Oscar Stew

Brinley started ballet in September. She loves it. Like really, really, really loves it. Like asks me everyday if it is Tuesday, loves it.

Don’t let this cheesy grin fool you, it was Tuesday and Brinley was anxiously waiting for her BFF Ana to rescue her from the photoshoot. She still had an hour to go, but I managed to bribe her into taking a few pictures.

Look how graceful she is. Such a little lady. I think this was the beginings of a curtsy gone wild.

When I ask her to show me what she learned at ballet she tried to bust a move.

One of her favorites is the frog jump. The frog jump is ballet, you ask? You should see the bear crawl and the crab walk 🙂

Ahhh. Here we go, this is ballet. She looks like a pro!

Doncha just love those bunchy little girl tights? She’s got elephant ankles goin’ on here (hopefully not warning signs of future kankles).

A couple weeks ago I got to watch the last 10 minutes of class. The girls were in the throes of the scarf dance. Yep, this picture is blurry alright. Bummer.

And there she goes. Waving her scarf in the air like a true ballerina. She was much too busy to throw me a smile or even a wave.

Maybe Tuesdays are special to Brinley considering she was born on a Tuesday. Y’know, Tuesday’s child is full of grace? Full of grace…mmmhmmm, that describes Brinley to a T! We love you Fred!

Today was such a lovely day. 71 degrees of lovely to be precise. After school I packed up the kids and headed out on another after school ambush.

First we went to Sonic to wet our whistles. We decided to depart from our usual flushie and try the Ocean Water. Drew had a hard time remembering what it was called, and eventually started calling it “Whale Water.” We will never be able to order from Sonic like civilized adults. 

We went via direct to the park and got to work.

I set the timer for 10 minutes. Ready, set, PLAY!! When the timer beeps we pack up and head to the next park. We are lucky – there are dozens of parks where we live, most of them only blocks away! beep, beep, beep!

Rowan and I hung out by the swings watching flashes of Drew and Brinley run by. With the timer ticking away the kids ran around like crazy rabid chickens.

Group shot before we head to the next park. We haven’t left anyone behind yet.

Big sister Brinley wanted to take Rowan down the slide. No worries, I was right there ready to catch a falling baby.

 Ah yes the disc of torture. Any adult looking at these next three pictures may feel a sudden and strong amount of nausea. Beware!

Brinley couldn’t spin Drew “fast enough,” so he figured out a way to self-propel.

Terminal velocity reached. Warning: Impact imminent. Eject!

Jealous Brinley. This was the theme of the whole trip…Brinley trying desperately to do anything and everything he was doing. And failing. Miserably. And tearfully.

Help! I’m tangled and I can’t get out!

I almost got a crack shot. Almost! Saved by the rope…

And there goes the sun. Lucky for us tomorrow is supposed to be even warmer, and there are still parks that we didn’t make it to today. Anyone game?

We woke up to our first snow on Friday. It wasn’t much, maybe a half inch on the grass. This is a diet post, the kids were totally bugged that I was following them around with the camera while they were trying to play. Priorities…

Brinley was drawing in the snow. Check out the mismatched snow gear, it’s definitely time for new gloves!

Declan spent the day with us, and we found Drew’s old snow clothes in the basement which actually fit. Bonus!

Wanna buy a snowcake? 

They’re good eating! Especially with the blend of dead grass.

By 10am the snow had melted. I’m sure there is more to come. Maybe next time it’ll be deep enough for snow angels. Grass angels just don’t impress…