So it has been a while since our last blog, but that doesn't mean we were not doing anything. Where did I leave off?... Oh yes, the last week of our break was fairly uneventful. We stuck around home and got prepared to head back to school, which started on Labor Day.
Karissa is now a big 1st grader! I cannot believe how fast time has gone by. She has homework every night and a spelling test every Friday. She is doing really well and seems to be enjoying the structure of the school. Since there is only a few kids and even fewer teachers, grades are combined. So I figure that is a lot like the Montessori school she used to be in. Karissa shares her 1st grade class with "Senior" Kindergarten. The children that were kindergarten age, but not really ready for it are in with Jillian and the Pre-K kids.
Jillian stayed in her Pre-K class, but was joined by lots of little blond haired girls. It is really funny to see the little group of blondies all in the same spot (especially here). She has adjusted nicely to not having her big sister in class with her. I also think it is very positive that she has "her own" friends instead of being the shadow of her sister.
Wes is still the mighty fisherman and has quite a few friends that like to go out either early in the morning or late at night. He has made some local friends who have taken him out in a boat and are planning other "Atlantic" trips. 
He has actually shot a few fish that we have eaten. He has also started a little "business venture". We purchased a vehicle at the end of 1st semester, so he has now started hauling his friend who owns an ice cream business around (he has no vehicle) as well as the mobile "thrift" book store people (and books). So Wes is kind of like a taxi driver around here. He has also taken a couple of trips to the airport to pick up and drop off people. He charges less than the taxi service, but is making enough to pay for gas and a little extra for his time. It has given us enough to buy a little treat once in a while.
He has actually shot a few fish that we have eaten. He has also started a little "business venture". We purchased a vehicle at the end of 1st semester, so he has now started hauling his friend who owns an ice cream business around (he has no vehicle) as well as the mobile "thrift" book store people (and books). So Wes is kind of like a taxi driver around here. He has also taken a couple of trips to the airport to pick up and drop off people. He charges less than the taxi service, but is making enough to pay for gas and a little extra for his time. It has given us enough to buy a little treat once in a while.I have started back to school - 2nd semester. We have had our first Neurology practical and our first "mini" (mid term). It is pretty tough this semester since we have one extra class and what seems like less time to learn the material. I now know why medical students live on caffeine. I have started consuming large amounts of coffee and coke...which does not help the waist or the budget.
We have had new challenges such as financial aid not having a check for us. It is now 5 weeks into the semester and we are still without money. This is frustrating, especially since it was not our fault for the school not getting the correct info to the bank. Supposedly we will have a check next week, but the amount seems to be substantially lower than what we expected, so, off to the financial aid office I go...again! They know me by name in there and I'm sure they cringe when they see me coming.
Living on a tropical island means mold. Seems like lately nothing dries out and everything grows mold. Especially swim suits. Let me just say there are a few little girl swim suits that are ruined due to being moldy. Gross. Even a hat that Wes has grew a funky fur around it. We also have a few bats and rats living in our ceiling. That makes things interesting at 5:00 am.
Well, that seems enough for now. We will try to catch you all up a bit later.
