well, hello strangers.

I haven't been blogging much lately because I just can't seem to find the time to do more than the Weekly Check-in and Montessori Monday posts. January was a really hectic month for me and I'm hoping February brings more peace, balance and opportunities to reflect on this life that seems to be whipping by (hey, there is an extra day this month - that has to count for something, right?). Anyway, a couple of you requested "more Kale" in recent comments, so - here you are! 

• We started toilet training on the weekend. I'm a bit panicked about the issue since Kale MUST be toilet trained to start his new school in September. I know - September is far away - I know, I know! But I'm a planner (and a panicker) and so I can't help but worry about this faaaaar in advance. Anyway, we decided to give it a shot this weekend and see how it went. Kris and I were both totally shocked at the end of the weekend when Kale had only had one accident. He hasn't had any accidents at home this week (school is a different story) and he's running to the toilet on his own when he has to go. This also means that we have a naked toddler running around our house all the time. I know that we still have a long road ahead of ourselves, but I think we got a great start. 

• Kale is obsessed with Pingu. Kale has shown little to no interest in television up to this point. The only time he ever watches is when he eats his breakfast in the morning and I'm trying to get ready for work. I normally put on Dinosaur Train, but I could put on the Chinese news station and he wouldn't care. Then along came Pingu. Now it's "mo can-gu, mo can-gu" whenever we turn the tv on. Not familiar with Pingu? It's a stop-motion claymation series about a family of penguins. There are no words. It's thrilling - watch for yourself: Pingu video. 

 

• Kale is dealing with some separation anxiety. At school last week he cried the entire morning, two days in a row. Thankfully the third day he seemed back to his normal self, but drop offs have been tough. He is so excited to go to school, but as soon as we get there he starts to panic and clings on to me. I literally have to peel a screaming, red-faced toddler off me and pass him to his teacher to get out of there. Thankfully he's only crying for 2 or 3 minutes and then calms down and enjoys the rest of his day. Still, it's really, really hard and I miss my happy boy that would point to the door and tell me to "go!" when I dropped him off. 

The truth is, Kale is the coolest person that I know and every day he gets more and more awesome. Kris and I are continually astounded at how lucky we are to have this little man-baby live with us. Even if he is naked all the time.