Oscar Stew

Y’know Rowan, when I said that eating homemade oatmeal would give you extra energy, I didn’t think it would go only to your face:

Scary clown! Ok seriously, I’m getting a little creeped out right now!

Grandma may have been wrong when she told you your face was going to get stuck that way. But I’ve got some news for you: There’s something down in your drawers that ain’t supposed to be there!

Whaaaat? I’m not teasing! That’s why you’re sitting in the doctor’s office half-naked. Don’t you grunt at me!

Diagnosis: Two hernias, a small one behind her belly button and large one in her groin. Sorry Rowan, er..Nomar, even the most educated and affluent people in the world can still fall prey to the simplest of ills…

We went to the pediatric surgeon’s office to confirm the doctor’s suspicions…Looks like Rowan is taking the news well!

Try explaining to your 3 year old that a doctor is going to cut her open and sew her back together:

The fateful day arrived. Howyadoin’ Roastie?! I’m letterboxing…on a gurney! She was more excited about the cartoons than anything…

Tic tock…Rowan seemed oblivious to the boy-themed hospital gown she was wearing, and that it was almost time to meet Puff the Magic Dragon…

This is the first time she’s ever gotten to stamp on her own without interruption…

She wanted her nails painted for the occasion, but we ran out of time. So she improvised!

A busy Roastie gives me the freedom to take scandalous photos.

And then the stroke of 9am came…All of a sudden things became a little more scary. Ok, a lot more scary! Rowan released her nervous energy in the form of a fluff, air blow, toot – whatever you want to call it! Like it or not, it was time for a casual stroll to the operating room.

Doot dah doot…What do you do to pass the time while your child is a million miles away?

10:30ish a.m.: Welcome back from the dark side of the moon Ro-dog! What’s your fancy? You’ve been fasting for hours…let’s start off with some juice!

Howyafeelin? It’s a good thing Baba (zebra) stayed by your side when mama couldn’t. We love that Baba!

Now for the main course: Popsicles! What’s your favorite? Grape! But if they don’t have grape, I’ll have cherry, because it’s a favorite too…

Are you almost done with your cherry popsicle? Because Daddy has a surprise for you!

It’s right behind this book! Can you see it?

It’s a grape popsicle, of course! Princess gets what princess wants today!

Looks like even the hospital followed the Princess Protocol with a pinkalicious IV-O2 thingamajiggy…

And just like that, we’re home sweet home. On the way I asked Rowan what she wanted for lunch, to which she very assertively replied, “Chips, dipped in peanut butter!” She couldn’t be swayed no matter what cuisine I offered. Ohhh-kaaaay…

No sharing. Nope. Nuh-uh. My chips! Mine!

You are hereby restricted to this couch. Any and all requests, trips to the bathroom, up or down stairs require a parental escort. Oooh she is gonna love this!

A few days later, she bounced back to her usual spunky demanding self.

Way to be tough Rowan! We are so proud of you!  

Whatchadoin’ Ellie? Table-surfing again? mmmhmmm! Who’s gonna be 2? Huh?! Who’s gonna be 2?!!

What is that? The size of your snack you’re willing to share with me? So generous!

Yeah, you think it’s funny don’t you?! Meanwhile I’m weeping while feasting on the crumb she gave me…

Ok, you are really cute. But your looks won’t keep me from being hungry! C’mere Ellie! I’m gonna eat ya!

Curses, foiled by the big sis! Thank her for being your rescuer, my little chocolate croissant!

Awww…

Looks like you’ve got Brinley well-trained…she took the crumb, and liked it!

Make your own dang cake! What flavor suits your fancy today?

Oooh carrot cake…nice! Even though it’s the middle of “candy season” we are making an effort to be healthy. If we can just make it to Easter, we’ll be scot-free until Halloween…when it starts all over again.   

Ok, go ahead and put the carrot shreds in the mixing bowl. Yes, just like that.

Take 1 or 2 or maybe 3,459 whiffs of the vanilla. We want to make sure its fresh!

Ahh, the best part. Soon you’ll be smearing that buttery frosting all over!

At the other end of the room b-day present wrapping was going full-swing. If there was such a thing as wrapping paper efficiency, this would be the equivalent of a gas guzzler. But no criticism here! They did it themselves, and that’s what counts.

Eleanor’s birthday celebration finally arrived…5 days late! Better late than never! Nice crown by the way!

Looks like that heath-nut carrot cake got the proper birthday treatment! Smothered in yummy frosting and Skittles!

Happy 2 to you Eleanor! We’re so glad you’re ours!

Family get togethers: They strengthen bonds and warm the soul…And light things on fire!

Fire?! Ellie spent hours baking this cake, and isn’t exactly thrilled with the idea of it being ablaze:

Big sis to the rescue, again! Phew! That was a close one!

Ok, let’s dig in! Whaddyathink Ellie? The Birthday Princess looks pleased with her perfectly perfumy pie!

Hey Ellie, you got a little shmootz over on…uh-oh, I’m getting the growl! Nevermind!

On with the show! What is the ultimate present for a 2 year-old in this house? Her very own crayon box. I cannot describe how difficult it is to make sure it stays her own…

Yeah, rip it! Just not the insides!

(photographer noticed how cute those little toes are…may they never grow to be “hoof extensions”).

D&B were hired as birthday fairies for Eleanor this year. Apparently we were out of crepe paper streamers. I like the handles!

This birthday celebration seems to be going on and on! Must. Be. Nice!

Hmm…what’s in her mouth doesn’t seem to match the pears & cottage in her bowl…did she snatch another treat?

We’re getting the growl again! Tuck tail and run!

I’ve got news for you Ellie. I know you’ve really enjoyed this 4-day long fiesta of fun, but…

…The party’s over. Don’t worry; Drew’s birthday is just around the corner! And your crayons are still all yours!

Remember the days when you could go outside for hours to enjoy all the wildlife around you without a coat, hat & gloves? Ellie does:

 

So these pictures were taken in October…So what?  Uncle Aric made a quick college visit to Denver, but we managed to kidnap him for a few hours of pre-school fun. Those darn kids sure do like Aric, isn’t that right Rowan?

We figured that going to the zoo was the best place for Rowan to do some hippo research for the upcoming dance recital. But why is Drew picking the hippo’s nose? And where is the rest of Drew? Are you wearing camo again scoobie?!

Ah, you’re wearing peacock-camo! We made one failed attempt after another to snatch some peacock feathers for home decor…darn. heck.

Inside the poo-poo smelling house of pachyderms the kids said their farewells to the elephants who lived there. The zoo is building a new habitat and the animals get to hang out in it without snot-nosed kids pounding on the glass all day. I wonder what that feels like?

Here kitty kitty, Uncle Aric’s got a couple of scooby snacks for ya!

We stopped by the gorilla exhibit to say hello to BJ. Looks like he’s still sitting around doing the same thing he’s always been doing…nothin’. Lookin’ sharp BJ!

Drew gives an enthusiastic thumb-up for his new ride. Aric is giving 2 thumbs up because Drew will spur him if he doesn’t. Hyah mule!

My how the tables have turned! But this appears to be a great deal…Especially for Ryan & Aric’s backs!

You’ve seen the milk ads with the fake moustaches on celebrities. This yo-stache is 100% real, and well, Ellie’s face is plastered all over this corner of the internet, so that’s got to count for some kind of star power right?!

(Eleanor just realized she’s a celebrity)

What does a pig and Eleanor have in common? 2 things: messy eater, and made of ham!

We played tag team babysitting awhile back to enjoy some quality quiet time. Rowan seems happy!

 …Or not. It’s ok Rowan, Ellie just wanted to make sure  your baby was in the picture too!

Oops, looks like even I have been duped. It’s a kidnapping! Quick, get that darn kid!