Feeding the goats.

One of the benefits of living in a more rural area is the variety of animals living nearby. Aside from the ducks and deer we see on a daily basis (with the occasional boar sighting) some of our neighbors have their own collection of livestock. We like to load up our buckets with cracked corn and walk down the road to feed the goats. Usually when they see our wagons pull up, they come running because they know we bring food.

Helen likes to feed them by hand and she isn't afraid to reach in and pet them.

Will prefers to just hold the bucket and let them come to him.

Alex and Jimmy (like me) are more content to be spectators. Although this last trip Alex was actually letting the goats eat out of his hand and even pet a few. Here he is doing a Billy Goat Gruff imitation.

Nickelodeon.

A couple of weeks ago we decided to take the kids to the Nickelodeon Suites. Originally, we were heading to Fort Lauderdale for Aunt Juanita's 85th birthday party. Unfortunately, two days before the party she fell and fractured her pelvis. (She's better now. She didn't need surgery, but is still doing rehab.) Mike had always wanted to try the Nick Hotel and we were already packed, so we did it.

The kids couldn't wait to try out the splash park. It was pretty cold out, but that didn't stop them. Helen was the first one to go down the slide, then the boys followed her lead.

The main pool was heated so they would warm up in there and then run across to the park and then jump back in the pool. Will just spent the entire time in the pool. Smart boy.

The room was cute with a separate bedroom for the kids, but they weren't as big as they looked online!

In the morning we went to the Character Breakfast and got to meet Dora and Boots, The Fairly Oddparents and of course, SpongeBob SquarePants.

Jimmy wasn't too impressed with the whole thing. Here he's trying to ignore Dora, but she wouldn't leave him alone. I guess twelve-year-old boys aren't into cartoon characters. 

Before we left we got to meet every one's favorite, SpongeBob. Such a great weekend!