Detroit's Big Moment

My mom was holding Joaquin while I was finishing my dinner and Detroit was working on a little homework. Joaquin discovered the slats on the back of the chair and took great delight in looking through them. Detroit quickly got on the other side of the chair and they enjoyed peeking at each other through the slats. Suddenly, Detroit popped up and said "peek-a-boo!" and Joaquin laughed really loud. Detroit was so excited. This was her first time to make him laugh (it only took her almost 9 months of trying) - and she repeated that statement many times during the evening. She and Joaquin had a great time playing and he continued to laugh at her for several minutes. Joaquin sure loves his big sister!

Joaquin Does Smile!

Here is evidence that my son actually smiles. In fact, he was laughing, which is indeed a rare thing. He smiles almost constantly, but it is hard to make him laugh. Michelle was hitting his block up into the air and Joaquin thought that was HILARIOUS! I love the way babies laugh, especially MY babies (hee hee).

Waiting for the big moment...

This is it!

Aunt Michelle is funny!

Littlest Pets

For the past couple of years Detroit has been obsessed with these little creatures called Littlest Pets. They are pretty adorable and I just couldn't resist posting their pictures, along with their names. It is amazing to me that somehow she remembers each and every one of the interesting names she gives these little pets. By the way, she has a lot more than those pictured!

(from left to right)

Thunder, Sky, Pugles, Hedwig, Ducky, Snowball

Samantha, Sunny, Siberia, Stella, Orangina, Andrews

Sally, Calvin, Jazzyin, Cloudy, Molly, Hoppy,

Bianca a.k.a. Siamia, Jazmyn (not be confused with Jazzyin), Amy & Monggey a.k.a. Swinger

(I had to highlight my personal favorites)

***

Detroit loves living with Aunt Michelle because she always has a buddy willing to play with her. It ususally consists of Detroit telling Michelle exactly what to do...and usually the pets are in some sort of school setting. I know Detroit will really miss her aunt when it is time for us to go.

Weekend in San Diego

This past weekend I took Detroit out of school and we went on a road trip to San Diego. We went to visit her best friend, Isabella. Last August, Bella was diagnosed with leukemia and she is getting ready to go into her next phase of "intensified" chemo. We decided it was a perfect time to visit, especially since we don't know what will be happening with our family in the next few months. I am so glad we went. When I called Mary Alice (Isabella's mom) to tell her, she asked Bella to guess who was coming to visit her. Isabella had no idea until Mary Alice said, "Who do you want to come visit you more than anyone in the whole world?" "Detroit!!!!!" These girls love each other as much as they did their first day in kindergarten. They were just meant to be together. We had a wonderful time together and Bella is doing great. We also got to see all of our other friends. We are so lucky to have so many good friends. Thanks for an awesome weekend!!

Weekend in San Diego - Fun with Friends

Detroit and Joaquin with Angela and Miranda.

(Ms. Vega - "the best kindergarten teacher ever!")

The Fantastic Four:

Juliette, Isabella, Detroit & Miranda

Silly Poses

On Saturday we got to spend all day with the Avalos family as well as the Vega family. It was so fun to be with our friends again. The girls had the best time playing together. Everytime they see each other they just pick right back up where they left off.

On Sunday we went to the Oser's house and watched the Chargers game and ate lots of delicious food. That night we had a short visit with Aunt Jean. Then we were off to Detroit's ALL TIME favorite pizza place...BRONX PIZZA. It was delicious, as always! Of course, our other die-hard Bronx fans joined us - Diana, Angela and Miranda. We finished the night with a visit to the Mitchell family. It is so good to be with good friends. As Detroit says, "having friends is like having a friend family."

On Monday, we went with Mary Alice, Isabella and Benjamin for one last treat before the drive home. While living in Lemon Grove, we found a place called Centifonti with the best gelato and caramel apples! Of course, we had to have both. Is there a pattern here? Every place we wanted to re-visit involved food. Oh well. It made our bellies happy.

Weekend in San Diego - Go Red Devils!!

On Friday, I got to go to the school I taught at last year (Golden Avenue) and see my kids. They are now in first grade. It was so wonderful to see them. There is no better feeling than seeing their faces light up. What a confidence booster! They all looked so cute. I also got lots of hugs from kids I didn't even know! Then I got to see all my co-workers. I was so lucky to be at such an awesome school.

Friday night we went to one of my favorite restuarants, Karina's. We met Christine (Jared's cousin), a co-worker of Christine's, and Rick and Susan (Cass' parents/Christine's in-laws). Cass couldn't make it since her varsity girls had a game. It was fun to see everyone, and afterward we went to the basketball game together. Thankfully, the girls pulled off a win.

Detroit LOVES being with Christine!

Rick and Susan

(They introduced us to the fun of karioke and to the best hamburgers ever - "Rick Burgers"!)

Cheering for the Red Devils.

YEAH!!! We have a job!

Jared got a job today! We will be moving to Roswell, New Mexico (yes, the place known for U.F.O.s) sometime in the next few months. Jared will be working for New Mexico Legal Aid and starts work on Thursday and he is very excited. This will be a perfect job for Jared, not only because of who he will be working for, but also he will work from 8-5. Pretty good legal hours - of course the pay is not great, but it is a starting place. Plus, we will have insurance again (hooray) and Jared will actually get 30 days paid leave to prepare for and take the New Mexico bar. We are really excited about that! Yeah for the start of a new adventure for the Kallunki family!

Happy Birthday Jared!!!

Happy 32nd birthday, Jared!

(I could not resist putting this picture on)

Carpooling

Detroit had the most exciting thing happen today. She carpooled! Last night she was so excited that she had a hard time falling asleep. When I went into her room this morning she was already awake and wanted to know if it was time for the carpool. This morning she couldn't wait to break the big news to her aunt Michelle.

Detroit: "Guess what?"

Michelle: "What?"

Detroit: "We are going to be trying something new today. It's called carpooling."

She then proceeded to explain the delicate intricacies of carpooling to Michelle. Needless to say, it was a fascinating, and in depth, conversation. She is carpooling to school with her friend Cannon. He is in her second grade class and is her best friend because "he loves to make her laugh." Or so says Detroit.

Oops

I turned my back for only a second which was just enough time for Joaquin to make a mess. Sweet potatoes never tasted better...or looked more disgusting!

Happy Early Birthday, Jared!

Tonight we celebrated Jared's birthday! I can't believe he is 32...I remember when that used to sound so old. Now it seems so young. Jared's birthday is actually Jan. 14, but he is leaving tomorrow for New Mexico (more about that in a minute). Jared was excited to have coconut cream pie for his birthday. He also got pop-a-point pencils - which he loves. (Seriously, he is always stealing Detroit's.) Detroit also made her dad an awesome card for his birthday.

I am glad she included some spending money for Albuquerque. He will need it.

About New Mexico:

Jared has interviewed with New Mexico Legal Aid, and they want him to come and check out two of their offices. One is in Socorro, which is about 70 miles south of Albuquerque. The other is in Roswell. We are hoping that all will go well and he will have a JOB by next week. Stay tuned...

Hats From Bella

Detroit's best friend in San Diego (Isabella) made these adorable hats for Detroit and Joaquin. What awesome Christmas presents! Detroit LOVES her hat and Joaquin enjoys taking it off the second we put it on. Thank you Bella!

No Training Wheels!!!

Yes, Detroit will be 8 in March. Yes, she still has training wheels on her bicycle.

As you know, Detroit is ULTRA cautious and as a result spent the first year she owned her bike looking at it. By the second year of ownership, she had worked up enough courage to actually get on it. Now that she has almost 2 years of training wheel practice under her belt, we thought that New Year's Day would be the perfect time to get rid of those training wheels - especially when we saw a 4 year old riding without them. Detroit is also ready for a bigger bike, but I don't think they sell bigger bikes with training wheels! My dad took the training wheels off and she was ready to ride (sort of)!

Of course, the whole clan was on standby to help. Grandpa, daddy and each uncle took a few turns helping her stay on the bike...and finally SHE DID IT!

New Year's Day Fun at the Park

We had a fun time at the park across the street on New Year's Day. Joaquin had a good time until mom took one too many pictures. Then he got mad. He is developing quite a temper...and a yell. Actually it is kind of a grunting yell, but it can get quite loud. I think he is going to be a very different kid than his sister. Heaven help us when he can actually move.

Christmas Card & Christmas Letter

For those of you who didn't get it or didn't see it, here is our 2007 Christmas Card and Letter.

Happy New Year!

Happy 2008...Hope it is a great one!

Happy Birthday Grandma Polly!

On New Year's Eve, Grandma Polly turned 81! I am so glad we got to celebrate her birthday with her.

Four Generations

It is pretty awesome that Detroit and Joaquin have 4 sets of grandparents. They have my mom and dad, Jared's mom, Grandma June & Grandpa Boyd (my mom's parents) and Grandma Polly (my dad's mom). In this picture we have 4 generations starting with Grandma Polly!

Japanese Tea Gardens

Today (Dec. 31st) we went to The Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park (San Francisco). It was beautiful. I can't wait to go back there in the spring when the flowers are in bloom.

Here are some more pictures...