Yer a wizard, Harry

What's that? You were wondering if I was still a huge nerd? Well, funny you should ask...

If you don't follow the goings-on of the magical world like I do, then you may not have been aware of the new illustrated version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, released just a few days ago. 

A spectacular illustrator, Jim Kay, added some stunning artwork to J. K. Rowling's masterpiece. I obviously pre-ordered the book, and may or may not have wept when I opened the package. (I totally did.)

It's so beautiful!

Even the inside cover is gorgeous!

Seriously, can you understand why I cried?

 My thoughts exactly, Jo.

Order your own here.

Things I'm lovin today

Whenever I'm having a hard day, when things just aren't going quite right, I like to make a list of what makes me happy.

Today, it's not a long list, but so much happiness comes from these things. 

1. I'm grateful for Portia. She gets herself mostly ready for school by herself every morning, is so very helpful with Elena all the time, and is very patient with her poor overwhelmed mama. Today, Portia came home and reminded me that tomorrow is picture day. I had completely forgotten. Way to be on top of things, kiddo.

2. I'm grateful for Margot. She is my little helper all day. She is constantly grabbing me a diaper or putting laundry away for me, and usually does it with a great attitude. And she is so sweet with her baby sister! She is such a great big sister!

3 I'm grateful for Brandon. Elena and I had a rough night last night. She was very fussy, and couldn't get settled until about 3 am. Which means, I didn't get to sleep until 3 am. This morning, we were obviously exhausted. Brandon, wonderful, glorious man that he is, hung out with Margot and sent Elena and I back to bed! 

Even though he is swamped with school, somehow he still finds the time to help me out when I really need it. Man, I love that guy!

And lastly, #4 is Elena. She is clingy and allergic to sleep, but soooo sweet. Look at that face!

I've got a good life.

Get out of the car!

One of the greatest scenes in one of the greatest movies of all time

I quote this to my kids about once a day. Every time we go anywhere I tell them to "GET OUT OF THE CAR" just like this guy.

It's hilarious.

Bow bun

Yesterday, I did one of Portia's favorite hairstyles for her for school: a bow bun! 

It's surprisingly easy, and super cute!

She was pretty excited. She spent probably 10 minutes trying to take selfies where her hair showed.

The beauty of this hairstyle is that it's still cute, even if it's not perfect!

On another note, after getting the perfect shot of her hair, she took about 30 pictures just like these:

When I asked why, she said "I was pretending I didn't have any hair at all."

Whatever floats your boat, kiddo.

Give me a stinkin' apple.

Ok. I'm about to anger some people. Get ready.

It's officially the beginning of fall, even if it doesn't quite feel like it yet. And the beginning of fall always means one thing: Pumpkin Spice everything. 

Here's where I start shocking people.  Are you sitting down?

I don't like pumpkin spice. 

I'm just not a fan. 

Don't get me wrong, I'll eat a piece of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, and even enjoy it. But pumpkin yogurt? Pumpkin hot chocolate? Pumpkin M&Ms?

Who decreed that pumpkin had to be the official flavor of autumn anyway? What about apple?! Or cinnamon?! Or chocolate, for pete's sake?! Who said that we need to inject pumpkin into every food known to mankind for 2 months? 

I know, I know. You're mad at me. 

Go drink a pumpkin spice latte and eat a pumpkin spice donut and settle down.

SIMP

Guys. Candace Flynn invented twerking.

Also, I regularly watch Phineas and Ferb. 

Don't judge.

Baby face

When a new baby is born, everyone always wants to know who they look like. "Oh, I see so much of her Dad in her!" or "She definitely has the family chin!"

I actually think most newborn babies look pretty much the same, all sweet snuggly balls of squish. But, it has become pretty apparent to me that my three girls all looked very similar as newborns!

Check it out:

This is all three of my girls at about 4 weeks old. Portia is at the top left, Margot is the bottom left, and Elena on the right. 

Pretty obvious that they're sisters huh?

Here they are now:

Maybe I'm biased, but I make the prettiest kids ever.