Oscar Stew

Hey Rowan, do you have any pre-show butterflies hopping around in your tummy? Hmmm…better let Daddy do an “inspection” just to be sure. Tickle tickle tickle!

Sorry Rowan, but I don’t think Daddy has the butterflies…but don’t stop trying!

Suddenly, the lights dimmed, curtains parted and the show began. This was Rowan’s first dance recital, so it was nice for her to see what she was going to do before walking onstage.

Alright you little prima ballerinas…Its showtime! But not until your teach just gets you to be evenly spaced…

Those little hips aren’t gonna lie! These girls are about to have a blast…well most of them anyway. 

Did I mention they were going to have a blast? It looks like Rowan is rocketing through the stratosphere!

Or maybe she’s being translated? Don’t  go towards the light Row-ina! We want to keep you for a good while longer!

Not really sure what’s going on here…but I think the secret’s out…except for Sophie’s (Rowan’s BFF).

Why put your hands over your head to twirl when your helo-piggies can do it for you!?

Because sometimes it’s fun to listen to the jingle bells on your wrists…DUH!

Time for the finale…now shake it, shake it, shake it shake it like a polaroid picture!

Security? Security! We got a crazy fan trying to rush the stage! Maybe next year Ellie!

Oooh, it’s time for the hit everyone’s been waiting for! C’mon, you know the lyrics! “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, and only a hippopotamus will do…”

Wooot! You rocked it Rowan! Between her dancing and us watching I don’t know who had more fun. Way to go Roastie!

…The vicious beast! Ok, not that vicious. But I did have to tie her to the tree to take her picture. Whaddya say to that, eh doggy?

Hi! My name is Maggie! Oh no! I’ve got a wood chip in my mouth, how embarrassing!

I’m a 3-month old Boxer mix, and I’m all mixed into the lives of my new family, thanks to Santa. But first things first: puppies need lots of things to chew on. The little tree I’m tied to currently fits the bill. Grrrr!

Hey, my seatbelt is stuffed down in the seat cushions and I can’t get it out! Give me a rope or something! Daddy’s driving?! AAAAUGH! 

Looks like I survived to tell the tale. By the way, happiness is warm laundry fresh from the dryer. Aaaaaah. I’ve made friends with the neighbors, I’m terrified of school buses, and I love to play fetch. If only Cheddar would like me, then my life would be perfect!

Time for another letterbox adventure…with the dog! We came across a box we stamped months ago. Drew & Brinley were just as excited to see their old stamps in the logbook as they were about finding a new box.   

Drew & Brinley educated Maggie on the art of tupperware hunters, and attempted to recruit her into the ranks:

I think she’s reading the fine print!

I dunno Drew, it looks to me like she’s ready to sign the contract!

Signed, sealed, delivered, she’s all yours Drew!

Meanwhile, another member of our troop was downwind from the conversation…

Whassammattayou? It’s not a heat wave Ellie; just a doggie fart! P.U.!

Not sure what to make of this bunch: this shoulda been an outtake, but all 3 girls are wearing homemade duds, and they are proud of it! And that makes me giddy inside.

My letterbox! Mine! All mine! I’m a Letter-Boxer! Ha!

So…how does one open a letterbox…assuming one has no opposable thumbs?

We tried several times to get a nice picture of the new crew, but Maggie was set on showing Rowan how to touch your nose with your tongue.

Got it! (Daddy was being especially silly)

And just like that…Bang! Drew’s ear must taste good!

I knew there’d be vicious beasts somewhere in this post. Yeeehaw! 

…Mr. Grinch…

…You really are a…beautiful girl! Hi Binnie. Whatcha doin’? Waiting in line to see a celebrity? Who is it? It better not be that chump Justin Bieber! His name’s Nick Claus? Sounds OK to me!

Ah, that awkward moment where you’ve already told Santa what you want. Now just smile and try not to say anything naughty!!!

Its ok Rowan, you can come out of your angelic daze anytime now…did I mention that you’re sitting on a bear?

Look, it’s a moose on a moose! Sorry Ellie, you earned that nickname the day you were born weighing 1.5lbs more than any of your siblings. You are the cutest cannonball ever!

Brinley is a professional Reindeer Rodeo rider. She held on for the whole 5 minute ride!

Keep holding on to that left antler Drew! Hey, just like NASCAR! He’s making another left turn…

So, are you kids still being nice even though you’ve already talked to Santa? Looking good!

Sharing is caring Roastie! Thanks for letting Drew have a sip of your refillable Costco drink. Another nice point for you!

Nice points are earned easily when you make faces like this:

This face I’m not so sure about. Are you suffering from VGSA Drew? (Video Game Separation Anxiety…HA!)

All aboard Santa’s sleigh! At least that’s what Eleanor thinks is going on…

Let’s check Santa’s cargo…Pineapple, crackers, milk, broccoli, raisin bran…yup, Santa’s on a short crash diet before dia de los too much cookies and milk all-nighter begins.

Remember that guy we met? He looks just like this:

Dun dun dunnnnn…Uh oh, has somebody run out of nice juice?

Nice Santa head Brinley. Mrs. Claus would be proud.

It appears as though Santa has gone down through one too many chimneys…do they have chiropractor elves at the North Pole?

Here’s Ellie, refilling her nice tank. Good work!

Oh blessed day!

We’ve skipped over Santa’s gift. We’ll blog about that soon. Check out Rowan’s face as she realizes that this princess dress has been made just for her!

Drew was feeling as though his heart might burst with excitement, so Dr. Rowan gave him a check-up.

Custom-made Rapunzel dress & hair just for you Binnie…what say ye to Grandma F? THANK YOU!!!

So what was Drew so excited about? Well, anything that involves helmets and danger gets a boys blood pumping!

You are a beautiful bride Brinley! Daddy is now suffering high blood pressure at the very thought!

Tinker-Ellie rubbin’ her candy-filled bellie.

Pssst…Hey you! Got any pixie dust? Oh yeah!

“Honest, Officer Drew, that pixie dust isn’t mine!”

Drew got Brinley a nice book as a wedding…er…I mean Christmas gift.

I dunno Drew, do you think Brinley likes it? Maybe you should have gone with the tattoo parlor gift certificate…

Grandma J hooked the kids up with a giant box of Wii stuff. Yoga mat, boxing gloves, dance pad, y’know…typical video game equipment?

There’s a Wii Fit+ in there somewhere…Meanwhile Rowan is trying to figure out where to plug in HD cables on our old school TV…good luck! 

Alright kids, glad you enjoyed your presents. Now pack’em up, you’re singing in church in a ½ hour!