Poopy Uncle Pants

Okay.  I just can't go on blogging any longer without mentioning Poopy Uncle Pants.  Given that this blog initially started as a tribute to Julia's wildly varied imaginary characters, it's only fair that we include Madeleine's first imaginary friend, no matter how badly I'd like to discourage the potty talk.  I don't know exactly how Poopy Uncle Pants started, but I do remember that both Julia and Ethan found it completely hysterical as Madeleine walked around shouting "POOPY UHHHNCLE PYAAAANTS!", to the point that there was NO way Madeleine was going to let the idea go.  Ever since, Poopy Uncle Pants has become a regular in our household, mentioned by any number of Rowe household members.

Some instances in which Poopy Uncle Pants joins our company or conversation:

-Joining us in an empty chair at the dining room table:
JULIA: Mr. Nobody is sitting in that chair! 
ME: Are you sure it's not Poopy Uncle Pants who's sitting there? 
JULIA AND MADELEINE: (squealing with laughter) Yeah!  It's Poopy UNCLE PANTS!!
(Yes.  I realize I am NOT helping to squelch the potty talk.)

-As a substitute for someone else's name when the kids are trying to be goofy: MADELEINE: Mommy, your name is DADDY! 
ME: Madeleine, your name is Julia! 
MADELEINE: No, I'm POOPY UNCLE PYAAAANTS!

-As the subject of 20 Questions:
ETHAN: Okay, you only have three questions left...
ME: Is it something imaginary?
ETHAN: Yes.
ME: Is it the Pale Green Pants with Nobody Inside Them?
ETHAN: Nope.
JULIA: Is it Poopy Uncle Pants?
ETHAN: Yes!  Good job!  You guessed it!

-As a possible Halloween costume:
ME: (after finishing reading "Dora's Spooky Halloween"): And what do YOU want to be for the next Halloween, Madeleine?
MADELEINE: Uh... a Dora ballerina.
ME: Again?  You were a Dora ballerina last year.  Do you want to be something else?
MADELEINE: Uh... a Dora ballerina.
ME: How about a different costume for the next Halloween?
MADELEINE: Uh... how about I be POOPY UNCLE PYAAAAANTS!

Despite her expressing the desire to dress as Poopy Uncle Pants for Halloween, Madeleine clearly has ballerinas on the brain, as she pranced around the house dressed as one today:

I have to admit, given the choice between  her being a ballerina - AGAIN - or Poopy Uncle Pants for Halloween, it's pretty clearly a no-brainer in favor of the ballerina.