Two and a half months since my last post. Man. I've been slacking yet again.

But I have good reasons! Maile started first grade, Kale started walking. I started working again (just a part-time gig slinging coffee). Mike is still working hard like he always does.

We've all been pretty busy. The summer flew by and I feel kind of crappy that we didn't get to do all the things I wanted us to do. But it was so freakin' hot! Hell, it still is.

Next week is Kale's 2nd birthday. Kind of a big deal to us all since last year he couldn't even enjoy his cake for his first birthday. This year there should be no problems. I've been trying to get in some practice with feeding him cupcakes (Okay, fine. We share.) He's not really into getting his hands sticky and dirty, but he can eat them no problem which is more than he could do last year.

He did start walking a couple of months ago and now he's all over the house. I've gotten better at letting him explore on his own without freaking out every second. As long as I have all the doors closed, I'll let him roam around while I try to get some things done around the house. It is so cool to watch him, though. He knows where everything is, it's like he has this map in his head. He just puts his arms and hands out for the wall/chair/couch/cabinet  that he knows is right there. Sure, he's off a little bit and bumps his head on occasion, but he's doing great.

His TVI (teacher of visual impairments), Ms. Becky, started back visiting about a week or so ago. She was off for the summer so she came back to him walking and talking more and was so excited to see him. He even gave her (and me) a little treat by playing recognizable songs on the giant keyboard we keep on the floor. He played "Joyful, Joyful" and Ms. Becky almost had a heart attack. He can also play "Twinkle, Twinkle" and "Mary Had a Little Lamb". I'm not joking. The boy isn't yet two and is already playing things by ear. My little musical genius.

Maile is enjoying first grade. I am finally understanding why my parents (or any parent) would get onto me about the importance of good grades. As a kid/teenager I guess I just didn't get it. But here I am, every day studying with her and trying to make it fun and enjoyable, wanting her to get A's but letting her know that I will be happy with whatever grades she comes home with as long as she tries her best. (But I still want her to have all A's, damnit!) She's coming home with vocabulary words I don't think I learned until third or fourth grade. And algebra! Good lord. It's just crazy to me how much more is expected of a first grader than when I was a kid. Now that I'm working three or four nights a week  and I'm not here to help her all the time, I can't help but feel guilty. So far, she's doing great. I know she's a smart kid, I guess I'm just terrified of failing her.

We have a trip planned next month to Disney World. Not a long trip, just a long weekend but we're looking forward to it. It's been three years since we took Maile and I think she'll enjoy it a lot more this time around. And it will be interesting to see how Kale does. I'm hoping it won't be too much for him. Crossing fingers!

I know there are probably some things I'm leaving out, but I'm tired and have a long day ahead tomorrow. Kale has a first appointment with a local ophthalmologist--he has to have one in the state of Florida in order to continue receiving services for the school district and things like that. In the past there's only been one pediatric ophthalmologist and we were not fans of his (he saw Kale in the NICU after he was born), but now there is another one who a friend referred us to. So hopefully it'll go well.
  

Aiight. I'm out.

Until next time.