Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Christmas Morning 2013
As per usual, Christmas morning was a grand and glorious affair in the Madsen household. The night before I had had an inkling that the boys would want to get up early, so I made a firm and fast rule that no one was to get out of bed before 6am.
This was a wise choice, although I did hear the pitter patter of little feet - in their rooms - at quarter to six. I finally stumbled into the living room to find Cole and Josh huddled on the floor, whispering about the gifts they could see around the room. They were so excited that I had "finally" gotten up! But where was Spencer? "Downstairs playing computer." Really?! On Christmas morning?! That boy has a problem.
Things got off to a slow start getting Spencer to come upstairs and waking Tess up gently enough that she wouldn't be a super grouch.
The bean bag chair was a BIG hit.
Poor Coley wasn't feeling that great. He wasn't completely sick, but I could tell he wasn't 100%, either.
There's always one kid who's never initially satisfied with his Christmas haul. This year it was Josh (as can be seen from the mournful face in the picture.) He was SURE the big box behind him had the bike he had asked Santa for. Sorry, Joshie - that big box had the new office chair I had bought for Daddy. I had already told him that there would be no new bikes since we had a perfectly good one in the garage that no one ever rode. Santa Claus agreed with me.
Don't feel too bad for Josh - he eventually realized that while his gifts weren't as physically large or as obviously exciting as some others, they were tailored just for him and his tastes. He now LOVES the art kit I put together for him and we've had a great time building stuff with his new Lego kit.
Mr. Cole opening his new - and rather noisy - toy guitar.
Tess was all about opening gifts. She did NOT want to have to wait her turn! She got so into it that she opened one of my gifts before anyone realized what was happening.
Josh gave Cole an Angry Birds calendar, which he was pretty excited about. That kids loves Angry Birds!
You can kinda see the carnage that Christmas morning brings to the living room. What a mess!
I'm kicking myself for not getting a video of it, but Tess's reaction to opening the "Despicable Me 2" DVD we got her was so cute. (She's been in love with Minions ever since she was one for Halloween.) She can't pronounce "Despicable", so when she realized what it was it came out as "Oooooooh!!!!! STICKABLE ME!!!" We of course watched Stickable Me 2 later that morning, much to everyone's delight.
I'm not sure what Josh was doing in this picture - probably complaining about something. ;)
Cole bought Tess this tiara and jewelry set, which she instantly fell in love with and demanded to wear all day.
What a little princess! Before naptime I read her the "Fancy Nancy" book Grandpa and Grandma Roper sent, and she oohed and awwed over how Fancy Nancy also had crowns and necklaces and earrings. It was way cute.
So apparently Spencer has been a punk and been telling Josh that Lance and I are Santa Claus. That jerk. Fortunately, after giving Spencer the EVIL EYE, I convinced Josh that there's no way we could be Santa because where would we have hidden all of these huge gifts this year? But we also had one more magic bullet in our arsenal, if you will. Wait, that seems like a awkward metaphor for this. Maybe one more trick up our sleeves? One more nail in the coffin? Yikes. No. Okay, whatever.
A few weeks ago we realized that the Roku remote was missing. We tore that basement apart looking for it! Okay, not really. Spencer and Josh wandered around, complaining about not being able to find it but not really looking and Lance and I both gave the basement a good once over looking for the dang thing. Finally, I put up this sign, with a King Sized Snickers bar in front of it, hoping it would lure the boys into really searching for the remote.
No such luck.
Lucky for us, Santa found the remote, took the Snicker's bar, and left the wrapped remote in its place. Josh's faith in the jolly old man was restored.
The rest of the day was spent lounging around, reading, resting, and telling kids that there was no way they could be bored because the house was full of new toys. We Skyped with the Grandparents Madsen and Facetimed with the Grandparents Roper. We ate lots of junk and played Monopoly. We catered to a princess, but didn't give in to her demands of not having a nap.
It was a good Christmas Day.
This was a wise choice, although I did hear the pitter patter of little feet - in their rooms - at quarter to six. I finally stumbled into the living room to find Cole and Josh huddled on the floor, whispering about the gifts they could see around the room. They were so excited that I had "finally" gotten up! But where was Spencer? "Downstairs playing computer." Really?! On Christmas morning?! That boy has a problem.
Things got off to a slow start getting Spencer to come upstairs and waking Tess up gently enough that she wouldn't be a super grouch.
The bean bag chair was a BIG hit.
Poor Coley wasn't feeling that great. He wasn't completely sick, but I could tell he wasn't 100%, either.
There's always one kid who's never initially satisfied with his Christmas haul. This year it was Josh (as can be seen from the mournful face in the picture.) He was SURE the big box behind him had the bike he had asked Santa for. Sorry, Joshie - that big box had the new office chair I had bought for Daddy. I had already told him that there would be no new bikes since we had a perfectly good one in the garage that no one ever rode. Santa Claus agreed with me.
Don't feel too bad for Josh - he eventually realized that while his gifts weren't as physically large or as obviously exciting as some others, they were tailored just for him and his tastes. He now LOVES the art kit I put together for him and we've had a great time building stuff with his new Lego kit.
Mr. Cole opening his new - and rather noisy - toy guitar.
Tess was all about opening gifts. She did NOT want to have to wait her turn! She got so into it that she opened one of my gifts before anyone realized what was happening.
Josh gave Cole an Angry Birds calendar, which he was pretty excited about. That kids loves Angry Birds!
You can kinda see the carnage that Christmas morning brings to the living room. What a mess!
I'm kicking myself for not getting a video of it, but Tess's reaction to opening the "Despicable Me 2" DVD we got her was so cute. (She's been in love with Minions ever since she was one for Halloween.) She can't pronounce "Despicable", so when she realized what it was it came out as "Oooooooh!!!!! STICKABLE ME!!!" We of course watched Stickable Me 2 later that morning, much to everyone's delight.
I'm not sure what Josh was doing in this picture - probably complaining about something. ;)
Dad and Susie gave Cole a latches board, which kept him busy much of the morning. Good gift! They also gave Spencer and Josh Perplexus balls, which they fought over and played with all day.
Cole bought Tess this tiara and jewelry set, which she instantly fell in love with and demanded to wear all day.
What a little princess! Before naptime I read her the "Fancy Nancy" book Grandpa and Grandma Roper sent, and she oohed and awwed over how Fancy Nancy also had crowns and necklaces and earrings. It was way cute.
So apparently Spencer has been a punk and been telling Josh that Lance and I are Santa Claus. That jerk. Fortunately, after giving Spencer the EVIL EYE, I convinced Josh that there's no way we could be Santa because where would we have hidden all of these huge gifts this year? But we also had one more magic bullet in our arsenal, if you will. Wait, that seems like a awkward metaphor for this. Maybe one more trick up our sleeves? One more nail in the coffin? Yikes. No. Okay, whatever.
A few weeks ago we realized that the Roku remote was missing. We tore that basement apart looking for it! Okay, not really. Spencer and Josh wandered around, complaining about not being able to find it but not really looking and Lance and I both gave the basement a good once over looking for the dang thing. Finally, I put up this sign, with a King Sized Snickers bar in front of it, hoping it would lure the boys into really searching for the remote.
No such luck.
Lucky for us, Santa found the remote, took the Snicker's bar, and left the wrapped remote in its place. Josh's faith in the jolly old man was restored.
The rest of the day was spent lounging around, reading, resting, and telling kids that there was no way they could be bored because the house was full of new toys. We Skyped with the Grandparents Madsen and Facetimed with the Grandparents Roper. We ate lots of junk and played Monopoly. We catered to a princess, but didn't give in to her demands of not having a nap.
It was a good Christmas Day.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Christmas Eve 2013
Lance and I have figured out a pretty good set of traditions for Christmas and this year we pretty much stuck to all of them. It's nice because the kids know what to expect and we pretty much know how they'll react most of the evening. (Awful at some points, angelic at others. Just keepin' it real, people.)
We all kinda puttered around the house during the day. I took a little nap and awoke to the sounds of Cole snoring. It's like he passed out on my bed or something. (I think he's feeling a little under the weather, poor kid.)
About an hour before dinner was ready Lance and the kids entertained themselves downstairs so I could get things done. Last year it was a tower of cushions. This year it was a mega-couch house. The kids LOVED it. (And this is why I'm not willing to have good furniture downstairs.)
Josh the non-eater. Hmm... these pictures and what I'm talking about seem to be a bit out of order. Too bad. It's Christmas and I don't feel like cleaning things up, even on the blog.
Tess was all smiles. Until she was told she couldn't use a goblet at dinner. I'm a jerk like that.
Mr. Colar Bear. He kept saying he wanted a new Wii controller for Christmas; I'm not sure why because the controllers we have are fine. Oh well, he's the third child and probably used to disappointment by now. (Santa is not willing to put anymore money into that outdated gaming system!)
Ah, Spencer. What a grouch. Seriously, it's like he's 10 going on 15. Moody, sullen, talk-backy... anyone want to borrow a Spencer for a few days? He's much better behaved outside of the house!
After dinner the kids had to find their pajamas, which we had wrapped and hidden around the house. Tess found hers really fast and as quick as could be opened them up! Seriously, it was really fast, and I tried to hide them pretty well! This girl was waay into presents this year.
Not the greatest shot, but I like that it shows Lance rubbing Cole's head. It seems like we're always doing that; I wonder when he'll grow out of it? (Hopefully not soon.)
It took us a while to get our annual self-portrait just right.
In the end, this is the best we got. That dang sullen pre-teen! (Guess I should probably get used to it, right?)
Then Spencer and Josh got into a big 'ol fight over who got to have their picture taken first, so neither of them did. Cole was actually behaving and more than willing to pose in his "candy can" and skull jammies! (Yeah, I think the design's a little weird, too, but they were so cheap at Target that I didn't care.)
This child... he's growing up so fast!
Contrary to what popular opinion would have dictated, Cole was the best behaved child of the evening. I know, we were just as surprised.
Tess could hardly hold still, she was so excited! I don't know that she really understood what was going on, but she knew it was something good.
That crazy hair. We didn't go anywhere that day so I didn't feel like fighting her to comb it. (I'm totally getting it chopped into a bob in January.)
Daddy showing off. So at the beginning of the month I looked in his drawer and he had a ton of pajamas so I was like "Do you really want a new pair of jammies for Christmas, or are you okay with not getting any?" And Lance totally said he didn't care. But last night he claimed to have no recollection of that conversation and that he did care and then proceeded to tease me about it the rest of the evening. Punk husband.
Mr. Josh is also getting quite large. How does this happen? Who allowed this?! I love first graders - they're still so sweet and excited about life in general.
Unlike fourth graders, who apparently know everything and sulk when they get yelled at for punching and pushing brothers on Christmas Eve.
Okay, I shouldn't give Spencer such a hard time. He can be quite sweet and happy when he wants to. It's just that there's been an increasing amount of not wanting to lately. And he's only 10. I don't even want to think about what life will be like once he starts middle school. Yikes.
At this point we usually read a Christmas book or two, but the book Grandma Susie had sent was far too long for such young attention spans. (And I didn't think to look at the length of it until the night before when I wrapped it, otherwise we would have broken it up over several evenings. D'oh.) So instead we watched a few Christmas videos on the Mormon Channel on YouTube and that went over better than any book we've ever read. (Note to self: a short book and videos in the future?)
Then it was time for everyone's favorite game: CHRISTMAS EVE BINGO!!!
This year the winnings were pretty evenly spread out; I didn't even have to 'help' some players win. And the prizes were quite awesome, with things like Phineas and Ferb activity books, Angry Birds tooth brush kits, and other random items I had picked up over the year.
By the end of the evening Tess was rockin' the glow-in-the-dark necklaces and elf hat.
We played "Hot and Cold" for a while, which the kids love. They're not exactly so great and leading you in the right direction, but it was still fun. Spencer claimed to not be peeking, but we could see him cheating! We eventually sent him to the other room.
Despite its deliciousness and the lack of food eaten earlier, not much dessert was eaten. Punk kids.
We finally got everyone into bed; it actually wasn't quite the struggle I was expecting. This was a good thing because I still had to mend and wash the dang cover for that huge bean bag chair we had for the kids. (FYI - the bean bag chair is now from Santa. More on that later.) So that took a while, and then Lance also had to put together Cole's trampoline. But eventually everything was cleaned and put together and Santa got to work.
I just love how the living room looks on Christmas Eve! It makes me so happy and I feel so blessed!
Lance was extra nice this year and got a big present from me. (A new office chair.) Not nice enough for me to put it together and/or wrap it, but still, very nice. (He didn't care.)
It was a very Merry Christmas Eve.
And a very early Christmas morning. More to come.
We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner, with ham, twiced baked potatoes, caramelized green beans, crudites, and Grandma Roper rolls. It was fantastic, if I do say so myself. Well, the ham was a little overdone, but the rolls were spot on this year, which I think makes up for it.
Spencer ate a ton, Cole ate some, Tess ate a little, and Josh didn't eat a single bite. A single bite. That child. Seriously, how does he keep growing? Logic dictates that he should be malnourished by now.
Of course the only picture I got was of the cute mini trifles I made for dessert. Yummers. (Fun fact: I used Greek yogurt in the brownie mix just to see how it would work, and it was fine! A little gooey, so perfect for trifle but I don't know what I would use it for just brownies by themselves.)
I can't help it - I think mini things (like mini trifle bowls) are so cute!
We all kinda puttered around the house during the day. I took a little nap and awoke to the sounds of Cole snoring. It's like he passed out on my bed or something. (I think he's feeling a little under the weather, poor kid.)
About an hour before dinner was ready Lance and the kids entertained themselves downstairs so I could get things done. Last year it was a tower of cushions. This year it was a mega-couch house. The kids LOVED it. (And this is why I'm not willing to have good furniture downstairs.)
Josh the non-eater. Hmm... these pictures and what I'm talking about seem to be a bit out of order. Too bad. It's Christmas and I don't feel like cleaning things up, even on the blog.
Tess was all smiles. Until she was told she couldn't use a goblet at dinner. I'm a jerk like that.
Mr. Colar Bear. He kept saying he wanted a new Wii controller for Christmas; I'm not sure why because the controllers we have are fine. Oh well, he's the third child and probably used to disappointment by now. (Santa is not willing to put anymore money into that outdated gaming system!)
Ah, Spencer. What a grouch. Seriously, it's like he's 10 going on 15. Moody, sullen, talk-backy... anyone want to borrow a Spencer for a few days? He's much better behaved outside of the house!
After dinner the kids had to find their pajamas, which we had wrapped and hidden around the house. Tess found hers really fast and as quick as could be opened them up! Seriously, it was really fast, and I tried to hide them pretty well! This girl was waay into presents this year.
Not the greatest shot, but I like that it shows Lance rubbing Cole's head. It seems like we're always doing that; I wonder when he'll grow out of it? (Hopefully not soon.)
It took us a while to get our annual self-portrait just right.
In the end, this is the best we got. That dang sullen pre-teen! (Guess I should probably get used to it, right?)
Then Spencer and Josh got into a big 'ol fight over who got to have their picture taken first, so neither of them did. Cole was actually behaving and more than willing to pose in his "candy can" and skull jammies! (Yeah, I think the design's a little weird, too, but they were so cheap at Target that I didn't care.)
This child... he's growing up so fast!
Contrary to what popular opinion would have dictated, Cole was the best behaved child of the evening. I know, we were just as surprised.
Tess could hardly hold still, she was so excited! I don't know that she really understood what was going on, but she knew it was something good.
That crazy hair. We didn't go anywhere that day so I didn't feel like fighting her to comb it. (I'm totally getting it chopped into a bob in January.)
Daddy showing off. So at the beginning of the month I looked in his drawer and he had a ton of pajamas so I was like "Do you really want a new pair of jammies for Christmas, or are you okay with not getting any?" And Lance totally said he didn't care. But last night he claimed to have no recollection of that conversation and that he did care and then proceeded to tease me about it the rest of the evening. Punk husband.
Mr. Josh is also getting quite large. How does this happen? Who allowed this?! I love first graders - they're still so sweet and excited about life in general.
Unlike fourth graders, who apparently know everything and sulk when they get yelled at for punching and pushing brothers on Christmas Eve.
Okay, I shouldn't give Spencer such a hard time. He can be quite sweet and happy when he wants to. It's just that there's been an increasing amount of not wanting to lately. And he's only 10. I don't even want to think about what life will be like once he starts middle school. Yikes.
At this point we usually read a Christmas book or two, but the book Grandma Susie had sent was far too long for such young attention spans. (And I didn't think to look at the length of it until the night before when I wrapped it, otherwise we would have broken it up over several evenings. D'oh.) So instead we watched a few Christmas videos on the Mormon Channel on YouTube and that went over better than any book we've ever read. (Note to self: a short book and videos in the future?)
Then it was time for everyone's favorite game: CHRISTMAS EVE BINGO!!!
This year the winnings were pretty evenly spread out; I didn't even have to 'help' some players win. And the prizes were quite awesome, with things like Phineas and Ferb activity books, Angry Birds tooth brush kits, and other random items I had picked up over the year.
By the end of the evening Tess was rockin' the glow-in-the-dark necklaces and elf hat.
We played "Hot and Cold" for a while, which the kids love. They're not exactly so great and leading you in the right direction, but it was still fun. Spencer claimed to not be peeking, but we could see him cheating! We eventually sent him to the other room.
Despite its deliciousness and the lack of food eaten earlier, not much dessert was eaten. Punk kids.
We finally got everyone into bed; it actually wasn't quite the struggle I was expecting. This was a good thing because I still had to mend and wash the dang cover for that huge bean bag chair we had for the kids. (FYI - the bean bag chair is now from Santa. More on that later.) So that took a while, and then Lance also had to put together Cole's trampoline. But eventually everything was cleaned and put together and Santa got to work.
I just love how the living room looks on Christmas Eve! It makes me so happy and I feel so blessed!
Lance was extra nice this year and got a big present from me. (A new office chair.) Not nice enough for me to put it together and/or wrap it, but still, very nice. (He didn't care.)
It was a very Merry Christmas Eve.
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