Cole has been coming down with a nasty cold all week. And all week I've been washing my hands like crazy and trying to do everything I could to NOT get this cold. And I've been preaching covering your mouth when you cough and sneeze and washing hands and all that good stuff. But apparently that has fallen on deaf ears.
Because just a second ago Cole came up to me and COUGHED IN MY EYE.
As in, he totally coughed, loudly and wetly, and something flew into my eye.
I don't know whether to barf or laugh.
I must admit that it's at times like these that I thoroughly question my decision to venture into motherhood.
Now. Any guesses as to when this virus will hit me? Because we all know that now it's not a matter of if but when.
My guess is Sunday night. I'm sure you'll be hearing about it.
After I cough in Cole's face.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Ward Trunk-or-Treat and Preschool Halloween Program
Last night was the ward trunk-or-treat. Since it's supposed to SNOW on Halloween I figured I'd better get some pictures of the kids.
It was a weird year for costumes. Nobody could decide what they wanted to be, and once they finally did narrow it down I was tired of the whole thing and didn't even want to make costumes. Which is probably why they turned out the way they did this year. Not that they're bad! Just not my finest work. Don't worry, I already have grand plans for next year...
So Spencer, Cole, and Tess all decided to be M&Ms. They all requested their colors. They all refused enough batting to be stuffed into them to make them round. Whatever.
Cole is such a good kid. I mean, we still butt heads a bit, but he can really be such a sweetie when I remember to not react when he presses my buttons... (As a mom I am still very much a work in progress.)
What a cutie!
Tess refused to smile for pictures. Again. Because she is a punk. She's laughing at these pictures as I type. Let's hope she's still laughing years from now when she sees these pictures again!
How the heck did this kid get so tall?! Seriously, bean pole action going on here. He's going to love this costume tomorrow night because he will easily be able to wear his parka and snow pants underneath. (Spencer is the opposite of furnace-like-Josh: always cold.)
More scowling from Tess.
So Spencer decided to try scowling, too. I don't think he's quite as good as Tess. (That's a good thing, Spence.)
Cole's pretty close, though! Come to think of it, he's probably the one who taught Tess all she knows.
Where's Josh in all of this? He decided he wanted to be scary this year, so he chose to be the Grim Reaper. Recognize the cape? It's the Darth Vader cape I sewed several years ago. It's also been worn by several friends around the neighborhood. I love costume pieces like that!
He really does pull off the creepy factor!
The ward did a good job with the trunk or treat this year. We had a cotton candy machine, games, costume parade, and of course the trunk or treating. I was in charge of the RS's activity: we did the fishing game, where the kid uses a little fishing pole to put a "line" over a blue sheet and "catches" some candy. You know the game - it's totally the best. I was being the "fish" while my kids went through and Tess's exclamations over catching the candy were awesome.
Here's Cole showing off his mad skeeball skills.
Josh, too.
This was some sort of soccer game, only a ping pong ball was used and you had to blow it. You can imagine how well the rules were followed with all of those little kids!
The cotton candy was a bit hit. I was thinking it would be super fun to rent the machine for July 4th, but now that I think about it, I don't really want to have to make cotton candy the whole evening!
As per usual, the parade was pretty cute. Tess totally has that Princess of the Parade wave down!
Mr. Spencer, too cool for school. (And his faithful sidekick, Cole. Cole sure loves his biggest brother!)
Lance decorated the trunk this year. I really liked it! (Especially because I didn't have to do it.)
It was a great trunk or treat, and the kids came home with a ton of candy, which seems a little silly if you really think about it. So I don't think about it. Sometimes it's just easier to roll with it.
On a slightly related note, this morning was the preschool costume parade and program. Tess's costume was by far the least complicated of her class - but that meant we were one of the very few not having to deal with costume mishaps before the parade! I love all the kids in this picture, especially the one of the left who cried the entire song, and the cute dragon in the middle. But mostly that cute little green M&M.
Who then realized I was taking pictures and had to scowl. It was then that I realized that Tess must be the shortest preschooler we've ever had because the boys were always in the back rows for programs.
Like that tall blondy in the back!
I stayed that morning to help with Cole's class party. I was in charge of the cookie decorating. It always amazes me how much candy and frosting preschoolers will pile on to cookies! (And how many of them "snuck" tastes of the candy corn and sprinkles while they thought I wasn't looking!)
It was a weird year for costumes. Nobody could decide what they wanted to be, and once they finally did narrow it down I was tired of the whole thing and didn't even want to make costumes. Which is probably why they turned out the way they did this year. Not that they're bad! Just not my finest work. Don't worry, I already have grand plans for next year...
So Spencer, Cole, and Tess all decided to be M&Ms. They all requested their colors. They all refused enough batting to be stuffed into them to make them round. Whatever.
Cole is such a good kid. I mean, we still butt heads a bit, but he can really be such a sweetie when I remember to not react when he presses my buttons... (As a mom I am still very much a work in progress.)
What a cutie!
Tess refused to smile for pictures. Again. Because she is a punk. She's laughing at these pictures as I type. Let's hope she's still laughing years from now when she sees these pictures again!
How the heck did this kid get so tall?! Seriously, bean pole action going on here. He's going to love this costume tomorrow night because he will easily be able to wear his parka and snow pants underneath. (Spencer is the opposite of furnace-like-Josh: always cold.)
More scowling from Tess.
So Spencer decided to try scowling, too. I don't think he's quite as good as Tess. (That's a good thing, Spence.)
Cole's pretty close, though! Come to think of it, he's probably the one who taught Tess all she knows.
Where's Josh in all of this? He decided he wanted to be scary this year, so he chose to be the Grim Reaper. Recognize the cape? It's the Darth Vader cape I sewed several years ago. It's also been worn by several friends around the neighborhood. I love costume pieces like that!
He really does pull off the creepy factor!
The ward did a good job with the trunk or treat this year. We had a cotton candy machine, games, costume parade, and of course the trunk or treating. I was in charge of the RS's activity: we did the fishing game, where the kid uses a little fishing pole to put a "line" over a blue sheet and "catches" some candy. You know the game - it's totally the best. I was being the "fish" while my kids went through and Tess's exclamations over catching the candy were awesome.
Here's Cole showing off his mad skeeball skills.
Josh, too.
This was some sort of soccer game, only a ping pong ball was used and you had to blow it. You can imagine how well the rules were followed with all of those little kids!
The cotton candy was a bit hit. I was thinking it would be super fun to rent the machine for July 4th, but now that I think about it, I don't really want to have to make cotton candy the whole evening!
As per usual, the parade was pretty cute. Tess totally has that Princess of the Parade wave down!
Mr. Spencer, too cool for school. (And his faithful sidekick, Cole. Cole sure loves his biggest brother!)
Lance decorated the trunk this year. I really liked it! (Especially because I didn't have to do it.)
It was a great trunk or treat, and the kids came home with a ton of candy, which seems a little silly if you really think about it. So I don't think about it. Sometimes it's just easier to roll with it.
On a slightly related note, this morning was the preschool costume parade and program. Tess's costume was by far the least complicated of her class - but that meant we were one of the very few not having to deal with costume mishaps before the parade! I love all the kids in this picture, especially the one of the left who cried the entire song, and the cute dragon in the middle. But mostly that cute little green M&M.
Who then realized I was taking pictures and had to scowl. It was then that I realized that Tess must be the shortest preschooler we've ever had because the boys were always in the back rows for programs.
Like that tall blondy in the back!
I stayed that morning to help with Cole's class party. I was in charge of the cookie decorating. It always amazes me how much candy and frosting preschoolers will pile on to cookies! (And how many of them "snuck" tastes of the candy corn and sprinkles while they thought I wasn't looking!)
Fried Food Frenzy: The Sequel
So we continued our fried food feast tonight. On the menu:
Fried green beans.
True story: I was cutting the green beans and totally planning on just steaming them. Then I thought "Wait a minute! Why in the world would I steam them when I can FRY them?!?!" It was a delicious decision.
We also had chicken tenders. Mercy, these were good!
Because I refuse to buy pre-cut chicken tenders at the store I just cut up some breasts at home, which is why some of my tenders look more like popcorn chicken. Tess ate a TON of chicken. Cole refused to eat any.
Finally, we had spaghetti squash, which was also delicious. If I had come up with a way to easily fry it I probably would have. But it's probably just as well; I kinda felt like we needed some sort of healthy dish!
Might I suggest that if you ever want to invite yourself over for dinner (and I totally have friends that would do that and that's just one of the things I love about them) you should request to come the week after the doughnut party. If your arteries can handle it...
Fried green beans.
True story: I was cutting the green beans and totally planning on just steaming them. Then I thought "Wait a minute! Why in the world would I steam them when I can FRY them?!?!" It was a delicious decision.
We also had chicken tenders. Mercy, these were good!
Because I refuse to buy pre-cut chicken tenders at the store I just cut up some breasts at home, which is why some of my tenders look more like popcorn chicken. Tess ate a TON of chicken. Cole refused to eat any.
Finally, we had spaghetti squash, which was also delicious. If I had come up with a way to easily fry it I probably would have. But it's probably just as well; I kinda felt like we needed some sort of healthy dish!
Might I suggest that if you ever want to invite yourself over for dinner (and I totally have friends that would do that and that's just one of the things I love about them) you should request to come the week after the doughnut party. If your arteries can handle it...
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Fried Food Frenzy
Every year after the doughnut party we take advantage of the leftover oil and have a bunch of fried food for dinner for the week after.
Tonight we had two things I had been wanting to try for a while: homemade corn dogs and homemade onion strings.
Oh. My. Gosh.
So good.
As I sit here at Sheri's house while the boys have piano lessons I feel just a little bit sick from all the greasy goodness that my body isn't used to. It's like I have an angel and devil on each shoulder.
One is telling me that fries food is NOT good for me and that we really shouldn't have fried food week anymore. Fried food is what's making my tummy hurt right now.
The other is telling me that it's just once a year and that I can undo some of the damage in my workout tomorrow. How can something that tastes so good be so bad?
I'll let you decide which is the devil's suggestion and which is the angel's.
I'll also let you decide whether or not our fried food week tradition will continue. What's your vote?
Just kidding. Of course it's going to continue. Life's too short to listen to little devils on your shoulder. (Or blog readers...) :)
Besides, there are scones to be made. And those are always a good decison.
P.S. I'm posting this on my phone and can't figure out how to place the photos where I want them. Dang. The angel's telling me that it's okay. (The devil says you're all judging me. Harshly. Stupid devil.)
Who's The Boss?
An actual conversation in the car:
Tess is fussing because Cole told her she couldn't go to a friend's house to play.
Me: Tess! Stop fussing. You can go to Claire's house.
Tess: But Colie said I couldn't!
Me: That doesn't matter! You don't have to do what Cole says.
Cole: YES YOU DO.
Tess: *waaaaaahhhh!!!!*
Me: Tess, who is the boss here?
Tess: Cole.
Cole: Me.
Me: WRONG. Mommy is the boss.
Tess: You are?
Cole: NO, I AM THE BOSS!!! TESS CAN'T GO TO CLAIRE'S HOUSE!!!
Tess: *waaaaaahhhh!!!!*
Me: I am the boss. I am the boss of you and Cole. Cole is NOT the boss.
Cole: YES I AM.
Tess: *waaaaaahhhh!!!!*
I don't think I ever truly persuaded the girl, even though she did, in fact, go to Claire's house.
Tess is fussing because Cole told her she couldn't go to a friend's house to play.
Me: Tess! Stop fussing. You can go to Claire's house.
Tess: But Colie said I couldn't!
Me: That doesn't matter! You don't have to do what Cole says.
Cole: YES YOU DO.
Tess: *waaaaaahhhh!!!!*
Me: Tess, who is the boss here?
Tess: Cole.
Cole: Me.
Me: WRONG. Mommy is the boss.
Tess: You are?
Cole: NO, I AM THE BOSS!!! TESS CAN'T GO TO CLAIRE'S HOUSE!!!
Tess: *waaaaaahhhh!!!!*
Me: I am the boss. I am the boss of you and Cole. Cole is NOT the boss.
Cole: YES I AM.
Tess: *waaaaaahhhh!!!!*
I don't think I ever truly persuaded the girl, even though she did, in fact, go to Claire's house.
Monday, October 27, 2014
TENTH Annual Madsen Halloween Doughnut Party - By The Numbers
Number of times we've had this party: 10
Number of green milk brains involved: 1
Number of toppings set out to celebrate our tenth anniversary: 14
(Graham crackers, Mini M&Ms, Coconut, Cinnamon Chips, Fruity Pebbles, Chopped Bacon, Mini Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter Chips, Peanuts, Almonds, Pink Himalayan Salt, White Chocolate Chips, and Sprinkles.)
Most expensive topping: Pink Himalayan Salt, at $5.99 per pound. (SO WORTH it when you had it with a caramel glazed doughnut!)
Number of kids I saw with plates full of toppings and no doughnuts: 6
Number of new glazes to celebrate our tenth anniversary: 10
(Marshmallow, Raspberry, Maple, Blueberry, Citrus Rosemary, Caramel, Orange, Strawberry, Cream Cheese, & Toasted Coconut.) Vanilla and chocolate are served every year.
Number of people who ignored the sign that clearly said "DO NOT use the spoons to glaze your doughnut - just dip the doughnut in the glaze!": 42
(Then why do we have spoons out? Because the glazes often need stirring.)
Number of strangely dressed children who haunted our backyard on doughnut-induced sugar highs: 20+
Number of random pictures my dad took of the Silvers: 5 (I'm only including one here.)
Number of adorable lobsters to attend: 1
Number of professional doughnut fry cooks I employed: 2 (And by employed I mean asked nicely and reminded them that as of now I am still the only source of grandchildren...) ((Just kidding. Aren't Dad and Susie the BEST?!??!)
Number of people stuffed in our basement: Not sure. But it was packed, noisy, and HOT.
Number of games played: 4 (Wrap Attack, Computer Virus - or - Heavy Metal Band Trivia, Dr. Mario Tournament, and Selfie Hot Potato)
Number of times 4 year old Gabby rolled doubles and got to try to unwrap the candy: 12
Number of games Wolverine won: 2 (He "won" a rather melted and battered Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in Wrap Attack and beat out his own wife in the Dr. Mario Tournament.)
Number of Dr. Mario tournament players: 8 (I think... Lance ran this. And I think we might have to have a vintage video game tournament every year from now on!) Here's Bergen and Janene battling it out.
Number of times the Livengood's baby got passed around: 48+ (She sure is cute!)
Number of cups of flour used to make doughnuts: 30 (THIRTY!!)
Number of eggs used to make doughnuts: 12
Number of bags of powdered sugar to make the glazes: 5
Number of cups of real butter in the chocolate glaze: 2 (Why do you think it tastes so good?!)
Number of doughnuts left at the end of the evening: 4 sad little doughnut holes and 2 little bar doughnuts
It was another great year; at the end of each party I always feel so lucky and blessed to have so many wonderful friends. And tired. I always feel tired, too. (But mostly blessed!)
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Family Pictures 2014
We had Vanessa from Pearl Photography take our family pictures this year. I think they turned out really great! (Especially considering some of the smaller - grouchier - participants.)
Handsome Spencer! (With the "deacon tie syndrome. :)
I think this is the one I'll put up above the piano.
This is when Tess started getting a little naughty.
So then Vanessa started taking pictures of the boys.
What a great looking crew! Future missionaries!
I think half a second after this Cole ran away.
Then Tess got more "naughty". (That's what she says when she makes this face. "I'm naughty! I want to be NAUGHTY!")
I cannot express how much I love this picture. Seriously, it captures Tess to a T.
We couldn't get Cole to stop smiling so goofily. Good thing he's cute enough to make up for it.
And here he's smiling a bit more normally but his arms look weird.
Josh also had issues with smiling. I mean, he's still cute, but he couldn't figure out his natural smile.
I really like this one. GQ here he comes!
There's lots of pictures of Lance and I because we would behave and hold still.
Then she made us take a few cheesy ones. (We'll forgive her; I think she takes a lot of engagement pictures. :)
Tess behaving a little more.
She doesn't look exactly thrilled...
My four darling, perfectly behaved children!
Handsome Spencer! (With the "deacon tie syndrome. :)
I think this is the one I'll put up above the piano.
This is when Tess started getting a little naughty.
So then Vanessa started taking pictures of the boys.
What a great looking crew! Future missionaries!
I think half a second after this Cole ran away.
Then Tess got more "naughty". (That's what she says when she makes this face. "I'm naughty! I want to be NAUGHTY!")
I cannot express how much I love this picture. Seriously, it captures Tess to a T.
We couldn't get Cole to stop smiling so goofily. Good thing he's cute enough to make up for it.
And here he's smiling a bit more normally but his arms look weird.
Josh also had issues with smiling. I mean, he's still cute, but he couldn't figure out his natural smile.
I really like this one. GQ here he comes!
There's lots of pictures of Lance and I because we would behave and hold still.
Then she made us take a few cheesy ones. (We'll forgive her; I think she takes a lot of engagement pictures. :)
Tess behaving a little more.
She doesn't look exactly thrilled...
My four darling, perfectly behaved children!
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