Oscar Stew

This week is Drew’s Spring Break. It’s too bad our spring-like weather has disappeared and old man winter is here again. We are stuck indoors and trying to make the best of it.

The kids really wanted to go to the library for story time today. D&B love checking out a haul of books so heavy they can barely carry the bag. We went to the library a few weeks ago and found out the place had been taken over by Communists, only children registered for story time were allowed in. It was a bummer. Drew crafted some awesome fake ID’s for next time, just in case. Dig the bed heads!  

Well, on to another cheap indoor activity. Before we get started, the Ro-Dog needs lunch. Love you too Rowee, mwah!

We busted out the old sanity saver from our yardless-apartment days. It’s kind of like a sandbox. 

Rice is just as fun as sand, and doesn’t chafe when it gets in your pants.

This is an activity that requires sweeping before, during, & after to avoid foreign contaminants in the rice pit.

Rowan’s getting better and better at feeding herself. I’d say about 40% makes it into her mouth.

How many times will I have to sweep the floor today? Pears, egg whites, raisins, crackers. oh my!

Back to the rice box. The creativity was a flowin’. They even made a “castle” together.

Uh, oh…Here we go…

Ownership of the “castle” seems to be in question.

And has resulted in all-out war!

She wins. Mostly because he isn’t that stubborn, and probably doesn’t want to hear her ear piercing scream. If looks could kill…

What did the rest of us think of this epic battle? Rowan’s face pretty much explains it.

Onward and upward. Ballet class was cancelled today, unfortunately we didn’t get the memo until a certain little girl was already dressed up and waiting for her ride. A few tears may have been shed.

It’s a good thing I had the end-all, fix-all in the freezer. Even if it was the faux variety.

Even fake Dilly Bars like this one work wonders when it comes to making amends, or lightening the mood. Crisis averted…this time.

They will hate me for this picture in 10 years. Maybe less. But a mom’s gotta have an arsenal of embarrassing photos as leverage, right?!

If an overweight guy with reindeer and an egg-obsessed rabbit can bring gifts to children all around the world, why can’t a bunch of mischievious irish elves get in on the fun?

The leprechauns seemed to invade from all directions. First there was the little green footprints that led from D&B’s bedroom down to the fridge where their little milk jugs had been irish-a-fied, idea courtesy of the brilliant St. Kari.

Drew set up a leprechaun trap to see if this mythological character could be tamed. He managed to break loose of the trap, but not without leaving some of his “gold” behind.

Those persnickety pixies also left an all time favorite – sugar cookie dough. Shamrock shaped cookie cutters were the weapon of choice, of course! 

Did the kids enjoy the plain old sugar cookies? Nope! With the help of some St. Paddy’s inspired frosting from Grandma F the kids got right to work embellishing those behavior-altering flour chunks into masterpieces of mischief!

Critical sugar content level acquired, ready for the rush!

No this isn’t leprechaun genocide. I wanted to take a page out of Bakerella’s book and try some cake balls. Since my sister Kelsey is here, we thought with twice the luck we could pull it off, but alas… Bakerella we are not. They were still fun to make (and eat!).

O’Drew went off to kindergarten armed with yet another handmade leprechaun trap. If they doesn’t fall for the paper rainbow and the gold painted bottle caps, I don’t know what else the boy can try.

Alas, neither of the traps worked. Drew decided to take a more diplomatic approach and wrote a letter. “Leprechaun how come you didn’t let me catch you in my jail and my office one. Can I catch you today your leprechaun letters are silly man on the box. My name Drew.”

Drew wasn’t sure of the address to send it to. Just Ireland oughtta do right?On the envelope Drew is trying to appeal to the sprites’ softer side. I don’t know how that’s gonna work; they call them the Fighting Irish for a reason!

Brinley and her alter ego, Fancy Nancy, went to a birthday party last weekend. It was super posh tea party at Sweet Teas. Needless to say, it was every little girls dream.

We thought using brown butcher paper was such a great idea to wrap presents, but how could this little girl walk into an exquisite tea party with a boring brown present? gasp! Scrapbook supplies to the rescue…it may not be overly pink and girly, but it was Brinley-approved and off she went.

After some quick craft projects the girls launched into full primp mode. Make-up, nails, perfume. The works.

It’s too bad I ruined this shot by being in it, the pushy helicoptering mamarazzi that I am.

Her makeover wouldn’t be complete without some body glitter for some extra oomph. Ooh la la!

During a quick etiquette lesson Brinley tired of the mamarazzi following her around. I can’t quit though, the tabloid says my job is on the line! 

The girls played the pass the present game. Kinda like hot potato but the idea was to be the one holding the present when the music stopped. Brinley became more and more hesitant to pass the present along because the music stopped every time just as she let go.

After the games, it was time to accessorize. Hats, necklaces, gloves, earrings, bracelets and boas were all readily available.

Maybe Brinley’s alter ego isn’t Fancy Nancy, it’s Feisty Nancy! Oh, the attitude! oy vey.

After a group picture, it was finally time to eat! They started out with “tea” which was pink hot chocolate. The girls got to embellish their drinks with mini marshmallows…look at the concentration it takes to pinch that little bugger and drop it ever so delicately into her cocoa.

Brinley liked to dilute her cocoa with milk. I think it had less to do with taste and more to do with fun.

Mmmm…second course – scones! With devonshire cream and jam.

Which, of course she ate like a delicate lady. Brinley will always be Brinley!

Wash it all down with a goblet of something cool and refreshing. Does anyone have a fiddle? Make that lady with the camera fiddle for me. Amuse me!

A lavish day in the life of the rich and the elegant.