The year I received tenure, a colleague said to me "Hey, Gina.  You really should be on our union executive board.  You LOVE politics, and it's not that much work."  She was right, I do love politics.  And, I wouldn't call it work - it's more of an education.  I have learned more about leadership, compromise, patience and persistence from this group - and I am so thankful for those lessons.  We are all activist, and working within our local and organizing provides us with an amazing platform to use our voices for good.  I am proud to say I am a union member, and that I stand along side those who are not only advocates for our kids, but highly education people who never quit working for the collective good.  So, thank you.  Your work is important and necessary.  Cheers.

Yeah, that totally was my speech. But, it truly is an honor to be recognized by people I so admire.

Yep. You're my favorite.

Mama, I'm swingin'.  I'm swingin' with my imagination ON! I'm swingin' with it on, MaMA!!!!  Look at my hair blow in the wind, because I'm swingin' so high, MAMA!!!!!  

AND MY IMAGINATION IS ON!!!

Keep it turned on, Harps - and turned up.
       Love ~
 Mama

Bennett was running around outside, with this shirt over his head just like he used to when he was little.  Remember this kid?

Anyway, he was giggling and singing and singing and giggling - I soon figured out the song was about "nerpils".  It took a minute to comprehend between the contagious laughter, but finally I blurted out, "Bennett, you know they are called "nipples", right?"

The boy got all serious. "Really, Mom?  Are you sure?  I think they are actually called "nerpils"..."

"Yes, really, Bennett.  I'm sure.  They are called "nipples"."

And, this point, we both could not stop laughing, and tears were streaming.  Minutes later, we were able to regain our composure, he said "Huh, well, I guess you actually do learn something new every day."

You know it's going to be a great day, when you wake up smelling like campfire and your face is sticky with marshmallows and chocolate.  Then, you convince your parents to have strawberry pancakes (with extra whip) for breakfast, not take an afternoon rest, AND fork up some cash for the ice cream man.  You and your Morningstar bestie make a new friend,

and you get to tell your favorite stories to Papi. 

The day really couldn't get much better, running in bare feet and playing with your babies.   Best. Day. Ever - until it's time to go inside, you fall and scrape your knee on the drive way, and you find out that you need to take a bath...

This. Finally. Happened.  After two and a half years of the collecting dust on the floor, and taking up coveted space, finally it happened.  Hip hip hooray!!!

Thanks to the Morningstar Garage Cabinet Installation Crew, we now have the cabinets firmly attached to the wall.

Finally Friday.
Finished MCA testing.
No one wanted to cook.
Piled in Snowflake.
Had burgers and beers.
Took zero pictures today.
Weird.

Thursday Happy Hour/Cross Fit?  I should probably just stick to Happy Hour.

It's me, Bennett, blogging again. Guess mom can't come up with anything creative to say. I learned how to speak In a Scottish accent today. I played charades at Avery's. I had to act out plucking my eyebrows. Makenzie, the kindergartener, said "plucking eyeball hair". I gave it to her. Once, a long time ago, I had to act out putting my pants on. It was at game camp, my team guessed it right away.

I had two biscuits, chicken and peas for dinner. I saved a bone to put it in vinegar. That will make it very flexible.

Here's a riddle. Comment if you can get it:

You're in a stone room, taking a bath. There's no door or windows. (Don't ask how you got in - because you're just in.) the handles pop off. And you can't turn the water off. The room's gonna flood, and you're gonna drown. How do you save yourself? 

PS - there's nothing but a tub.

I will reveal the answer in a later post.

One last thing, I got two slivers in my hand today, from a meter stick. But, gladly I got them out. And, my teacher got one, too. I still have both my hands.

Good night and big balls. (That from "WipeOut", if you don't know.)

When Harper goes to Kindergarten in the fall of 2015 (yes, WHEN she goes) there are several things we will miss, but the biggest and most important is spending all day with Ms. Kelli.  I don't think Kelli knows how much her little messages mean to me - the emotional Mama.  I'm also pretty sure I won't get these from H's new teacher.

  Kelli will always be the first and best, and always on our nightly list as we count our blessings.

Today, I (Bennett Prose) am blogging for Mom.  I wrote my rough draft for my biography in social studies.  My biography is on Thomas Edison.  My class took our Unit 11 math test.  Didn't get results back, but I think I got maybe one or two wrong - but probably aced it.  Staying on the positive side.

We had gym and music.  We played Battleship in gym.  And we sung a song in music called - Sing Sing Sing.  It's not my favorite song.

Oh - my friend won a Rox tote-bag!  His name was Jack.  Big bowtie kid.

gotta go have supper - two fish tacos and ceasar salad - in case you are curious.

Harper and I went to see "Cinderella" this morning.  Of course, she knew exactly what to wear.

She sat on the edge of her seat (or mine) the entire show, and was in awe of the beautiful wardrobe.  Her favorite part was when Cinderella wore her wedding dress.  And, when I asked her the most important theme, she was able to determine that THE MEssage is all we need is COURAGE, KINDNESS and a little bit of MAGIC.

While we were munching on popcorn, the boys walked around Scheels and the mall.  Bennett finally was able to have a hat made, that he has been asking for, forever. (weirdo)

We had burgers and shakes for lunch

and a long nap. 

Pretty perfect Sunday.

Day Two of the EdMNRC included the completion of voting on the constitution and bylaws, with minor debate on a few issues concerning retiree contributions and benefits.  The day concluded with a gubernatorial address by public education's bestie, Governor Mark Dayton.

While Mama was away, a few changes occurred.  Tiny greens began to shoot out of our flower garden.  The yard was mowed and thatched - thanks to the Morningstar Neighborhood Thatching Service.  The deceased apple tree was pulled out, disassembled and chopped for firewood.

Three fruit trees where planted in it's memory - two apple and one cherry.  And, Bbones finally lost that nasty tooth that has been hanging in his mouth.  Without me knowing, the tooth fairy arrived, and left him $5.25! 

Wow - that's an impressive loot for one tooth.

Friday night, Rachel and I hit up the MN Education Association Representatives Convention.

After three hours of listening to speakers, including the presidents of NEA and AFT, we were able to find a patio.

I really hope the mister found a patio, too. As I was getting my Union on, the remainder of the Prose family decided to complete a hill workout.

Poop, that's Dad? No! That's BAD!

Oh boy.

We love to get mail, but we love it even more when it is from Colie - and it is a box full of goodness!!

I wonder how long this will last? It's already half gone and the package was just opened.

All parents lie to their children.  Yes, I said it, and you know you do it.  There are different reasons for the lies.  Maybe it's gift giving season.  Or, the subject matter is too mature for child. It could be that you need child to do what you say, or go to bed, or ________________ (fill in the blank).  More than likely, it's because you know better, but your child doesn't know that yet.  Or, because you are the MOM and you can say whatever you want!

All of these reasons are valid.  However, the problem arises when your children get to the age where they are just too smart for your outrageous lies.

I have been telling my children that the ice cream truck only plays music when it is actually OUT of ice cream.  The music is only to alert children that the Ice Cream Man is going to fill his coolers, and he will return fully stocked.  Upon his return, he will then shut off the annoying sing song chimes, and only then can you purchase ice cream.

Yeah - they don't buy that anymore, so it maybe be an expensive summer.  Fortunately, Bennett likes to use his own money, and Boo leaves her purse in the car unattended. (I owe you a dollar, Boo!)

I noticed H soaking up the sun, looking so content and relaxed. Of course, I took a pic. Later, I looked at the daily snaps, and almost spit out the water I was drinking. This is not a picture of a little girl, it's a picture of a grown up - or even an old lady! Maybe it's the velour sweat pants, or maybe the velcro Pumas. Regardless, it just looked like some crazy weird big girl impersonating my Harps.

I guess it was only a matter of time - but the gnome is down for the day.  She is handling it very well, considering she feels pretty crummy.  Let's hope she is like her Mama and the bug only bugs her for a day or two vs five to seven.

Beautiful, beautiful SaturDAY.  The sun shone bright, the birds chirped loudly, and while AP was still in bed, he did make it out for an hour or two.  Bennett and I hit up the suburban circuit with baseball camp, haircut appointment and the grocery.

Then, we resolved to stay outdoors all day long.

I also solved the problem of what to do when the potential kinder won't participate in screening.  You bring the screener to the kinder.  Can't thank KT enough for her expertise and knowledge on the DIAL-4.  She showed up, with all the paperwork and materials, and Harper could not play games with her fast enough.

She passed the test and has the paperwork to prove it.

Over all, it was a great day in Morningstar - and then this happened.

I could sit in misery, caring for the final flu bugged Prose. Or, I could look at race day pictures and laugh.

I choose to laugh.