Earlier this summer, AP texted me while I was at Rose and told me he bought a sauna.  He was so incredibly excited, it was hard to not be excited, too.  It was an electric sauna, but the Mister had plans to get rid of all that, and transition it to a wood burning sauna - just like the one he grew up with and spent many many hours sweating in until... the rest of the story may or may not include him lighting the sauna, enjoying the benefits and then possibly burning the sauna and the garage down??  All details will have to be either confirmed or denied by Wes and Rita.

But, yet again, I digress.  The sauna was put in our little alcove in the back - right by the tether ball pole. (yep - by the tetherball pole) and the rocks gathered from the shores of Lake Superior.  The tiny stove was custom built by a guy and the pipe and chimney installed by AP.  With all the pieces in place, it was finally time for assembly and tempering of the chimney. 

It's pretty awesome.  And for the record, I was in charge of the towel hooks.  Nailed it.

Good thing we had these kids, Andy.  They are good for something.

This guy does not get enough blog attention, mainly because he doesn't really like it.  The attention I mean, not the blog.  Pretty sure AP doesn't read the blog on the regular, but I always tell him he will love it when we are in the home together sitting next to our walkers, heating blankets draped over our legs.  But I digress...

This guy,  is one incredible man.  His family comes first, every day all day.  He makes every decision based on what he feels is best for us.  He loves intensely and would do anything to protect us from even the simplest feeling of uncomfortableness.  Buzzing fly?  He won't stop until it's eradicated.  Too sunny?  He's stopping the car, to find something to hang in the window.  Out of coffee?  He's back from the store before anyone wakes.  Boring Friday night?  He busts out the googly eyes.  

I love him the most.

Bennett Prose

6th Grade

Sartell Middle School

Wooden Bowtie

For 18 school days, Bennett has been whispering to me about the art project he chose to make for his sister.  It was a surprise, hence the whispering.   He brought it home today, and brought tears to her eyes.

I love this picture so much - almost as much as I love the two people in it.  Thank you for setting such a great example for us on what love looks like.  Andy and I want to be you when we grow up. 

Papa turned 80 and what better reason to celebrate??  We headed to the river with supplies for a "casual brunch" and a container of cash.  Seems like an interesting combination, right?  To clarify, anyone who knows AP and his sweet sister, Lisa, knows that their idea of a "casual brunch" is anything but casual, and the container of cash was Bennett's lemonade donation for #teamella.

The food was amazing, with quiche and egg cups, yogurt parfaits and grilled veggies, fruit and croissants, apple crisp and Grandma's whip cream!  The kids filled the house with laughter.  We got caught up with Lauren's college adventures and finally booked the trip to the American Girl Doll Store.  It was the perfect day.

 80 Gatorades for Papa!

Harper had a birthday party, AP was at work, so Bennett and I had a couple hours all alone.  We decided to go on an adventure, just the two of us.   The boy and I chatted the entire time, talking about middle school and college.  We drove by our old house, noticing not much has changed, but the trees are much much bigger.  We shared memories "Remember when I ran into the wall and passed out, Mom?"  Ummm, yeah, Bennett.  Can't forget that.  

We stopped by the gardens and took some pics, the boy held my hand and smiled at me.  He didn't have to say anything, I understood.  It's sometimes nice to just be with your mom.

 Bennett Prose, I think you are awesome sauce.  Thanks for spending the day with me.

Homecoming 2018

It's Tuesday, and it's Boo's birthday.  Coincidence?  I think not.  While the boys all had other things to do, we just couldn't let our favorite neighbor go the entire day without some sort of celebration - so we headed to our favorite watering hole for 50 cent wings and a basket or two of fries.

I am so grateful we moved into your backyard. Thank you for bringing B to sporting events, saving H from her sleep walking, always having that extra ingredient and car big enough for all of us.  Thanks for watching over my family, like they were your own, and having HH with me as often as you can. Love you, Boo Boo.

Time for September's PROJAC family adventure, and Bennett somehow got to select the location.  Obviously, he chose the Renaissance Festival.  Apparently, this has been on this list of "must dos" his whole life.  While I was excited to spend the weekend with my bestie, I was a little apprehensive about this trip.  I did some teacher lounge research, and found there to be 2 scenarios. 

1.  It's so awesome, best place on earth, you will go once and it will be a family tradition.  Kids and grown ups love it.  You are going to have so much fun!!  And there is beer!

2.  Ummmmmm, are you seriously going to bring children there?  That place is the dirtiest, raunchiest place on earth.  The people are lude, the commentary completely inappropriate and it is most certainly not a place to bring your children.  But, there is beer...

We opted to write our own review, and thanks to the best neighbor Boo Boo, we were able to take one car!  It was ridiculously hot out, and the line to enter the castle much more of an unorganzied blob, but we crossed the gate and enter another realm completely.

There were mermaids, and fairies and turkey legs.  Bennett lead the crowd in a magic show, and the girls searched and searched for the perfect souvenirs.  There was star throwing, and jacob ladder climbing, exploring a medieval torture chamber and tomato throwing.  And yes, there was beer.

 

So our review would be this: We had to drag Bennett away.  The smiles from these sweet faces give the festival two thumbs up.  The Misters got to throw stars and axes, so they are definitely giving the place 5 stars, and T and I got to take in some of the most incredible people watching of our lives.  We will be back - staying in a hotel next year, because remember there is beer, and Albert is so far away.

 only for these sweet faces will I get up on stage and do the macarena with the fools below.  😏

We went to the dentist in April with loose teeth.  Dr. C said Harper had "premature" teeth, which apparently means it takes them longer to fall out, and she will likely be older than her peers when losing her teeth.  Harps did not work too hard wiggling her teeth after that visit, and while we coaxed and offered suggestions, Harper said her teeth would fall out when THEY WERE READY TO FALL OUT! (enter Apray - the gemini twin)

One fell out, and not long after, today the second!  Harper officially is asking Santa for her two front teeth, and we are officially cutting corn off the cob.

If you must refer back to the previous post expressing my love of everything bitmoji.... I must say this is by far - 100% - I'm not being hyperbolic when I say - the funniest text exchange I have

ever had in my entire life of texting.

Both the ninja and the gnome had great first days of school.  I was right.  Just sayin'...

Class of 2025

Bennett Daniel Prose

Grade 6

Sartell Middle School

Advisor: Mr. Rosin

 Class of 2028

Harper Nicole Prose

Grade 3

Oak Ridge Elementary

Homeroom: Mrs. Foy

Year 3

Year 6

Year 17

#wegotthis

#mamaknowsbest

#daddywasn'treadyforapicture

'Twas the night before school started and all through the house, a few stomachs were knotted with so much anticipation, there was not enough pepto to buy...  This picture says it all - the boys are quite leary of what the year will bring, and the girls are all certain it will be just fine.  It's sometimes a challenge to live with such different thinking mindsets, and trying to understand how straight an arrow can be.  I'm quite sure the frustration goes both ways, as the disaster planners try to plan with people who see no disaster insight.   But, we manage, and pretty successfully most days.  I hope we learn from each other, too.  

We went out for our traditional early bird last supper of summer at the local taco joint.  Bennett and Andy talked about everything summer - checking of the items we crossed off our bucket list.  H and I chatted everything about school - planning the route to her classroom, and how she would organize her locker and desk.  I stole a couple smiles from across the table, and whispered the mantra "You know I'm right, school is gonna be so awesome!" Later that night, there were tears from the boy.  He's nervous.  He's anxious.  He knows it will be fine.  Change is hard.   Later that night, there were tears from the girl.  She's a little nervous.  She wants to make new friends.  She knows she will, but there are still some butterflies dancing around.  Later that night, there were some tears from me.  Thinking as I tucked those littles into bed, they are not so little anymore - and I must be the luckiest mama on earth to get to wipe their tears, and squeeze their hands, and tell them "I told you so" in 24 hours.