The Bungalow

Rita and Wes love when the kids all come to play.  They have a beautiful river side property with lush gardens, an enormous deck, acres of manicured lawns, tub of toys and outdoor games, and two bedrooms.  Two bedrooms for a family of seventeen just doesn't work for overnight excursions.  This has been a topic of discussion (and debate) for a few summers, and this year, Andy and his siblings decided to do something about it.  Introducing the Prose Family Bungalow...

 This two story addition was added to the existing pole shed, and can sleep a family of four on the lower level and a loft full of kids up top.  It has power and electric and cushy carpeting.    There are bunks and a fold out futon.  I'm pretty sure Rita recently added a coffee pot.

 The old solarium (hot tub room) was also transformed into a cottage, that will comfortable sleep a(nother) family of four. 

Bring on PROSE FAMILY FUN DAY!!!

147 Steps

We have had these boxes sitting in our back yard for weeks.  Boxes that contain all the necessary parts to build a beautiful swing set.  Being a summer SAHM, I quickly because aware of the NECESSITY (notice the shouty bold caps) of having a safe and operating swing set in our backyard.  This would provide me with strength and sanity.

AP was quite certain he could "knock this out" in one day.  I'm pretty sure he could, too, but I was also fearful that he would knock something else out - like his back or a kid.  So, I called up our wing(wo)man - T & T.  We now had the workers, and the materials, and an instruction manual...

 The boys worked independently, and with their shirts on for awhile.  Not going to lie, there was not much progress being made.  Boards (and cuss words) were flung about, and there was some grunting.  Enter Type A T.  She had those shirts off, sunscreen applied and an assembly line of parts lined up in 20 minutes. 

It did take all day (and 30 beers) - but the mighty jungle gym was ready for action before the kids went to bed that night.

Those 147 steps just gave us the happiest kids in America.

Looks good, right???

SAHM

Every summer, I have to opportunity to be a stay at home mom.  This is a pretty great (part time) gig.  I love being home with the kids, and the flexibility the summer provides us to GO places, and SLEEP in and drink cocktails during the day! After the road trip, and before the weeks at the lake, we stayed home for a few days - and I did my best to keep the ninja and the gnome occupied.

 There was a lot of dressing up, and daily make-overs.

Some time was spent gardening.  Unfortunately, not one member of the Prose family has any green appendages.  Bennett hates to get his hands dirty, Harper enjoys pulling weeds, but doesn't know the difference between a weed and not a weed, and AP can not bend over.  Me?  Well, you know me.

Our favorite is probably Little Miss and Mister Boo. Mollie and Orrin are our backyard neighbors, and most mornings, Bennett will run outside and screams for Mollie.  I'm sure the other neighbors thoroughly enjoy this alarm clock.  Soon, Mollie trotts over, and if it's not too hot - Little O will follow.

Some days, we've had enough, and we just have to stay inside...

 So we can do some chores, and our daily reading log.

"Mom, are you still reading 50 Shades of Grey?"
"Yes, B, yes I am."

OMG, AP. LOL!!!

Chapter Three: Do You Know Chuck Norris?

The final chapter of this story is hard to tell - so frankly, my dear, I am not going to try.  The pictures tell one side, and your version is probably different than mine.  I will keep my story, and you keep yours'.

 Until next time, Louise.