Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Do you like shopping?

For things like a bathroom vanity? Or Purses? Or adorable aprons?

I do. Especially when it's not my money I'm spending.

Well, good news: CSN Stores would like to help me say thanks for being a reader by offering one of you a $40 gift certificate to use in any of their 200+ stores!

All you have to do is leave a comment with your name. How cool is that!? By random drawing I'll chose a lucky reader on Friday.

Now, on to our changes!

School is almost over, which amazes me. In some ways it seems we just got started. In other ways it seems as if it were a lifetime ago that Andy cried because the cafeteria was too loud. One thing we could all agree on at the Goodson house is that we all changed a great deal this year.



Let's start with Robbie. His changes are easiest to pinpoint. He decided to get serious about his health and started going to the Y before coming home from work everyday. As a result we have 36 lbs. less of him. He looks better, feels better and has lots more energy. He also needs to buy new clothes, his are all too big now.



Next up.....Lisa! That's me. :) I've been working for the past year, which is an amazing turn of events. I wasn't looking for a job but one found me. I've loved every minute of it and learned so much from my co-workers. I've been involved in very interesting projects. For instance, did you know that certain trees are more routinely struck by lightning that others? Me either! Now we both know. I've also increased my ability to identify trees in SC again. When you live in South Florida for 13 years you tend to forget.



I've also had to learn how to manage my time better. That is necessary when you work and have children. My hat is off to those moms who work full-time. I don't know how you do it, really! I've also had to let some of the daily housework go and pick it up on the weekends. That is hard for me but I'm making my peace with it. I still make all the beds, even if it means doing the boy's beds while they are brushing their teeth and about to hop in for the night, but in other areas I've learned to let go.



Key was a second grader this year. He has never been a big fan of school, this year was no exception. He thinks school gets in the way of more important things that he needs to be doing. We can't get specifics as to what would be more important, but he thinks there must be something. Nevertheless, he has gotten much better at reading and writing stories. We don't have to interpret words or paragraphs nearly as much as we used to. He has also taken up T-ball and found that he loves to play. He loves to learn about the rules of baseball and I enjoy sharing my love of the game with him. He hit five homeruns this season! He also stands in the pitchers spot, which means something different in T-ball but is an important position anyway. Oh, and he is also sporting glasses now, which have changed his look a bit.

Andy-man, our sweet Andy-man. I hope that part never changes. He is truly the most caring, compassionate child you can even imagine. He tells me he loves me on an hourly basis. He had a rough start to kindergarten but after the first week he was ready to conquer K5. He learned to read overnight it seemed. He loves books and figuring out words all on his own. He can sound out anything! He was hoping to lose a tooth but still has a perfect little mouth for now. He also got glasses. His violin teacher noticed he was standing too close to his book. We took all three in for a check up and both boys ended up with glasses. Back to the violin. Andy has made amazing progress this year! He is playing so well and we are just in awe of his musical abilities. He even summoned the courage to play in the talent show at school. This was way out of his comfort zone but he did it. :)

Natalie, our princess and daily drama queen. Natalie became a formal student this year. She was in the 4K program at Furman Child Development Center. Her teacher, bless her heart, had her hands full with this one. There were days of sitting in the hall, fits to be ignored, friends to be seperated from, but it looks like she will survive! (Both Mrs. B and Natalie) My goal for her was to have her write her name. She is easily distracted and keenly aware of what we want her to accomplish. She likes to do the opposite. BUT, she IS writing her name. When she feels like she isn't being taken seriously though her name goes back to AANTIEL or some such combination just to see us get flustered. She has made friends, which to her are far more important than anything else she's learned this year. She even has a boyfriend who has proposed. :) He has no idea what he is in for!

Now you are all caught up with the Goodsons. We look forward to an upcoming weekend in Charleston, our annual time in Florida, and then back to the grindstone. We'll have a 3rd grader, 1st grader and a new 5Ker. Wow.

21 comments:

Julie Jeanes Branyon said...

I do think both Nat and Mrs. B. will survive. Nat will keep her teacher in stitches. As far as Mrs. B. goes, she has seen it all when it comes to children. As far as the marriage proposal (LOL!) goes, Nat couldn't ask for a sweeter little fella'. We miss you all at the Open House yesterday. I will miss seeing the Goodsons next year, but look forward to keeping up with the Goodson gang on FB.

Unknown said...

Wow, you guys have been busy ! i miss florida. we will go back in july for my reunion. kids will get to see the grands and hopefully dh and i will get some time alone !!
ps. your kids are cute as buttons and some of the stories you share are funny :)

The Stahlnecker's said...

Loved your blog!.....

Andy and his fears of being alone in school have changed a lot! My heart broke for him (and for Daddy)that first day when Daddy had to go and Andy had to "let go." Eddie and I peeked in from the hall to catch a glimpse of this life changing day for Andy. During this year I agree he has changed a lot. Of course it would have been less emotional and more comical if I could be a fly on the wall in Natalie's school. That girl is awesome and Key is very smart and yes we all need our education but I am with him on this one Lisa... There has to be something else better to do than to go to school ;) .... Great blog Lisa! Gotta love them Goodson's!!!

Lynn & Bill said...

I just started reading your blog and am enjoying reading it. I enjoy reading about the growth that the children make in life.

Marilee said...

Okay, I totally hope I win the gift card! There I said it. I didn't even bother commenting on how great all the changes in your family have been this year because I'm hoping I win! I would say I never win, but at the beginning of the school year I won the VIP parking spot at school so I don't have to wait in carpool line... I just pull into my special spot and they bring the kids right to me. I love it and I'm sure I'd love to find some wonderful thing to use the gift card on. Please pick me random drawing thing... pick me!

Marilee said...

Well I did like reading about all the changes in your family too. I felt too guilty making it all about me winning. I'm glad we can call the Goodson family our friends!

P.S. Pick me!

Marilee said...

Is it too tacky if I make a lot of comments to up my odds of winning!?! Okay, this really will be the last one.

Meredith W. Burton said...

I loved reading Andy's paragraph! He is definitely one of the sweetest children I have ever taught. We enjoyed having Natalie this year too...she certainly kept us laughing. Have a great summer.

Melissa said...

Loved this post! Sounds like your family is doing great and hearing stories about Natalie make me feel like just maybe I will survive my Max. =)
~Melissa

(Technically, I should win because I am the first to actually type my name as a signature)
LOL

KelliSue Kolz said...

Those kids are a hoot! We walked through the sacred grove yesterday afternoon and my husband quizzed us all down on the tree varieties in the grove. I had an epic fail, I can't tell a maple from an oak it appears. But I can tell poison ivy growing at the base, and that needs avoided. :>)

Natalie said...

I admire you for all the things you get accomplished! It makes me want to try harder :)
First, your boys look adorable in their glasses! And Natalie gets cuter every week! You should have seen her and her sticker earrings yesterday, she was very proud! lol
I was contemplating copying Marilee and commenting numerous times for a chance at the giftcard..lol..I will just cross my fingers and have a little faith..lol

Gone Fishin' said...

I loved reading your family update, Lisa! Your kids are spaced the same as mine in grades, although mine are a bit older now ;).

Unknown said...

In order for your daughter's future marriage to work she will need a strong tolerance for dinosaurs and monster trucks. :)

The Crazy Coxes said...

I love the update on everyone. It sounds like you have been busy - in a good way!

Jean said...

Your family sounds busy as usual! Good to know my nephews and niece are surviving and thriving! If I move to Florida maybe I'll get to see you while you're there! Maybe you'll pick your baby sister for the drawing! It's a good possumbility!

kristiward15 said...

I have to agree that I think Andy is the sweetest little boy I think I have ever met! So smart too! Oh and I can completely sympathize with having a drama queen.

Oh and I hope I win!!

Kristi Ward

Marilee said...

Wait! I didn't know I was supposed to put my name at the end of my post! Am I disqualified or do I still have a chance if I sign this post?

Marilee

P.S. Did I mention I want to win?

Marilee said...

Oh, and now I see that I don't have enough faith because I put multiple comments. Well, if you ask my husband he would tell you that is the truth. Perhaps I should work on that... right after I win this contest!

Marilee

P.S. If I don't win I'm going to be totally bummed for sharing too much information!

Unknown said...

Remember I have a diva who is the original princess in the pea here, mine is my 10 year old granddaughter, and trust me Lisa, they get worse and not better!!!!

Congratulations on the engagement of your Natalie, and I sure hope this young boy is strong enough and smart enough to face life from the age of 4 on living with a diva like yours! And congrats to the Diva's daddy on the spectacular weight loss!

Nan (This is Lisa, posting for Nan because she couldn't get her computer to open this page. Don't worry Nan, your name will go in the hat!)

Marilee, you CRACK ME UP!

Marina said...

Lisa,
I always love reading and catching up with what's been going on with the Goodson Gang.I'm really glad you have loved your job. Kudos to Robbie , that's awesome. Your 3 blondes are just adorable. It seems like yesterday that Key was born and now here he is going in to the 3rd grade. I hope you have a wonderful Summer filled with lots of fun and adventure.

Joy For Your Journey said...

Well, I guess I missed the drawing, but it was still fun to catch up on your family. Good job to your husband losing 36 pounds!! That is awesome. And congrats to all the rest of you on all your progress as well.