23 months.

Kale is 23 months today! I swore that this month would be the last that I would refer to his age in months - there's something odd about saying your kid is 64 months, no? We'll see if I stick to this promise, because suddenly "30 months" doesn't sound as weird as I thought. 

What Kale loves: 

• Being outside. We've been pretty lucky that we haven't seen anything close to what I would call a "tantrum" yet. I mean, we've had some major meltdowns, but there's been no screaming on the kitchen floor, pounding fists or purple faces. However, today I saw a glimpse of a tantrum. It happened when we told him, that after being outside for every waking moment for two straight days, that he had to come inside. "NOOOOOOOOOO MAMA!! OUTSIDE! OUTSIDE!!!" There was banging on the door and tears. And then less than a minute later, he stripped all his clothes off and announced "swimming!!" 

• Swimming. Last weekend the weather was awful and so I had to think of some creative ways to keep the little man happy indoors. I got the bright idea to put our swim suits on and jump in the tub together to go swimming. Kale thought that was awesome. Now he wants to swim with us at least twice a day. I can take a hint, kid - I signed you up for swim lessons this morning. 
• Geese. Kale is all about the geese. There are a couple that hang out on the lawn of his school and he loves seeing them. When I pick him up from school and he doesn't want to leave, "do you want to see the geese?" is pretty much the only thing that will get him out the door. Have I mentioned that I have a terrible phobia of birds?
• Counting. I should clarify - this should actually read "counting to two." Kale loves to count to two. Whenever there is more than one, there is two. A thousand blades of grass? Kale counts "oooonnnee, twwwo! Two grass!" Twelve birds in the sky? "Ooooooneee, twwwwoo! Two birds!" He can actually count higher than two, but two seems to be the magic number for some reason. My favourite? "ooooonnneee, twwwooo baboo's!" 
• Driving. I always hear about kids that love something so much they'll do it for hours. I swore once I found that thing, I would take full advantage. I didn't care if it was watching tv or eating playdough - I needed to get dishes done while my kid was entertained! Well, we found that thing - it's driving. Our car. (in the driveway, obvs.). Unfortunately, we might be looked down upon if we left our kid our the car in our driveway for hours. So we sit out there with him while he drives. For hours. 

What Kale hates: 

I don't want to be all "my kid is so awesome he doesn't hate anything" but seriously - my kid is so awesome he doesn't hate anything. Ok, he still hates washing his hair, refuses to let me cut it, would rather be outdoors, and isn't a fan of sitting still. But really? Those are peanuts compared to how much he LOVES just about everything. 

Things to celebrate/big events/milestones: 

• College Royale! Kale enjoyed his second College Royale - our alma mater's annual open house. 

Drinking the closest thing you can get to a fresh milkshake. 

• Audrey's birthday. Kale helped his friend Audrey celebrate her first birthday! We are super lucky to have Audrey's family live so close and had an amazing time helping celebrate! 
• Meeting Ollie. Michelle & Audrey and Kale & I went to visit our internet-turned-real-life friends Meg & Ollie. We showed up, trashed their place, ate their food, pooped in the middle of the living room (in a potty! - Kale, not me!), and called it a day (a really good day, too!). 

Ollie, Audrey & Kale - the cleanest kids you've ever laid eyes on. 

According to Kale: 

• Kia. Last month Kale was calling himself "KK," this month it's Kia. Even Kris and I find ourselves calling him Kia. 
• Kale misses a lot of connecting words, but we understand. For example: "Kia? Mama? Swimming bathtub? SWIM BATHTUB! SWIM SUIT! BATH TUB!!" This means: "Ma, get your suit! We're goin' for a dip in the tub!" OR, "Mama? Food? In mouth! Kia food mouth!" means: "Ma, put some food in my mouth, I"m starving over here!" 
• Kale likes to yell at the cat a lot. He is extremely possessive toward the cat. Lots of time we'll hear something like "No! Bubbie no! Kia's fork! No bubbie fork! Kia's!" This translates into "get your own fork, cat!" 
• My favourite? "Mama, classroom! Fish! No eating! Onnnnnnllly eyes. Only eyes." I asked his teachers what was up with this and they told me that they had talked to the class about getting a fish. Kale was super excited because he loves to eat fish. "Eat fish? Eat fish?" he asked them. They had to explain that "no, this fish was not for eating. Only looking at with our eyes."