Oscar Stew

Ther were a few days during Spring Break that allowed us to break out and enjoy some fresh air. What exciting and amusing activities would we pursue? How about some bone-crushing, back-breaking manual labor? Yay!    

First project: Gold mining! Ok, it might be fool’s gold, but it sure makes the grass look nicer and greener once you rake all the dead stuff out.

Think there’s any gold in there? Only a fool wouldn’t check from time to time!

All the miners earned their wages. In life, there are some jobs that are harder than others, ain’t that right Brinley?

Take this job for example: Holding up a tree is very difficult when you’re only 1.167232876712…years old!

Aw Rowan! We’re not doing that kind of gold mining! Yeah, yeah…grass flew into your nose blah blah…whatever. We’re still going to show this picture to all your boyfriends!

Alright, you little miners go have fun playing at your friend’s house; Mommy & I are going to go enjoy a gold mine of flavor in honor of her birthday. Oh yeah!

We enjoyed the warm weather on yet another letterboxing adventure, and discovered that our very lives were at stake!

It’s not too hard to believe that letterboxing is a dangerous hobby. There were kids throwing rocks… 

…fields full of spiny, prickly plants…

…don’t even mention the horned dwarf elephants running rampant through the brush!

Horned dwarf elephants? That sounds kinda funny!

Well, it’s supposed to be a letterbox adventure, but these monkeys have been pawing through the grass for a while and still haven’t found the treasure. Keep looking! 

Ah ha! I knew there was a horned dwarf elephant stomping around here somewhere! Is that a magic leaf to help you stand up?

That’s right Ellie, we caught you standing up! What are you doing over here all by yourself? Soaking up the sunshine? Playing in the grass? Grazing?

I think the answer to all these questions is yes. She seems to be at ease in this natural environment…

…and so do the monkeys. I guess that means they found the treasure. Onward!

Look closely, this rare creature is signing! I think she’s saying she wants another chance at stomping through the brush!

Speaking of sign language, Drew doesn’t know any. No offense Boulder, we’re just throwing rocks! 

For being such a cute eleaphant, it sure seems like the wind could knock her over.

Thanks for the help Drew. Sorry about the horn in your ear. Ha!

What?! We’re leaving? Noooo! I’m an elephant, in my element! I will show you NO mercy!

Well, looks like all the kids had a good time. Oh Drew, horn in the nose! Arrrgh!

Since we’ve been living in our house for over a year now, nothing we do at home is exciting anymore. Turning on the sprinklers for the first time this year? Boring!

That’s a pretty good impression of what the guy on his shirt is doing, no?

If the grass wasn’t brown you could swear this was the middle of summer. 80 degrees…in March!

Ah yes, another clue that it’s not summer yet…ice cold mountain water in the pipes! Brrrr!

Not everyone seemed to mind. Brinley looks like she’s being carried away by the water. Hold on tight Drew!

Daddy hasn’t adjusted the sprinklers to keep them from watering the rocks yet. There’s no escape Eleanor!

Nope, you can’t fly over the water either Drew. He actually got drenched a lot faster this way…

These kids aren’t hippies. They’re Yippies. Take a bath…Yippie!