Oscar Stew

It’s not all sunshine and roses around here. As I was scrolling through the pics from the last week, I realized that some of the truest moments of our household never get seen. So, here we go…the good, the bad, and the ugly…

Drew and Brinley are extremely independent.  Not such a bad thing for me, because I don’t have to do for them what they can do for themselves, it’s just a little risky at times.

The do use their independence to benefit others. I get “saprized” with a cup of water at least once a day. Sometimes Rowan gets juice, which Drew makes sure to dilute using his own scientific methods.

Upon wiping the table one night, I discovered chunks of Brinley’s hair. Lovely. I feared the worst, and went to further investigate.

At least she cut it in the back and it’s not noticeable at all. We call this ‘do the Kung-Fu Panda. As for the outfit…I think that qualifies as ugly. Spots, stripes, and solids, not to mention her shirt is on backwards?! Good effort Binnie!

A couple weeks ago Drew broke my prized butter dish. It wasn’t just any butter dish.

Drew confessed (as if the horrified screams coming from the kitchen weren’t enough), and wrote me a sorry letter.

The butter dish was part of a handmade set painted by my sister Jenna who is currently serving a mission in Hotlanta, GA. At least I have a few months before I have to break the news to her.

Drew felt genuinely sorry and wrote another sorry letter. Instead of finger spaces we have | to break up the words. “I am soreye I em rile soreye to brack your glase.” awww…

Speaking of horrified screams, how does one accidentally drop her “cd player” in a washer full of suds and clothes? Judging from the howl she let out, it had to have been tragic. We let it dry for a few days, and it was good as new. Amazing!

I love that my kids enjoy cleaning. The kids clean with vinegar, that way they are actually disinfecting and I don’t have to worry about the money wasted (or the fumes inhaled) while they spray, spray and spray some more. Better spray one more time, just in case…

I wonder where all those crumbs went?

We’ll just make Drew sweep them up, and entertain the baby at the same time. Hey CinderScoob, when you are finished there, how about bathing the guinea pig?

Poor neglected Ro. Left on the kitchen floor to fend for herself. Watching everyone else run around her…she has become such a velcro baby lately.

She’s possibly (hopefully!?) teething, so a dose of tylenol and a nice long (looooong) nap will do wonders.

How about those dry, cracked, bleeding hands? Drew has the worst case. That is hydrogen peroxide bubbling on Brinley’s hands. ouch!

After the “fizzy water” has done it’s job, they get slathered with Eucerin cream and shoved into baggies. And then the kids get the next 2 hours to relax in front of a movie. Sweet freedom! Or is it?

Drew has a fantastic primary teacher. After a recent lesson on faith, Drew came home and relayed all of the information he had recently gleaned. He is famous for setting up impromptu Family Home Evenings where he gives us the watered down version.

And then there is the mystery items that come home from the grocery store. How this bad boy went unnoticed, I don’t know. I wonder who the culprit was?

Rowan rolled passed 9 months old last week.

Look at my happy, fat, naked self! Why is it so important that I become a Mobile Ro?

I still have the same problem. My bro and sis make sure that I am very well taken care of, and that none of my toys are out of arms reach. So motivation is something I struggle with…

Hold on a sec while I chug my energy drink, I gotta get amped up! The writing’s on the wall. It’s go time!

Aaaarrrrrrrrrrh! Feel the burn!

Round 2. Come here Rowie, you can do it!

Don’t be thrown off track by those fishy crackers, they were just to get you started!

Made it past the crackers, on to the marker. Will she crawl or will she scoot?

Oops, belly flop. A+ for effort!

Let’s keep chugging though, okay? The clock is ticking, we’ve got 4 weeks…

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.