I spent some of Tuesday preparing for my trip to the Windy City - thinking I had "all day tomorrow" to finalize and tweak my plans.   Well, the fever had it's own plan, and it took residence in Harper Nicole around midnight.  The 104* data made it clear that I would be extending my absence one extra day, and I got to work on another day of sub plans.  (Which - just for fun - think of your job.  Now, write down everything you do and everything say in 15 minute increments.  Include higher level thinking and additional activities just in case there is a spare minute or two.  Also, be sure include any possible allergy concerns for 25 other people, and transportation changes, and possible emergency closing plans...  Just in case...)

Harps didn't really talk to me all day, she just wanted to hold my hand and rest.  Her fever dropped to 101* for a couple hours in the afternoon, then spiked back up to 104*.  It made me so sad to grab my suitcase, and Bennett, and get in the car - we both got a little teary...  But, we had a plane to catch, and we were not throwing away our shot!

*I was leaving Harper in the most loving and capable hands.  Daddy to the rescue.

Friday afternoon, exactly 2 minutes after I arrived home, the boys were on the road for their annual Ducks Unlimited Fishing Tournament.  They were so excited for some bonding time on the frozen lake, and Harper and I were excited for them - and us.  No boys, Mama!!!  This is gonna be aweSOME!!  H had plans to lay in bed with snacks all day long and watch movies.  (ummm.... Ker-plunk!)

The weather did not cooperate with the Gnome's plan, however.  With bright warm sunshine, it was too nice to stay in bed all day.  So we played with our friends, hit up the  park a couple times, and attempted a sleepover.  (home, snuggled up in Mama's bed by 8pm)

The gender split weekend was a success for all parties.  I love love love this age of our kiddos.  Their independence, and ability to participate in activities the parentals love (ie: fishing and puttering around the house) is the perfect combination.

Next week, we will swap kids for another weekend of family bonding.

Harper's reading has improved so much this year!!  (Thank you, Mrs. J!)  We have graduated from the "read the same story 3x" nightly assignment, to the "read the story once".  (an even bigger Thank you, Mrs. J!!!!!)  Today, she got to read to the class

and I'm told read with incredible expression and fluency - and unlike the weirdness - I don't ever wonder where she gets that from... :)

I've said it before, and I am certain I will say it again, and again, and again, and...  Our kids are so weird!!! This evening, Harper laid in a big box, with her lengthy limbs sticking out, and kept shouting things like "Cut the electrical!!  Get the light!! STAY OUT OF MY BOX!!!" all the while, Bennett was searching youtube for tutorials on how to turn his Tshirt into a ninja mask.  Seriously, sometimes I wonder how they got so weird.  Hmmm....

Time to make the valentines! (aside note:  I was super proud of being so ahead of the game, and encouraging the valentine prep prior to the night before.  Air high-five to me!!!)  Harper selected her cute kitties, while Bennett opted to make his own Lafayette love notes.  They both selected candy free treats for their friends - and once again, I sat and watched in awe at just how grown up, and independent, these littles have become.  They were both even able to navigate the interweb to find their respective class lists.  Next year, I'm having them make my class valentines, too!

How did it get to be my birthday again?  Seems like yesterday, I was celebrating my 38th birthday, that I thought was my 39th birthday.  And, yet here we are again, but this time, actually celebrating #39.  I can't think of a better way to enter the final year of the decade, than lounging the day away road trip planning,  having an early dinner consisting of peanut butter burgers, AND even staying up late enough for the monologue of SNL.  (Well, some of the ProJac tribe lasted until SNL...)

 Thanks to Mateo for taking the boy boarding.  It's if favorite "family tradition" and there's no question why.

Dessert.  Every single night, I know the question is coming from The Girl.  The sweet sweet girl, who was born with the sweetest tooth I have ever known.  And, 43% of the time, the answer is "yes".  On Dessert Night, a term she has ingeniously coined, our conversations go something like this...

H: MAMA!!!!!!!!!! Is it a Dessert Night??

Me: Yes.

H: YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

    and she crawls up on the counter to select the items for her "dessert salad"

H: MAMA!!  How many points tonight?

Me: Six.

H: Okay.  MAMA!! Six points for my Dessert Salad?

Me: Yes, six.

Then the selection process begins.  Let me explain.  In the cupboard, there is a stash of candy.  Each candy has a designated point value.  M&Ms are .5 points, Starburst are 2 points, chocolate points vary on the type (mini peanut butter cups 1 point, twix 4 points, chocolate truffles 3 points...)  

Harper has to do the math to create her Dessert Salad.  She is smart, and nails it every time.  No wonder the girl got all 4s on her report card.