Oscar Stew

I love finding ways to make cheap, healthy snacks for Drew & Brinley. It’s even better if the snack has craft-like techniques that the kids can participate in.

Last week we used paper lollipop sticks to string grapes into tasty popsicles. I would have used wooden skewers but I figured the paper lollipop sticks couldn’t do any damage if they were used as weapons after snack time was over. I’m just sayin’…

Some of the grapes put up a fight before being executed. Drew was able to conquer them, but not without a grimace and a grunt. Both very important techniques when it comes to overpowering grapes.

Into the freezer they go…and the waiting begins.

After a few hours they are ready to be devoured.  My kids like them partially defrosted so they are still icy, but not hard as rocks.

Never has a massacre been so tasty!

Today was “Cow Appreciation Day” at Chick-Fil-A. To the kids it means they get to dress up like cows. To me, it means free lunch and 30 minutes of silence while the kids play.

We spent an hour this morning making some costumes. We had to sacrifice an old towel, the cow fabric I’ve been hoarding for years, dalmation paper plates, and a few pieces of cardstock to get the job done.

Here we are on our way out the door…

It actually took Brinley a bit to warm up to the idea, but she came around once I told her there was free food involved. (thats my girl!)

At this point, they were SO done with me taking pictures. I just can’t help myself…

They were the best dressed bovines in the whole joint, that is for SURE. The manager even snapped some pics and had me write down our info so she could contact us if she was going to use the pictures. woot!

This is the look I get when I ask Brinley to look at the camera. I’m telling you – you don’t want to get in-between this girl and her food!

The kids even walked away with an “eat mor chikin” toy, and some balloons. good stuff.

And if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, we also stopped at 711, since it is 7-11 for a free slurpee. Rowan looks pretty thrilled, huh? 

I feel like such a freeloading mooch today. The kids & I don’t get out much anymore. Let’s face it, three kids can be a little overwhelming at times. The fact that everything was free was the motivation I needed to get out the door.

= FUN

While we were waiting for Grandma & Grandpa J, Aunts Kelsey, Kristy & Uncle Dan to arrive from Utah, we kept ourselves busy cleaning and doing some silly craft projects.  We made some rockin’ hats out of straws, pipe cleaners and duct-tape. I can’t take credit for the idea. It was ripped straight out of Family Fun magazine…

Look at the concentration…this is serious business!

Once the fam arrived, we headed over to Grandma & Grandpa F’s house for a BBQ and fireworks. The kids had a blast running around the yard and getting their hats tangled on bushes, trees and each other. Good times.

I’m not sure if they look more like firecrackers, hillbillies or indians in this picture.

Lets take a closer look at Brinley. Yep, she has brownie chunks covering her front teeth. She was also pretty sweaty from running around in the heat. Classic Binnie.

We played with walkie talkies, and Drew wanted to make sure Rowan was in on the action. That’s my handsome brother Dan, also known as the baby whisper-er. He has the touch!

Brinley talking back to Rowan. Binnie, it’s not a cell phone, you have to push the button!

The kids were pretty anxious to get started with the fireworks, dusk couldn’t come fast enough!

Brinley wasn’t too sure about the sparklers until I told her they were just like Cinderella’s magic wand. Bibbity-Bobbity-Boo…

Drew didn’t waste any time and pulled out some pretty fancy tricks with his sparklers.

After playing with sparklers and Grandpa F’s “legal in Wyoming” fireworks, it was finally time for the big show. Rowan wasn’t down with the big booms, so she chilled inside happily sucking away on the binkie.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH…

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH…

Happy Birthday USA!