Having friends is nice.  Having friends who will come over after a long day of work, just to do more work is sweet.  Having expert friends - who bring all the necessary materials (already mixed) and force the Mister to watch while the work is happening - is priceless.

So sad to leave Madison this sunny Sunday, but a storm is brewing and we have homework to do.  But, we did stay "late" to watch our favorite healthcare advocate on TV!!

Before even unpacking, Harper was plugging in the hot glue gun.  She had a project to do, and she picked Andy to help.  They cut and glued and glittered - adding sliver sandals and bowtie.

The sun was shining,

(You like my sun shining selfie??) and we slept in until 7am.  Time to stretch out legs in the jungle, and Harper was quick to let us know when her energy tank was depleting, so we could get home before he needed a ride.

 We worked up an appetite for brunch,

and then the  obligatory capital visit.  

An afternoon of shopping down State street, and an evening at the movies,

and a dance party.  Pretty much our favorite day - especially because it included Lewis, and her long long hair, and jaywalking.

Aside note:  The Madison warm up time for Harper is exactly zero minutes.  Colie  may be the only person on the planet in which she has no need for time to settle into new surroundings.

ROADTRIP!!!  The kids and I packed our bags and the back of V and hit the open road.  Mad-city here we come.

 Cheese curds, the jungle and Colie - can't wait!!

Bennett left this on my pillow tonight.

Thankgiving 2015!!  It was the Prose Family's turn, and we packed up early to help Lisa with the meal prep.  (This was after selecting the corresponding Thanksgiving nail polish

and snapping a few pics of the cutest kids.)  

The giant table was overflowing, and while it took Harper a while to warm up to the chaos,

she was able to sit at the kids' table - and not my lap - so it was considered a win.  

And while we missed our favorite girl cousins, there was plenty of fun with the boys.

We have so much to be thankful for - and Harper said it best tonight.  "Mom, I like Thanksgiving a lot, but I have "thank yous" for every single day, not just this one."  

Thanksgiving break - no one wanted to cook and the boy needed to finalize his list for papa and grandma. Hmmmm... A quick catalog stop and then some wings?? Yes, please.

With great power, comes great responsibility.

Andy and I haven't gotten a full night's sleep in years. Literally. Years. Unless you count when we are away from home and without the children - or cats. Harper is five, and she continues to wake up once or twice a night. Usually, it's just to rub my cheek and tell me she's going to the bathroom, and sometimes it's to ask to crawl into the big bed. (For the record - I put her back into her bed, the mister somehow seems to snuggle her under our covers without me even knowing...)

If it's not the gnome, rustling us from our slumber, it's this beast.

Dolson (aka "CAaaTTT") is 13 years old and he still can't sleep through the night.

We got cable just in time for the big game!!!  The only game the Prose family has watched from beginning to end.  We had a split house -

the boys in green and gold the girls in purple pride. 

Kylee's beloved fish, Goldie, passed away after years of swimming in circles in her tank.  Bennett and Harper were sad for her and Tommy, and while at the store, Andy and I just could not say "no" when they asked to buy her a new fish.

Kylee - meet, Steven. 

The Mister found some water in the basement, after 3 days of rain.  So, the weekend warriors went to work this fine Saturday morning - cutting and hauling out the 'rock.  (Bennett was paid $.25/sheet removed.) 

A crack (or two??) was discovered, and giant fans plugged in - as the room dries out, Bennett moved (back) upstairs.  A long hard day of work was rewarded with a greasy Winners burger

and family game night. 

#winning

Boo might have given Bbones the best birthday present of the season.  It definitely is the most played with - as every morning, he sets up his station and from the bathroom I hear, "B 14 - Bbbbbbb 14!!!"

Anybody have a BINGO????

As so it begins.... again... These 3 inches of snow came out of nowhere.  My students were not prepared for the snow, only one having boots and snowpants. 

My biological children were not prepared - both in fall coats and sneakers.  Room 75 did not want to go out, yet I gave the "you need to be prepared for the weather" speech, knowing that Bennett and Harper's teachers were doing the same.  I felt bad, for about a minute.  The cold air would be good for them - and I'll find some boots after school.

Andy doesn't always text me during the day - but when he does - he nails it.

Andy emailed me today and "asked" if he could go to an auction this evening.
     A) there is no need to ask permission, however I do appreciate the conversation
     B) absolutely.  and take the boy with you.

Andy loves a good auction, and I have put in my time walking around looking at all kinds of junk that auctions provide.  With the ninja growing up (and being an identical - shorter - specimen of his father), it is now appropriate to bring him to activities like the one stated above.  Unfortunately, sweet Gnomeo is not quite old enough to attend an auction on a school night, so alas, Mama had to stay home. (Amen, sista!!)

Harper was tired, and as soon as AP and B left the homestead, she was curled up under the heating blanket.  I went to the kitchen to make some eggs, and when I climbed the steps 4 minutes later, she was sound asleep.  I swiftly and quietly scooped her up and tucked her right into bed - at 5:34pm.

This left me with a silent house, and my DVR.  Thank you thank you thank you.

Aside note:  Andy had two items he bid on - one for me

and one for him.

 He missed out, but there has to be another auction soon... 

"Hey, mom. Do you want to see my essay? It's about my favorite family tradition. Lefsa making making is a tradition, right? I mean, I know we didn't go this year, because of hunting. But still, I really like it. But maybe hunting will be my new favorite tradition. Do you think I should write an essay about hunting? I could. I bet my teacher would really like to read it, even though I don't think she hunts. Maybe her husband hunts... Yeah, he prob does. Next year, I'm going to write about hunting. Do you think we write tradition essays in 4th grade?"

Just take a breath, kid.

Now, what was the question?

Today, my mister turned 39.  He didn't want anything special, no presents or fuss.  It's just a regular day, and he wanted to do whatever we wanted to do.  (aside note:  Thanks to Grammy and Grampy for watching the Littles last night, so we could properly celebrate the last night of 38.

However, I'm pretty sure I was pretending it was my birthday, instead.)

So - of course - I suggested putting up the Christmas lights. (For real this year - like on the peaks of the house, with the big bulbs. Oh - and finish B's basketball hoop, too...)

Andy loves a project (and although would never admit it publically or privately, he loves a "to do" list).  

Now, don't think that there was no celebrating going on at the 1407.  Andy was showered in flannel lumberjack gifts,

and had my new friend make his very favorite banana cream pie - with real vanilla bean, and white chocolate in the homeade crust...

Happy birthday, Love.  Our house wouldn't be nearly as bright

without you.