Here Comes Santa!

We saw the real Santa! He came to Missouri to visit us at Bass Pro. My children were so excited and couldn't believe he brought his reindeer. We had to tell Santa what we wanted this year. My kids thought they had to ask for the same present as last year, so I had to take them shopping to figure out what they could ask for. I told them to pick whatever they wanted. Blake picks a dinosaur, of course. Shaylee decided to pick the most expensive thing, a Barbie jeep. I told her Santa was on a budget and she needed to pick up something that would fit better in the sleigh. She decided to settle on an easel. I think that was a better choice. When they sat on Santa's lap he asked them what they wanted and they were ready to tell. Then, he asked what else they wanted. Shaylee looked at him and told hiim that Santa only brings one present. I don't know if you all know that, but it is true in our house. Emma did not want anything to do with that strange looking man. She doesn't let anyone hold her let alone a guy with a beard and reaindeer staring at her in the background. So Daniel had to hold her and Santa snuck in the picture without her noticing. Shaylee is really big into Santa this year. A boy in her class doesn't believe and she told him that if he doesn't believe Santa would bring him a black thing that goes on the fire. I had to inform her that Santa only brings a piece of coal to those children that are naughty. Her come back, " I think it is naughty for not believing." I didn't know what to say. Blake wants to open his presents every day and does not get why we have to wait until Christmas. That just isn't fair! Blake and I made a chain, so it wouls be easier to know how many days left. Of course they are smarter then you think. I told him once we tear off all of the chain then it will be time. "Mom, why can't we just tear it all off and then we can open presents?" Blake is learning to be too smart like his sister. Is it here yet? Merry Christmas!!

Halloween

Shaylee the pirate, Blake the fireman, and Emma little Miss Raggety Ann.

This year Shaylee really got into the picture taking. She made Blake get a hose and pretend he was fighting a real fire. Then she got on top of our propane tank and told me that it was her pirate ship. She then had to be on the lookout as you can tell in the picture. Emma wasn't quite sure about her wig until Mommy and Daddy told her she looked pretty. She didn't touch that thing the rest of the night. She really thought she was something.

Hello Bows!

Shaylee and Mackenzie decided to do their own hair. I think they should be beauticians, don't you? They were so proud of their hair. Of course Blake can not be beat with this lovely hot pink flower in his hair. He just thought he was so cute and of course we all did too, except for Daddy.

Emma has just gotten so cute. Emma and I are the spectators to the roping and don't mind sitting on the sidelines. As long as she is outside she could care less what is going on, she is in heaven. She thinks these steps were made just for sure and if anyone wants to share the seat Oh she lets them know!

What can you possibly do with a ROPE??

As you can tell life at the Goodman home is not always normal. The things we do for fun are not always what you might expect for a family activity. We love to rope! Shaylee has her rope and she thinks she is big stuff . She actually can get her rope around the horns without cheating. Blake of course is the cow. Daniel has set this contraption up so he can run around the house pulling the fake cow and yelling "Moo". He really gets a kick out of it and it gives Daniel and Shaylee some good practice. Every now and again when the kiddos get out of hand Daniel will rope them. Just kidding! He does try and rope them because they beg him too. They run all around the yard Mooing until Daniel ends up chasing them and trying to rope them. It is actually quite entertaining. Who would have thought life could be so fun with a simple rope. Leave it to the Goodmans to figure that out.

Summer Fun

The end of summer is here. We have had a lot of fun and are going to miss Shaylee being gone during the day. The kids love the pool and jumping on the trampoline with Dad. I think those two things were probably the highlight of their summer. They have so much fun with eachother and I love watching them play together. For the most part they get along so well and are always watching out for eachother. Shaylee has learned how to ride a bike without training wheels, and she helped Blake learn how to ride his big boy bike. She was so patient and loving teaching him everything he needed to know.

Emma loves riding in her car with anybody pushing her especially Daddy.

Shaylee is in Kindergarten

OK so Mom had a break down. We were spoiled for preschool having the best teacher in the world, so my expectations were a little high for Kindergarten. I went to parent orientation and probably was more nervous than Shaylee. I admit I was a mess. I wanted the best for my child and wasn't sure about the teacher they had picked out for my Shaylee. Well Mrs. Reed, the preschool teacher, came to my rescue and was there to meet us in her kindergarten class to make sure everything was perfect for Shaylee. She even came the night before and brought Shaylee a book, notepad and paper. Shaylee was very sad that her preschool teacher could not be her kindergarten teacher too. Let's just say that Mom was a ball baby on the first day. For those of you who know Shaylee might have thought I would be happy she was going but I was a wreck. I held it together until I left the classroom then the tears started flowing. Since then her teacher has turned out to be great and Shaylee absolutely loves it. Shaylee is Miss Personality and loves telling me who got their card turned and she didn't. I then find her in her room with her stuffed animals lined up teaching them. I learn a lot about how who teacher is by what Shaylee teaches her dolls and animals.

Emma turns One!!!

Emma loved opening presents and loved the outfit Grandma Clare gave her and the noisy turtle Grandma Moo Moo gave her.

Emma is finally one year old. She wasn't quite sure about her cake. She didn't want me to come near her with that candle burning. She wasn't like the rest of our children, she didn't want to eat the cake she just wanted to throw the cake. That, of course, made Mom really happy.

Elk Hunt

The Elk Hunt was successful! Daniel finally shot, with his Bow and Arrow, quite the bull. The full story will come later but for now here is a little glimpse of what was shot. Check out these antlers.

Chicken Pox!

Our little Emma has chicken pox. One day she didn't have a thing and the next day she looked like this. On her face and in her hair she probably has fifty.On day two she has them all over her body and even in her ears. She has been a reallly good sport about them and hasn't really complained. I know soon they will start to itch and I am not looking forward to that because I know she will be miserable. The worst part is we have to be cooped up in our home until they all scap over, that is the pits. I am praying that my other two do not get them. They have been vaccinated, but the Doctor told me they could still get them. Please No!!!

Shaylee's Swimming Lessons

Shaylee was the one I was worried about most at swimming lessons. She hates the water and she is always worried she is going to drown. She surprised me! She loved it and couldn't get enough of it. She was jumping in and swimming to the wall. I couldn't believe it. The Number One thing she learned was to plug her nose. As you can tell, she is well prepared before she even attempts to jump in the water. She even jumped off the diving board which was a huge deal for my Little Shaylee. We were so proud of her.

Blake's Swimming Lessons

Blake did not like swimming lessons. The first day he cried for the whole hour. Every day since he would participate if absolutely necessary with bribing for the Dollar Store. On the last day he finally opened his eyes and actually saw what the teacher looked like. That was after seven days of lessons. I think he thought it wouldn't be so bad if just didn't look at anyone. At the end of swimming lessons each day he would get in a ball at the edge of the pool and not move until I came over and picked him up. I don't know if he learned anything but open your eyes during swimming lessons. I think it might be easier to learn if you can see.

Cocoa Beach