Unprompted Late Night Calls

A couple nights ago I went over to Sarah's to watch a show and after about five minutes of being there I got a call from home. Not from Joe. From Noah. I insensitively left without saying goodnight to him. How dare I! He called to lay it into me.

"Mom (through tears), but I miss you! You didn't say good night. (He was seriously distraught). But. But. But you didn't sing a song with me!"

Of course every Mother loves to know that she is wanted and loved. It warmed my heart to the brim to see that he recognized that "I" wasn't the one putting him to bed. To know that he wished it was me. To know that I was missed. The only thing that would calm him down was a promise from me that I would come into his room and give him a kiss on the head when I came home.

And then unprompted he said,

"Mom...? I love you."

I love you, too, my Noah.

Most Immpressive

I thought I had done a good job with Ellie's hair, ...that is, until Jackson got ahold of it. I don't know how he got her to sit still, but I think he may have a real shot at this hair-styling business. Pure talent right there.

Who's Ever Heard of a Snauzberry?

Yesterday morning, Joe and I took the kids out to a strawberry field to pick us some fresh strawberries! I've never done anything like this before, so I thought it would be a fun family activity that we could all do together. That, and I've decided from here on out until it snows that we will utilize our Saturdays as best as possible, always including a fun (and perhaps different) family activity. It is the one day we get Dad all to ourselves, AND, it's Summer!

Right as we were about to leave, the bucket got dumped on the ground. Haha! There go all of our "fresh" strawberries! Not to worry though, we plan on making strawberry ice cream tonight! Yum!

It's days like these that make me love Alberta! A few years ago, Joe and I were seriously considering moving to Vernon, BC. It is beautiful there and while we were visiting we did all of these fun outdoor activities that we've never done here. It seemed like the possibilities were endless. HOWEVER, it also made me realize that my city does have a lot to offer if I just DO the things that it DOES offer.

Like picking strawberries on a Saturday morning.

The Splash Park

Such a glorious and stressful place. Last week when Jenny was still in town we met up with Sarah (and Tarilyn for about five minutes!) to enjoy a hot day in the sprinklers. Only problem is, a few hundred other people had the same idea! It is super fun, but I either lose at least one child at some point and feel like a life guard again constantly scanning to make sure my kids are safe. I think my worst fear is someone taking my kid. Joe thinks I am paranoid, but I think I am cautious. Maybe I HAVE seen too many movies....

Anywho, Ellie was in heaven. Last year she was still a wee babe sleeping in her stroller, but this year she got to be free! Thankfully she likes to stick close to me when there are a lot of people around, but she loved being brave and sticking her hand or foot in a sprinkler. It was fun to watch.

I lucked out with my boys this time. They decided to play at the water table almost the entire time. For whatever reason they weren't interested in getting too wet that day. And I wasn't complaining.

I think Ellie and the boys spent 60% of their time sitting beside us and eating food (Sarah's snacks were way better than mine I guess!).

I think Milo only sat down once to rehydrate and then he was off again! He was fearless when it came to walking right through the sprinklers and loved playing at the water table with Ellie and the big kids. He kept climbing in and out, in and out. It was hilarious!

I love how Ellie is running towards the water with her hands waving in the air. True excitement. I can hear hear screaming now.

The nice thing about this park is that it's three parks in one, so once the kiddies were done playing in the water, we moved on to the park right next to it. The rock-climbing park.

Jax followed these guys around everywhere! He is so lucky to have cousins that play so well with him (that is, politely let him follow them around! "Hey guys! Wait up! Wait for me!"). Where is Noah you ask?

No big deal. Just on a six-foot high mountain. Doing his own thing. Sheesh! That kid!

I thought this picture was too cute! The best was that he took his offer away the second she opened her mouth. Haha! We miss you already Jenny and Milo! Can't wait to visit so you can take us to all the cool places that Cleveland has to offer. I bet you can't tell me it has a park like this!

Anywho, after the park we went over to Sarah's to chill and put babies down for naps, etc. And this is how I found Noah. Passed OUT! I love days like that. It makes me feel like I was successful in having a fun-filled day with the kids to the point of wiping out.

...Or in other words, I was a success at being a "fun" Mom.

Recap on the Rug-Rats

Somedays I feel like three is enough. How could I possibly have any more? But then I wonder, what could I possibly do without them and how could I ever stop? They get big way too fast and no matter how many I have, they will always be growing! These three have already changed so much since my last recap, so let us begin!

JAX

Jackson must be the friendliest little 4 year old on the planet. I am finally getting to know my neighbours because of him, so I guess it's a good thing. There were two little boys playing two doors down from us and he looked at me excitedly, so I was like, "Sure, go say hi." They ended up playing most of the afternoon. This is not the first time this has happened. There are many kids on our street! Not to mention the park. Everyone at the park is his "friend" whether he knows their names or not!

He is still my sensitive boy. His prayers are usually well thought out. He always makes sure to pray that he will "have fun playing with my friends today" ...and as a Mom, I guess I have to answer that prayer, or where is his faith going to go? ;) The thing that makes me melt though is how he is always thinking of others. Ellie has had a fever over the last several days and unprompted, he prayed for her. He asks to have the Holy Ghost to guide him. He's grateful for Jesus. Where did this angel come from?

Ever since Joe introduced the XBOX to Jackson it has been a daily activity in his life. It started with Kinect, which I thought was great because it was an active Sports game, but now he's figured out he can sit on the couch and use a controller to move the guys around. So Lego Batman and Star Wars are a big part of his life now. However, when Noah and Ellie have their nap times, I still try to get Jackson to do some sort of learning activity or craft so I can pat myself on the back and feel like I'm doing an okay job before I send him away to watch TV or play XBOX. Although Joe and I both agree there needs to be limits with that sort of thing, he still tries to stand up for the XBOX by saying that at least there's problem-solving involved, so he's not totally going to wither away in front of the screen. Ha!

It does alert me how old he's getting so quickly. He keeps sprouting right out of his pants! Not only that, but even the things that he already somehow knows. I wish I could say I taught him everything he knows, but apparently NOT! He does have Joe, his Sunday School teachers, His Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents, ...and of course, as we've discussed, the XBOX to help him out!

If there is one thing I could say that really impresses me about Jackson, it's that he's a fantastic older brother. He has his moments where he doesn't want Ellie to touch his tower or take his toy, etc, but for the most part he is always wanting to make her laugh or chase her around or take her hand. And with Noah, they are the best of buds. Always playing some sort of jump-off-the-couch game, or battling swords, or chasing game, or having a dance party and comparing moves, etc. I love that they are best friends. It is the sweetest thing as a Mom to watch that.

NOAH

I accidentally wrote "NOAH" at the top of Jackson's picture. That is how much they are starting to look a like (especially with Noah's short hair now). They even copied faces for this picture. But their personalities are still different enough. I used to make fun of my parents for always getting our names mixed up, but now I get it. And I only have three. Not ten. Noah is getting so fun! His favourite phrase is, "Hey Mom, watch this!" It is usually some sort of dance move, spin, summersault, or a jump off of a high place. Most other parents would be scared for their child jumping that high, but I'm used to it. In fact, just a couple weeks ago I took the kids to Jackie Parker Park to climb all those rocks, etc, and Taylor runs up to me, "Maren, I think Noah might be scared, he's really high up!" So, I look and rolled my eyes. He's fine. He's only up to my torso, he can do it. And he did. But another thing that I DO have to say about Noah is he is way too daring for his own good. About ten minutes later, Taylor comes back saying the same thing, and she was right. He had climbed a tower that was a foot taller than me! Aaah! How has this child survived thus far? Trust me, he is never without a scrap or a bruise. Constantly, and I mean CONSTANTLY falling down and somehow it's always on pavement. Why couldn't it be the sand, or grass? Nope. Not Noah. He's not only fearless in the physical sense, but he loves to test limits. A few mornings ago he practically emptied the fruit-snacks box. He'll fully admit it too. It's like he doesn't care about the consequences if he can get away with getting what he wants. Like just two minutes ago while I was tending to Jax who has pink eye and was crying in bed, Noah crept out of bed and started eating my snacks/treats. As soon as I caught him, he just said, "Oh hi Mom, I'm just eating chips. They're not spicy. And a sip of your slurpee." Yup. I can see that. What a little toot! It's as though if he admits to it, he can get away with it. Hey wait a minute. He did!

Noah is 100% potty trained. Even at night if you can believe it! Well, I'd be lying if I said that was 100% of the time, ...maybe more like 80%, which is better than me as a child. I was awful until I was 12 years old! ...maybe older, but I won't go there. His only weakness is nakedness. There are multiple times throughout the day where he's gone to the bathroom and left his pants and undies on the ground and I find him naked waist down. I'm talking EVERY day. Sheesh that kid! I've been trying to work with him on dressing himself, but he's not quite there. Not interested enough. It's like he doesn't want to take the two seconds because he's afraid he'll miss something. One day we'll get there.

I think Noah may be musical. Or at least he's trying. Any time the radio's on he'll sing along to everything, or pretend to be the drums, "pjjjjjch!" It's pretty darn cute! He also loves to sing along with me. Any time he hears me in Ellie's room rocking her in her chair before bed, he'll come in and join whatever bed time song I am singing her. Jax and Noah even sang at Carter's baptism with all the cousins and I wasn't sure how they would do singing in front of other people, but Noah especially sang out. I was impressed by both of them and was melting with every word. I loved the enthusiasm (Maybe I shouldn't add that I promised them each a treat if they did a good job. Tee hee....). I stole this picture from my parents camera.

And yes, Noah is holding his Batman guy while singing up there. Is obsession the word? I'm not sure.

Noah is still a Mamma's boy. He still loves to snuggle me, or if he's hurt, it's my name he calls. He gives me hugs and kisses when I ask, and when I tell him I love him, he says it right back. I'm not gonna lie. I love it.

ELLIE

My Eleanor. Where do I even start? She changes and does something new every day. This phase in childhood seems to go the fastest because there is so much change! Let's start with my favourite thing: Her thighs. She may be pretty petite, but she can sure out-eat the boys these days! And I'm pretty sure it all ends up in her squishy thighs. I'll be sad for the day when they are no longer squishy. I feel like it may be coming sooner than I'd like!

Ellie is bursting with personality. She is constantly gabbing. Not necessarily to anyone or about anything in particular, but I will say she's learning a lot of new words. Or is at least trying. Mommy, Daddy, Ganny (Granny), Papa or Gapa (Grandpa), Beebee (baby), Szeesee (Jesus), Bakie (Blankie), water (this can also mean slurpee...which I sometimes DO drink like water. Woops. Or any kind of liquid), cookie (this usually means anything sweet or tasty), wow (she will usually point at something she finds interesting and tends to use this one to either distract me, change the conversation or when she's excited about something), on (which means on or off. We're teaching her about light switches), lie (light), Keeko-Keeko (means Twinkle Twinkle. She usually asks me to sing this to her a number of times before bed. She sometimes calls it "Cookie Cookie." Haha!), dar (Star, ...she also asks me sing her this one a number of times before bed as well "I Am Like a Star"), ...and the list goes on. She's at the stage where you could ask her to mimmic anything and she'll try. She calls Jackson "Dazzee" and won't even bother with Noah's. Haha! "Ellie, say No." "no no no." "Say No-ah." Blank stare.

She is a dream when it comes to bed time. As I mentioned before, I sing to her before bed. I usually have her facing me in the rocking chair with her head on my chest and a blanket wrapped around her. She'll snuggle in closely. Sometimes she'll even try to sing along and when we're done singing, she'll look up and me with a huge smile and her next request. Her fav's are Rainbow (My Baptism), I Am a Child of God, I Am Like a Star and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Her face shines so bright and sweetly, it is hard to limit how many songs we sing. She knows how to wrap me around her little finger. The nice thing is because she is not attached to a soother, or thumb (like my other two were), she can put herself to sleep. I usually hear her talking to herself in her crib "Ahhhh, dibby-diggy-diggy-diggy-wow-baaahhhhh...", but it doesn't last long because she knows it's time to sleep. What a blessed little girl. She was an experiment when it came to bed time and now that I know that it works the best, I am doing that from here on out! Mind you, ...she does love her stuffed animals in her crib. Probably who she's talking to!

Ellie is a bit of an extremist in behaviour. I've found that she is either extremely happy and sweet and adorable, or extremely upset! And she can go from one to the other in a split second! For example, yesterday the kids were out in the backyard playing in the kiddie pool. Ellie was in Heaven, gabbing away and smiling and laughing, ...until she would get splashed, which then would turn into a high-pitched, blood-curdling scream while waving her arms around in frustration and anger (usually towards the culprit). She sure knows how to tell those boys off. Of course, being around water she got splashed nearly every 20 seconds. Happy. Mad. Happy. Mad. Talk about PMS. What am I going to do when she's a teenager and can actually speak in full sentences? That should be interesting. I'll stick with my one and a half year old for a while.

A few more cute things in no particular order: When she's finished eating she gathers everything on to her plate, including her sippy-cup and holds it out to me expectantly while saying, "Mammy! (pause) Mammy!" Until I take it away; She loves to grab my finger and take me up and down the stairs (like a big girl. I guess we have to practice someday); She loves when I read to her. Her fav is the Puppy book that my parents gave to her; She loves to snuggle next to me when we watch TV together. In fact, she will snuggle next to anyone. Usually while I am making dinner I will turn on the TV in my room and let the kids all sit on my bed to watch so I can be uninterrupted, and I will find her snuggled right up to Jackson most of the time and occasionally up to Noah when he's in a good post-nap-mood; If she sees a dog, she gets excited and barks at the dog as though she were speaking to it. It's pretty cute; She loves to play with the boys. Sometimes the boys are doing their own thing and will close the door so she can't play with them and let me tell YOU! She takes it pretty personally! She cries like there is no tomorrow! But much of the time, the boys will run around with her and chase her and she will chase them back. That is her favourite game. Well, that, and when I hide behind a corner and pop out and scare her. She will jolt a little and then belly laugh. She loves it, and I love seeing her response!; She and the boys have this thing where they show me how strong they are by flexing their muscles. Basically Ellie just clenches her fists and shakes while holding her breath. That's one tough chick I have; Every once in a while she will fold her arms to pray and babble along with who ever is saying the prayer. And always, never fail, she will bust out her "AMEN!" at the end of the prayer and sometimes even a little before the prayer is done. This is always entertaining during sacrament meeting. Oh dear; She also gives the best hugs. Sometimes she will squeeze so hard she shakes. It's adorable. Or if she's feeling cuddly, she'll just lay her head there for a while. What? A snuggly baby? Noah was snuggly, but not THIS snuggly. It's a beautiful thing;

Having a girl is such a fun change. I love that I have my two rough-and-tumble boys along with my sweet, batting-eyed Ellie. Every day has it's hard moments, but then again every day also has it's "It's all worth it" moments, and thank goodness for those! I love my babies and feel so blessed to have such happy and healthy children. Until the next recap....

Costco

Why do I think I can do this? Why do I bother trying to take all three kids by myself? To Costco. At lunch time. Some days I think I am strong enough and have the energy to brave it. And some days I am just plain desperate and the grocery shopping cannot wait. Who else is going to do it? When else will it get done? Sighhhhhhhhhhh.....

Today was fun. I have a pit in my stomach even recalling the story now. So, the shopping part? Not so bad. I knew exactly what I needed and it went quickly. The line? Not bad either. My kids, however, somehow convinced me that they wanted chicken and fries. In all honesty, I kind of wanted some too! I still had some energy in me and decided, "Oh why not?! The line up's not bad, we won't have to wait too long for a table. I can do this!" So I order and realize that they only accept cash. Usually Joe buys the food while I scout out a table with the kids, so I forgot about this silly rule! The lady behind the cash register pointed out an ATM at the other end of Costco (no doubt she's had to do that a few times), but my kids were getting, how do we say, ...CRAZY! Anywho, I look around me and all the sudden everything is 100 times more busy than it was just two seconds ago. I could feel everything closing in on me just like in a movie. I decided on the spot to just cancel my order. I couldn't deal with kids for another five minutes while getting cash out and then picking up my food again, etc. As I started to walk away, a woman approached me and said, "You forgot to pick up your food!" I explained to her that I forgot that it was cash only and that I decided to just cancel my order, to which this kind, kind, kind-hearted woman responded, "Oh, I'll buy it for you." She looked at my crazy kids. "Yes, it's only five bucks. I'll get it." What? This has never happened to me before. I really didn't know what to say. Mostly I felt a mish-mash of embarrassment and pride, "No. No, I couldn't let you. It's okay, don't worry about it." She wouldn't take no for an answer (especially with how my kids were acting by that point) and honestly, all that embarrassment washed away and quickly turned into gratitude. Maybe it was a small thing, but it really meant the world to me. It makes me look forward to "paying it forward" one day.

Maybe Costco isn't so bad.

So, we started eating and here's the best part of the story. We're practically done. But Ellie wants to sit on her own like a big girl. Whatever. She does this at home all the time. I'm about to start cleaning up the kids. It's packed. I know people need tables. Suddenly Ellie loses her balance and as she's falling off the bench she grabs the tray with all the ketchup and gravy and takes it with her, not to mention screaming at the top of her lungs once she's thumped to the floor. Oh dear. All I wanted to do was eat this meal quietly with a heart of gratitude and not make any more of a scene than I had already made with the lady who paid for my meal. It's like somehow this scene of a crying baby made me feel like I was less grateful for the free meal. I don't know why, but that's how I felt. Ellie had gravy all over her face and hair and could not be consoled. A woman sitting beside me tried to make me feel better (I think she must have "been there and done that" at one point) by saying, "You are such a good Mom. Look at you, unfazed. You took that so well!" Really? Perhaps on the outside. Actually, I don't even think I was hiding it that well. I was sweating and trying not to cry. I seriously wanted to curl up into a ball and transport back home and have someone else unpack my groceries and take care of my kids for the rest of the day. I know this will be one of MANY not-so-fun stories of grocery shopping with my kids. So, why can't I just learn my lesson?

Never grocery shop with kids.

Ellie's First French Braids

There is something delicious about little girls and braids. So tiny and so cute! I know the braids will be ruined after her afternoon nap, but now that her hair is getting loger it's fun experimenting and playing with it (as long as she can sit still long enough for me to do it). Which is better/easier? Doing your girl's hair every day (and fixing it after naps), or having to cut your boys' hair every three to four weeks? Haven't decided yet.

I'm Melting...

Today I was having a conversation with Jackson and Noah, just sitting on the porch, drinking our slurpees and talking about the sky, which quickly turned into a conversation about Space:

Jax: We could take an airplane and see the stars

Me: Well, an airplane wouldn't take you high enough to get you to Space. You'd have to take a rocket ship.

Jax: But the rocket would poke the stars. Like a ballon popping! (he was nervous about that). People can't go into Space.

Me: Sure they can. They're called astronauts.

Noah: Mommy, (looking at me in all seriousness), I don't want to go to Space because I will miss you.

Melt my heart. I love my boys.

Feast or Famine

Right off the bat, I have to say that I have the best husband. About a month and a half ago Jenny, Brett and Milo flew into town to stay for part of the Summer. I didn't even have to say anything. Joe KNEW I would be spending the majority of my time hanging out with Sarah and Jenny as much as possible! He did not even fight it. Nor did I. I spent almost every waking minute that I could with Sarah and Jenny. We would spend our days at the park, walking to get slurpees whilest trying to fit three strollers on one walk-way; On hot days we'd be in the back yard with the kids, swimsuits and sprinklers, or at the Sprinkler Park; We spent a few afternoons and evenings making HP posters while listening to Justin Bieber (before that time I had heard maybe one song of his, and now I think I have all the lyrics memorized to every song. Haha! Thanks Sarah!); We'd watch endless U-tube videos thanks to Jenny, the Queen of U-tube videos (or at least finding them); Our road trip to Montana to visit the parents (sans kids!) was SUCH a blessed break! And it gave us a chance to re-kindle our love for Hunger Games again. Let the re-obsessing begin!; Many of our evenings were spent watching Lark Rise to Candleford while stuffing our faces (let's not forget Monday night's Bachelorette. Love the drama!). All of this lead up to our "brilliant" Harry Potter party which I so looked forward to, AND didn't at the same time because I knew that Jenny would be gone only days after. Bitter Sweet. After we watched the movie on Friday morning, talked about our favourite parts for a short while in the foyer, we had to say our goodbyes. Well, at least start them. Sarah was leaving on vacation, so it was her last good bye to Jenny for a while. But in all honesty, I was more sad that day, than two days later when it was just me saying goodbye to Jenny. I still had to drop her off after Sarah's goodbye, and once Jenny left the car, the tears began to roll because I knew it would be a long time before the three of us would get together again. It was an awful reminder of the first time Jenny had to leave. And I hated it. It's like the three of us belong together. If one is missing, it is never the same. Jenny and I watched a couple episodes of Lark Rise on our last night without Sarah, and I felt like I was cheating on her! Haha!

Anywho, ...you'd think I would have taken more pictures, but here is my meagre supply (although I DO have a slew of Sprinker Park pictures saved up for another post). I guess I was just having too much fun to take more.

Meagre. I know. I warned you! Anywho, Jenny left this morning, Sarah's on vacation. And Joe just left town for work. So, now I am ALL alone. ALONE!!! I went from partying every single day to this. NADA! Perhaps it's time to make new friends? Or perhaps it's time to get a good night's sleep.

Toilet Trouble

I hate to say it, but lately it is Ellie's pure joy to rip toilet paper into tiny pieces and either throw them on the ground or in the toilet. Often when I catch her, she tries to do it as fast as she can instead of stopping.

"No No Eleanor!"

RIP RIP RIP RIP (followed by a giddy laugh ...or should I call it evil?)

I suppose this just illuminates what kind of personality she has. This girl is going to be trouble! With a capitol T. And that rhymes with P and that stands for poop! (Get it? Toilet? Poop? Tee hee.....)

HP

Nerd Alert. If you love Harry Potter as much as me and my sisters, then welcome aboard the Nerd Ship. Disapparate along with me and enjoy the journey of how three witches (me, Sarah and Jenny) decided to throw a Harry Potter Party in celebration of the final movie.

Here we witches prepare to transform into... well, "real" witches. From the books.



Becoming Belatrix was not an easy task.

...but we somehow managed to transform her. (Jenny, let me know how combing out your hair goes!)

My character (Minerva McGonagol) was a little easier. I lucked out at Value Village and won me a stunning little number. The shoulder pads (or should I say pokes?), of course, I added for authenticity.

Sarah came as the sweet Ginny Weasley. Note the posters behind each of us. We spent hours on each poster. In fact, I think 6 hours in total on 6 posters between the three of us! Why you ask? I think a lot of the fun comes from planning a party, preparing for each and every single thing, and watching it all come together. What I love is having an excuse to get together. Planning a party by myself on the other hand? No thanks.

Here's one that Jenny did. Note the bum. Get it? The bathroom? Leaky Cauldron? Gross. I know. It was all Jenny.

And here we are trying to get a full picture of our amazing costumes! But pretty much we just look awkward standing on my couch.

Here's a taste of some of the other things we did for the party...

Sarah did these awesome golden snitches.






Cassie brought these tasty delights....

Since it was a costume party, (yes, ...going back to "nerds." We've all disapparated on the Nerd Ship already right? So this should no longer shock any one), every one came dressed up as a character from the book. I was looking forward to seeing all of the original costumes, but funny enough we had a few doubles!

Carley and Amanda came as Dolores Umbridge.

Barb and Cassie came as Professor Trelawny.

Janine and Jenny as Bellatrix Lestrange.

Sarah and I were the only non-matchies!

Dumbledore was even there! (via portrait of course).

We started with the sorting hat and housed each person into either Slytherin or Gryfindor after which we played a tight game of....

TRIVIA! (hosted by Bellatrix of course). Okay, so Gryffindor kicked Slytherin's BUTT! (Probably because I was in Gryffindor....)

We also "votified" for our favorite costume and Amanda's costume won by a landslide! Her hair was perfect! (And yes, that IS a clipboard that says, "Undesirable No. 1." Very creative....).

And of course, gotta have a group shot. I realized afterwards that I am making the exact same face in every single picture, ...but, Minerva IS pretty uptight!? Right? Anywho, we missed a few obvious people who I wish could have come (my out of towner friends who keep moving away because apparently I smell?). We missed you, but thanks to all who came and made the party such a fun night!

We were supposed to spend the rest of the evening watching HP7, Part 1, but we had some technical difficulties and ended up just visiting instead and watching a bit of the beginning to get us pumped up.

Somehow I slept SO well. I thought I would be up all night thinking about the movie in anxiety and anticipation, but I was WAY too tired from the party for my brain to even consider still being on. We got to watch the matinee the very next morning and it wasn't until I was on my way to the theatre with Jenny that I started getting goosebumps about it! It was FINALLY here!!!

All I can say about the movie is that I loved it! Like, A LOT! I love Harry. I love Snape (I love everything about his flashback in the pensieve). I love Hermoine and Ron (and their kiss. Finally! Everyone even applauded in the theatre). I love Mrs Weasley (and her Bellatrix defeat). I love Neville (what a hero!). I LOVE Professor McGonagol (one of the most goosebump-worthy parts was her preparing the castle before it was forced under attack). LOVE her.

Here we are celebrating the movie. It was amazing. Here's the thing though. Now that it's over, now what? I feel such a void! Today has been pretty bitter-sweet in many ways. The anticipation of the movie was KILLER and now that I've seen it, I wish JK Rowing would write more books so I have more to look forward to! On another sad note, it was Sarah, mine and Jenny's last day all together before Jenny goes back to Cleveland for another three years. We plan on visiting at some point this Fall, but it's always hard saying goodbye. And to top it all off, Sarah had to leave DIRECTLY after the movie. Sad. So Jenny and I went out to eat for lunch and our hostess who sat us was like, "Sarah will be right with you." We both looked at each other in hope, but "Sarah" ended up being our waitress. NOT our sister. Haha! Sad.

Long Live Harry Potter!!!