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The calendar may say Fall, and Halloween may be less than 2 weeks away, but it sure does not feel like it. Mind you, I am not really complaining, but we never left summer temperatures, and I do not mean, a regular, warm San Diego summer; I mean scorching HOT and humid.  I can’t even count how many heat waves we had: it is more like a never ending heat wave since July, with short, brief pauses. So I have been feeling tired, cranky, and sweaty non-stop. Of course, there are benefits to this as well. I have been able to use the pool and exercise in balmy 85+ degree water, and the ocean is so warm, even I could not resist getting in. Oh well, since the forecasts call for many months of heavy rain, I guess I should enjoy it (or at least endure it) while it last.

Even if the temperature reached 90s, Keegan still started Second Grade at the beginning of September. He is now in Room 3, a 1-2 grade combo, again with two teachers for all the rambunctious kids.

The school does not have air conditioning, so massive fans are deployed in the classrooms. That made Open House a little more tolerable. We got to meet his teachers, Ms. Irene and Ms. Denice, and we are pretty happy about his class assignment. Most of his friends are with him, and the two teachers seems firm but loving. They immediately assigned seats, so that all the “trouble-makers” were not sitting together. Again, they are stressing personal responsibility: students are supposed to clean up their desk, put the chair away, and all their tools. Each is also given a daily planner to mark personal assignments.

yes, it is misspelled, but I alerted the teachers right away and they are fixing it…

So far, Keegan is doing well. We had a bit of a rough beginning, with a couple of visits to the principal at the beginning of the semester, but things are better now. Fortunately, this year we have a new principal, who was Keegan’s Science teacher for the past two years, and lucky for us, she likes him. I met with his teachers for a goal setting conference, and overall they are pleased with his improvements. We discussed area that he can work on, but they both said “they are enjoying him”…It sounds like an euphemism.

He also started playing an instrument: this summer, he surprised us all saying that he did not want to play the drums after all, and he wanted to learn… the trumpet! I am not sure if it is because some of his friends play it, but he seems convinced. So, we enrolled him in the band program, and he is actually excited enough to give up part of his recess twice a week for band practice. Of course he just started, but occasionally I can recognize a note or two among the sounds coming out of the trumpet.

Matt tried to channel his trombone knowledge from his elementary school days, but with little success.

The beginning of the year also means birthday parties. We started big: we are only in the middle of October, and Keegan already had 5 since school started, including Zara’s birthday party. She specifically insisted on inviting him, because he is her best friend, even though, as Zara readily admits it is not the other way around. So far, the most original has been Aiden’s party at Solid Rock, an indoor climbing place. The kids get to free climb and also rappel up lots of different surfaces. What I did not know was that the adult had to be the “anchor” and help them up and down…it was a lot of work, and I was a pool of sweat; and let’s not even talk about how sore were my arms, or the blister I developed on my finger.

waiting to climb

Fortunately, after the climb we could relax with delicious Bronx Pizza and snacks. However, we were both s tired when we got home that we took a nice nap.

Now, it must have been the warm weather, but naps has been a little more frequents lately (for Keegan I mean…I never have trouble sleeping), and if he shares the bed with one of us, it is even more likely.

Keegan also had a Friday Fun Night at school, and got invited to two sleepovers, which meant, more date time for us! Sleepovers are especially nice for us, because we can sleep in and take it easy. We spent most of the free time just having good food, walking on the beach, or simply hanging out in the pool, like old days (B.K.).

Ahhh, this is the life!

The only drawback to all this sleepovers or nights outs means there is a surplus of junk food and sweats…ho well, we can’t win them all. After all, we even succeeded in having Keegan eat a spinach salad with eggs and tomatoes, ONCE. We documented the momentous event. He does not seems happy, but he did like it. Vbesides, there is no way we can force him to eat anything he does not like.

This extended summer also means more blooming, more butterflies and more birds (and grasshoppers too, unfortunately). We finally started replanting our wasteland yard, and this time we are going for succulent, so they will not die of thirst.

Lots more of fun stuff to report. We went to the Air Show once again, and this time it was not quite as hot as last time, and still entertaining. There was also a new group of acrobatic planes from France that was really amazing.

marines hanging on the helicopter

the amazing Blue Angels

Sean Tucker, the biplane acrobatic pilot

The only bad part was the return home: it took us 1.5 hours just to leave the parking lot! Can you imagine how much fun it is to be stuck in a parking lot with Keegan in full meltdown????

We also had some grown up time, sleepovers aside. We had a quiet anniversary celebration at home on October 5. Matt brought me beautiful flowers and we had a romantic dinner when Keegan went to bed.

Also, both Matt and I got to enjoy a fun concert: Matt went to see Van Halen with his friend Eric, and I went to see Duran Duran (of course) with my friend Lidia (of course). She actually spent the weekend at our house, and we were able to have a nice breakfast with our friend Nancy: the three of us used to work together at the Ticket Office at SDSU during college.

The concert was fun as always: Simon Le Bon is definitively the one who aged the best, and we had great seats, thanks to our old boss, who got us free tickets! It was really fun.

They still got it!

OK, we were not quite that close, (power of the zoom) but still great seats

guess what are they playing now?

a grand finale!

Just in time for Matt’s birthday, October 18, the weather cooled off a bit, and clouds and even some drizzles showed up. It is still warm and humid, but definitively a welcome respite. Despite being Sunday, we could not really celebrate in the best way because Keegan had two friends sleeping over, and Matt promised them to take them to the movies watching Goosebumps (and honestly, I really do not think he minded), and in the late afternoon we have Hannah’s birthday party at the Laser Tag place. We are hoping it is a drop off party, so Matt and I can enjoy some quiet and peace. However, We still celebrate with with my temporary gifts (the real ones didn’t arrive in time, because SOMEONE was procrastinating deciding what he wanted), and cards.

Keegan made his own, and he wrote it all by himself, and very quickly. At least his handwriting is not too sloppy.

my super handsome guys!

handsome then, handsome now

His sister Sue sent some beautiful balloons and a teddy bear, delivered by a very cute girl (I am not sure if it was part of the package). Too bad he was too busy on the phone to see her. (-:

Then, at night, after Keegan crashed exhausted after 2 birthday parties and a sleepover, during which he woke up at 4am, Matt got a final celebration.  He chose a chocolate-raspberry cake, and blew the candles and made a wish. While I do not know, of course, what he asked for, I am willing to bet it was to have a better year than last. (-:

We started fall in the best way. Now we are looking forward to a fun Halloween, when Keegan will be dressed as a Star Wars Clone Trooper, and we are already bracing for the onslaught of the holiday season…not hard to do, since all store have plenty of Holiday stuff for sale…and I hate to admit I did buy some (but for my craft project). Onward!

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