Prepare for a plethora of pics of my favorite bowtie wearing kid.

Saturday was Bennett's first formal dance, and he requested a green suit, and white flowers for P. (Ok, he didn't really know what kind of flowers, or even if he was supposed to get flowers, but he was pretty sure I could help him take care of that.  And by help, he hoped I would call, order, pay and pick up said flowers.  Which is a small ask, considering he takes care of so many of the things parents are supposed to take care of - but I digress...)

Long story short - they had fun - a lot of fun, but not too much fun, just the right amount of fun.  Paisley rocked her sparkly LBD - which fun fact - was actually her Mom's formal dress, altered for this very occasion.  And, Bennett was able to stay awake way past his bedtime. 

 

It's been TWO YEARS since we have all been together!  Prose Family Christmas was pushed back a few weeks (you don't even have to ask why...), but it was still full of spirit!  Finally, all these faces around the same gigantic table... 

 

Harper is loving middle school, not only for the extra freedom, independence and multitude of lunch choices - but also for all the opportunity to collaborate with her friends! Harper's most recent success was in math class.  She and her partner had to design and a restaurant.  Each night, we heard the latest challenges opening a restaurant entails.  (Preaching to the choir, Sister!) And, there was obvious pride in her daddy's eyes as she planned, implemented, modified and finally presented Prose's Palace.

Of course, all her hard work paid off and Prose's Palace was voted the best restaurant of 7th hour!

 

Westward Bound!  Year 4 of roadtripping to the mountains for a long weekend of skiing and snowboarding with our best friends. This year, we adjusted our travel plan by eliminating a layover, and driving straight through.  Per usual, the travel companians were awesome, and everyone was able to keep themselves busy with books and movies, podcasts and homework. 

Do you ever do something that you really don't enjoy all that much, but it makes the people you love the most just SO HAPPY? I do - it's called "skiing".  I try (like really hard) to love this activity as much as they do, but I just don't.  Maybe one day I will, but if not, that's ok, because look at these happy faces.

Totally worth it.

 

Cause: 2 lines Effect: Get in the basement, Kid.

How ironic that the KN95 wearing, rule following, vaccinated and boosted one is next to test positive?  At the first glimmer of a symptom, Bennett tested.  It didn't take long for that dreaded second line to appear.  Bennett hung his head, and headed to the basement. After a bit of processing time, he realized quarantine actually wasn't all that bad.  He had everything he needed in the basement (including 2 giant lego sets, a treadmill, a brand new bathroom, and unlimited privacy).  He was able to stay home all day, every day - and his meals were delivered to his door.  The timing as also quite perfect, as he only missed 1 day of school due to holiday weekend & teacher workshop. And, the isolation time was tucked neatly before our annual ski trip! Get rid of all those germs before the PROJACS reunite! (Happy anniversary, T & Matt!)

 

Grand Pad!  Our new favorite app that allows us to hang out with Papa and Grandma more!  Grand Pad is kinda like Facebook combined with Face Time.  It provides a platform for the Prose family to share pictures/videos with each other - and is super easy access for Papa and Grandma.  There is also a video chat option, so we can talk (and see!) to them more. It's pretty awesome.

 

January 12th 2022.

Six months to the day that my world changed forever. My world changed in a way that I hope that nobody ever has to experience. Sophie, who was one of my closest friends, passed away from suicide. When you are a young adult, death is an incredibly abstract topic, and for someone who likes set rules, this was - and forever will be - difficult. There are no “rules” for when someone so close to you dies. In the wake of her passing, I was grateful to have such an amazing support system. Some days it still feels like I’m waking up to a text I never wanted to read, but others it feels like everything just might be ok. Sophie was one of the most amazing people I have ever met. From the second grade, you could tell this was one intelligent person. She was kind, generous, funny (in the way that it took a couple seconds to comprehend her humor), smart (when I say smart, I mean like, she taught herself Russian just for fun. She had level of intelligence and wit that would knock anyone’s socks off), and a ton of other adjectives she could come up with.

We both wanted to change the world. I think that there’s a little bit of “change the world” in everyone. Very few people do though. Sophie, she changed the world. I am very science focused and there is a scientific law that I kept looking over after Sophie died. The Law of Conservation of Energy, states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. So the energy that flowed through the Earth millions of years ago, that same energy continues to flow through the Earth. The energy cannot disappear. It can only change forms. The energy in Sophie, that energy to change the world, it never left. It continues to change and flow. It continues to change the world. Sophie may be gone, but the energy inside her. All that energy to make the world a better place, to be a good person, it continues and will continue always. 

-Love Bennett

 Bennett tried something new this year (I might be sensing a trend...).  He joined the Nordic Ski Team.  He had his first race? meet? and the official report was "I was S - L - O - W, Mom. But, I didn't finish last."

Love his ability to keep it positive. 😉And, while I think he likes the sport, I'm pretty sure it's the company of certain team members he enjoys more.

 01-10-22 - BOOSTED!!

Sweetest winter ask ever - followed by the typical Bennett Prose reply, "Ummm, what do you want me to do with this?" We will continue to work on appropriate responses to thoughtful actions, Bennett.

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  These 2 love each other - like a lot.  Every "goodbye" includes an "I love you".  They do homework together, watch TV together, and talk each other through various situations.  They understand their relationship is unique - so much so that sometimes they try to be mean, just to be like their friends. The latest roast happened at 🌹.

Bennett: Harper, just existing is the meanest thing you've ever done.

Harper: Bennett, but were you sad when I was born?

They are joking, I hope. 😂🤞

 

Kitty, it's cold outside! 🥶

 

It was too cold for school, but not for the movies!!  We LOVE (like love love love) to go to the movies, but due to the global you know what, we have not been to the theater in years.  With the "vaccination required" showings, and checking the seats available, we decided to pack up the Prius - pick up Paisley - and headed to get some popcorn!  Harper and I went to "Sing 2".  It was awesome - go see it.  B and P saw the latest "Spider-Man" and that also got rave reviews.  3 Spider-Men in one movie - say what??

H: Hey, did you know that there is such a big space under the bathroom stall doors, so that if someone passes out, you can see they need help?

B: Harper.  Where did you hear that?

H: The inter-web, Bennett.

B: Oh, well then, it's probably true. 

 January 1, 2022.  Let's be real, the last two years have felt like groundhog's day, running on a hamster wheel, in a blizzard of germs and uncertainty.  Living during a global pandemic, with our country and world in such a state, trying to raise kind humans, while keeping oneself from going bonkers,  is a challenge.  But - reflecting back, there have been so many opportunities to learn - and love. 

This year, my wish is that we can all do more - for ourselves, and each other.  I hope to try new things (but, maybe not another SHERP ride), listen more, learn more, love more.  Let's find our voice and share our stories.  

In the words of the great T. Swift - I don't know about you, but I'm feeling '22.