A significant kindergarten milestone for the Prose Family is the first official "friend birthday party".  We all know that Harper has yet to attend one of the many invitations she has received this year.  We tried a couple parties, but both required an early departure with a little blondie attached to Mama's leg.  Harper is pretty sure she will be able to attend her own party, and this week, invitations went out.  

Before school even started, we had already gotten our first formal RSVP.

One of my top ten days in Morninstar is the day the pool is erected.  Yep, you heard me.   It's my favorite day, for obvious reasons.  While, I have yet to convince my fellow neighbors that this is the day ever- I will, just give me some time.  "We" have a solid system, and Big Blue was up in about 90 minutes.  When I say "we", I mean Boo and I just kinda wait around while Rick and Andy discuss what we did last year, and the most effective way to stand the poles, and if we need to slide it a little to the left... And, then we do as we are told - like the good wives we are...)

Our generous neighbors all dropped a hose, and we were ready for the maiden plunge by 8pm.  This is going to be the best summer, yet.

 AP and Ricky say in a sassy tone, "Well, it better be, because IT'S THE LAST YEAR WE ARE PUTTING THIS THING UP."  Don't worry.  It's not.

Grammy and Grampy headed to California to celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss for Pat & Mac.  They requested a dog sitter, and we quickly confirmed we could head to Rose for the long Memorial Day weekend.  It was cloudy, and cool and quite perfect - our little family spent time doing all our favorite Rose-y things.

Puttering in the shop - that has everything anyone would ever need to complete any kind of project imaginable.

 (Kudos to Grampy's sweet scooter parking lot and ball holders!  We were so impressed!)

Playing cards.

Staying up later than the kids.

Fishing.  More fishing.  And, then fishing some more.  

(Harper lost her mind when a teeny tiny caterpillar crawled near her shoe, yet sat and played with the leeches for an hour.  Weirdo.)

Gun safety and target practice. (Or as the boys like to call it "shooting guns".)

Installing a surprise tether ball.

Searching the ginormous flea market for treasures.

And, of course, taking care of the cutest puppy in the whole wide world.

We are creating a community activist, and I couldn't be more proud.  This is the second petition that Bennett Daniel has written during his third grade year.  He is meeting with his classroom community, and then the principal.  No more popped balls!!!

Fish on!!!  While the mister is well on his way to bringing home a freezer of salmon and trout,

KT and I decided to introduce the Prose children to the DB's bear.  

They ran up and down the stairs, with Bennett shouting "Haper!!  Be careful!!!" and Harper not complying.  They were amazed that "Daddy owned this whole place!!" and asked for stories about when we "lived" there.  I told a few, but will save the majority for when they are 35 years old -

or never.

This little June Bug has turned into quite the reader.  She begs to read herself the evening bedtime story (and we usually comply, even though it can take. for. ever.).  She is lugging books in her backpack, in the backseat of the car, out to the swing set.  It's pretty incredible to watch the process of emerging reader.

 A giant "Thank you, Mrs. Hurdt!", for your patience and encouragement and excitement about reading.  You made our future schooling so much easier!

Bennett complained this morning of his stomach not feeling well.  I basically told him to suck it up and it will feel better when it stops hurting.  Thinking "Come on, kid.  You can do it.  We only have a few days left!!"  I should know better.  Bennett doesn't complain much, and he definitely doesn't make up sicknesses.  The nurse called at 1pm - little boy B had just thrown up at school.  I organized my materials, and went to the ORE nurse's station.

After a solid 13 hours of sleep, Bennett was on the mend, but not well enough to go to school.  We decided to make the most of the unexpected day off, and go get those annoying warts removed. (Yeah, you read that correctly.  Who wouldn't want to get 3 warts frozen off on a beautiful, sunny,  spring day??)

I prepped Bennett by explaining the process, telling him my experience, and letting him know that it would likely hurt a bit.  He wanted to know if it would hurt as bad as when he fell on chicken wire.  I told him "no" - and hoped it wasn't a lie.

That kid.  He behaved just like when he got his six kindergarten shots.  Not a sound, or a peep, or even a deep breath from him, and the doctor applied liquid nitrogen on his hands.  He just looked at me, and smiled the "I'm ok, Mom" smile.

The highlight was when the doctor poured the remaining liquid nitrogen on the top of the counter, and it beaded up and disappeared.  Total science experiment at the office!

Upon leaving the clinic, I asked if it hurt, "Ummmm, yeah, MOM!!!  It hurt really bad!  But you were right, not as bad as the chicken wire."  Whew.  Thank goodness.

Final Kinder Share Day Topic: My Talents

It was difficult for Harper select just four - but she ultimately decided on "singing & dancing" (That's only one, Mama!!"), reading, writing, and painting.

Terrin and the girls drove up to Morningstar to see the Saturday performance of "Robin Hood".  Not gonna lie - bringing an active 2 year old to a 90 minute play production, with shoddy sound in a school gymnasium definitely could be a risky decision - but Lola was such a rockstar!  That girl sat attentive, and tried to whisper "Bennett!!!  That's Bennett!" every time he stomped on stage.  She belly laughed at all the jokes, and clapped at appropriate times.  She was the best audience member (I only had to use one sucker from my purse), and Bennett loved that he was able to share his performance with the Jacobson girls.

Last week, Bennett came home with a letter explaining a week long theater camp that was coming to ORE.  He was excited about auditioning for "Robin Hood" - but after some pondering on the decision, thought it might be best if he didn't.  Bennett was concerned with his already busy schedule of homework, reading, guitar and baseball.  He wasn't sure it was the responsible choice to add another event to his calendar. We discussed the options.  And discussed, and discussed.  Finally, I said, "Just do it, Bennett.  If you get a part, we will figure it out."  He was relieved to have finally reached a decision.

Bennett tried out, and in typical Prose style gave very limited details.  He was a character that was half gnome half gorilla.  He didn't have any lines to memorize - not English words, anyway.  He refused to show us his part, just smiled and said "you will have to wait and see".

Being a district employee, I knew that everyone who tried out got  a part.  I also knew that no lines probably meant a member of the chorus, with little stage time.  And, I knew I would spend my weekend attending both 90 minute performances.

Andy was headed north to fish, so he got a ticket to the matinee.  He told me it was "so awesome!" but gave no other details.  Harper and I arrived 20 minutes early, and the place was jam packed.  Sitting in the back, Harper was excited when they invited the kids up to sit on the floor in front of the stage.  She joined her friends, and had the best seat in the house - to watch her brother nail his part as the funniest G-nome in Sherwood Forest.