Have you ever been so tired that you fell asleep on one little kitchen chair? Again? (I'm pretty sure he's done this before. But I'm too lazy to search the blog for it.)
Apparently Tess wanted to get in on this action, too. She fell asleep in her high chair TWICE that day. The second time I cleaned her up and put her on the floor, thinking that would wake her up. Nope.
Seriously, what's up with my kids and the weird napping spots?
The other night Tess pooped in the tub during her after dinner bath.
Fun times.
Not really.
But after I had finally cleaned and disinfected both her and the tub, I got her into her pajamas and let her roam free around the house for a bit. I can't remember what I was doing, but all of a sudden Josh frantically ran into the house screeching, "TESS IS EATING A TOMATO!!!!!!"
You would've thought the house was on fire. Fortunately, I'm rather used to Josh's tattling-as-if-the-world-is-ending behavior, so I wasn't too worried. I was actually more puzzled than anything - how in the world did Tess make it all the way out to the garden so quickly?
Then I remembered - I had stored a bunch of tomatoes out on the back porch. And that's exactly where I found her.
As you can see, my little thief - who I literally caught red handed - (ha!) - was quite pleased with herself.
The tomato was probably at least the size of my fist, and she gobbled it all up. Because, as you can tell from her wee little belly and legs, we totally underfeed this child.
I'm a mom who believes in baths. And not just for getting clean. Baths have magical healing powers than can cure all sorts of childhood ailments.
Have a tummy ache? Take a bath.
A grouchy toddler who keeps getting into trouble? Throw 'em in the tub.
A bad cold or sore throat? A steamy bath will help.
Have a child acting out of sorts - not full-on sick, but not quite right, either? A bath'll do the trick.
Hurt feelings, bad day, just feeling sad? A bubble bath will make all right with the world.
Lance probably thinks I'm crazy since I'm always putting our kids into the tub. But I swear that these baths work 95% of the time. (The other 5%? Broken bones, large cuts, or other non-ignorable injuries.)
Yesterday poor Cole came down with a fever during lunch. He wouldn't eat, only drank a little, and was hot and lethargic. Poor kiddo. He kept acting like he was going to throw up, but thankfully didn't.
He spent most of the afternoon on my living room couch, because I guess in his mind, if you're gonna throw up you might as well throw up on the nicest piece of furniture in the house. *ahem* He kept saying he wanted to play outside, but just laid there and whimpered.
Spencer and Josh eventually came home and poor Cole was so sad that he couldn't go outside to play with them! So I decided a bath was in order. He immediately brightened up. The child spent a good hour in the shower, playing and soaking and splashing.
Tess was quite upset she couldn't join him and ate toilet paper in protest.
He got out of the shower and got dressed and then spent another hour on the couch and on my bed playing with my phone. Because I guess in his mind, if you're gonna be sick you might as well share those germs with your mother and father. *ahem*
Then, magically, he got up and went outside to play. He climbed on the swing set, fought with his brothers, harassed his sister, and cuased his usual Colie chaos. He still had a slight fever, but you'd never know it.
You can say that there's no way to know for sure that it was the bath that helped him get better. But there's also know way to know for sure that it wasn't, either.
Last Sunday was our ward's Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. (Once again, I was most happy not to be in charge of it!)
The boys did really well with their parts. No ad-libbing or Star Wars sounds, unlike last year. (I had several people at church tell me that they eagerly awaited Josh's part this year, only to be disappointed because he actually gave his part and not a performance. Sorry, people. But Cole will be up there next year and I'm sure that'll be quite entertaining!) ((Sigh. Why is my family the ward entertainment?))
Anywho, back to this year. The boys. They did well at church. But not at home.
All I wanted was for them to give their parts into the camera so we could have a record of it, perhaps send it on to the grandparents.
No dice. Nothing is ever simple with these goons of mine. Below is a compilation of just some of the takes it took to get both of their lines. I'd have set it to some sort of ironic music, but it's late and my brain isn't quite functioning anymore. (Any suggestions?)
My favorite part is the fight in the middle.
So although the ward didn't get a show from the Madsen boys, you do!
Tess and Cole have become good buddies now that they're the only two kiddos home during the day.
Okay, "buddies" might be a bit of a stretch. More like they tolerate each other. Mostly. Kinda. Sorta.
Okay, it's not that bad. It's just that they're both toddlers and they both want 100% of my attention 100% of the time. (Except for when they're doing something naughty.) However, they were born to a mother who does not believe in entertaining children all of the time. Instead, they were born to a mother who believes in housework. And editing. And church callings. And, apparently, chasing after a toddler who thinks it's okay to pull down his diaper for most of the day even though he refuses to be potty trained. Growl.
They actually get along pretty well, when compelled and/or distracted with some sort of activity. Like playing in momma's tub.
Or strategically placing your head to make a picture more modest.
Or jumping on the pile of clean laundry that was placed on mom and dad's bed so that no one would jump on it on the floor.
They might not always get along now, but I suspect once Tess starts walking they'll become a lot friendlier - and a lot more trouble!
Tonight Tess is wearing some of Cole's old puppy foot jammies. So what if they're blue and very boyish? Tess can totally hold her own in them.
There are puppy faces on the feet. As we sat in the rocker right before bed I pointed them out to her. She held both her feet with her chubby little hands and said "Woof! Woof!"
"That's right! Puppy's say woof! Woof woof!"
"Woof woof woof!" she happily replied.
Just then, a dog outside barked. "Woof woof woof!"
Tess's eyes grew wide in amazement, and she brought her feet closer to her face in order to investigate these magically-responding puppy feet.
I put her in her crib, covered her with her blanket, and walked to the door. As I was closing the door I turned around and looked at her - she had already pulled the blanket off, pulled her feet up to her face, and was barking hopefully at them.
So as soon as I posted about all my issues with Cole and preschool I pretty much knew what I needed to do: pull Cole out.
I don't know why I was freaking out about it all. I don't know why I thought three years olds HAD to start preschool. I don't know why I felt so confused about it all.
Probably because the whole situation was very frustrating.
Probably because I really did selfishly enjoy my "time off" from Cole.
Probably because, even though Cole is my third child, I still often feel like I have no clue when it comes to rearing Cole.
Anyway, I called the preschool and broke up with them. Well, that's what it felt like - it definitely an "It's not you, it's me" conversation. I had to assure the preschool director several times that we had no issues with the preschool and that we didn't think they were "giving up" on Cole. I think she felt a little better when I asked when they start taking applications for the next year.
So, the great preschool experiment for Cole is over. Hopefully he'll grow, mature, and calm down enough over the next year that our next attempt preschool won't be so dramatic!
A big thanks to all who sent such helpful comments and emails. It made me feel a whole bunch better about my decision!
So, today's been a hard day and it's only 12:50pm.
It started with Cole not wanting to go to preschool. Again. He's been going for several weeks now, and while I knew we would have a tough time of it, I always figured it would get better.
It hasn't.
Every time I've dropped him off and he's cried and cried. For one week he only cried for a few minutes after I left, but over the past 3-4 times he's cried louder and longer each time.
Today was no different. He cried and thrashed and caused general mayhem as I dropped him off. (Thankfully, if there is something to be thankful for, he's not the only child going through this.) As I was walking out the door I overheard two moms talking. One of them said "I'm so glad I don't have to go through that each time. I just don't have the patience. I'm so lucky my kids have been so good!"
She was totally talking about Cole's crying.
I totally wanted to turn around and smack her.
I was tempted to turn around and sweetly mention that my other children have been as perfect as hers, just to let he know that I heard. But I didn't.
Seriously, I did not need to hear that from some complete stranger. I generally ascribe to the Anne Frank philosophy that, in spite of everything people people are really good at heart. I would like to believe that that mom was talking about something or someone else, or didn't realize how she sounded. But I don't.
So I left preschool pretty downhearted. I went shopping with Tess, where I found a bunch of little girl summer clothes on clearance for $1 each. SCORE! And then I found a cute and cheap top for me! Score again!
And then I got a call from the preschool.
Dang.
Apparently Cole cried for OVER AN HOUR this morning. Seriously?!
I went and had a good conversation with the Preschool Director. Let me just start by saying that she is most awesome and was so kind and nice about everything that was going on. She also let me know that she had four kids, and her third was a boy just like Cole.
We decided that Cole is just still a little too immature for the 3-4 class. He's very bright, and he loves playing with the other kids. But when it comes to anything structured, like having to sit in his chair or on the mat, he kinda freaks out. He definitely has issues with authority, which goes back to his immaturity.
So she suggested that we take Cole out of the 3-4 class and put him in Mom's Time Out twice a week. MTO is kind of like pre-pre-school; lots of playing, not much structure. It's not that they don't want him in the 3-4 class anymore - in fact, she said several times that we could leave him in there if we wanted to. She just didn't want him to hate school at such an early age! (All of which I completely agree with.) We could put him in there for a while and see how he does: he could stay in there the rest of the year, or, if we think he's ready, he could go back into the 3-4 class in a few months. Or, if I felt it the best, we could take him out altogether and try again next year.
At first I was really leaning towards the MTO option. It makes a lot of sense, and I'm so grateful that they're willing to work with us on this. But now I'm wondering if I should just take him out of preschool until next year. I know that some people will think that this is just caving in to his bad behavior. But I really don't think that would be the case; I think he's still just a little too young to really make that connection.
I had been having lots of second thoughts about putting Cole in preschool towards the end of summer, especially considering all of his potty training issues (AUUGGHG!! POTTY TRAINING!!), but the preschool was so accommodating about it all that I decided to put him in. Now I'm wishing I hadn't.
I know, in the grand scheme of things, this isn't that big of deal. But it feels like a big deal to me right now, and I just wish I knew what to do. Have you ever gone through something like this? Any thoughts?
Tess cuddles the doll and looks up at Cole in wonder and adoration. This is probably the nicest he's ever been to her in her 16 months of life.
My heart melts.
******************
I am making dinner. Tess is in the living room playing. She's babbling away and sounds like she's speaking Japanese, intonations and all.
"Watashi wa watashi no akachan o aishiteimasu! Kanojo wa totemo
kawaīdesu. NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM NOM! Akachan kokode wa, kono botoru o nomu. Sore wa oishīdesushi,
anata ga shiawase ni naru!" I hear her say.
The "nom nom nom" part makes me stop and sneak a peak at her around the wall.
She is sitting with her baby doll on her lap, feeding her some milk from Tess's sippy cup. Tess says "nom nom nom" whenever the cup is on the baby's lips.
I melt into a puddle on the floor, gather myself together, and then try to sneak a picture of this moment.
Tess catches me looking and the game is over. She demands to be held. I gladly give in.
Yesterday was Josh's Pokemon birthday party. It was pretty epic, and I bet you're wishing you had been invited. Sorry - the guest list was pretty exclusive. A few weeks earlier I made these invites and sent them out to Josh's friends. (I'll admit - I saw a similar invite online and copied the idea for the front. Because I'm cheap and can't bring myself to spend $20 just on invites.)
The front
Inside top
Inside bottom (with pertinent info left out - just in case you felt like crashing our next party)
The day before the party I made his birthday cake. Can you tell what it is?
That's right! A Poke Ball. Don't feel bad if you didn't know - I didn't know what a Poke Ball was either, until a few weeks ago. Apparently the Pokemon fighters keep their Pokemon in them until they battle. Or something, I don't know, I'm still a little unclear on the whole thing. Whatever.
I wasn't too thrilled with the results, but Josh came home, saw the cake, and said "This is the BEST CAKE EVER, mom! It's just like a Poke Ball!!!" And all was right with the world.
On the morning of the party we dropped Spencer and Josh off at the church for the annual Primary Program Practice and Pizza Party. (SO glad I'm not in charge of that anymore!!) ((Sorry, Sarah...:)) Then we got to work on the back yard. We decided it would be easier and cleaner to party in the back. Plus, the weather promised to be perfect. Plus plus, Josh really wanted to have water balloons at the party.
We set up a table in appropriate Pokemon colors. The little boxes on there are the party favors I made. They're the plastic boxes that Crystal Light comes in (Again - the cheapness. Oh - and the greenness!) and they had a Pokemon pencil, some Pokemon cards, stickers, and little figures. Ebay is awesome for cheap Pokemon stuff, in case you were wondering.
Then we hung up lots of balloons and pictures of different Pokemon.
And, of course, the PIKACHU PINATA!!!
The boys came home and I heard Josh in the back yard "Oh my gosh!! It's just like I dreamed!! This is awesome!!" And all was right with the world.
The kids started arriving and everyone had fun playing on the swing set and running around. No one was interested posing for pictures.
Lance played goalie for a bit, which the kids loved.
Action shot of Andrew!
Then it was time for Pin the Tail on the Pikachu. The birthday boy got to go first.
Josh's best buddy, Kent, takes a stab at it.
Dominic was pretty excited to try!
Spencer had a little help from Cole.
Lance and I were a little worried that it was going to be too easy for the kids. Our worries were unfounded.
Then it was time to Feed the Munchlax. Apparently the Munchlax is a Pokemon that likes to eat. A lot. Who knew? (I didn't. Thank you, Internet!)
Easton was pretty serious about feeding that Munchlax!
*nom*nom*nom* Feed me! (Don't you wish you could draw as well as me? Hah!)
Kent throws while Bergen looks on. (She really wanted to win this game since she won Pin the Tail on the Pikachu. No dice.)
Next it was time for the water balloons. The kids were SO excited about this that we couldn't really get them to do the actual water balloon toss. So we just let them go to town and have a big fight. As Lance said, 45 minutes to fill the balloons, 45 seconds to pop them. (Lance was Mr. Awesome because he filled them all for me because I had badly burned three of my fingers on my right hand a couple of days before.)
Look at that AWESOME action shot of Justin beaning Spencer in the face!
This followed right after:
Finally, the grand finale: the PIKACHU PINATA!! Everyone got three attempts to hit the pinata.
Bergen really wanted to wail on it.
So did Spencer. He was pretty sure he was gonna destroy it.
But no one could break it! We even let Cole take a few tries.
Instead, Lance had to tear it apart, ending with this:
All the kids made a mad scramble for the candy.
After everyone got their candy it was time to light the cake and sing the birthday song. A slight breeze had picked up by this point, making it quite difficult to get those dang candles lit.
While I went inside to dish up cake and ice cream Lance helped Josh open his gifts.
Sweet! Pokemon games and toys!
I just think the look on his face is funny. (He actually really likes the gun!)
It was actually a bit warm by this point, so everyone was quite happy to dig into their cake, ice cream, and pink lemonade.
Then all the kids decided to take a look at their party favors, comparing their cards and figures. Spencer was in his element, explaining what each Pokemon does and its power level and whatnot. I dunno. Whatever.
I'm not sure Bergen really understood all of it, but she sure was interested!
In true Joshie form, he wouldn't let me take any good pictures of him. But rest assured - he had a great time, which made all the work and effort worth it!
