Facebook Memory 7 years ago today.  Bennett Daniel asking the baby if she is a baby girl or baby boy.

Leap ahead to today, and we know she's a baby girl.  Some days more baby than girl.  Like today - when she screamed at me because I forgot to remind her to tell me something - and I told her to go to her room until she remembered the proper tone to use when speaking to people.  I went in to check, as a quiet filled the house, and found her curled up, sucking her thumb and snoring.

This morning, Harps and I sat on the sofa and she told me that she wanted her hair short, "just like Mama".  I jumped at the opportunity, knowing that she 1) needed a hair cut badly and B) a bob would be super duper cute.  I began the convincing process to get her to the hair cutting place.

Turns out we have a hair cutting place right in our driveway - and while Mama was too chicken to do the official snip snip, Boo Boo is brave. (and, Andy sat on the sidelines looking at us like we were insane...)

I was right - it is super cute, and cheap, too.

People often ask how Harper is doing in Kindergarten, knowing there were some struggles at the beginning of the year.  My typical response is "she doesn't cry every day, anymore!" which is a definite positive - but her face does look like this at the bus stop most days...

I am fairly certain that by June she will super excited about school and the first out for the bus.

Harper's class earned a party for making their goal.  I'm not exactly sure what the goal was, but H was pretty pumped about the possibility of a party.  The class voted on how to celebrate, and they decided on a PJ/stuffed animal/blanket day.  My initial response was, "Really???  REALLY!?!?!?  A bring your blanket to school day??  Thanks, Mrs. Hurdt!!"  Knowing that Mrs. H had no idea of the battles we have fought to ensure that Harper keeps her coveted blanket in her bedroom during the school day.

Days before the party, the discussion began.  You may bring a blanket to school.  You may not bring your pink blanket.  You may bring a stuffed animal to school.  You may not bring Douglas (the favorite stuffed dog).  You may wear 2 piece PJs to school.  You may not wear a nightgown.  And, if there is any report of you sucking your thumb during the school day, YOU WILL BE IN BIG TROUBLE, MISSY!!

Looks like the party was a success for the almost 1st graders. :)

Harper Nicole

Nicole Harper

B: "Harps, did you have a good weekend without me?"
H: "Yeah, Benny."
B: "I missed you, Harps."
H: "Yeah, Benny.  I missed you, too."

The Great Fishing Adventure of 2016

*More pictures will be posted after the Mister returns from his mid-west business trip.  Please know the details were limited upon returning to the 1407.  Pretty sure this was not intentional, but just an example of the communication skill set of Scorpios.  They returned exhausted, but with giant smiles, even though their buckets were fish-less.

A weekend with T, and Lo and the Nut - my faves in the city.  There were crafts and museums, cocktail lunch and playdoh and parks, a few tears and tantrums, loads of snuggles and so so much love.  The girls played together like the best friends they are destined to become, and I spent my time being fascinated by  having 3 very different stages of three very different girls all together.  Also, interesting to see Harper in the "big sister" role vs the baby.  (But, you know she crawled on a lap and snuggled in every chance she had...)  Harper loved holding Hazel, and begged to hold her again and again.  Can't say I blame her, I spent a great deal of my weekend with the babe in my arms.

Channeling the OGHW, Vicki Gunvalson, I left with my love tank filled.

This weekend we are splitting up, going our separate ways.  The boys are headed north to participate in a Ducks Unlimited fishing tournament and sleep in the fish house for two nights.  The girls are headed south to hang out with the Jacobsons and sleep at Albert Street for two nights.  Each member of the Prose family is incredibly excited for this adventure, and snacks needed to be prepared.  So, we baked, and packed - and knowing we would all be up early - went to bed early.

(Just kidding!!!  Gotcha!!!  We always go to bed early. every single night.)

Seventy two to go.

President's Day!  No School!  Exactly what this Mama needed - just a day to do laundry and putter around the house.  I sent the kids out to play in the snow, and turned the music up.  My plan was nearly foiled, as 20 minutes into my chores, the kids came in requesting to go to the sledding hill.  It really was a beautiful day, and I really didn't want to go sledding...  Hmmmm...  Wonder what Ricky and Boo are up to??

#backdoorneighborsarethebest
#omgiloveyou
#nosleddingforthismama

Months ago, I told AP that I would love to go to Vegas for my 38th birthday and see Britney.  There was some talk, a few internet searches, and some more talk.  As the day approached, I knew my chances of a long weekend in Sin City, wasn't going to happen.  Instead, the Mister planned (almost) the next best thing - and booked us a room at the Grand Casino. (LOL!)  We packed up the Volvo with kids to drop at the River and coin to drop in the slots.

While we were "playing adult games at a place only adults can go" the kids were enjoying some long over due Papa and Grandma time.  I'm told Harps and Grandma did hours of coloring and playing Queen (wanna guess who was the Queen?), and Bennett drove the sled - all by himself - in circles, for hours, on the river - while Papa watched from afar.

I'd say we all won big.

Bennett performed during his 3rd grade talent show today.  The set list included "Oh Susanna" and "Old Dan Tucker".  It went "Not bad for my first performance of 2016, Mom".

RE(a)D Day at ORE!!!

 

Thirty-eight.  I am 30+8 today.  Last year, I thought I was 38, but Mom informed me that I was actually only 37.  So, today's the day - and for the first time ever - I feel oddly old, and it's kinda weird.  I have never been one to be emotional about my birthday.  I have never cried or lied about it.  I'm not ready to start doing that either, but I must admit, this year feels just a bit different.

I was happy to pretend like it didn't, and celebrated my favorite way - drinks at home with the crew (minus a favorite or few).