Kailyn and Emma Grace

So Kailyn met her teacher, Ms. Collins yesterday. She was greeted by the super sweet Para-pro Ms. Parnell, who quickly told her that the first day of school Kai and the rest of her class were supposed to bring their favorite teddy bear. Kailyn is over the moon excited to share her pink bear with her class and cannot wait for Kindergarten. The previous day, as we left the office after registering her at school, she looked at me and said, "Ok, mother, that's it. I'm a big kindergartener now."
How is it they can make you want to laugh and cry at the same time??? It's so unbareably hard to believe that my little angel baby is going to school...without me.



And Emma got to meet her teacher today, for her 3 year old class at the childcare center here on the Islands. Emma was excited to see that her class was having a birthday party for someone and now wants to do the same. I spoke with her teacher about my concerns for Emma, specifically how she'll handle the chaos with 13 other children in the same room with her. The teacher took her hand and walked her to a corner of the classroom with a kid size couch, fluffy pillows and a bookshelf. That's her calm down corner and the teacher also said they're totally willing to work with her to help her learn to tolerate the environment. We've also gotten a good lead of a program here that could send a special needs teacher to the day care once a week or so for a little while to spend time with her and help her learn to adapt and cope with the craziness that is a preschool toddler room.

Many of you are still asking for more info on her condition, Sensory Integration Disorder. Check out this website....http://www.spdfoundation.net/aboutspd.html

New Beginnings

We arrived in Savannah yesterday with hearts full of sadness for the family and friends we've left 300 miles behind us, but hearts happy and excited for what the future holds. And we're all glad to have Jason so close, the distance has been so hard.
Kailyn will start school at Marshpoint Elementary the first week of September, a kindergartener already! Hardly seems possible. She's becoming quite the little grown up. Her newest phase is this little head tip to the side and a spoken "mother..." It's borderline sassy, and full blown hilarious.
And Emma is excited at the mere thought of attending a preschool so she can interact with other "3 years old like me." She has been released from her occupational therapy and we are hopeful that mom has the smarts to continue to help her make great progress at home without our beloved Ms. Colleen, PT.
Mel will be interviewing for a position as a pre-k parapro soon, so fingers crossed! Jason is excited to have us here....guess the reality of having 3 women in the house hasn't hit him yet. lol Such a sweet patient man!
And we can't forget L.E., jason's black lab. The sweet "pampered pooch" was so excited to see us walk through the front door, but isn't sure what to make of the thousands of boxes piled up in the corner.

So now that we're here, we're overwhelemed at the to-do list that comes with moving to a brand new city...dr's, schools, church, etc. We've all been working on getting over a sinus infection the last few weeks and I told Kailyn last night that she might have to start an antibiotic to get rid of hers. She got a panicked look on her face, and cried "but how will we get it? they don't have pharmacies here, mama!" I laughed, then composed myself and reassured her that even though this is indeed "podunk" in comparison to big city Atlanta that we're used to, they have all the modern day conviences...On that note....hold on gotta go see if we have running water too.....Be right back...

:)

The Winds of Change

Good morning. So I have had the oppotunity to take a week off of work and travel down to Savannah, GA to visit with the man that has captured my heart! The girls and I enjoyed our week in the coastal area, with warm, wonderful climate before the intense summer heat. It has also been nice to begin solidifying our plans to move here.
Jason and I have been dating a long time, and at this point in our relationship we're ready to try being in the same zip code! Lol, but he's currently 300 miles away from us in Atlanta.
The girls are excited to be starting life in a new city, we've gone and looked around the area to spot local dr's, playgrounds, schools, job, etc.
And while it's somewhat terrifying to think about starting life over in a new city, it's a new adventure for us and we couldn't be more excited...Mel :)

Hello Family and Friends!
Life here at the Keeton house is busy, but we are loving every minute of it!
Kailyn, who turns 5 years old tomorrow, is a beautiful little princess of a girl! She has learned to write her letters and numbers! Throughout the day she'll write some letters on the page and say "does this say anything mommy?" She loves to play Barbie dolls with her sister and adores everything Disney Princess!
Emma, is now 3 1/2 years, and is still my little reminder of God's grace. Emma is talking in full sentences, when she wants to- lol. She adores her big sister and loves to play outside. Most of you know that her doctors believe that she has autism. She is currently in therapy to help her learn to cope with life when things are overstimulating and overwhelming...hmmm, couldn't we all use a little of that?! :) She has also learned to write her name, though she prefers to paint instead.
I am still working with the same family, providing housekeeping and companion care services for their disabled daughter. This job has allowed me to keep the girls out of day care and fulfill my "wanna be 50's housewife and mom" dream.