Internet so it wasn't that bad.  Plus I was really excited about what I was doing and did not have too much time to really think about it.  


Me:  Did you do all your gymnastic stunts?


Jade:  Well I can't tell you that.  It's a secret :)  But I did get to train with the junior Olympic team, which was so much fun and I still keep in touch with most of them.


Me:  Do you like American Girl dolls?  If so, which one is your favorite?


Jade:  I do.  I would say McKenna is now my favorite but before that it was Julie.  Oh, and speaking of Julie... a piece of movie trivia for you.  Kerris has a sister who is also an amazing singer and actress.  Her name is Justine Dorsey.  She played Julie in the musical shows at American Girl store in LA for a year.  :)


Me:  Are you wanting to pursue a career in acting?

Jade:  Yes, most definitely.  I love what I do!!! :)  


     Jade will be doing her first autograph signing on June 30th and July 3rd at San Jose Olympic trails in California.  If any of you go please let me know!  Unfortunately I can't go, because I don't live near California.:(
     It was so much fun getting to interview Jade!  Hope you all enjoyed!  Can't wait for Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!:D


*Liddy*

Mckenna Movie Clips!:D

     On the American Girl Fan website, I found two clips from Mckenna Shoots for the Stars!  Here are the links:

http://youtu.be/vXHOiKNGUL8 and
http://youtu.be/DZo4rqouFeM!


*Liddy*

Review of Mckenna Game App

     I have been working on my Victory Curls tutorial, but my mom's iPad died, so I couldn't finish it.  I will have it done probably next Sunday. That's when everyone in my house takes a nap after church. It makes it easier for me to do a video then, since no one can here me do it.:)  Also, if you have any questions about me(nothing about my age, where I live, etc.) or my blog feel free to comment them, and I'll answer them in my video.

     I recently downloaded the Mckenna's Gymnastics app, so  I thought I would do a review.

      First off, this game is so addicting!!!!!!  I played it over and over!  It is easy and fun, and I  quite enjoyed myself.  However, I deleted the game for two reasons:

1.  It made me really dizzy.  Every time I would stop playing, it felt as if the iPad was moving, and it whacked my eyes out.  That could just be me, but I thought I'd put that out there.

2.  It has many glitches.  The whole point of the game is to have Mckenna jump from beam to beam by tapping the iPad.  After a few times playing, though, Mckenna would start jumping without me tapping the screen.

     Overall, this game was fun the first couple of times, but, in my opinion, it wasn't worth even downloading.


*Liddy*

Mckenna Book Review

     (Actual book summary)Ten-year-old Mckenna Brooks has always excelled in school and in gymnastics.  So when her grades suddenly fall, Mckenna begins to doubt herself.  With the help of a new friend, Mckenna learns to focus on her strengths to overcome her challenges, one step at a time.  But just as she begins to shine in school, Mckenna is sidelined by a gymnastics injury.  Will Mckenna be able to springboard to success again?

     Overall, Mckenna was an interesting, well written book.  Mckenna is an easily like able character.  She is just a girl who puts all her focus on her main skill, that she slacks up on school.  I think all girls can relate to that.  There is always something we would much rather do than school!! 

     Josie was superb!  I loved that she was not depressed about her disability, but had realized she needed to overcome her feel-sorry-for-herself-attitude and embrace the things that she could do.

     Toulane was a completely dislike able character.  She was very jealous of Mckenna.  She put Mckenna on the spot about her tutoring which caused Mckenna to lie.

     This now brings me to my least favorite part of the book.  While at gymnastics, Toulane asked Mckenna why she was always leaving school early on Mondays.  Mckenna did not want to say she was being tutored, so she said nothing at all.  Toulane kept pushing her and finally asked if she was being trained by a private gymnastics coach.  Mckenna finally gave in and said she was.  I know she was put on the spot, but come on American Girl!  Half of the girls in their books lie.  I know it is shown as wrong, but I get tired of the same synopsis. 

     Other than that part, I thought it was a great book.  It really makes me want to read Mckenna Ready to Fly and see the movie. 

     I would also like to tell you all that I will be branching off from the subject of American Girl in some of my posts now.  I feel like I could into my blog more if there were other things to talk about.  Be reasured though, I will still talking tons about American Girl!    

Also,be sure to check back soon with my interview with Lisa Yee!

*Liddy*                                                                                                        

Mckenna Shoots for the Stars Trailor Review

      Well, American Girl finally posted on their website the Mckenna Shoots for the Stars trailer.  I thought the trailer was really good.  It makes me anticipate the movie even more!

     I thought Jade Pettyjohn did really well in the trailer.  They showed so many of Mckenna's outfits in the trailer.  I wonder if they'll make a camping outfit for the Mckenna doll  like the one Jade had on.

      I wish they would have shown more of Ysa Penarjo as Toulane in the trailer.  She only said a couple of lines, and they were kind of mumbled under her breath.  I think she will be good in the movie, though.

     I really liked Nia Vardalos in the trailer.  She fit a great mother part and was funny in some of the trailer.

     You didn't get to see to much of Ian Zierring in the trailer, but I thought from what I saw, he and Nia Vardalos make a good Mr. and Mrs. Brooks.

     Kaedence and Paiten Roach, I just recently found play Maisey and Mara Brooks.  I wish I could have seen them more in the trailer.

     Kerris Dorsey is a great Josie.  She was sweet and kind.  Perfect Josie to a tee.

     I am so looking forward to seeing Callie Berard in the movie!  She doesn't look like Sierra.  In the book Sierra has red hair, not black. 
    
     Also, I just got Mckenna's first book, Mckenna.  So far, it's quite good.  Expect a book review soon!

*Liddy*

More New Mckenna Movie Pictures!

    I was on YouTube last night, and guess what I found????  New images from the Mckenna movie!

*Liddy*

New Mckenna Movie Pic

     I just saw on Doll Diaries that they posted a new picture from the Mckenna movie.  It is of Mckenna(left) and Toulane(right).  I can't wait for this movie!!!

*Liddy*

Mckenna's Movie Cover!!!

      On the American Girl Fan Message Board, a member posted this pic(above).  Aren't you excited?  I am!   The movie is officially titled Mckenna Shoots for the Stars.
     Starting on the left side of the picture, I am going to name all the people in order(just in case you don't know what character they play).  The first two are Ian Zierring and Nia Vardalos who play Mr. and Mrs. Brooks, Jade Pettyjohn as Mckenna, Ysa Penarjo as Toulane, and Kerris Dorsey as Josie.  For more information on the actors, go to one of my old POSTS.

     Also, here is a picture of Nia Vardalos and Jade Pettyjohn on the set of  the Mckenna movie.  I will have another post about the Mckenna movie soon with more recent updates.

*Liddy*

AWESOME MCKENNA MOVIE NEWS!!!!!!!!

     I was just looking at Ysa Penarejo's facebook page(for those of you who don't know, she's in the Mckenna movie),  and she said:

"Last summer I was fortunate to be a part of the American Girl movie project and received news today that it will air on NBC - Walmart/P&G Saturday Night Movie on July 14 at 8pm! It will air before the commencement of the summer Olympics on the network which will carry the event. Yay!"

     Isn't that exciting?  I know I will definitely be watching!

*Liddy*

Mckenna is Here!

     Happy New Year!  Mckenna is finally here!!!!!!!!!!!!  Isn't she pretty?  I love her little hamster the comes with her bed!  It's so little.  I don't know if I'm going to get her.  Are any of you wany wanting Mckenna?

     I also really think the Mckenna hairstyle cards are pretty cool!  I will have the pictures of what I got for Christmas up most likely tomorrow.

*Liddy*

Both Mckenna's Book Covers!!!:D

      Today I was at one of my local stores and found the American Girl Magazine February 2012 issue.  I thought to myself that they probably had some sorta of picture of Mckenna.  As soon as I opened up look what I found on the back of the cover.

      Ta daaaaa!!!  A big picture of Mckenna and both her book covers!!!!

     Finally a picture of the full book cover! If you want to read the summary go HERE. So her full meet outfit is the blue striped dress with blue leggings and little purple and blue flats.  Her accessories will probably be the gymn bag and other things inside it.

           And here is the book cover for Ready to Fly Mckenna.  The outfit on the cover will definately be one of her outfits.

      Then here is another picture of both her books. 

      In the very back of the magazine is this picture and a description about a new giveaway for Mckenna.  It is called the Strength Finding Quiz.  When you play you are entered in in their giveaway to win a free Mckenna doll and a three book-set.  Three books???  That's very interesting.  Do you think it will be a book about Teagan or Josie?

    Here is just a close up of the back picture.  I'll post more info as soon as I find it!:D

*Liddy*