This evening at dinner we told Spencer that we'd buy him a 3DS if he potty trained Tess, and we told Josh we'd buy him a Wii U if he potty trained Tess.
Josh got to work and got Tess to watch most of "Elmo's Potty Time". And then he got her to sit on the potty with no pants on, something she has NEVER done before.
This could be a very expensive potty training season.
Totally worth every penny, though.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
"Have You Ever Been So Tired" Returns!
Yeah, so I thought that perhaps we'd pass this phase in Tessie's nap weaning. No such luck. *sigh*
So, without further ado...
Have You Ever Been So Tired that you wrapped a blanket around your head and basically passed out where you stood?
Tess has.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
What Do You Do When You're Kids Have No School For The 298th Time This Winter?
You dress up like a princess, obviously.
And then you run around the house shouting "Super Tess!" because the back of the crown has a piece of fabric that feels like a cape.
Then you practice your fancy up-dos, only if you're 2 you don't keep your hair up long enough for a picture.
Then you try to get everyone to make Valentines. Josh actually makes some. Cole just wants to cut paper and try to write his name on the table. Spencer and Tess are MIA.
Then you make puffball garland for Valentine's Day.
Is there such a thing as too many puffballs? No, no there is not.
You help Josh count out 100 marshmallows for his 100th day of school, which is supposed to be tomorrow although you have the sneaking suspicion that it's not really the 100th day of school but his teacher has (for good reason) given up trying to keep track of the actual 100th day. Then you find random rogue marshmallows scattered throughout the house.
And finally, you give in and let the kiddos have as much screen time as they would like. Friends come over to play, four year olds snuggle into your bed with the iPad, and Tess follows you around like a puppy.
And then you run around the house shouting "Super Tess!" because the back of the crown has a piece of fabric that feels like a cape.
Then you practice your fancy up-dos, only if you're 2 you don't keep your hair up long enough for a picture.
Then you try to get everyone to make Valentines. Josh actually makes some. Cole just wants to cut paper and try to write his name on the table. Spencer and Tess are MIA.
Then you make puffball garland for Valentine's Day.
Is there such a thing as too many puffballs? No, no there is not.
You help Josh count out 100 marshmallows for his 100th day of school, which is supposed to be tomorrow although you have the sneaking suspicion that it's not really the 100th day of school but his teacher has (for good reason) given up trying to keep track of the actual 100th day. Then you find random rogue marshmallows scattered throughout the house.
And finally, you give in and let the kiddos have as much screen time as they would like. Friends come over to play, four year olds snuggle into your bed with the iPad, and Tess follows you around like a puppy.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Whispering Floods
So church is still an ongoing battle. I mean, I'm not crazy and I don't expect perfection from my children. But I do expect them to at least try to act appropriately for their age. We're getting there. Kinda. Sorta. Not really. Okay, it's not that bad - but they have NEVER all behaved all at the same time. They just can't do it. Its physically impossible. Mentally impossible. Spiritually impossible. You get the idea.
Yesterday started out rough early on. Tess was driving me nuts. She loves to sit on either my or Lance's lap, which is fine. What is not fine is that she COULD NOT SIT STILL. Every 10 seconds she was either sliding off my lap or trying to climb back on. It was ridiculously obnoxious. And she kept freaking out over the dumbest things. So by the the first measure of the opening hymn I scooped her up, rushed her out of the chapel, and plopped her into a seat in the seminary room. We proceeded to have a little conversation about expected behavior, which she must have understood because she was a bit better when I took her back in.
Then there was Spencer. Oh Spencer. He tries so hard to help, but generally his "help" ends up making things worse. He has two problems: 1) He doesn't know when enough is enough, and 2) He doesn't know how to whisper. Spencer really likes Tess and is always trying to talk to her and distract her. Sometimes this helps, but generally this annoys the heck out of her and exacerbates any situation. He was doing this yesterday even though I kept telling him, in the nicest way possible, to shut his pie hole. He did not shut his pie hole, which lead to this little conversation.
Me (whispering): Spencer, please!!! Be quiet and leave that girl alone!
Spencer (in his "whispering" voice): BUT I'M TRYING TO HELP HER!
Me (actually whispering): Spence - Be. Quiet. You are being too loud and you are driving Tess nuts. I know you're trying to help, but you're just making things worse. Please be quiet.
Spencer ("whispering"): BUT I'M NOT LOUD - I'M WHISPERING!!!
Me (whispering): Tell that to the families four rows back who can hear you.
Spencer (hoarsely "whispering"): WHAT?!?!
Me: Dude, seriously. Be quiet. Just because you're using a hoarse voice doesn't mean you're whispering. Obviously I've failed you as a mother in this area. Stop. Talking. And. Be Quiet.
Spencer (indignant and still "whispering"): BUT I'M BEING QUIET - I AM WHISPERING!!!!
Yeah. It was pretty fun. Seriously, how does a 10 year old not know how to really whisper? It's like he's trying to whisper and yell at the same time. It's fantastically entertaining - if you're not the parent charged with keeping the child quiet.
But where is Lance in all of this action? you might ask. Well, Lance's turn came later in the meeting when all of a sudden he, Cole, and Josh all got up and left the chapel. I assumed they were going to the bathroom, which I am not thrilled with because I think too many people use it as an excuse to just get up and not pay attention. It's totally distracting and irreverent, and I happen to know that Cole has a bladder of steel, so even if he said he had to go he could have held it.
Anyway.
They're gone for quite a while.
I begin to wonder what's going on.
Then Josh comes back. Where are daddy and Cole? A shrug and something about a sink is the only reply I get.
Spencer ("whispering"): WHAT? WHERE ARE THEY?!!?
Finally, Cole comes sauntering back to our pew.
Soaked.
I've been a mom for 10+ years now. With that comes a certain feeling that I've seen just about all there is to see when it comes to the antics of my children. But having a randomly sopping wet child in the chapel? That was a new one.
Cole had no answer as to why he was wet. Just "I went potty! I washed my hands!"
Obviously.
Spencer: ("whispering"): WHY IS COLE ALL WET?! I AM WHISPERING!!!!
At this point it must be noted that Sacrament Meeting was far over time and the families around us were obviously finding the antics of the Madsen Circus much more entertaining than the speakers. (Sorry, speakers.)
Lance eventually made it back, the meeting ended, and I finally learned what happened. Apparently he took the boys to the family restroom, which has a long, shallow sink designed for people with disabilities. When Cole was done and it was time to wash hands he turned both faucets on FULL BLAST, forcing the two streams of water to shoot off of the bottom of the sink and back into the air, landing on the floor. Instead of quickly turning it off, as any normal thinking human being would have done, Cole just let it keep running. I can picture him just standing there for a minute or two, watching the spectacle. He eventually opened the door, forcing Lance to rush in, turn off the faucets, and then deal with the flood.
Cole was pretty wet and grouchy about it, and I thought for sure that he would have issues in Primary. But we put his coat on him to keep him warm and his teachers said he was the best behaved child in class. Will wonders never cease?
So I've repented of my "I've seen it all" mothering mentality and am already gearing up for next week with some new quiet books and activities. We've had a flood, so what's next? My bet is some sort of pestilence, or perhaps a David and Goliath type scenario. (Cole vs. a Goliath? My money's on Cole.) All I know is if it involves being quiet and reverent - or, heaven forbid, whispering - we're in big trouble.
Yesterday started out rough early on. Tess was driving me nuts. She loves to sit on either my or Lance's lap, which is fine. What is not fine is that she COULD NOT SIT STILL. Every 10 seconds she was either sliding off my lap or trying to climb back on. It was ridiculously obnoxious. And she kept freaking out over the dumbest things. So by the the first measure of the opening hymn I scooped her up, rushed her out of the chapel, and plopped her into a seat in the seminary room. We proceeded to have a little conversation about expected behavior, which she must have understood because she was a bit better when I took her back in.
Then there was Spencer. Oh Spencer. He tries so hard to help, but generally his "help" ends up making things worse. He has two problems: 1) He doesn't know when enough is enough, and 2) He doesn't know how to whisper. Spencer really likes Tess and is always trying to talk to her and distract her. Sometimes this helps, but generally this annoys the heck out of her and exacerbates any situation. He was doing this yesterday even though I kept telling him, in the nicest way possible, to shut his pie hole. He did not shut his pie hole, which lead to this little conversation.
Me (whispering): Spencer, please!!! Be quiet and leave that girl alone!
Spencer (in his "whispering" voice): BUT I'M TRYING TO HELP HER!
Me (actually whispering): Spence - Be. Quiet. You are being too loud and you are driving Tess nuts. I know you're trying to help, but you're just making things worse. Please be quiet.
Spencer ("whispering"): BUT I'M NOT LOUD - I'M WHISPERING!!!
Me (whispering): Tell that to the families four rows back who can hear you.
Spencer (hoarsely "whispering"): WHAT?!?!
Me: Dude, seriously. Be quiet. Just because you're using a hoarse voice doesn't mean you're whispering. Obviously I've failed you as a mother in this area. Stop. Talking. And. Be Quiet.
Spencer (indignant and still "whispering"): BUT I'M BEING QUIET - I AM WHISPERING!!!!
Yeah. It was pretty fun. Seriously, how does a 10 year old not know how to really whisper? It's like he's trying to whisper and yell at the same time. It's fantastically entertaining - if you're not the parent charged with keeping the child quiet.
But where is Lance in all of this action? you might ask. Well, Lance's turn came later in the meeting when all of a sudden he, Cole, and Josh all got up and left the chapel. I assumed they were going to the bathroom, which I am not thrilled with because I think too many people use it as an excuse to just get up and not pay attention. It's totally distracting and irreverent, and I happen to know that Cole has a bladder of steel, so even if he said he had to go he could have held it.
Anyway.
They're gone for quite a while.
I begin to wonder what's going on.
Then Josh comes back. Where are daddy and Cole? A shrug and something about a sink is the only reply I get.
Spencer ("whispering"): WHAT? WHERE ARE THEY?!!?
Finally, Cole comes sauntering back to our pew.
Soaked.
I've been a mom for 10+ years now. With that comes a certain feeling that I've seen just about all there is to see when it comes to the antics of my children. But having a randomly sopping wet child in the chapel? That was a new one.
Cole had no answer as to why he was wet. Just "I went potty! I washed my hands!"
Obviously.
Spencer: ("whispering"): WHY IS COLE ALL WET?! I AM WHISPERING!!!!
At this point it must be noted that Sacrament Meeting was far over time and the families around us were obviously finding the antics of the Madsen Circus much more entertaining than the speakers. (Sorry, speakers.)
Lance eventually made it back, the meeting ended, and I finally learned what happened. Apparently he took the boys to the family restroom, which has a long, shallow sink designed for people with disabilities. When Cole was done and it was time to wash hands he turned both faucets on FULL BLAST, forcing the two streams of water to shoot off of the bottom of the sink and back into the air, landing on the floor. Instead of quickly turning it off, as any normal thinking human being would have done, Cole just let it keep running. I can picture him just standing there for a minute or two, watching the spectacle. He eventually opened the door, forcing Lance to rush in, turn off the faucets, and then deal with the flood.
Cole was pretty wet and grouchy about it, and I thought for sure that he would have issues in Primary. But we put his coat on him to keep him warm and his teachers said he was the best behaved child in class. Will wonders never cease?
So I've repented of my "I've seen it all" mothering mentality and am already gearing up for next week with some new quiet books and activities. We've had a flood, so what's next? My bet is some sort of pestilence, or perhaps a David and Goliath type scenario. (Cole vs. a Goliath? My money's on Cole.) All I know is if it involves being quiet and reverent - or, heaven forbid, whispering - we're in big trouble.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Winter is Coming... I Mean, Winter Won't Leave
This already feels like the winter that will never end, and it's only January. The whole Polar Vortex thing was pretty incredible. But we've gotten even more snow since then and we're getting a bunch more this weekend. And the temps - oh, the temps! Below zero highs, even more below zero wind chills. So we have all this snow but it's so cold it's actually dangerous for kids to play outside, which puts everybody in such a lovely mood, let me tell you.
It's completely ridiculous.
It's like living on the planet Hoth, only not nearly as exciting because there are no rebel bases around here and Harrison Ford is nowhere to be seen. No wookies, either.
This is unacceptable.
Josh and Spencer keep having 2 hour delays for school, which means no preschool for poor Mr. Cole. And poor Mommy. Cole's been doing okay, but he and Tess have had some pretty epic battles due to cabin fever.
We ventured out today for playgroup. Oh playgroup. I like playgroup. Tess likes playgroup. Cole says he likes playgroup, but he always misbehaves. Yelling, screaming, wildness, fighting over toys... I know he doesn't act like this at preschool. So why does he do it at playgroup? I'm pretty sure the other playgroupers aren't too sad that we don't make it that often.
After playgroup we went to Wendy's for lunch with Deidra, Millie, and Truman. That's because our water heater was broken again and I was not so inclined to go home and make lunch and then have to heat the water to wash dishes. Plus, I just don't like making lunch.
We were in the path of the rush of air that came in every time someone opened the doors. Cole let out a little insulted howl of complaint every time someone came in or left because it was so dang cold.
So yeah, our water heater is broken again. It's like it can't handle the cold weather, either, although it's only 2 years old and lives in the warm furnace room. It didn't work this morning so I called the repair place and complained to them because obviously they didn't really fix it last time. But then this afternoon we magically had hot water again! Dilemma! Still have the repairman come for potentially no good reason, or cancel the appointment and risk having a broken water heater again.
I called and talked to the repair place and we decided to have him still come out and look things over. Good thing, because the pressure switch is dying a slow death. What's with our water heaters? I mean, when the last one was dying I did my research and found the best one for our budget and household and then even paid someone to install it because Lance and I really aren't that DIY. And now more problems?
So now we have to wait a week for the new part, which is covered under warranty, which is nice. But we had to pay for shipping, which was not nice. (Feels like insult to injury, is all I'm saying.) I am literally praying for the water heater to keep working until the part comes in. I don't want to have to learn any lessons on patience when it comes to not having hot water in the dead of winter.
Why couldn't it have been our dang fridge, that's all I'm asking.
It's completely ridiculous.
It's like living on the planet Hoth, only not nearly as exciting because there are no rebel bases around here and Harrison Ford is nowhere to be seen. No wookies, either.
This is unacceptable.
Josh and Spencer keep having 2 hour delays for school, which means no preschool for poor Mr. Cole. And poor Mommy. Cole's been doing okay, but he and Tess have had some pretty epic battles due to cabin fever.
We ventured out today for playgroup. Oh playgroup. I like playgroup. Tess likes playgroup. Cole says he likes playgroup, but he always misbehaves. Yelling, screaming, wildness, fighting over toys... I know he doesn't act like this at preschool. So why does he do it at playgroup? I'm pretty sure the other playgroupers aren't too sad that we don't make it that often.
After playgroup we went to Wendy's for lunch with Deidra, Millie, and Truman. That's because our water heater was broken again and I was not so inclined to go home and make lunch and then have to heat the water to wash dishes. Plus, I just don't like making lunch.
We were in the path of the rush of air that came in every time someone opened the doors. Cole let out a little insulted howl of complaint every time someone came in or left because it was so dang cold.
So yeah, our water heater is broken again. It's like it can't handle the cold weather, either, although it's only 2 years old and lives in the warm furnace room. It didn't work this morning so I called the repair place and complained to them because obviously they didn't really fix it last time. But then this afternoon we magically had hot water again! Dilemma! Still have the repairman come for potentially no good reason, or cancel the appointment and risk having a broken water heater again.
I called and talked to the repair place and we decided to have him still come out and look things over. Good thing, because the pressure switch is dying a slow death. What's with our water heaters? I mean, when the last one was dying I did my research and found the best one for our budget and household and then even paid someone to install it because Lance and I really aren't that DIY. And now more problems?
So now we have to wait a week for the new part, which is covered under warranty, which is nice. But we had to pay for shipping, which was not nice. (Feels like insult to injury, is all I'm saying.) I am literally praying for the water heater to keep working until the part comes in. I don't want to have to learn any lessons on patience when it comes to not having hot water in the dead of winter.
Why couldn't it have been our dang fridge, that's all I'm asking.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Josh's Trauma
Scene: Dinnertime at the Madsen Home
Topic of Conversation: The extreme cold
Maren: It was so cold shoveling snow this morning that I had to break out the reindeer hair gloves. I actually forgot I had them, but rediscovered them while searching for some new gloves because my old ones weren't keeping my hands warm at all.
Lance: They're good?
Maren: Ohmigosh, yes. SO warm! My hands weren't cold at all, and it was -22 degrees outside! I should have worn those to that BYU game. Actually, there are a lot of things I would have done differently for that game. Lots of different things I would have worn.
Lance: Like snow pants? And boots?
Maren: Yeah. And those mittens. And I would have dressed the boys in full snow gear, too, now that I think about it.
Josh: I know what I would have done differently.
Maren: What?
Josh: I wouldn't have gone.
At which point I dissolved in laughter and was thoroughly impressed with his cleverness. Guess that game was more traumatic for the boy than I thought!
Topic of Conversation: The extreme cold
Maren: It was so cold shoveling snow this morning that I had to break out the reindeer hair gloves. I actually forgot I had them, but rediscovered them while searching for some new gloves because my old ones weren't keeping my hands warm at all.
Lance: They're good?
Maren: Ohmigosh, yes. SO warm! My hands weren't cold at all, and it was -22 degrees outside! I should have worn those to that BYU game. Actually, there are a lot of things I would have done differently for that game. Lots of different things I would have worn.
Lance: Like snow pants? And boots?
Maren: Yeah. And those mittens. And I would have dressed the boys in full snow gear, too, now that I think about it.
Josh: I know what I would have done differently.
Maren: What?
Josh: I wouldn't have gone.
At which point I dissolved in laughter and was thoroughly impressed with his cleverness. Guess that game was more traumatic for the boy than I thought!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Facebook Statuses
Some of the best in the past few months. My favorites are noted as such.
***FAVORITE***
"Not enough pancakes!! I'm soooo hungy!!!"
Chia Uncle Si is pretty creepy.
***FAVORITE***
Me: We don't need the internet to solve this problem - I've been doing algebra since BEFORE the internet.
Spencer: Wait - how OLD are you?!
Spencer: Wait - how OLD are you?!
Tess's new 'do. (I believe the word you are looking for is 'darling'.)
Me: Cole, you're a smart little boy!
Cole: I am. I really am!
Me: Also, very humble.
Cole: Yes, yes I am.
Cole: I am. I really am!
Me: Also, very humble.
Cole: Yes, yes I am.
Me: Good job, Colie-Boley! I'm proud of you!
Cole: Yes. Yes you are.
Cole: Yes. Yes you are.
I am pretty much fed up with Chrome - it hasn't worked well for me in months! It won't let me go to websites half of the time, and the other half of the time it won't show basic images. (Like on FB, for example.) So this morning I decided to download Firefox.
Chrome won't let me onto the website. Chrome is on to me.
Is Chrome secretly owned by Skynet?
Chrome won't let me onto the website. Chrome is on to me.
Is Chrome secretly owned by Skynet?
LAFAYETTE 3RD WARD RELIEF SOCIETY:
Don't forget our "Perfecting the Sisters" enrichment meeting tonight at 7pm. Babysitting and treats provided.
(If you don't remember what group you are in we will have lists.)
Don't forget our "Perfecting the Sisters" enrichment meeting tonight at 7pm. Babysitting and treats provided.
(If you don't remember what group you are in we will have lists.)
Nothin' like fighting with the insurance company for 45 minutes to get the blood goin'!! Growl.
***FAVORITE***
Had to take all four kids to Spencer's annual check up today. Cole cried - loudly - the entire way home. Why?
"I WANT A SHOT!!!!"
The boy ain't right.
"I WANT A SHOT!!!!"
The boy ain't right.
***FAVORITE***
Cole: Mommy, I need a eating frenzy.
Me: Um, a what now?
Cole: A eating frenzy.
Me: Is it time for lunch?
Cole: YES! I eat everything!!!!
And he did.
Me: Um, a what now?
Cole: A eating frenzy.
Me: Is it time for lunch?
Cole: YES! I eat everything!!!!
And he did.
The kids and I ventured outside for the first time in a full week. Sweet - albeit cold - freedom!
Aaaaaannnnd school is closed. Again.
The NEVER ENDING CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!
The NEVER ENDING CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!
Hot water is back! Turned out to be a stuck pressure switch, in case you're wondering.
Hot showers for all!
Hot showers for all!
"Not enough pancakes!! I'm soooo hungy!!!"
No better way to ring in the New Year than with good friends and a grilled cheese jamboree. Thanks for a yummy evening, Deidra Parish Hartwell andKanien Wallin!
Chia Uncle Si is pretty creepy.
Cutest point of the day so far: Tess refusing to take off the tiara and jewelry set Cole gave her for Christmas. She's worn it all day, taking it off only to allow Mommy and Daddy to try it on. (She looks better in it.)
Merry Christmas from the Madsens!
Maren Roper Madsen shared a link.
Just had a flashback of rockin' out to this song with my roomies in Harris 65 freshman year at BYU. Yes, I was the dorky roommate. But I was the good kind of dorky. (Can you tell I'm working through my Christmas playlist while prepping Christmas eve dinner?) — with Mindi Bennett and 3 others.
Decided to have some fun purple cauliflower with our Christmas eve dinner. Lance calls it a weird freak of nature, but that's what he also says about white cauliflower, so we'll just ignore him. Yum!
Maren Roper Madsen shared a link.
Thinking of you, Kyle B Roper and Kevin Roper and our adventures in the back seat while seeing the luminaries.
P.S. Nikki obviously loved me best because she always sat with me.
P.S. Nikki obviously loved me best because she always sat with me.
***FAVORITE***
Got a Christmas card from a cat named Colonel Mustard. My holiday season is now complete.
(I was going to say my life was complete, but let's not go overboard...) — withKanien Wallin and Jon Wallin.
(I was going to say my life was complete, but let's not go overboard...) — withKanien Wallin and Jon Wallin.
Wal-Mart tried charging me $46.95 for a half pound of bologna this morning. Spencer and Josh couldn't understand what the problem was and why we had to "waste our time" waiting in the customer service line to get my money back. Time for another FHE about budgeting and finances, sheesh! (p.s. Josh was the one who demanded the bologna. This better be the best he ever tasted.
After a 2 hour Minecraft party with TEN 9&10 year old boys I'm gonna need this to recover. (Seriously, my ears are still ringing from the noise. The noise, noise, Noise, NOISE!!!) *collapse into bed*
Okay, certainly not perfect, but acceptable for a bunch of 10 year old boys who probably won't care. (If it looks like a cube of sod, that's a good thing.)
"How hard could making a Minecraft cube cake be?" thought Maren. Stupid, stupid Maren.
Tess: Knock knock!
Me: Who's there?
Tess: HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAHAHAAAA!
Apparently Tess tells the best knock-knock jokes.
Me: Who's there?
Tess: HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAHAHAAAA!
Apparently Tess tells the best knock-knock jokes.
As a Christmas present to tess this year I am not torturing her with comes hair unless we have to go somewhere. She hadn't been anywhere in days and the back of her head looks like a rat's nest.
Augh! 30+ pages of editing done this morning. My brain is fried.
Long day of running errands all over town, but it was without children so it was AWESOME. (And much faster than normal.)
***FAVORITE***
The first thing that came to my mind when I saw Josh making this face.
Most awesome pictures ever of sibling-birthday-jealousy. (The faces Josh made are priceless.)
I find these hilarious. Yes, I'm a terrible, terrible, easily entertained mother.
I find these hilarious. Yes, I'm a terrible, terrible, easily entertained mother.
A big happy 10th birthday to my oldest baby, Spencer! I sure love you, kiddo!
(And a big kudos to Lance and I for surviving a decade of parenting. Phew.)
(And a big kudos to Lance and I for surviving a decade of parenting. Phew.)
Early family Christmas present from ElRay Roper and Susanne Roper. Still laughing and happy happy happy!
Today on "I demand to wear what I choose!"... at least she's color coordinated.
The Madsen's visited Santa and lived to tell the tale. (At least that's Tess's version of the story.)
Apparently we now live in the Arctic tundra.
And I am now a person who posts about the weather.
And I am now a person who posts about the weather.
Thank you, Deidra Hartwell & Kanien Wallin, for teaching me how to make candy canes last night. It was really neat! (And yummy.)
I've been waiting and waiting for this gift that I ordered for Lance and finally took a look at the UPS tracking this morning. It started in Edison NJ, then went to Hodgkins IL. (Up by Chicago.)
This is where it gets weird.
Then it came to LAFAYETTE for an entire day and then moved on to Crawfordsville, which is about 40 minutes south of us. And NOW it's in Indianapolis. There was a note next to Crawfordsville that says "AN EXCEPTION IN THE SORTING PROCESS HAS OCCURRED. UPS HAS TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION"
Corrective action is sending it an hour south? What the what, UPS?!
This is where it gets weird.
Then it came to LAFAYETTE for an entire day and then moved on to Crawfordsville, which is about 40 minutes south of us. And NOW it's in Indianapolis. There was a note next to Crawfordsville that says "AN EXCEPTION IN THE SORTING PROCESS HAS OCCURRED. UPS HAS TAKEN CORRECTIVE ACTION"
Corrective action is sending it an hour south? What the what, UPS?!
Put some cookies in the porch to cool, 20 minutes later they were frozen solid. (The kids still happily gnawed on them!)
Proud momma moment: Spencer played "Angels We Have Heard On High" in Sacrament meeting today and did a great job! (Paying for lessons and nagging about practicing? Totally worth it.)
***FAVORITE***
TO ALL LAFAYETTE 3RD WARDERS: Josh put on a pair of Cole's pants this morning and refuses to take them off because "They were in my drawer, they must be mine!!!"
So when you see him tonight at the Christmas party please know that he's wearing them of his own stubborness and not because we won't buy him clothes that fit or because I don't care. I do care. But a mother has to pick her battles and I'm hoping peer pressure will do the dirty work for me.
So when you see him tonight at the Christmas party please know that he's wearing them of his own stubborness and not because we won't buy him clothes that fit or because I don't care. I do care. But a mother has to pick her battles and I'm hoping peer pressure will do the dirty work for me.
Ahhhh... nothing like the magical holiday sounds of children battling over the Little People nativity playset.
Thank you all for helping me feel the love on my birthday. Despite Tess's crazy antics (or maybe because of) ((no)) I had a great day!
***FAVORITE***
JUST CAUGHT TESS LITERALLY HANGING FROM THE CHANDELIER IN THE KITCHEN.
I do believe it is time to get out of the house.
I do believe it is time to get out of the house.
Based on how these came out of storage I'm thinking we'll only have white this year!!
P.s. Right before I pressed "post" Tess came streaking by in nothing but her birthday suit. I'm taking it as a sign of her love and affection for me. Apparently the birthday game we'll be playing this morning is "find the rogue diaper". Just another normal morning at the Madsen home!
P.s. Right before I pressed "post" Tess came streaking by in nothing but her birthday suit. I'm taking it as a sign of her love and affection for me. Apparently the birthday game we'll be playing this morning is "find the rogue diaper". Just another normal morning at the Madsen home!
Even short vacations are hard to get over. Even though I prepared and finished everything I could before we left I feel like I've been playing catch up all day, and tomorrow will be worse!
Lance and I have decided that the entire little town we're in must be mostly covers in lead because there is pretty much no cell reception anywhere. The few calls we've been able to make our receive are total flukes.
On vacation but still doing a little Black Friday shopping online while everyone rests before dinner. The ONE thing I really want to get Cole goes on sale on Amazon in 8 minutes and then we can go eat. So hungry, but I really want this deal!! #crazyfirstworldthanksgivingsh
After a long day of water parking we had an awesome Thanksgiving dinner at Buffalo Phil's. Hey, don't judge: the good tasted great, no one complained, no prep our clean up, and our meal was brought to us on a train! (6 photos)
3rd ward sisters: don't forget the pies for LUM if you signed up for them! If you need help getting them there please let me know and I can help. (Dutch Apple, in case you're wondering.)
***FAVORITE***
Me: Tess, stop freaking out.
Tess the 2 year old: No! I have to freak out! I'm FREAKING OUT!!!!
Me: Okay then.
Tess (in her Batman voice): I'm. Freaking. Out.
Me: *nothing -I'm too busy laughing*
Tess the 2 year old: No! I have to freak out! I'm FREAKING OUT!!!!
Me: Okay then.
Tess (in her Batman voice): I'm. Freaking. Out.
Me: *nothing -I'm too busy laughing*
Family Christmas present found and purchased. Now... where to hide a gigantic bean bag chair and make Tess and Cole forget they were with me when I picked it up...
The wind chill got to be too much for two little boys, so we retreated to the MUCH warmer car while Grandpa and Bryce tough it out to the bitter (cold) end.
With a windchill of 9 degrees, uncle bryce saves the day with some hot chocolate.
Freezin my keister off at Notre Dame. Go Cougs! (My blood is blue, but mainly from the temperature.)
Hundreds of birds keep flying in and out of my back yard. Cole and Tess can't get enough, but I think it's a little creepy. (Thank you, Mr. Hitchcock.)
Thinking of you, Renee Gaarder.
Thinking of you, Renee Gaarder.
Tess is now VERY particular about which side of the blanket touches her body. The joy of two year olds.
I miss my laptop... that said, I've been a lot more productive at home without as many online distractions.
On other news, getting the oil changed is great fun new that there's a train table!
On other news, getting the oil changed is great fun new that there's a train table!
And a tornado to round out the day! (Thanks, Marisa Moore.). We're fine, but no power for several hours.
Minivan totally dead this morning before church. Cole totally awful during church. Laptop totally dropped and destroyed after church.
I'm done. So very done.
I'm done. So very done.
Spent most of the day doing church stuff and came home to find that Lance had finished all of the items on my rather lengthy to-do list.
Best Husband Ever.
Best Husband Ever.
***FAVORITE***
You know it's gonna be a fun day when the furnace guy leaves you a rather terse voicemail about having to reschedule our appointment because I wasn't at home when he got there. (I was dropping Cole off at preschool.) The voicemail was left at 9:20. Our appointment was for 9:30.
Needless to say I had a rather terse phone call with the furnace company shortly after.
Needless to say I had a rather terse phone call with the furnace company shortly after.
Hearing the sounds of "Don't touch the floor - it's lava" coming from the basement makes me happy.
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