Little Miss Hadley

manners, shmanners.

2012-02-02T19:50:00.000-08:00

I feel sorry for the chick that asks this guy to Tolo.

Can you imagine the mess he will make at the Olive Garden with the all you can eat bread sticks and the endless bowl of pasta?

(Isn't that where everyone went for their fancy dance dinners or were my dates just schumcks?)

He is one hot mess.

Blame it on his mother.

I just don't care if you ever learn to sit through a nice dinner at Canlis.

I really don't care at all.

Your wife (or husband) can deal with that.

Mangia.

the park (and some daylight).

2012-02-02T07:22:00.000-08:00

Not gonna lie.

The park is not one of my favorite experiences.

But it's an easy experience (once I get everyone in the stroller, and get them their juice, and their favorite blanket, and a snack, and make sure the straps aren't 'bumpley', and make sure they go potty before we leave, even though I reminded them to do that first, and finally yell at them to 'just get in the damn stroller'), it's a healthy experience, and best of all, it's a free experience.

I have no good reason to dislike the park, other than...it's kind of boring, I hate when other kids show up (with their moms), and I really hate when other dogs show up...on leashes.

Because then Frankie has to go on a leash.

(which he should probably be on anyways, because I am certain there is a law somewhere about it...

Go ahead, read me my Miranda Rights).

And lets face it, other dog owners are worse than other moms.

Dog owners are freaks.

And don't even get me started on how much I hate making small talk with other parents at the park...

The same dumb questions...I ask them, they ask me, I reply, they reply: 'oh he's cute', 'oh she's tall', 'which kindergarten', 'full day or half day', 'what's in your flask', blah, blah, blah...and really, truly, neither of us care.

We are just being polite.

I don't want to be polite.
I just want to text my 'real' friends by myself, while my kids play unsupervised, and my dog tackles them freely...off his leash.

I see a lot of park time with these knuckleheads this summer...A LOT.

Even though it might kill me.

They are pretty darn cute when they all decide to play in one area.

But usually one is running the opposite way of the group.

And that one is usually Carson.

Guess I know what I can do with Frankie's leash we are not using.

Brilliant.

solo tub.

2012-02-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

The other night Carson got the bathtub ALL to himself.

And from the looks of it, he rather enjoyed it.

Guess Hadley cramps his bathing style a bit.

These bad boys are screaming to be pinched.

SCREAMING!

conniff boys.

2012-01-31T19:40:00.000-08:00

The other day Heather and I were talking about our kids (actually we were probably bitching) and she referred to hers as 'the boys'.

And I thought...OMG, you have TWO boys.

You have kids.

Plural.

I love that they are 'the boys'.

The Conniff boys.

And excuse me with another OMG...but these boys are going to be trouble.

And lots of it.

But my most favorite part (besides when I will be picking them up from detention)...is that we will know and love these two boys their entire lives.

Lucky us.

And I may even get to speak at their weddings.

(depending on how much I have to drink).

Ry and Case.

Hooligans in the tub.

naps. yes please.

2012-01-30T20:29:00.000-08:00

I am totally one of those moms that doesn't do something because it is naptime.

I don't mess with naptime.

I don't even flirt with it.

I am sorry.

I know I am lame.

And knowing is half the battle.

BUT...

my kids suck if they don't have naps.

(and I suck if they don't have naps).

Plus, when they look like this after a nap...

well, you gotta understand.

Right?

let it snow...some more.

2012-01-30T14:46:00.000-08:00

We traded in a whole lotta snow...for a whole lot more snow.

Last, last Sunday we headed up to the Whitsell's cabin for a perfect little get away.

It had just started to snow in Seattle,

but we were bound and determined to be stuck in the mountains with our favorite little family of three.

What a fabulous 24 hours it was.

We froze in the snow, went sledding, Joc toted Hads around everywhere, she sang to Carsie when he cried, she had everything 'lifesaving' in her diaper bag (thank goodness), we watched Luke get pretty comfy cruising around the coffee table, we went hot tubbing, one little one year old almost lost his life in said hot tub, we RELAXED, we ate, and drank, made fun of each other and others, played cards, stayed up late...

and just enjoyed.

It's so effortless with these three.

Like always.

Which is my most favorite part.

(My least favorite part was Carson crying most of the night...for the record).

We can't wait to invite ourselves again Whitsell's...

But next time, Carson is in your room.

Deal?

sunday.

2012-01-29T08:29:00.000-08:00

Nothing beats a warm milk drinkin', sweats wearin', cartoon watchin', doggie snugglin', lazy Sunday morning.

t.g.i.f.

2012-01-27T20:22:00.000-08:00

Happy hour.
(save it...this is far better than having my tot out there riding her bike with no helmet).

hey hads...

2012-01-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

Look what we play with while you're at preschool.

Sucka!

(her much beloved, her much protected, her much never, ever, ever, in a million trillion years to be shared with anybody, especially her drooly brother...

her nigh-night).

a bike ridin' fool.

2012-01-26T07:18:00.000-08:00

This gal loves to ride her bike.

Rain or shine.

Snow or ice.

Helmet or no helmet.

I told her she doesn't have to wear her helmet as long as she stays in the driveway.

I guess I must think the concrete on the driveway is softer than the concrete on the street?

I am a fool as well.

boys.

2012-01-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

They are just a whole different breed.

A very noisy, always up to no good, rule breaking breed.

But oh man, they sure are a heart melting breed.

Majorly heart melting.

book smart.

2012-01-24T14:47:00.000-08:00

Scene:

Ryan is cooking dinner, Hadley and I are hanging out playing with Carsie, coloring, and making small talk.

Me: "Hads, when you get married make sure you marry someone who cooks for you every once in awhile."

Hads: "Why?"

Me: "Because it's a nice break."

Hads: "Well when I get married we will have a Mama. And she will be the cooker."

Me: "Am I going to be that Mama?"

Hads: "No, we will have a differant Mama when we get married. We will have a cooker Mama and a Mama that zips our jeans up."

Me: "Why will your jeans be unzipped?"

(stifling laughter)

Hads: "Because we will have to change our jeans. You can't wear dirty jeans to the library!"

Duh Ralph.

My gal may 'get around' in the future (if she can get her jeans unzipped)...but at least she's going to have read all the classics.

slightly obsessed.

2012-01-24T07:10:00.000-08:00

I kind of can't get enough of his little 'rat' tail, especially when it's a tad mussed up.

And I can never, ever get enough of that messy little face.

Even with soggy waffles all over it.

However, I am totally over the filthy highchair.

Cleaning it after his meals is the bane of my existence.

His highchair really should be deemed a bio-hazard.

And the inside of my car probably should be too.

got milk?

2012-01-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

Having a playdate with these two is thrilling.

MOOOOOOOOOO-ve over, I would like spot on the couch too.

life at the park.

2012-01-22T20:07:00.000-08:00

This is how we do it.

Yep, it's way better than how Montell Jordan does it.

And it wasn't Friday night...it was a Tuesday.

on second thought.

2012-01-22T20:06:00.000-08:00

Maybe getting Frank wasn't such a bad idea.

that's dangerous.

2012-01-21T20:12:00.000-08:00

He comes into the bathroom with a gallon of Drano in one hand and his playskool lion in the other.

And the slyest little grin on his face.

I have this Drano in a hall closet, WAY in the back of the closet, on the third shelf.

1.800.222.1222

I have that number memorized.

Ever since my pediatrician told me he's a good candidate to poison himself.

Hadley ate toothpaste once, and I phoned my work in a panic.

They told me she would need to eat a Costco pack of toothpaste before she actually was deemed 'poisoned'.

This boy takes it to a whole new level of panic.

Always.

Pass over the Drano kid, Mama needs a pull.

oh no you dit-ten...

2012-01-20T16:43:00.000-08:00

Someone is becoming quite the swimmer.

Okay...she's still quite the drowner.
But she voluntarily puts her head under water when she's 'swimming'.

And then she comes up and very dramatically blinks her eyes for at least 6 minutes, all the while smiling, and yelling "MAMA DID YOU SEE ME?".

No Hads, I missed it...because I blinked while you were under.

It's that quick.

But I give her a huge thumbs up anyway, and maybe get a tear in my eye.

Nothing makes me prouder than when she's proud of herself.

Deservedly so or not.

trapped.

2012-01-19T20:48:00.000-08:00

I knew it was going to be bad this morning.

I don't like the idea of knowing we can't go anywhere. Regardless if we want to leave or not...I like to know we have the option.

Today we didn't.

It snowed. Again. In Seattle.

We were stuck.

My sister in law called to check in on me at 8:19am.

She knew.

She had already been home with two kids since Tuesday.

I had nothing to complain about...I 'got' to work yesterday.

But today. I was trapped.

I knew it was going to be a long day when we were already painting by 9am...

we don't paint.

But I was going to make the best of it.

I always do my most positive thinking in the morning.

It quickly goes downhill from there.

Frank spent most of the day here, keeping warm.

When he wasn't chewing up toys and biting us.

After painting and breakfast, we had ourselves a little tea party...

and Carson forgot to bring his manners.

By 10am, and we are all getting a little 'rummy'.

So we headed outside.

She whined 92% of the time. And I threatened her with no hot chocolate when we got back. And she put on her happy face. And then forgot, and whined some more. More threats. More fake happiness.

He kept quiet. But only because he was frozen solid.

Finally lunchtime (which is followed by naptime. Tick tock, tick, tock)...we made some pizzas.

She got to do EVERYTHING.

Think she was excited?

A smiley face Canadian Bacon and cheese pizza...with eyelashes.

This gal doesn't miss a detail.

While we were doing that.

He did this.

So loud.

So annoying.

Then he started crawling around the floor doing this.

So boy.

And then he started running around doing this.

So ready for it to be naptime.

After naps, she played with her kids.

And he played with his cymbals.

And then...our KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR SHOWED UP.

(and Hadley asked him why he was wearing a 'girls shirt').

He took us to Target.

I had no words.

He saved my life.

And the kids lives.

Only two hours earlier I texted my gal Fiona that I was going to put cyanide in their Kool-Aid.

They were drinking Kool-Aid because we were out of Milk.

But we were stocked full of poison.

Such a rookie. He agreed to this cart.

His punishment...

He had to push it.

At Target, we only bought the essentials.

I mean this is Armageddon people...I was serious about our emergency pack.

I didn't skimp.

This should get us through till Saturday.

And after dinner (Cocoa Krispies for those keeping tabs on my amazing parenting)...

SNOW ICE CREAM.

It came highly recommended by niece Lauren, who called me today and talked about it for at least 20 minutes.

She told me exactly how to make it (all three ingrediants).

And then told me it was 'the best food she's ever eaten in her entire life'.

She was right.

Hadley found it simply divine.

Next up...tubbies.

THANK GOD.

Because you know what follows a tubby?

A story.

And you know what follows a story?

BEDTIME.

We made it.

By the skin of our teeth.

I only told Hadley to please stop talking 122 times, Frank only drew blood from Carson twice, and I only stuck a hot poker in my eye once.

Now I am off to drink that half rack...by myself.

Oh, did I mention Ryan is stuck in Texas?

O.M.G.

back to the future IV.

2012-01-19T06:49:00.000-08:00

He kind of reminds me of Marty McFly in his cute little vest.

Just needs a hover board.

And a little Johnny B Goode playing in the background.

Oh, and a pair of these...

and a DeLorean.

And Biff Tannen to be next to him thumping his head saying:

"Think McFly Think."

And I got carried away.

dame nana.

2012-01-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

This woman should be knighted.
She's a big deal around here.

When she comes over, the kids become barnacles and I don't see them the rest of the night.

(note to self: have Dame Nana over more often).

Perhaps we will make a quick trip to England so we can get this official.

alter ego.

2012-01-17T06:28:00.000-08:00

Pam.

She is super helpful.

I mean really, really, really helpful.

She makes beds, holds open doors, files taxes.

Her little hands are often on her hips and her little mouth offers up a lot of advice.

She's a caution this one.

snow day.

2012-01-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

A long walk. A whitewash. A snowball fight. Some slidin' and swingin'. A tiny bit of whining. A spilled cup of Booty. And a grand finale shove in the snow.

All mixed with a whole lot of smiles.

Funny thing is...we are leaving the snow...to go play in more snow.

Off to the mountains we go...

But what a great little pre-funk.

time flies.

2012-01-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

March 2011.

January 2012.

I am going to have to put these two in a box.

Stop. Growing.

true love.

2012-01-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

Eight years ago tonight...

I was wearing a wedding dress, you a tux, we had kissed, and danced, and we were probably feeling pretty darn good. Bud Lights in the cans were a rollin' (Aunt Pam had already built a pyramid), and the barn was a pumpin'.

My bridesmaids had second degree burns on their necks (except Joc, who was smart enough to change into a plaid shirt and jeans), and your groomsmen still looked like legos. But who cares, everyone was 3 sheets to the wind. And dancing to Nelly.

Eight years ago tonight...

I had already serenaded you with my ladies, we had already toasted to some of the best wedding speeches I have heard to date, and our apple pies were cut.

We were thinking about our first night together as the Mr. and the Mrs. We were starving when we got back to the Salish Lodge. My mom drove us up there, but not before we stopped and got a half rack of beer. We stayed up all night and talked and talked and talked and talked.

We were absolutely giddy.

It was one of my most favorite days in 32 years.

Eight years ago tonight...

We had no idea what the pledge of marriage was all about. We hadn't a clue what we had just committed to or the seriousness it held.

We were so young.

We were in good shape, well rested, tanned, and dumb.

We were so naive, so selfish, and so immature.

We had no idea what it meant to make a house a home. We hadn't a CLUE what it meant to be parents. And compromise and communication were for the birds.

Ignorance was bliss.

And boy were we blissful.

Eight years ago tonight...

We had no idea what sharing a life together meant. The ups and downs, the strength it takes, and the humor you need. We had no idea where life would takes us. We had no idea what the future had in store for us. We weren't sure about a thing.

Except one...

each other.

Eight years ago tonight...

I must say, we were genius.

xoxo

the ranch.

2012-01-02T22:51:00.000-08:00

For you locals, I don't need to tell you about the Ranch Drive-In.

For those that have no idea what I am talking about...it's food heaven.

It's my favorite 'fast food' here on earth. Their burgers are out of this world, their fries should be bronzed, and don't even get me started on their rootbeer shakes.

When I was a kid, Jamie Swenson and I would walk down to the Ranch weekly, with all the random change we could find, and order one large fry and two hot cocoas. We would sit and talk for hours and hours in a little corner booth. Oh, how I would love to know what two 12 year olds had to talk about for that long.

Anyhoo, I don't indulge myself often (okay, I do indulge, but it's usually in the liquid form)...but I decided that on New Years Day a family Ranch date is the new tradition (and me loves me a tradition).

No better way to start the New Year than with with a little trans fat, a whole lot of calories, and the taste of perfection.

pizza, beer, tubbies, cards, and a new year.

2012-01-02T22:50:00.000-08:00

We rung in the new year in the HUGE town of Roslyn.

Population: Us.

Actually not really, the pizza place was packed.

Maybe they were just all there to see the baby sitting on a bumbo on the back counter, where they were making the pizza's, and taking the pizza's out of the huge hot oven and placing them next to said baby.

Maybe the health department should have been there too?

It was grand.

The pizza. The company. And the rest of the night.

It took a really long time to get our pizza's...and someone started to notice.

Then off to Ry's best friend BJ's rented cabin (mansion) with his entire family right down the road...

where the kids played, took baths, ran around naked, and went to bed....

And the adults drank, and ate, played cards, went hot tubbing, ran around naked, kissed at New Years, and went to bed.

He even slept like this while Carson was screaming his bloody head off and vomiting his little guts out from 3am-4:30am.

(mind you, we went to bed about 1:30am).

The start of 2012 wasn't looking promising for either of them...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I've got some big plans for you 2012.

thank you christmas.

2011-12-31T22:30:00.000-08:00

What a morning it was.

One woke up shaking with excitement. One woke up with a 104 degree temperature. One woke up with a slight hangover. And one woke up a tad cranky (because the one who woke up with a temperature wasn't waking up for the first time that night).

But we all rallied.

And Santa came through.

Hadley's favorite line:

"Mom, how did HE ever even know I wanted this?"

As her jaw dropped and she smiled ear to ear.

...she said this after opening every single present.

Even ones that were not from Santa.

That man turns water into wine in her eyes.

She's not that smart in our eyes.

Duh.

You gave him a list.

What can I say...she's found her Prince Charming.

(for the record, Christmas with a 4 year old is maybe the best Christmas present ever...truly).

The playas.

Breakfast & Mimosa's at our house with the A-team.

Okay, so I was the only one drinking mimosa's...next thing I knew the champagne was gone...and I was hugging and kissing everyone. I was merry, that's for sure. But so was my Pops. Can you say 'whiskey eggnogs'? We like to celebrate, it's in our blood.

Then up to the mountains for Christmas #2.

Two Christmas'?

Yes. Please.

One girl rocked the mountains.

One girl...ummm...did not.

But she was pleased as punch.

My mom, the closet lush.

And her four besties.

How many more days do we have to wait to do this again?

frank.

2011-12-30T20:55:00.000-08:00

The boy I love...

to hate...

Who, in their right mind, gets a puppy!?!?!

favorite time of the day.

2011-12-28T13:23:00.000-08:00

Love me some babies in a tub.

(Hadley just dumped water on Carson's head...he's still a little in shock).

kids day.

2011-12-27T17:33:00.000-08:00

Hadley is obsessed with knowing what comes next...

What's the next holiday? The next birthday? The next homework assignment? The next time she can have a piece of candy?

And on and on and on.

So we had gotten all the way to May and I told her Mother's Day is in May.

And she asked: 'Is Mother's Day when we bring you breakfast while you're being lazy and stay in bed?'

Me: 'Sure is Hads.'

Her: 'Well that's not very fair. I want to be lazy and have you bring me food too'.

Me: 'How would that be any different than any other day of your life?'

Her: 'You would bring it on a tray. And then give me a kiss.'

Happy Hadley Day, kiddo.

happy day.

2011-12-25T06:57:00.000-08:00

Made by the lovely JKB.

The one and only.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

xoxo

The Prentices'.

the gift of gab.

2011-12-24T08:49:00.000-08:00

Snowflake Lane.

We missed the entire thing.

We talked too much, ate too much, drank too much, enjoyed each other WAY too much...

and in return didn't see one drummer boy, one snowflake fall, or one candy cane sucker.

Oh well.

The company more than made up for it.
And so did the Pop Rocks I bought for the kids (one little girl was less than thrilled that she missed out on her candy cane sucker).

There's always next year...

and thus the tradition begins.

But next time with an alarm clock...so we don't miss the show.

And perhaps a spotter for all the folks I knock over with Carson in the backpack.

reindeer games.

2011-12-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

Guess Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen and Comet and Cupid and Rudolph had the day off.

Lazy bums.

That's okay, it gave us plenty of time for every photo op imaginable.

a job well done.

2011-12-23T16:10:00.000-08:00

Hads wrote Christmas cards to all the kids in her class. All seven of them (including Miss Michelle).

All by herself. No help from me. It took her over an hour.

And all she wrote was 'TO: (whomever) LOVE: Hadley.

She was beaming.

And so was I.

Funny that these little things are my favorite part of being a Mama.

the perfect addition.

2011-12-23T05:30:00.000-08:00

If you forget about all the pee on the floors, the dirt throughout the house, the chewed up toys, the chewed up corners of the coffee table, and the chewed up legs of our stools. The jumping up, the biting, and the yelping. The constant reminders, and the major annoyances...

we sure do like this new little pal.

He fits right in.

a tradition.

2011-12-22T21:14:00.000-08:00

I grew up with one of the best all time traditions.

Every year, since I was born, my mom and her best friend Michelle, and our families, have gotten together for a Christmas dinner. Rain or shine, snow or ice, happy or not...we meet, we celebrate, we spit on each others food, we laugh, and most importanly, we love.

We love like family.

It has been going on for 34 some odd years. That's older than me.

So lets just say...it's quite the tradition (and lets also throw in that my mom and Michelle are old).
Anyhoo, I wanted a tradition of my own.

So whom better to start it with than the gal I have known longer than any other gal here on earth.

My Joc...and her boys.

Joc and I have been BF's since kindergarten, Bennett and Ryan have known each other since Junior High...

and thus the magic begins.

Actually, it began 3 years ago when we started this little charade.

And since then we've both added a plus one.

I gotta say...it was easily one of the highlights of the month.

My mouth never shut, my potatoes were cold, and the boys (meaning B and Ry) fell asleep on the couch...

it was perfect.

As always.

Our little families.

Wanted to make things a little awkward...success!

J and B were the first to meet Frank. On his very first day with us. They declined to take him home. We obviously weren't serving enough booze. Lesson learned.

Without a doubt, the best hostess gift I have ever received. Hands down.

REINBEERS!

This kind of stuff is made for me.

Cheers...to another hundred years of friendship...and to a year of me actually having all my food ready at the same time.

P.S. Hadley wasn't there...just in case you were thinking we traded her in for Frank. I would have totally traded Carson, but not Hads. She's at least potty trained.

all beauty, no grace.

2011-12-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

Hadley had her Christmas Recital a few Mondays ago. And what an event it was. She practiced for weeks...okay, really she only practiced every Monday...at ballet. A week before her performance I asked if maybe we should practice some moves and she said "I will be fine Mama, I will just watch the other kids."

Oh boy.

She should have practiced.

Big cousin Lauren is also in her class...she's a few steps ahead...to say the least.

Zaide and Baba (and Nana and Pa) couldn't stop laughing.

Proof I was there...and that neither of us are photogenic.

Come to find out, this was her farewell performance. She's done with ballet, and is moving on to gymnastics...this should be interesting. Perhaps a sport she may actually be worse at.

I love ya kid.

Glad you didn't break a leg.

Oh, and for the record (truly, because I want these pictures in here for my records), the below pics are from her first ballet performance, that I missed because I had to work. And she has reminded me everyday since. Her recital was in June. That's a lot of reminding.

naughty or nice.

2011-12-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

I have no idea which list he will end up on...

But my money is on 'naughty'.

mr. big.

2011-12-17T12:34:00.001-08:00

We headed downtown to meet the Big Cheese.

I attempted this years Santy picture at 5th and Pike once again.

And once again I failed.

He arrived from the North Pole at 9:30am, we arrived from Woodinville at 9:45am...it was a 2.5 hour wait to see him.

Who in the world has 2.5 free hours to wait in line???

Not even Santa is that important to me.

So went to visit Santa #2 at Macy's (Fiona vouched for him, and her taste is impeccable, so I figured it was a safe bet)...only to find out that Santa #2 didn't arrive until 11am. I do not do well when I have to switch to plan B. But I tried. We walked around the city, wrote a letter to him, froze our tails off, went on a pony ride, got coffee...killed an hour. And when we did finally meet Santa #2, my stomach dropped, Plan B was becoming disastrous, his decor was horrendous. Ugly, cheesy, despicable. Come to realize Santa #3 was the guy we really wanted...but he had moved to Pacific Place, unbeknownst to us (this made me forgive Fiona).

By the time we made it to him...my oldest was beyond over the anticipation of meeting him, my youngest was beyond over his stroller, my husband was beyond over me and I was beyond over Christmas. So we got our pictures with crappy Santa #2, Hadley spoke her peace, Carson cried, I cringed, and all went home for naps.

And eggnog.

Only for me to go back to the Bellevue Santa, two days later, for retakes.

And in the retakes my kids look like they could be siblings of the Gorga children.

But thank goodness I didn't waste that 2.5 hours in line.

Sorry Santa, I guess you really are that important to me.

Lesson learned.

Again.

She spies Santa. So cute!

three-peat.

2011-12-17T12:34:00.000-08:00

Santa picture #1.

I know why Carson is crying.

It's Santa's ugly chair.

Santa picture #2.

Antonia and Joe Jr.

Santa picture #3.

Cousin jammie photo.

introduce yourself right on right on.

2011-12-15T19:48:00.000-08:00

Hello. My name is Franklin.

You can call me Frank...

Or Frankie.

Or Frankie P.

Or Frank Sinatra.

Or Frankfurter.

Or Frankenstein.

Or Frank N Beans.

Or Frank the Tank.

Or Francis.

Of course...He will probably also answer to:

NO!

Leave it.

Kennel up.

STOP!

Go potty.

Sit.

Stay.

And OFF!

Because these are actually the things he hears 9,000 times a day....way more than his

name(s)

We love him. Only because we are supposed to.

What was I thinking?!?!?

I now answer to...Idiot.

Thank God he's cute.

(actually he should be thanking God).

bits of merry.

2011-12-15T07:33:00.000-08:00

10 days.

Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh boy.

the magic.

2011-12-12T14:04:00.000-08:00

What will really be magical is if King Kong Carson the Christmas destroyer doesn't break any of the ornaments.

We didn't decorate the bottom third of the tree...we'll see if we are smarter than him.

So far...we are.

rudy boy.

2011-12-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

I think it's time I say a proper good-bye to our old best friend...before we announce the arrival of our new best friend.

Our Rudy boy.

He left us in August.

It sucked...to say the least.

And sometimes, my way of dealing with things that break my heart...is to, simply, not.

I am a psychiatrists dream.

We fell in love July 2003.

We met him at the Seattle Humane Society, and there wasn't a chance we were going home without him. We lied and said our backyard was fenced. We also pretended to have a clue about what to do with a puppy. We didn't. But we had a great name, Rudy Jefferson, and a cute collar. What more do you need?

He puked on Ryan three times on the car ride home.

And went on to puke every single time he rode in the car from that point on.

I had no idea dogs could get car sick.

Leave it to our quirky Rudes.

And quirky he was.

He hated tall men in hats, the broom, people on Rollerblades, and the sound of the harmonica.

He would eat anything and everything.

An entire pan of brownies, a stick of butter, and even slug bait. It almost killed him. The siding of our old house, the drywall in the mudroom, and a pair of platform Steve Madden shoes that I never even got a chance to wear (thinking he did me a favor, in the end).

He was loyal to a fault. He did not like people around 'his people'. He did not like people at his front door, he did not like people that came within 10 feet of the babies, and he did not like people that touched his bum.

But, oh my god, did he love the people he knew. Nothing made that tail wag harder than a familiar voice, a little love, and a whole lot of treats.

He was THE best running partner...topped out at 20 miles. It took some practice. I remember him 'dive bombing' every so often on the Burke Gilman into the grass when he didn't want to go any further. But it became the favorite part of his day. The minute we put our shoes on, he instantly went into spaz mode. The 'snapping turtle' on crack. He would run, right on our hip, for hours. And every so often, he would give me a nudge with his nose and look right up at me and smile...so big. There was nothing more that I loved than our 4am runs. Our own little secret before the rest of the world woke up.

He was a weenie in the water. I really don't even know if he could swim. He was more of a wader than a swimmer. But I hate the smell of a wet dog...so it was a bonus for me.

He was great at fetching, horrible at retrieving. Seriously. Terrible. It was embarassing.

You could never pet him without him putting his paw on your leg (incessantly!) and he could never greet you without the 'snapping' turtle or a swift nudge in your crotch. Sometimes dropping guys to their knees. Yep, he was at the perfect height.

He had the whitest teeth and shed like a mutha. His favorite place in the whole wide world was the cabin. His favorite treat in the whole wide world was a peanut butter filled kong. And his favorite person in the whole wide world was Ry. Without a doubt.

He was our baby.

And even though things changed with the arrival of Hads...and then they changed a little bit more after Carson...he was still a part of this fam. A part I usually complained about, was annoyed with, a part that ruined our carpets, and left grease marks on the walls, a part that was always, always in the way...

and a part that has left a void in our hearts the size of China.

I miss the sounds of his nails on the hardwoods, I still cringe whenever someone rings the doorbell just waiting for his ferocious bark, I miss letting him up on the couch after a bath, I miss him at the foot of our bed, and I miss, more than anything, my running buddy.

My only saving grace was when Ry and I went together to say our final goodbyes. And we laid with him and we cried and cried and cried...and he just laid with his head in our laps, smiling and loving that he was getting so much attention, putting that incessant right paw on our chests, and thanking us for giving him the last gift we had to give.

Rudes, you were one of a kind.

Our first love.

And you will always be the pup we compare every other dog to.

Thanks for being our pal. The best pal.

I hope you're somewhere running your little paws off...

And please, don't bite anyone in heaven.

We miss you.

xoxo

Your folks.

'tis the season.

2011-12-11T17:41:00.000-08:00

"Mama, we should get an advent calendar for ALL the months."

tick tock tick tock.

2011-12-05T22:19:00.000-08:00

5 days in and we're still on the 'nice' list.

20 days to go.

Max is watching kids.

Don't blow it.

'tis the season.

2011-12-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

We made gingerbread houses. Gabbed. Watched the snowfall. Went for slippery runs. Drank A LOT of coffee. Stayed up late. Woke up early (unfortunately). Went on walks. Made snow angels. Threw snowballs. Went to a fancy resort. Spied Santa. Chickened out. Knitted. Burned our little hands. Watched Christmas movies. Played games. Fell in love with a pup (all but Logan). Surrounded ourselves with cousins. Laughed. And laughed. And laughed.

cinderella, cinderella.

2011-12-03T05:56:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday Nana took us girls...just the girls...to see in Cinderella in the big city.

It was magical.

We all felt like fairy princesses.

Except when Hadley had to share her juice with Lauren.

Then she turned into a pumpkin.

Thanks for such a fancy day Nana.

Trying to get these two goons to cooperate.

Next to impossible.

kid speak.

2011-12-02T09:45:00.000-08:00

I love how kids mispronounce things.

I never correct them.

Ever.

Hadley still calls yogurt, 'yogrit', she calls the cabin, 'the cavin', and an escalator an 'elegator'.

She can learn how to say them the hard way like everyone else.

Having some jerk make fun of her.

I'm fine with that.

She also has some pretty cute phrases that I love.

They are just so 'Hadley'.

Here are a few...

"Why did you wanna ask me that?"

For example:

Me: 'Hadley, why is there candy in your room, under your pillow?'

Hads: 'Why did you wanna ask me that?'

'You never know.'

For example:

Hadley: 'I wish I had two daddy's like Tessa'.

Ry: 'Shoot. You got stuck with just one daddy and one mama'.

Hadley: 'But Tessa has two daddy's and one mama. That's what I want'.

Ry: 'That's too bad. You'll never have two daddy's. Just one'.

Hads: 'Well, you never know'.

'See, that's what you should not do.'

For example:

Carson was crawling up the stairs, he missed a step and fell backwards. I was cleaning up the kitchen...and not watching him. Hads and I scurried to him as we heard the thud then the scream.

Hads pointed at me and said: 'See, that's what you should not do as a Mama'.

Me: 'What did I do wrong?'

Hads: 'You're supposed to watch him. And now he's crying with a bonked head'.

And the other day I jumped into her bed in the morning, where all her baby's were perfectly lined up (I'm thinking she was reading them a story). Anyhoo, I landed on a couple and Hadley pushed me off so annoyed and says:

"Dude, Mama, you're on my kids.'

My bad.

Guess you should have been watching them Hadley.

oh brother.

2011-12-01T21:01:00.000-08:00

Remember?

Remember how I voted him 'kid most likely to end up in the E.R.' ?

Well I was right.

367 days into his life, that's right where he ended up.

I will give you the short story...may feel like the long story...trust me...it's not.

We were at the cabin Friday morning. Enjoying our coffee, enjoying the snow, enjoying our company.

And we see our little Frankenstein walking towards the 'wood' stove. The wood stove we are always paranoid about. The wood stove no other kid, in the history of the cabin (and trust me...there have been plenty) has touched.

Leave it to our little 'tard.

Both hands...right on it.

For about 2 seconds before I grabbed him.

Two seconds too late.

He was SCREAMING!!!

I kept saying "I just think I scared him by grabbing him". But as I was running his hands under cold water, I knew the boy was burned.

ICU nurse mode kicks in.

He's fine...no skin is lost...no infection risk...give him Tylenol...have him hold an ice water bottle...no problem...he will be fine.

Two hours later, he's still SCREAMING, and he's writhing in pain.

Mom kicks in.

Big tears...calling my work...someone help my baby.

So we go to the Cle Elem E.R. on a whim

(we were just going to go for a car ride to help him calm, and that's when I noticed his giant white blisters, so we kept driving...)

They immediately put cream on his hands and wrapped them up.

Carson let out the biggest sigh of relief I have ever heard. And instantly stopped crying.

My broken heart, broke even more.

As we were leaving Ry says 'Geeze, I can't believe how quick that was.'

Me: 'What did you think they were going to do? Skin grafts?'

Ry: 'Oh no, I thought for sure they would write up a CPS report.'

it's december.

2011-12-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

Throw your hands in the air!

24 days until Christmas.

And not a thing done.
Awesome.

gobble. gobble.

2011-12-01T07:02:00.000-08:00

I usually work every Thanksgiving. And I always miss out on the fun. The lazy coffee drinking morning, the Macy's parade, the brisk jog in the cold to stave off any turkey eating guilt, the warmness of a family filled home, the smells of stuffing, and gravy, and pie. Oh my.

But not this year. I got a call at 5:20am asking if I wanted to be 'on-call' for the day.

Yes please.

Val & Kevin always do it up big and always do it up well.

They are turkey cooking pros.

It was perfection.

And the name-cards are always my favorite. Hands down.

Besides the company of course.

And the kids actually sat at the kids table...AND ATE.

It was a record breaking year.

Cheers.

one...for reals.

2011-11-29T22:00:00.001-08:00

Oh, you didn't think I was done did you?

Nope.

I have a whole nother post about this guy.

On his REAL birthday.

Ry took the day off, he cooked a breakfast fit for a king, we went to 'Lauren's' Children's museum (Hadley's pick...and she was thrilled....f Cars wants a say in what we do for his bday he has to learn to speak up). We met Jamie (Utah living B.F.) and her fam bam, then had lunch at a brewery.

Only to be topped off with dinner at a brewery.

That's how you celebrate in the Prentice household.

With beer.

You wanna meet a crack-up...let me introduce you to Lily.

A 3 year old going on 29.

She's something else...I'm thinking of dropping Jamie and giving the other half of my bestie necklace to this kid.

We skipped a nap. We lived on the edge.

No seriously, my stomach was in knots. I don't like missing naps.

My kids self-destruct.

But that day they made me eat crow.

Meeting baby girl Barton #2.

Quinn.

Or more affectionately known as...

Quinner, Quinner, Chicken dinner.

Then to Redhook with our peeps.

How do you spell L-O-V-E?...

(see below).

And home again home again for presents...the perfect Grand Finale.

the party.

2011-11-29T19:58:00.000-08:00

Every year when it comes to the kids birthday I say I am going to do something small. Something quaint. Something that fits around a dining room table.

And every year I always end up doing something not so quaint, not so small, and something that doesn't even fit in the dining room, yet alone at the table.

What can I say I like to celebrate my kids.

Okay, let's be honest, I like to celebrate with my nearest and dearest...and I like things big.

(that's what she said).

17 kids under the age of 9.

Chaos at its best.

Not to worry, there were xanax in the treat bags.

Thanks to all that celebrated our boy...thanks to no one for the mess.

And you're welcome for the headache and the heart palpitations.

Let's party.

All worth it.

good peeps.

2011-11-29T15:41:00.000-08:00

We are surrounded by them.

And their kids.

And there is nothing better than the kids of the ones you love.

Nothing.

Because you can treat them like your own...without all the hassles of being the parent.

And you can give them candy without asking.

And then they leave.

A visit with the Conniffs...and their boys.

A dinner party with my work ladies...and their hooligans.

Yes, Fiona brought all her hooligans...but only because she couldn't find a babysitter for Steve. Three cheers to him for making the best costume I have ever seen.

A turkey pre-funk with Sarah & James.

They don't have kids.

They seem so happy.

They are so well rested.

And so well dressed.

Baby Camilla in the house.

Conniff's place. Take two.

Kids on a couch...nothing tops it.

And a special visit from my buddy Luke.

And his best pal...his Mama.

Yep, we're pretty spoiled.

Spoiled rotten.

then & now.

2011-11-29T15:34:00.000-08:00

I took Carson and Hads to Jump Planet the other day.

You know...the kind of places us parents have a love/hate relationship with.

But as much as I love to hate these places...they are pretty divine.

However, one of my babies wasn't always so in love with this little jumping paradise.

Hadley at Jump Planet...at about 14 months.

Carson at Jump Planet...a little less than 12 months old.

Let's just say, each kid had a very different experience.

Like oil and water these two.

doctor. doctor.

2011-11-28T20:19:00.000-08:00

One year check-up...

One year stats:

22 lbs 13 oz (73%)

31 inches long (82%)

18 inch noggin (80%)

You're long, you're lean, you can't sit still to save your life...

And you got A LOT of shots.

And then slept for 4.5 hours.

Can we go back tomorrow?

how do you like them apples?

2011-11-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

What they look like at 7am.

What we look like at 7pm.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

i am thankful.

2011-11-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for boxers.

I am thankful when I find these little gems on my camera.

(love Carsie peeking in).

I am thankful for REI.

I'm thankful for the Children's Museum.

I'm thankful for her sense of humor.

I'm thankful for big plastic toys.

(you are probably not thankful for my giant carbon footprint).

I'm thankful for big sisters.

I'm thankful for Redhook being one mile from our house.

I'm thankful for her independent little spirit.

(I am not thankful for her lack of style...beggars can't be choosers).

I'm thankful for his big grin.

I am thankful for these full arms.

(and mascara).

And more than anything...

I am thankful that I will only have to live with this mustache for 6 more days.

twelve month love letter.

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Oh boy.

Don't even get me started on this boy. Okay, okay...get me started. But don't expect me to stop.

He's one today.

ONE FRIGGIN' YEAR OLD!

How? How? How?

Time has flown by. That annoying person that has older kids and is always saying 'enjoy it now because before you know it they will be driving, and smoking, and vandalizing the schools'.(okay, maybe that's not what they say exactly, but that's how I take it). But it's true, time is a flying...and I think I saw spray paint under Carson's fingernails the other day.

Carsie Cakes, our little mister, our sweet bruddy...

my how we love you. Let me count the ways.

You wake up with THE biggest grin on your face in the morning, at least for wake up number two (wake up number one, at about 5:30am, you're much less vibrant...as am I. But you're loud, and you grab your bottsie like a crack addict. Then all is well). Where was I? Oh yes, your cuteness. You yell Mama in your sweet little raspy voice, with your sleepy eyes, and disheveled little blonde hairs, in the very corner of the crib, jumping up and down in your sleeper jammies, and peering over the top of the the crib on your tip toes so you can see who is coming through the door...insert your giant smile...yep, it's pretty much a day maker. You love your crib, with your blankies and your donkey, you love your naps, and you turn into a pumpkin at 7pm...on the dot. You like a schedule. And I like that.

You are quite the eater. You will eat anything we give you. Of course, precisely half of all you have ends up in your lap, or on the floor. And boy do you love to feed yourself, and by love I mean if you're not the one doing it, you lose your mind. You have the cutest little pinchers, and pick up your food so delicately, right before you shove said food into your mouth. You are always a total mess two bites into mealtime.

You started walking. Yep, that's right. You're on the move (0nly beat your sis by 6 months...but who's counting). You had your debut two Saturdays ago at the REI play area. Big show off. I about lost my mind. I'm pretty sure I did a double axle and then had your Dad overhead paged so he could see it too...and help control me, as I was swinging from the big plastic tree. Get used to it...you've got a long life of embarrassment ahead of you. You started out walking like the cutest little sideways crab...which transformed to the zombie walk...and now you're a full fledged Frankensteiner. We call you 'Frank'. Creative, I know.

You have started to say quite a few words.

Mama, Dada, What's that (Wass sat), Thank you (Day Doo), Bye-Bye, and Baba (which you use for Bottsie and your main man). For the record, the first word you said...drumroll please...was Dada.

You and I came downstairs, you pointed right at him, and said "Dada". Picture another double axle, but throw in a triple sow cow.

Mama, was a close second. You pulled your little self right up my leg, looked at me, and said the most bittersweet words a mom is ever to hear...my name. After having Hads, I promised I would never teach another kid to speak. And like everything with motherhood, I forgot my plan...because you kids melt my heart.

Oh buddy, I could talk about you for days. How much you love to make messes. How much you love to climb up our legs and throw your arms in the air so we pick you up. How cute your little goodbye wave is. How you have seven teeth, and were a hot mess with every single one. How this sometimes makes us call you a 'bad baby'. How you love to point at everything with your teeny tiny pointer finger. How you have fallen in a pool and down the stairs twice (see 'bad baby' reference). How you hate to snuggle, except before bedtime. How you instantly calm when I sing to you. How insanely happy that makes me. How you 'do' first, and 'think' second. How you are the antithesis of your sister. In every way. I LOVE how completely opposite you two are. How you fit perfectly right on my hip. How you still have your birth marks. How much I just absolutely enjoy you. From my head to my toes...and, more importantly, from your head to your toes.

You are my little man. Who knew I could love a stinky, drooly, ole' boy so much. But good god, have you captured my heart. So much so, that at times, it feels like it's going to explode. Especially when you flash that 1,000 watt smile.

You do something a little different to me Cars. You see, deep in my soul, I will forever miss the babe we didn't get to meet. But if we met him, well then, we wouldn't have you. And just like your sis will always be the babe that 'saved me', well, you are the babe that makes me truly grateful for the worst days of my life. Because plainly and simply, life without you is quite unimaginable.

Thanks for joining the party pal. I couldn't be more thankful or more in love with my little one year old blockhead.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

xoxo

Your insanely giddy Mama

i need one at home.

2011-11-21T21:57:00.000-08:00

If they could sit in this puppy while I blogged...I would have it made.

Although, this thing would be a total bitch to get up the stairs.

Hell, it's a total bitch to maneuver through the damn produce aisle.

I have posts that I haven't finished from September.

Oy vey.

Be prepared.

My little blog is getting ready to vomit very soon.

Can I get a clean up on aisle 7?

his disneyland.

2011-11-15T22:14:00.000-08:00

You should see this kid 'b-line' when we open the fridge.

And you should see him lose his little mind when we close it.

drool much?

2011-11-15T08:27:00.001-08:00

Third shirt of the day.

Boys are gross.

her disneyland.

2011-11-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

She asks me every single day if she can paint.

Every. single. day.

She also asks me for gum every five minutes, and for warm milk, and for a snack, and another snack, and if she can watch TV, and to color with her...

Okay focus.

And the other day I caved.

Because she's pretty stinkin' adorable, and insistent, and slightly annoying.

And this kept her busy for at least an hour.

AN HOUR!

You know what a mom can do with an hour of free time?

We can build Rome.

Me: 'Hads what's your most favorite day in the world. Christmas, Halloween, or a painting day?'

Hads: 'My first favorite is a painting day, then Christmas, then Wednesdays and Fridays (the days she goes to Zaide's and Nana's), then Halloween'.

Nana & Zaide's, she likes you more than candy.

That's huge.

Hadley...you're my favorite.

(no worries, Carsie can't read yet).

a fighter.

2011-11-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

Mom.

You gave those Northshore teachers a voice.

You gave them hope.

And sometimes that's enough to make all the difference.

Trust me...I see it change lives daily.

(and you know our rules about 'trust me's').

You are our champion.

And there is never, ever, a day we are not proud of you.

I mean seriously, when you look at this picture...

you truly have everything you could ever need or want in the world.

Schoolboard, Shmoolboard.

xoxo.

remember when.

2011-11-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

Came across some pics when Carsie was just learning to army crawl.

Life was easier.

I think I liked him better then.

nutcracker bound?

2011-11-09T11:44:00.000-08:00

After three sessions of ballet...

all she can do is curtsy.

But trust me.

It would make the Queen Mum quite proud.

cinch up that belt.

2011-11-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

When you're a parent you worry about any and everything.

I find myself fretting over the teenage years.

A lot.

And we are not even close to them.

(8 years, 5 months, and 29 days away).

I am scared to death of my kids 'doing it'.

Because the reality is...someday they probably will.

And these are the sorts of things that keep me up at night.

I have a little issue with control.

But then I come across a picture like this and I smile.

We're going to be just fine.

it's been done before.

2011-11-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

Kind of a kiddos right of passage.

Don't you think?

all american girl.

2011-11-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

Hadley LOVES any and everything American Girl.

Only because 'big' cousin Lauren has a doll of her own.

She also LOVES Justin Beiber, Selena Gomez, and Taylor Swift.

Thanks for nothing Lauren.

So, the other day, on a whim, when she woke up from her nap I asked her if she wanted to go to the American Girl store.

She did a back-flip.

We went.

She looked, she touched, she acted as a 'foster mom', she drank tea, she ate crumpets.

She is now obsessed. And has dog-eared the hell out of her American Girl catalog.

She has big plans for Santa this year.
And we have great ammo to make her behave.

your friendly reminder.

2011-11-06T06:13:00.000-08:00

Don't forget.

Vote for Zaide...

Or the kid gets it.

B-Z DAVIS NORTHSHORE SCHOOL BOARD.

that time of year again.

2011-11-01T07:38:00.000-07:00

Movember.

Go here to see Ryan as Mr. Walter White's doppelganger.

Seriously.

It's creepy.

But all for a good cause.

And an entire month of abstinence.

boo.

2011-10-31T23:05:00.000-07:00

Cheater.

A nurse and a chicken.

Carsie's costume was a tad small (3-6 months).

But all the cousins have worn it...it's a right of halloween passage.

Lo literally licking candy off the counter.

May nobodies teeth rot...

Good luck.

all in a day.

2011-10-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

The morning started off like this...

Heather & Colie stopped by for a little visit.

We chatted about how uncomfortable Heathie was, how big her face was, how little sleep a human being can actually live on.

And how she only had two more days until baby arrived because she was scheduled to be induced on Tuesday November 1st.

I said 'Great. I have Tuesday off'.

We talked about Kim Kardashian.

We talked about Hadley and Cole getting married.

We talked about throw pillows.

You know, we just hit the major stuff.

Then I get a text...a mere four hours later,

that she is in the hospital about to have baby boy #2.

We didn't talk about that.

I don't ever think I have seen Heather more beautiful...or more tired.

She was a champ (as always) and was only in labor about 3 hours, pushed a few times, and there he was...

All 7lbs and 3oz's of him.

CASE 'no name' CONNIFF

October 30th, 2011

@ 8:52pm

Welcome to the world little pal.

You are one lucky little bean and cute as a button...a Benjamin Button.

Geeze, just when I thought my heart couldn't grow any bigger...

xoxo

Hadley Prentice, RN.

2011-10-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

She can make a mean 'occupied' bed.

And she's wicked with a bedpan.

Start ringing those call lights.

a bit more birthday.

2011-10-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

If you hang around with Hadley (and we do...because we don't have much of a choice), a birthday isn't a birthday without some candles and some cake.

Make a wish.

I kinda can't get over Ry and his mini-me.

so a horse walks into a bar.

2011-10-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

Ryan turned 32.

We headed to Leavenworth with two of our nearest dearest.

We went for a run.

We went to Oktoberfest.

And it all went downhill from there.

Very quickly.

Deal was, whomever came in last in the run, out of our little foursome, had to wear the horse head to Oktoberfest. Guess who lost....?

Yours truly.

I felt like Mickey Mouse. You have no idea how many photo ops I posed for. Funny thing is, I smiled each time.

Steve Lawson's house (the rental we stayed at through VRBO).

We didn't get to meet him, but we stayed at his home.

And the only reason we know his name is because his inhalers were laying around in the master bedroom (all six of them), and his sonicare was in the bathroom.

I am guessing Steve is overweight, with sleep apnea, and a wicked case of COPD.

But I am just spit balling.

Ryan, you are my kryptonite.

Happy birthday babe.

museum dates.

2011-10-16T00:02:00.000-07:00

She loves to paint. He loves to crawl...everywhere.

She bosses him around. He loves the attention.

I love that it's all someone else's mess.

(not to fear, we ALWAYS put our groceries back).

We are each others perfect dates.

the sidekick.

2011-10-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Carson loves this little Fischer-Price blood pressure cuff.

They crawl together, climb the stairs together, eat together, share long walks on the beach together.

He is the systolic to his BP cuff's diastolic.

(oh you gotta love 'nurse' humor).

carsie.

2011-10-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

My tongue sticker outer, copious drooling, stair climbing fool.

keep out.

2011-10-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

I thought I had everything completely baby proofed in this house.

Looks like I forgot to lock up the liquor cabinet.

Lauren & Hadley, you're grounded.

For life.