Harper Overnight

During the week of Princess Prep & Warrior Prince we had one of our favorite princesses spend the night. After coming home from "school", we took big naps (Harper's last words before falling asleep were "But Shani, how does Justin do it? How does he fall asleep?") and then went out for a night on the town.

Harper wanted to dress fancy, so we put on her best outfit from the suitcase, found a somewhat acceptable hairdo, and walked out the door to Laurenzo's. We love this place with diner-type booth seating and awesome food. It's owned by the crew at El Tiempo, so you know the food has to be good. My entree of choice is the seared ahi salad - I could eat it for lunch everyday. But sadly, I don't.

I didn't have my flash with me, so I did the best I could with the light at 6:30 at night sitting by a window. Call it an involuntary artistic touch if you will.


These two were wanting every combo of a picture to be taken of the four of us. Harper is two months older than Justin, and as of late these two haven't been able to get some quality play time. So they were giggle boxes all night long, acting like twins. Harper would slide up next to me in the booth and whisper what I was doing, thinking, eating, etc. Such a girl, and quite different from my 3 year old fella. But I loved every minute of it.


I guess I thought Justin was going to drop the camera, thus the neck stretch.


Harper wanted a go at the heavy camera. Maybe I should carry a camera that is lighter weight for the three year olds taking the photos. Or maybe just scratch those photos as funny and a good attempt.


Like I said, they wanted every combo we could think of for this group at our booth.


We brought our colors with pages with us for some down time. It allowed me to sip on my glass of wine without having to gab like girls with our guest of honor.


These two were always kissing each other's foreheads sweetly, and when they thought no one was looking. Almost like a sibling tenderness. But at dinner Harper was going in for the kill. Justin didn't know what to think.


Derek and I were dying laughing.


We then went to Marble Slab for some dairy goodness.


Add some sprinkles to a scoop of vanilla and everyone wins.


That night Derek was reading them books as they both sat on the beanbag in Justin's room. Harper leaned onto Justin's shoulder as she murmured, "Justin, I want you to be my prince." I think someone was eating up the whole princess week. The next day she told her friend Grace that she was going to marry Justin, and Grace couldn't live with them, but she could come to the wedding. I thought that was generous.

The light was bright the next day as we were on our way to drop the kids off again. Harper, of course, was dressed in her princess best.


Derek looked at me the next night, sans free of Harper. He said being around Harper made him long for a girl. I told him it made me want the same thing...