Kidlet Update: Spencer

Poor Spencer kinda got the raw end of the deal when it comes to this blog. I started blogging a little after Josh was born, so of course Josh was the star of the show.  And Spencer was a pretty calm toddler/little kid; I didn't get much blog fodder out of him!  Then Cole came along and stole the limelight, followed closely by Tess, who has pretty much dominated since. He gets the occasional post for big, first-time things, but on the whole he's kinda in the background most of the time.  Such is the life of the first born, I guess.

Spencer is an awesome kid.

He's generally pretty happy and cheerful, unless you happen to be a little brother or a mother nagging about homework!  He gets along well with everyone at school and seems to enjoy being in 5th grade - the oldest kids at school.  He's getting a lot better about doing his homework and not procrastinating. (Well, except for the current AR project, which is due on Thursday.  He still hasn't finished reading the book and didn't bring it home tonight!  Yearrrggghh!!  Let's hope he's over this sort of stuff by high school...)

When asked about his favorite subject he always answer science and math.  He's been having lots of fun with learning about geology and landforms recently, and made a cool map of Indiana that will earn a place of honor on our map wall once I get a frame.

Spencer is a big reader. We're always having to tell him to turn off the light and go to bed! (Takes after his mother that way.)  I think he really likes to read fantasy; he adores anything by Rick Riordan.  But he also branches out into other types of literature.  He also seems to really like anything in a series. (Also like his momma.)

Spencer is REALLY into computers.  Really, really, really.  (Like his father.) To the point that several of his teachers have mentioned that he often gives IT advice in class.  He loves Steam (an online gaming portal), Minecraft, League of Legends, and several other games whose names I don't remember.  He totally looks down on console gamers and claims to be part of the PC Master Race. (It's a joke, not a racial slur.) He adores being able to attend LAN parties with his dad, and loves to trash talk while playing online.

Spencer is musically talented.  He has a great voice (if you can actually get him to sing - he's a 10 year old boy, after all).  He's also doing very well on the piano.  I don't ever have to fight with him about practicing, I only have to remind him.  He's been in several school talent shows, played for school morning announcements, and has even played at church!  He seems quite fearless while playing, which is admirable because I always freaked out and got sweaty palms.

Spencer loves little kids.  He has this funny, high-pitched voice that he uses for all kids under the age of 4, which is pretty cute. He would totally baby and play with Tess if she would put up with it. (She won't. "I'm a BIG girl!!")  I think he will make a great babysitter when he gets older; the fun kind who actually plays with the kids.  I think he'd make a pretty great pediatrician some day.  He's got the brains and the personality!

Spencer isn't the picky eater Josh is, but he does have favorites (like baked sweet and sour chicken or any type of meat with gravy), and not-so-favorites (any kind of casserole or soup).  (It must be noted that I make awesome casseroles and soups.  So there.) He likes candy but won't make himself sick eating it.

Most of all, Spencer is a true Midwesterner, which is funny because he's my only child born outside of the Midwest!  He's just so darn friendly!  You know that phrase "There's no such thing as strangers, only friends you haven't yet met?" That's totally applicable to Spence. He will talk your ear off if you let him!  This type of personality will serve him well in life; I think it will help make him a great missionary and a great leader.

Spencer has a testimony of the gospel.  He reads his scriptures often and knows a lot of the doctrine. (You just have to pry it out of him during FHE.)  He never complains about going to church, only about having wear and tie and tucking in his shirt!

I'm so glad Spencer is part of our family.  I've always felt like he was the perfect baby to have first: he was so calm and easy-going, which was exactly what I needed at that time in my life. (My mom was in the hospital when Spencer was born and died when he was 5 month old.  It was a rough time for me.) He often sets a good example for his siblings, and when the example is not so good it becomes a good teaching moment for everyone! (Especially his parents - I often feel bad that he has to be our guinea pig!)

You are an awesome kid, Spencer, and I love you with the kind of love that a mom always has for her firstborn. Not that I love you more than your brothers and sisters - just that there will always be a special place in my heart for you because you were my first baby. I love you!

This & That

Today I learned... that I'm not very good at following through with things like this on this blog. Dang.  It was such a good idea, in theory.  But during the day I would be like, "Oh, this is something I learned!  But it's kinda lame... or boring... or will need a whole lotta explanation with it..."  Oh well.

On to This & That:

Tess decided our storage room was in need of a mural.  She's been on a bit of an artistic streak lately, and despite my protests that art should be done on paper, NOT WALLS, she can't seem to stop creative juices from flowing.  I have taken to hiding all art implements, but she keeps finding pens I have forgotten about or pencils her brothers don't bother to put away after doing their homework.

Art truly is pain.

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Not wanting to limit herself to only one medium, Tess also dabbled a bit in fingernail polish art.  I had been doing my nails on my bed at the end of a rather long Friday afternoon. The kids were all happily playing downstairs. I had finished and put all of my supplies into a box, which I left on my nightstand as I went to use the bathroom.  Literally not 90 seconds later I came out to see Tess just as she pulled the top off of some very bright pink polish - on my bed.  It splashed on my quilt and I gave a yelp of terror.  I spent a good 15 minutes trying to get the polish out, and after I ran the quilt through the washing machine it finally came clean.

Now I can't even go to the bathroom without something happening.

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Yesterday morning at breakfast Cole blurted out "Hey! What's that smell in my mouth?!"  It made me laugh.

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Yesterday we also finally painted the front door. It wasn't a particularly hard project, it just takes a while for the paint to dry.  I love how it turned out!

We decided to do both sides; I'm still trying to get used to it.  I *think* I like it.

We also spray painted these shiny brass decorative strips that were on our fire place.  They just looked so... 90s.  I'd been wanting to do it for a long time, but never got around to it.  Now I can't get around to taking a picture of it.  Trust me, I know I like it better!

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This morning as we got ready for church Tess got mad at me because I wouldn't let her wear make-up. (I know.  I'm sooo mean!)  Tess began to growl at me.

Me: Tess, are you growling at me?
Tess: Yes.  GROWL.
Me: Why are you growling at me?
Tess: That is my purpose.

Three year olds are fun.

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Last night was the General Women's Conference and it was AWESOME.  I'm pretty sure we need to start handing out packets of tissues at these things; happy happy tears!

Before the broadcast we had our "Sweet is the Work" get together.  Last time we had an ice cream sundae bar, and this time we had a salsa bar, as you can see below. It was muy bueno.

I wonder if anyone noticed that the pennants are also tortilla chips?  Anywho, on the suggestion of Deidra I got El Milagro tortilla chips from Rural King.  I always forget how good those chips are, mainly because when I think Tortilla Chips I just don't normally think Rural King.  So thin and crispy and delicious!  There were many of El Milagro converts that night. :)

Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta

This is the first year our Cub Scouts have done the Raingutter Regatta.

This was also Josh's very first pack meeting as an official Cub Scout.  Notice he's not wearing a scout shirt.  This is because I am cheap - and scout shirts are expensive!

This boy got to wear the shirt tonight because he earned his Webelos. (Two months early - way to go Spence!) ((Way to go Mom and Dad!!))

Since Spencer and Josh only have a 2.5 month overlap in Cub Scouts, I just couldn't bring myself to spend all that money on another shirt.  So they'll take turns wearing it over the next few weeks. (Josh will get to wear it next Pack Meeting because he'll get his Bobcat.)  My kids will probably make fun of me for this forever, but I don't care because 1) I'd rather spend that $25 elsewhere, and 2) there's no way in %@!! I was going to sew on more patches than I needed to. (In case you're wondering, the patches Spencer earned were put on with snaps, so Josh will start fresh once the shirt is officially passed down. I am a genius.) ((No, I'm not a genius.  I just hate sewing patches.))

The Madsen boys didn't do too great in the regatta, but I think they both had a fun time.

I think Josh had high hopes of coming in and blowing everyone out of the water.  Alas, this did not happen.  Their vessels were sea worthy, but I think their blowing techniques were a bit off.

Lance is the Cub Committee Chair, in case you're wondering.  Also, he is not a doctor; he just gets to wear scrubs and tennis shoes to work now. Jealous? (I am.)

Spencer got his Webelos award at the end of the evening.  I believe the scout cheer Lance is giving him is the "Lumberjack".  Well done, Lance and Spencer!

EPIC Weekend

Last weekend I went on an EPIC overnight getaway with some of my very favorite friends, Kanien, Deidra, and Cyndi.  Kanien is having her third baby next month, and it was decided that a short trip was needed to celebrate. 

One of two picture taken the entire time.  We were too busy talking and shopping to stop and take pictures!

First, let me just say that when I was invited on this trip I totally felt like the normal, boring girl getting asked to hang out with the cool, popular girls at school.  Giddy!  I know.  I'm 36 years old and still have high school issues like that sometimes.  (Tell me I'm not alone in this...)

Second, the trip was awesome.  "Epic" was used several time in texts leading up to the trip, and the moniker stuck.  I could go through a play-by-play description, but 90% of it would include us talking and shopping.  So instead I'll just give you some of the highlights:

Because taking selfies in the mirror is what you do on a girl's weekend.

• We stayed at the Hyatt at Keystone Mall; the room was great, although some jerks down the hall kept smoking and the management couldn't get it to stop...

• We all had the same idea and made "epic" treats for the trip. (Deidra's and Kanien's were MUCH cuter than my paper bags.  Oh well - next time I'll think about it before the morning of!)

• Within the first 90 minutes of the trip I was peer pressured into joining Instagram.  I had actually been thinking about it before, so not that much peer pressure was needed.
• We window shopped around Keystone part of Friday evening - most of the stores there were a bit out of our price range. (I still wish I had had the nerve to try to get to test drive a Tesla. I don't know why I wanted to; I just think it would've been cool.)
• We ate at a fabulous Italian place and had great pizza.  I was peer pressured into getting a margherita pizza with an egg on top.  It was delicious.
• We stayed up chatting late, late, late into the night.  It was great then.  I think we kinda regretted it later the next day.
• Things learned during all the talking: Cyndi asks the BEST questions.  Seriously, you want info out of someone, she's your girl.  Kanien will make an AWESOME mother-in-law. And Deidra views the world in very much the same way I do... eerily so.
• Since we're all moms, none of us could really sleep in the next day.  So we got up and worked out and ate breakfast and talked and chatted and whatnot.
• After another round at Keystone we went to Costco, because when a friend has a Costco card and you're near a Costco, you go! (There's no Costco in Lafayette and it is SAD.)
• I bought mittens and gloves for all the kids, jammies, muffins, and other sundries and was quite pleased. (The muffins were a peace offering for Lance and the kids for when I came home.  It worked.)
• Kanien bought a huge pumpkin pie because they had samples of it.  She took a bite and proclaimed "I'm getting one".  I love Kanien. :)
• We ate lunch at Houlihan's, a chain I had never heard of.  Why'd we stop there?  Because we couldn't find anything better around and Kanien (the pregnant boss of the trip) needed a break and a Diet Coke! (As did we all.)
• We then spent several hours at Crossroads Mall.  Cyndi and Kanien got their make-up done at Macy's. Ooh la la! My only regret of the trip is not getting Paul's (Cyndi's husband) reaction when he saw her with her new make-up. :)
• They tried to peer pressure me into getting some bras at Victoria's Secret, but I just do not like that place, mainly because of all the pornographic pictures they put up all over.  I don't even like walking by there with my kids.  No thanks.
• I splurged and bought myself a new bag at Fossil.  It could not be helped.  1) I love Fossil bags. 2) It was teal, and there's no such thing as too much teal. 3) I had edited a bunch of extra papers this week just in case I did find a bag that I loved. 4) I really needed a new bag; my old one was getting pretty ratty. 5) It was time for me to buy a bag based on what I wanted, not on what kid stuff I needed to schlep around. Oddly, no peer pressuring went into this purchase!
• I bought a DARLING dress for Tess at H&M.  

• Deidra and Cyndi had a reception in Indy to go to, so Kanien and I drove home and chatted the entire way and it was lovely.

What a great weekend! I feel so lucky to have friends like this, and even luckier to get to spend such an epic time with them.  Same time next year, ladies?

Light The Night Walk - Epic Fail

So Lance's work does a lot of awesome stuff as far as supporting cancer research through fundraising walks and such.  We've done several with our family before (remember the 5k last spring?), so it didn't seem like any big deal that we were doing Light The Night tonight.

Things were weird from the beginning.  For starters, all the emails we had from Lance's work coordinator said we should get there just before 7pm; they never really gave an exact start time.  So we got there a bit before 7pm and discovered that things were well underway.

Oops.

But there was free Kona Ice (shaved ice) and free balloons with lights in them, so the kids stopped their complaining (because of course there was lots of complaining about just being there) and ate and waved their balloons in our faces.  We were there for about 15 minutes and then the walk began.

For those familiar with Lafayette, it started in the plaza down by the train depot and then across the pedestrian bridge and back.  Because we had gotten there late and because we had a stroller for Tess, we were in the very back of the pack.  We meandered across the bridge and took our time because we had 4 kids in tow and it wasn't a race or anything.

It was during this time that I learned from Lance that Innervision (his company) would have matched any donations that we would have gotten.  That we probably should have gotten.

Great.  We're losers like that.

So we walked across and back and got back to the plaza and it was pretty empty and all the volunteers were cleaning up the balloons and food and stuff.  I was impressed with how quickly everything and everyone cleared out!

Josh complained about not getting any food (he refused to eat dinner earlier) and Lance and I joked about how that was kind of a lame and short walk as we walked back to our car, which was down on Ferry St. and 6th.  We listened to our kids complain the whole way back and loaded them all into the car and started for home.

Yeah, we turned down toward (I think) Main St. and saw where everyone had gone - they were all STILL WALKING!!!!  We had been so slow and far back that we didn't even see the main group KEEP WALKING down the street.  We had foolishly thought it was all done.

Lance and I kinda sunk in our seats and tried not to make eye contact with any of the walkers on the sidewalk.

I remember saying something along the lines of "We are THE WORST."

Great. We really are the worst.

And then we drove home.  And laughed and laughed.  Because we are the worst, and there was no way we were going to get all those kids back out of the car and finish the walk, and besides, it's not like we had sponsors or anything.

And then Tess had an epic meltdown at bedtime because she was so freakishly tired, which made me feel a little vindicated about skipping the walk because if we had stayed and actually walked we would still be there now with a monstrous toddler.  And nobody - not even good, charitable, cancer research supporters - wants to deal with that.

Have A Good Day, and Have A Productive Day

When I was in high school the girl who read the morning announcements over the intercom (INTERCOM = I am ancient) always ended with the phrase "Have a good day and have a productive day."  She also always mentioned whether or not it was considered an inclement weather day; if it was people could wear hats outside of the classroom. (They weren't usually allowed due to gang problems.) ((Nice.)) This last bit of info is neither here nor there.

Today was a good and productive day for me!  I don't know why, but I just felt so good and energetic and ready to take on the world.  I'm hoping it's because my hormone levels are at a good level, and not just a fluke.

While Tess and Cole were at preschool I spent the entire two and a half hours doing laundry, vacuuming, and cleaning and touch-up painting the walls around the house.  Seriously, there were huge patches in Tess's room that have needed to be repainted for well over a year - I finally got those painted!

After lunch I got inspired to organize and clean out a bunch of kitchen drawers and cabinets.  I've had shelf liner in my closet for well over a year that I finally got around to using. (I had started doing it about 9 months ago and have been sllllooooowwwwlly working on it since.)

First I tackled our most used drawer, which used to have about three times as many cooking utensils in it as in the picture below.  But I left out only those things that we use the most and put the rest in a drawer that used to have junk in it that Tess played with. (Sorry, Tess, you lost your playing drawer.  But seeing as how you never use it anymore I didn't think it would be a problem.)

And in case you're wondering, I do use scoops quite often. Of course I use them for cookies and cupcakes, but I also use them to portion out pancake and waffle batter and tons of other things.

Then I cleaned out and organized the cabinets on either side of the stove.  I seriously found canned goods in there that I had during our last move.  Shameful.  The top shelf is all flashlights and candles and stuff for when the lights go out.  Very handy during stormy seasons.

This side is my baking shelf.  I wish I had taken before shots. Yes, I do have a whole side dedicated to baking sprinkles.

I'm currently cooking dinner, which we will eat outside on my patio table because the weather is so lovely.  We're having a family favorite, spaghetti all carbonara and homemade bread.  So yummy!

To top things off, I noticed this afternoon that a new plant I brought home a couple of weeks ago is starting to blossom.  Hooray!  I was worried he wouldn't like its spot on the mantle, but apparently he loves it. (Yes, my plant is a he.)

It's really been a good day.

Cole Appleseed

Cole is flourishing in his pre-k class.  He LOVES being there and is doing so well!  I have been really impressed with the class and teachers.  Last week the topic was farms, and one day a huge combine tractor was out in the parking lot and the kids got to climb up in it.  The next day live chickens were brought to class!  And the day after that there was another big tractor to explore; it was all very impressive.

This week's theme is apples.

They made applesauce today, and after class Cole made sure both Tess and I had tasted it. (They left samples out in the hall for us to try.)  He was so pleased with his hat and his applesauce making skills!

I think Cole could have probably handled Kindergarten this year.  BUT.  It would have been rough.  Really rough.  I think this pre-k class is just perfect for him and I'm so glad he's in it.  (And I was thinking about it on Josh's birthday - Cole will only be 3.5 months older than Josh when Josh started Kindergarten, so it's not like Cole will be an ancient Kindergartener next year.)

Stay At Home Mom

Today I learned that Tess genuinely thinks I just stay at home waiting for them while she and Cole are at preschool.

Each morning we drive to preschool we have basically the same conversation.

Tess: I go to preschool and Cole goes to pre-k.

Me: That's right!  It's so fun!

Tess: And Mommy goes home.  Mommy goes home and then she comes to get us.

Me: Erm, sure, yeah.

Tess: NO! Mommy you stay at home!

Me: Of course.

Today I was running a little late and didn't get all of the groceries put away before I had to pick the kiddos up.  When we got home Tess saw the groceries, put her little hands on her hips, and said "Mommy!!  YOU WENT TO WALMART?!??!?" She simply could not believe that I had done that.  Then she pouted and scowled and said "I naughty at you" until I put her lunch in front of her and all was well with the world again.

Happy 8th Birthday, Josh!!

It's hard to believe, but Josh turned 8 on Friday! How did my little (giant) baby who used to look like this

and this

turn into this tall, handsome boy?

Josh's birthday started as his birthdays always have (and probably always will): with lots of sugar. Pancakes with lakes of syrup and confetti sprinkles.  And, of course, a candle to blow out!

I didn't have to make a cake for this birthday, making it one of the most stress-free birthdays ever. (Birthday cakes and I have had a sordid past - and will probably have the same type of future.)  Josh decided he wanted cupcake decorating at his party, so all I had to do was make a batch of cupcakes.  So easy!

He requested peanut butter cake with chocolate frosting.  I had some extra batter, so I made some mini cupcakes for the kids to eat after they got home from school.  You never saw a kid so happy!

I let Josh open a few presents that afternoon since I knew we wouldn't have much time in the evening.  We got him this cool net game thingy called Djibo.  (That's what Cole's holding.) Grandpa ElRay and Grandma Susie sent him a bat and ball set - it was supposed to be yellow, but Amazon sent pink.

Josh was a little offended by this at first, but he quickly found it funny and now loves sing-songy saying "let's go play with my PINK bat!"  He's always had an awesome sense of humor.

Probably needs a little help with his batting skills, though.

As you can see, the cooler weather has not stopped Tess from wearing her beloved pink skirt.

That evening we went to Teppanyaki, which is Josh's favorite. During the week before he would count down the number of days until we were going to Teppanyaki, rather than counting down to his birthday.  (When you hate everything your wonderful, long-suffering mother makes for dinner, I guess a birthday dinner out is a big deal!)

Since it's an even-numbered birthday, Josh got to have a party with friends.  He decided he wanted a candy themed party. (Not a big surprise, considering the sweet tooth this child has.)

Here's the front and back of the invite I designed.  I printed them and then laminated it so it kinda looked like a real candy bar.

I had originally planned to have the birthday party outside, but the weather took a rather chilly turn.  It wasn't too bad, but I knew everyone would be happier with the majority of the party inside.  So Saturday morning I had to quickly come up with some decorations.  Okay, this looks a little sad and/or creepy, but it actually looked pretty cool.  The kids liked it.

Miss Tess loves a good party!

Can't go wrong with a bunch of balloons and streamers - Josh was quite pleased.

Blogger is being stupid and won't let me move my photos around.  Well whatever, Blogger, I'll just make do out of order!

Here's the only party favor I bought - little travel-sized toothbrush sets.

I thought I was pretty clever. (I suspect the parents got a bigger kick out of this than the kids!)

Here's the cupcake decorating table.  Lots of cupcakes, LOTS of candy.  Josh was in heaven.

I had both mega and tiny M&Ms.  Josh thought that was weird, but I thought it was cute.

Mmmm... nothin like a sour gummy worm on a chocolate cupcake...

And of course you had to have a cherry on top!

Easiest birthday cake ever.  (He's making up for the fact that he was the hardest delivery ever.)

When the kids came in they got to decorate their own candy bag.  There was LOTS of candy to be won during this party!

The first game we played was Candy Hunt, which was just like an Easter Egg hunt, only the candy was in little Ziploc bags instead of eggs.  The kids went NUTS over this! (This was also when Spencer lost all reason and thought; he forgot whose birthday party this was and was a general whiny nuisance.  There's always one of those kids at the party, right?)

Since we were already outside we decided to do the pinata next.  Pinatas are always a dangerous thing with kids around; I don't know why I agree to them!

Here's Josh getting the first chance to whack that pinata.  Notice that the pink bat got the honor of bring used.

Blindfolded kids are funny.

The pinata got hit a lot, and it took quite a beating to get all of the candy out.  It was all I could do to protect the rampaging children who were after the candy to not get hit by whichever kid had the bat!

Yeah, I totally made the pinata.  Because free is a much better deal than $25+ for an empty pinata at the store.

Next we played that game where you roll the dice and if you get doubles you get to try to unwrap this crazily wrapped package that is full of candy.  Is there a name for that game?

The kids REALLY got into it once they discovered there was candy throughout all of the layers of the package.  At the last moment Bergen won the king-sized candy bar that was in the middle!

Then we tried to do fishing with gummy worms.  Although it worked really well at our family reunion, it was a pretty epic fail at this party.  The goldfish would not stick to the gummy worms!

So then we played my version of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey: Put-The-Candy-In-Josh's-Mouth!

I had stressed about making little candy bar cut outs for the kids to use, but then realized I should just have the kids eat a piece of candy and have them use that for the game.  Genius!

There was lots of giggling and going off-course.

Sometimes a twist on the classic games are the best.

Spencer, who was still being a punk, was the last to go.  He was soooo sure he'd win! (He didn't.)

I don't know why, but his giant head on that poster makes me laugh.

Then is was time for cupcake decorating.  Most of the kids went wild and piled the candy on high, making the cupcakes kind of impossible to eat. I tried to get a picture of each guest.

Kiersten Asay and her cute "cherry on top" cupcake. (Kiersten is in Josh's school class and in our ward at church.)

Heidi Queen (In Josh's class and in our ward.)

Bergen Ream (camping buddy and in our ward!)

JJJJ (I cannot for the life of me remember this girl's name right now.  Hopefully it will come to me later.  She's a friend of Josh's from school)

The birthday boy!

David Ordyna (a friend from church)

Mr. Spencer

Sam Queen (He's in our ward and actually in Spencer's school class; Heidi's brother.)

Little Miss Tess

Finally, it was time to sing and blow out candles! (Of course I forgot to turn on the camera for the first couple of seconds.  Sheesh.)

Josh happily opened presents.  He totally thought Bergen had given him microwave popcorn - it took a few tries to convince him to open the box!

After presents we shooed all the kids outside for a rousing game of dodgeball.  Lance refereed while I cleaned up a bit downstairs.

When I came back up I discovered him playing some form of human bowling that kids seemed to love.  This is a main reason why we have dads - to come up with crazy games like this at birthday parties. :)

The guests eventually all departed and Lance and I collapsed while the kids ate candy all afternoon.  It was a great party.