We got it right....He's 48!

 There was no major gift. Nothing over the top or expensive. 

Just love and attention and....this is the big one.....no fighting. 

Mark turned 48 and he went to work and answered emails and did all the things grown ups have to do on their birthdays.

But his coworkers know that he loves the sugar...and they came through in a big way. 

I had to work early that morning, so we focused on making the best of the evening hours. We realized that he's the only one of us the hadn't run through the streamers. It didn't disappoint. Mostly because Mark is Mark. And he makes everything fun and funny. 

Big Money

 My my! Look who is getting her very first back account? She got herself a job at the Berry Patch and she needs someone to keep all that cash she's bringing in. 

Naturally I sneak a picture.

She's feeling pretty proud to be the youngest Hufford yet to get a job! 

Business and the Beach

 Wachter chose Ft Lauderdale to have it's big kick-off this year. Last year was Miami and I was in the middle of keeping teenagers whole and healthy, so I didn't go. That left Mark walking the beach alone with nary a hand to hold. Still, he had to go to meetings and mixers and I got to take naps and explore the shops and collect seashells.

We are so obsessed with birdies these days! Look how they all face into the wind and enjoy the sunrise.

It should  be noted that it is SO VERY COLD back in Kansas City. It seems impossible that not everyone if freezing in February. Which explains why I couldn't imagine needing a pair of shorts and therefore didn't pack anything lighter than jeans and a t-shirt. Mark was in meetings all day, so I finally found a row of gift shops and set about purchasing shorts and a tank that weren't crazy expensive and that I might possibly wear again sometime. I found a public restroom on my walk back and crammed my Kansas clothes into the gift shop bag. 

It was so nice to get away and feel the sun on our faces. 

Tomorrow we return to the polar votex! Fun!

Prom Dress Morning

 This morning we went to the Prom Dress Event hosted by Joy Closet, our very favorite thrift store EVER. They receive so many prom dress donations, they save them up and right before prom season begins, they host this day. Every girl can come and select one dress, a pair of shoes, necklace and earrings FOR FREE. 

Isn't that the coolest idea??

I found myself a chair and set them loose. 

They each for two or three to try on and waited in the long line. 

Just about every mom I know showed up that morning. It was so fun to see the girls find a dress that made them feel beautiful. We all settled in to ooooh and ahhhh and hold the ones they were considering. 

My only worry was that one of them wouldn't find something and would leave empty handed. But what do you know!! They all found something they loved! Laney and Anna found two! And they were all so different. It was fun to see what they picked and I really enjoyed seeing how confident they were in their own styles. 

This calls for a fashion show. 

It was a fun and happy morning. And Everly can't wait to grow a few inches and go in a year or two!

Michelle's Cookies

 Don't forget this recipe. It's a winner.

Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter

1/4 +2 Tbsp white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

**mix till smooth

Add:

1 egg

healthy glug of vanilla

**mix until fluffy

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

**gently mix dry ingredients together on top of the wet to save dishes. Then mix in with wet until combined

Mix in a bag of mini chocolate chips. The ratio will be about 1:1 for dough and chocolate. 

Scoop on to silpat and bake at 350 for 10 mins. DO NOT BAKE LONGER. They won't look done. Just trust the process. They will be so soft. Just take them out of the oven. Do it. Take them out. Please. 

10 minutes. 

Not 11. 

10.

These are practically burnt. I gave them 11 minutes and I hate myself for it. 

Everly the Twelve Year Old

She's a busy girl. We had to hustle to fit a birthday party into her schedule. On the 13th, I picked her up from play practice after school and fed her dinner in the car while we went to pick up her friends for a movie!

 

Last chance to see Wicked in the Theater! We drove to Merriam for the good seats. 

She was even busy on her birthday (Tuesday), so we had a late dinner after she got done with OTO.  (salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, dinner rolls and green beans). 

She didn't have time to decorate it herself, but she was all for lighting her own candles!

We got the far flung kids on the phone and sang our off-beat harmonies. I was so focused on holding the phone up for them to see, I accidentally sang " dear Laney" instead of "dear Everly". DoH! 

The Flynns were there to help make her feel special. Courtney always know just what kind of makeup she will like. 

Some of her gifts didn't arrive on time, so she got the classic printed out pictures in a card. She's excited to have new bedding that matches her walls. 

But her favorite gift was this galaxy projector for her room. It really is super cool. 

Sweet dreams, Everly! 

They Suffer Together

Let's face it, getting your wisdom teeth out is miserable. 

But misery does love company.