Your birthday was full of everything you love.  Your day began, with cards and messages and videos from all your favorite people.

 In total secret, Harper baked you a "totally from scratch" cake, that even included separating the yolk from the whites.

 The house was decorated just for you,

 and there were even a few gifts.  Legos from your favorite sister, and...

 say what???  A season pass at Powder Ridge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (This face is my favorite memory of the day. 💕

 Then, just as a family of four, we headed to bowl a few games, and eat dinner at your choice, The Crooked Pint.

 You were gracious enough to let some friends come over, after you got in the requested "family only" time.  There were more gifts, and dancing and dice shaking.  It was a pretty perfect party for young Prose.

Bennett Daniel today is your day of birth, and of course I woke up thinking, "Twelve years ago today..."  Per tradition, we sat down to complete your birthday book - doing the interview and adding details for the upcoming celebration.  We went back to re-read.  We remembered the super awesome firetruck cake on your 2nd birthday, and your first pair of skates (thanks for not turning into a hockey player, by the way).  We laughed at the funny things you said as a toddler how you were "actually eating an entire bag of cheetos".    You're like your mama, kid, and our throats got tight and our eyes filled with tears.

On this day, this 12th year, your Daddy and I could not be more proud of the human you are, and the character you display every single day.  You are the most kind and thoughtful kid - the first to help bring in the groceries, hold the door and your sister's hand.  You are wicked smart, and school is important to you.  You set high standards for yourself and those who you surround yourself - but remember to breath when it feels like too much.  Some days it will - but you have the skills and strategies necessary to "just keep swimming".  And, you have us - always and forever and no matter what.

Happy birthday, Monkey.  You're my favorite tween on the planet.

Election Day 2018.  My students also participated in an election today, and got their stickers.  I kept saying to those third graders "The sticker goes on your shirt.  Take the sticker off your head and put it on your shirt."  Later that evening,  the Mister came home...

Hunting season 2018 -  Mom and I each tagged 2 each and Harper scored three!  I've always said that hunting season is less about if you actually get a deer  and more about spending time with family.   I have the same feelings about boot season - although I must admit, the females always have more trophies to show.

The boys had fun, too, but came home tired and with their tags in tact.

We survived.

The fever came and went and came again.  There were a few days of school missed and loads of laundry disinfected - but we all were healthy just in time for All Hallows Eve.  Bennett dressed as a Space Force recruiter, complete with a clipboard and a speech persuading people to join the "hugest, biggest, most strongest, total real force of the military".  Harper opted for a police officer, because just like Lewis, girls can be police, too.  

The usual suspects starting arriving just after the Prose Photo Shoot including: Mollie and Orrin and Ricky and Boo and Jace and Kylee and Tom and Paige and Lucy and Dana and Niki and Shaun

We hoofed around Morningstar, making sure to stop at the houses handing out full sized candy bars - and planned our route so the Space Force Recruiter could make his 7:45pm bedtime.  This whole Halloween on a school night is stressful (hence no picture of the boy).