The very next day, we decided to try again.  While the kids looked at us with distaste, they were easily convinced when I told the Boy that the new place had an apple cannon and I told the Girl there was glittery face painting.  Repeating our wardrobe of being very outdoorsy, we packed up the newly tuned Volvo and headed to Apple Jack's Orchard.  We arrived just after the doors opened, and it. was. awesome.  For real, we had so much family fun! (And, I promise there is no sarcasm in this statement. Really.)

We completed our first ever Prose Family Corn Maze (which, for the record, I would never ever do again - and never would have gotten out if it hadn't been for the Mister's spot on sense of direction.)

Then, the zip line

and promised apple cannon

and face painting.

 Harper even rode a pony!!  Which was quite shocking, she's just growing up so much... :)

And, a petting zoo, spotting our favorite kinder teacher Mrs. Hurdt, and spending our life savings at the apple bakery - leaving with cookies, and juice and bars and no apples, but plenty of cider.

We will go back.

A beautiful, sunny, autumn Saturday, and everyone was excited for a family day of fun.  We had researched some local pumpkin patches & apple orchards, and decided to take the scenic route to Hidden Cove.  But, before the drive we had to get the oil changed, make a pit stop at the mall, drive to 3 stores looking for PEZ candy (don't ask...) and then waste some time at various stores along the way to wait out the rain showers.  Needless to say, by the time we arrived - the kids were starving, H needed a nap (and SOMEONE didn't bring her blanket), we had no cash and the only way for fresh apple cider was to have paper money.  Andy and I did our best to convince the Ninja and the Gnome that they were having tons of fun, and...  it didn't work.

Hence, the actual time spent at the orchard was about 12 minutes.  But, I did get a couple cute pics along the way, and the entire adventure was complete just in time to stop for lunch at a respectable time for drinking wine.

Most days, this is the routine.  The Prose children unpack their school bags and separate important papers into respective piles.   Their lunch boxes are cleaned out and prepared for the following day. They have had a healthy snack, H's room is picked up and B has practiced his guitar.  Most days, when I enter the house, this is my very first sight.  They are on the couch, either reading or watching Netflix.  Either way, they are together, sitting closely.

And most days, I am reminded that we are the luckiest parents for having these kids, and they are the luckiest kids for having each other.

Homecoming Week 2016 - some of our favorite dress up days included: wacky day

 dress your best day,

 crazy hair/hat day,

 western day,

 and blue day.

Every single year, I hope for "dress like a gym teacher day" and every single year I am disappointed...  Maybe 2017 will be it.

Picture Day at ORE.  I offered to help the kids select their outfits for the big day.  Harper jumped all over the opportunity and asked me to sit down while she explained "the look".  She had decided that she wanted to be "outdoorsy". (To which I raised my eyebrows - there are many words I would use to describe the gnome, and "outdoorsy" is definitely not one.)  Yes, it was fall.  People like to go outdoors in the fall.  They like to play in the leaves and wear vests.  People usually wear outdoorsy colors, like brown and grey.  And boots.

The bow was added just because she needed a little something, and a blue bow was the most outdoorsy.  Andy, too, raised his eyebrows as she descended the stairs.  He listened attentively as she described "the look" to him, and responded with, "Oh, yeah.  I got it, Harps.  Is Mom ok with the outdoorsy look?"  She came up with this, and made me take several pictures:

Bennett declined my offer to help, and as he shut his door.  I yelled, "Are you going to be outdoorsy, too???" He ascended the stairs, I straightened his tie, and folded over his collar.  His quick response was, "No, Mommy.  I'm much more of an academic.  And just one picture, please."  Andy high fived our little Alex P. Keaton, and said, "Lookin' sharp, Buddy.".

Those two.  I couldn't make this stuff up.

Feels like home, to me.

There have been a lot of private conversations, and shared glances in recent weeks.  The boys of the house have been researching on their phones and taking lots of trips to various stores like Cabellas and Gander Mountain and Fleet Farm.  There have been Craigslist discussions and finally.  Finally! This arrived.  

 I don't know who is more excited - The Mister or The Boy.

I'm not a hunter, however this makes me happy.   The fact that Andy gets to share what he loves with his mini-me, and my dad - and they maybe will bring me home some jerky.