The Great Escape Artist

Kale has been busy breaking all sorts of barriers. Jane has informed me that on two separate occasions in the last few weeks he has done something no other kids have done in 20+ years. The first is that he figured out how to unlock the gate to the stairs and let himself up. The next is that he found a small hole in the chain link fence in the backyard that separates the play area from a swampy area. He managed to push the metal aside and climb through the small hole, similar to what a mouse does. Seriously. Jane quickly got him and she made him show her how he got through the hole. Needless to say it’s been fixed. At home we're even having to be more careful because he's figured out how to open doors - and that includes the doors to the outside.  There has been more than one occasion where I've heard the door slam and I run outside to find Kale playing in the garage.  The doors are now deadbolted when I'm home along with the kids because I can't trust Kale! How can one kid keep everyone on their toes all the time?

He’s a big fan lately of saying no and throwing tantrums when he doesn’t get his way. He is such a different kid from Nolan, who evidently was abnormally easy for us. Don’t get me wrong, Nolan has his moments too, but he wasn’t quite as high strung as Kale! Kale literally goes non stop from the time he gets up to bed time, and even bed time has gotten more challenging. He has a really hard time settling himself down. I’m trying something new this week and we’ll see if works – leaving the door open and putting him back as soon as he gets out of it.

Kale is working on his numbers, and for the first time tonight I heard him count to 5. I tried to get him to do it again but he either couldn’t or didn’t want to – which would fit in to his other favorite saying of "I don’t want to". He loves to sing and dance and his new favorite song is Twinkle Twinkle. He doesn’t know all of it but what he knows is pretty good.

Kale is still potty training and doing a pretty good job. Jane tried underpants for a few days, but he’s not getting the hang of #2 yet, so we’re back to pull ups. If he doesn’t go #2 we can make it through most days dry. I personally think he’s motivated by the treats!