Princess 18 came home unannounced Friday evening. She gave us about an hours notice she was coming home from college for the weekend. I simply told her I was glad she was coming home but that she needed to give me notice. Later, I found out she and Loghead were sad and angry about that. I told them they were entitled to their feelings- but I explained my side- I like our house to look nice and clean when people come over, I would have made sure to shop for her favorite foods and treats, and I would have had her room cleaned with fresh sheets, and I also wouldn't have planned to have have HOURS of work to do, so that I would have more time to spend with her. I reminded Loghead I had been gone to meetings every night this week. The house was a mess and there was a mountain of laundry to tackle. And I simply am exhausted...

Luckily, by the time I was done, they both saw my side of things, and she promised she would always let me know several days in advance, unless it was an emergency. Loghead still wasn't very happy, he told me later that it was like I was treating her like a guest, and not someone who lived here... I reminded him we usually treat GUESTS better than we treat FAMILY, so maybe that was a good thing!

Anyway, we had a nice time. Since breaking up with Stepping Stone, she really has grown and changed. She helped out with several things around the house, spent time with her brothers, and went and hung out with the grandparents for several hours.

Loghead, Gibby and I had prior plans, and she was invited to join us. (Starting Friday, for the next 6 nights we will be watching each Harry Potter movie to be ready for the premiere on Thursday.) Loghead had borrowed the school projection machine, and we were able to set it up in the garage and watch it on our 15 foot screen! It was just like being at the movies, but better! Our "movie seats" are actually old hide-a-bed couches, and we opened up one of the beds, and the three of us were piled under blankets, since it was a really cold night. Princess eventually came out to watch with us, and climbed right in with us, snuggling and laughing.

THIS is the daughter I raised. THIS is the daughter I love.

I hope she stays a while...

But physically, she had to return to school this morning. I could see that her spirit was lightened. She'll be back next Saturday for a week, for Thanksgiving break. I guess that will be our true test. But she'll be home 2 days alone, since the boys will be in school and we have work. And the kids are supposed to spend Thanksgiving Day with Loca Grande... So we won't really have a lot of time that we HAVE to be together, but I guess time that we GET to spend together...