Sweet, old man Pike doesn't get around much anymore - but he's a really good listener.

Three fourths of us LOVE  the movies.  I mean, we love it.  The popcorn, the previews, the luxury seats...  One of us finds it a struggle, but becuase he loves us, he joins in on the fun.  Upon our return from Madison, Harper asked Daddy if we could go to the movieS.  He said, "Sure!" and then the double feature plan was devised...  movieS is plural, of course.  That meant we could go to not one - BUT TWO - movies (or more, but we settled on two).  

First up, was Harper's selection of Sherlock Gnomes.  Our favorite gnome characters solving the mystery of kidnapped gnome civilizations with the help of - you guessed it - Sherlock Gnomes.  It was funny, but not super.  It was given 3.5 stars.

Next up, was Andy's choice of a gin and tonic and some fast phone action.  He rated this portion of the day 5 stars.

The final show of the afternoon was Peter Rabbit.  Bennett selected this cinema feature for it's combination of animation and real people.  It had the perfect formula of laugh out loud hijinks, and feel good friendship moments of love.  This production was given 4.5 stars. 

Overall the day rating was ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 The kids and I hitched a ride to MAD-city with Grammy and Grampy for Spring Break.  And, although it wasn't very spring-y weather, it was the best long weekend ever!  We had the best food (thanks to Grampy remembering his wallet, and Nicole knowing every restaurateur - frog legs and the Tornado Room???  yes, please.), did some house projects (hanging new flower boxes and visiting the dump), shopped a bit (Ulta and Alaska bound!), went to the movies (Wrinkle in Time), Marched for Our Lives, got some new PP swag, went swimming and I didn't have to put my suit on and had drinks instead,  and I could go on and on...  But, we were together - all together and that's my fave.

 The Yellow Cat - talking rocks art - Bennett Daniel Prose - Age 11 - Sartell Middle School

This sweet face is most certainly a Gemini.  We never quite know what we are going to get, but she does.  Harper has this magical way of the world falling into place around her.  It's a secret that takes some years to learn, some never do, and then there are the select few - like Harps and Grampy - who don't actually consider it a secret, because they were born knowing the power.

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!!  That pesky leprechaun struck again (despite the hidden video surveillance).  He or She left clues all around the house, leading the kiddos to their respective treasures - that included nail stickers, a ball popping narwal and candy - the good kind.

 As you ramble through life, whatever be your goal; keep your eye upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole.

Hey, Mom.  Don't drink that wine.

Why?

Because it's not wine, it's my tooth!

You left your tooth in a wine glass?

Yep.  I figured the fairy would like it, and maybe leave me more cash.

Hmm...  Always hustling, that boy.

Bennett and Daddy off to fish again - leaving the poor girl so heart broken - she had to sleep in the big bed with mama.

 Meat Raffle at the Upper Deck!!  And, no husbands to drive, so we all piled in Snowflake and headed out to sell some numbers to support youth hockey.  We did not win any meat, but we did get some wings and a few 1/2 price drink tokens.  #winning

You know those moments when you say something, and then turn around expecting to see your own Mother, because that is the voice you just heard?  It keeps happening around here.  Like today, when Harper "challenged" herself to put all her clothes away in one trip.  My response was, "Harper.  Do you think I fold your clothes for fun?" And, then I turned around to look and see - nope she wasn't there - technically...

March came in like a 2018 lion!!  School was called off before 8pm last night, and we spent the unexpected day off doing exactly what you would expect.  We played in the snow, we played in the snow, and we played in the snow.  

 And some of us stayed in our pajamas all day long, and played in the snow.

Snowboards prepped

 Bloodys are next.

 Playing nicely with the pretend puppy,

 and the real one, too.

 Check in to find much improvement on the hill,

 and set an alarm for the deal of the century.

Effective parenting,  

 leads to winning big.

 RT18 revamped and booked.

 The ProJac Gong Show is my favorite show.