(With Commentary by Katara)
I am Sokka. I live here. I observe everything.
When I do not personally witness events, Caleb explains them to me later using photos, gestures, and enthusiasm. Katara corrects details.
January
January began with my humans upgrading the sailboat with a new motor. Apparently the old one “retired to Florida,” which sounds suspiciously pleasant. After waiting far too long, the boat finally moved to the Lake Norman Yacht Club. Caleb went on his first ride on the family boat and made it very clear this was not his first boat ride overall. He considers himself an experienced sailor and later explained this to me confidently.
Katara and I stayed home. I guarded the couch. Katara guarded her space. Caleb later reviewed photos with me and pointed at the water repeatedly, which I understood to mean the boat performed acceptably.
February
February involved house projects and something called “siding.” It seems like they’ve been working on this for years. I did not approve of the noise.
Katara: Or the dust. Or the disruption to naps.
This was also the month Caleb started solid foods, beginning with crab legs. Caleb enjoys sharing food with us. Katara enjoys sharing when it involves chicken or seafood. Otherwise, Caleb is “too enthusiastic.” Laura and Caleb attended a Valentine’s Day party hosted by the Yorks, and Caleb experienced snow for the first time. Katara observed this from inside, where it is warmer and safer.
March
March slowed things down. Caleb tried the swings at the park and made it clear he was unimpressed. He has since revised that opinion. He also spent a lot of time playing in the dirt, which the humans say is when potatoes were planted.
This month brought major developments: Caleb started pulling himself up on furniture, got his first tooth, and began experimenting with playing with us. His methods lacked refinement. I remained patient.
Katara: I chose invisibility.
April
April involved travel. Laura and Caleb flew to Iowa, leaving Katara and me in charge of the house. We ran things efficiently. Caleb later told me they spent Easter on the boat sailing while streaming the easter service, which he described proudly as “boat church.” He prefers this to being handed over to strangers in church daycare, even if a large wave occasionally interrupts his nap.
Caleb decided the V-berth was an acceptable playpen.
Katara: I would not have chosen it.
Neither of us were invited aboard, so our opinions were not requested.
May
May brought racing. Laura led the boat to a third-place finish in the all-women’s Hurricane Regatta. This was helped by the fourth-place boat being a no-show, but I believe wins should be accepted without unnecessary detail.
Around this time, Caleb discovered climbing. Furniture. Steps. Humans. Nothing was exempt. He later described this phase as “practice.”
Katara: Practice should not involve me.
June
June introduced swim lessons. Caleb immediately decided water is excellent. After lessons, the fun continued at the yacht club, where Caleb splashed, kicked, laughed, and confidently attempted to soak everyone nearby.
Caleb later explained these days to me as “long good days,” which I believe means exhausting for the humans and extremely enjoyable for him.
July
July was loud. Caleb saw fireworks for the first time, which he described as “big lights” and “boom.” He also turned one and received his own cake. He enjoyed it and shared crumbs generously. I appreciated this.
This was also when the potatoes planted in March were finally harvested. Caleb also demonstrated that he had outgrown the V-berth playpen by climbing out of it. I was not surprised. I have been climbing successfully for years, though no one celebrates me with cake.
August
August was exhausting. Caleb went to Florida to see his cousins and went swimming with them in both the Gulf and Grandma and Grandpa’s pool. When he returned, he explained this repeatedly through splashing demonstrations in the living room.
Later, the humans traveled to Michigan for another birthday celebration. Caleb played with a balloon, had his own slide, received a favorite new drum, met Uncle Greg, and attended the Renaissance Festival. Turkey legs and jousting were a hit.
Katara: I would accept a turkey leg.
Caleb also received a wagon, which he enjoys pushing around the neighborhood with purpose.
September
September slowed down. Caleb and Mommy went to the mountains and saw bears and elk. Caleb later explained this to me using photos and very serious noises. I understood that the animals were large and important.
Back at home, Trevor worked on the house using rented equipment, including a lift to reach places that were previously unreachable and therefore suspicious. Caleb “helped” and supervised closely. I believe the humans also pretend to work sometimes.
October
October focused on finishing the basement apartment. Tools were everywhere. Caleb provided instruction by pointing, supervising, and occasionally relocating critical items.
October also included playing in leaves, interacting with the neighbor’s cat in the yard (which I noticed), and trick-or-treating. There was a sugar incident involving Nerds. Caleb opened the box when nobody was looking.
Katara: I was not consulted.
November
November began with waterfall hikes. Caleb pointed out trail markers along the trail like an experienced guide and took his role seriously.
Back at home, Trevor engaged in battle with invading squirrels, who showed no respect for the house or its boundaries. I observed from indoors.
Katara: The squirrels started it.
Later in the month, the humans traveled to Grancha and Margo’s house for Thanksgiving, leaving us home. We did not travel. We stayed here. Alone. On Thanksgiving. We were fed on schedule, but the principle still matters.
On that trip, Caleb met Grancha’s dog, Fizzy — a dog smaller than both of us. This was confusing but manageable. The trip also included separate days at Animal Kingdom and the aquarium. Caleb later described safaris, animals everywhere, bright colors, moving water, and many fish.
Katara: Too many fish.
Caleb clearly had an excellent time. We were slightly jealous.
December
December was busy but gentler. Grammy came to visit. Caleb played with her often. She is allergic to cats, so she never pets us.
Katara: This is acceptable. Affection should be optional.
Caleb met Santa and screamed. Trevor and Laura participated in a lighted sailboat parade, leaving us home to reflect on our importance. Later, Caleb played with the barn cats at Aunt Melinda’s house.
Katara: Barn cats are loud, unsupervised, and lack standards.
The year ended with family time, festive lights, and Caleb falling asleep in unexpected places — something he practiced diligently all year. We watched from warm spots.
Laura and Trevor 