An Update on Life at the Kalke House

Things here have been really busy and everyone is always asking what our plans are, so let me fill you in on what's been going on. We have decided to spend another year in Cleveland, and Larry has accepted a position in the AEGD (advanced education in general dentistry) program at Case. He starts the program on July 1st. He interviewed in Rhode Island and really liked it, but we both felt that if we moved to the east coast we probably would like it there and wouldn't want to move back. Since the ultimate goal is to move closer to family we figured that was probably not the best idea. He was offered spots in the program at St. Vincents Hospital and at the Cleveland Clinic hospital, but we decided the spot Case offered us would be best for us. They told Larry they would allow him to spend half his time in the pedo clinic and that he could take some of the classses with the pedo residents. We figure this will help to give Larry a pretty good idea of wether or not he really wants to work on kids or not. If he decides he does, we will apply to pedo programs again next fall. If we get in it's a two year program, and if not the AEGD program is a good thing to have to go into general practice. So, we have at least one more year to spend here. And really, it is a lot easier that we aren't moving this summer with the baby coming and everything else going on.
As far as everything else goes, it's been busy. Larry had surgery on his leg a few weeks ago, and it's been sore but is doing really well. Rhyan's arm is all healed up and she hasn't slowed down at all because of it. Mayson had an accident while sledding two weeks ago and is in physical therapy for her shoulder now. The ER x-rayed everything and her back, neck and ribs are fine, but apparently she hurt the nerve that runs down your neck behind your shoulder blade, and her right shoulder is sitting a little lower than it should. I guess the nerve helps to hold the shoulder up where it should be, and the exercises she is doing are supposed to help it heal faster. Luckily, it is a kind of nerve that repairs itself, so she will be fine. The physical therapy is just supposed to help it heal faster and better.
Kaleb has been put in the gifted classes at school and attends extra classes every Wednesday. He started these about a month ago and seems to really like them. He is above grade level in math, reading his cognitive reasoning skills. he is such a smart little boy and we are so proud of him. If we can just get him to stop being so mischievous! He is constantly doing something to keep life interesting. A couple weeks ago the cops showed up at our house much to Larry and my surprise. Apparently while Kaleb & mayson were playing in the attic, Mayson was playing with one of Kaleb's toys that he didn't want her to. he told her if she touched it he would call the cops on her, and needless to say he did. According to the police he called 911 three times! He had to come down and apologize to them and had to write a letter of apology to the police department. What to do with him...
Mayson is going to preschool and doing great. Her teacher said she is all ready for kindergarten, and Mayson is excited to go. She is such a fun, high spirited little girl. She has suddenly taken quite the interest in being a big sister, and hauls Rhyan around everywhere with her. She is such a girly girl, and loves to dress up and play with her dolls and ponies. That being said, when it comes to rough housing with the boys, she can hold her own with the best of them!
Rhyan is the sweetest little thing in the world. She is so funny and is constantly making us laugh. She is convince if she can't see you that you can't see her. When she does something she knows she shouldn't and you catch her she closes her eyes and gets this little smile on her face like "I'm not here anymore, now what are you going to do?" It is so funny. She loves to cuddle and give hugs and kisses. She is talking a lot and it's fun to hear all her new words. My favorite is when she says cookie... she sounds just like cookie monster the way she says it! I don't know what we would do with out her.
Larry & I are doing good. Just keeping busy and trying to keep the kids under control. The pregnancy is going good, but I have to say I am looking forward to June coming and not being pregnant any more. Lots of exciting things are coming up between graduation, Larry's residency, the baby, and of course...Kaleb turns 8 the first of June and will be getting baptized. Life is busy, but we are definitely blessed and things are good!