We Wish You A Merry Christmas....

and a Happy New Year! I like to keep my blog up to date, but have had very little time to do so lately. If you see my comments as being few and far between it's because it's all I can do to post! And I know I'm not the only one! It's hard to keep up with everything and once I get a moment, the last thing I want to do is stare at my SLOWER than molasses computer :)

BUT, we've been having fun. I love not having a school schedule...my kids are home. My favorite gift was a calendar that Kelsi made in Kindergarten. Every month is decorated and some even have pics on it from different events from the year. My dad even made an appearance in it :) Kelsi had to write about both me and Jesse for the Mother's/Father's Day month. She said that I am 20 yrs old and weigh 50 pounds. Jesse is 30 yrs old and weighs 60 pounds! I almost cried at this gift - it was so sweet!

We are fortunate enough to live close to both our parents. By close I mean, a walk away. So it's easy to go back and forth on Christmas. I love this holiday and the togetherness it brings with my family.

The girls were too excited to get Biscuit the dog (the only dog I will ever own). Santa also brought them a mermaid with a fin that moves, and a doll that laughs. Nice and easy still....gotta love it!

The Goodman clan is so good about doing Christmas pictures.

Here they are from 07 to 08!

P.S. I love my hair dark :)

Oh What Fun It Is......

Christmas programs, parties, dinners, temple lights...it's all happening right now! I've been waiting for this time of the month to come! Am I ready for Christmas? Of course not, that's part of the joy right? Getting stressed out beyond belief? It's organized stress I think. I know what needs to be done but it's getting done that takes a while.
Kaitlyn had her Sacred Silent Night preschool program yesterday with Miss Peggy. You never know with Kaitlyn. Sometimes she will talk your ear off, other times she is as shy as can be. Sometimes she will outright refuse to look at the camera! I was overjoyed to hear her belt out all of the Christmas carols - She had so much fun. My favorite song was called "Jingle Bell Variations" They sang Jingle Bells opera style, rap style (Jingle Bells YO! with sunglasses) and with a southern twang (cowboy hats). I had been wondering why she would come home singing Jangle Baayls, Jangle Baayls....ha! At the end of the program they dress up as a nativity scene and sing, "Picture A Christmas". It's too sweet. Kaitlyn was an angel in it.

That night we went and watched Chorale sing at the Temple. Kelsi and Kaitlyn had been dying to see Baby Jesus. We'd seen the big camels and shepherds from Main St. as we've passed the Temple at night - but they really wanted to see Baby Jesus. Last night was their night.

Kaitlyn in an "I'm not looking at the camera" mood.

Today I got to help with Kelsi's Christmas Party. Her teacher, Mrs. Hubbard, is over the top! They made Christmas trees, gingerbread ornaments and decorated gingerbread boys. A dad even dressed as Santa and came to visit the kids. Kelsi is the sweetest little girl. She loves when I come visit, but isn't sad at all when I leave. I love to watch her play and interact with her friends. She makes me so proud.
And the best part of all of this fun? There is lots more to come! I just love this time of year!

Reading Under the Stars

Monday night, my mom and I took the girls to Kelsi's school. We bundled up in the courtyard with our hot chocolate and blankets and listened to 2 fun stories that were read aloud. Afterward, Kelsi and the rest of the kindergartners recited "Twas the Night Before Christmas" by memory! They did a great job!I love the cold weather! It's finally cold enough to turn on the heater and bundle up in blankets. Thank goodness for Arizona winters! I don't think I would survive anywhere else.

{Happy December} Kids Don't Forget!

I'm so glad it's December and officially the season of Christmas! Kelsi made me laugh today (and also feel a little bit guilty) so I thought I would share the story.

Background: We leave the toys from Santa unwrapped on Christmas morning. Last year both girls got what they wanted from Santa and then we threw in this huge castle tent. They didn't ask for it, but we thought it looked fun. Well, it wasn't. The girls loved it but it was huge and a pain to set up so we took it back. I don't remember telling the girls or them even noticing it was gone.

Today: We were talking about Santa and Kelsi says, "MOM! Remember when Santa brought that huge castle for us?
Me : Uhhh.....
Kelsi: And then you had to send it back.....to Target. Why????
Me: wracking my brain to think of something: "Well, Santa thought we had a bigger house. So we gave it to someone else that would be able to use it better".
Kelsi: Oh, OK!