Lets Go Kiddo

Kiddo makes every day a little better.  Even on mornings like today when it was tears and I don’t want to go to school, I want to play and have a Dada lunch day like we used to and all that.  We just hugged it out and then, as a bonus, Kiddo got to pick out my shoes.  She, of course, loved what I did with the laces so she was hyped.  She told me that one day she wanted to pick my laces and every shoe would have a different color and be mixed up Dada shoes. I like that about Kiddo.  She’s not bound by rules, even with herself.  When she was at Miss Mabel’s she had a few pairs of shoes, but they all were the same brand.  Either iKiki or Robeez , but I liked to get her outfits and shoes and so she usually had 2-3 pairs of each.  She, as soon as she was old enough to have agency, would want to wear her shoes mix-matched.  We never corrected her on mix-matched because How Cute!!!!! Also, who cares if she wears mixed shoes.  She’s 3 and wh...

I have to tattle on myself today.  I yelled at Kiddo this morning.   I had just finished the dishes, packed my bag to go out and get some work done and write this blog and stuff like that.  I wanted to be out of the house ASAP so I could maximize my time today as I had a lot to get done before writing this.  So, I was putting the towel outside on the drying rack and I yelled to Kiddo, “Grab your shoes and let’s get a move on.” I didn’t hear anything to that, but she’s usually good about stuff like that. Putting the towel outside, I came back inside and walked past her room to get to my bedroom and I banged on her door and repeated the grab your shoes.  I heard nothing back and I was getting frustrated.  I remembered then, that I hadn’t taken my meds yet.  So, I took that, grabbed what I needed, and headed out; making sure the AC was off.  Walking past her door again, I banged again, “Let’s go!” Nothing.  Usually she’ll yell back or fi...

One of the biggest differences, that it took me a while to get used to here in Bangkok, is using your hands and fingers in certain ways.  It is, in Thai culture, rude to use a finger to gesture come here , instead using the whole hand.  I’ve seen palm up or sideways, but most people use a palm down gesture.   Yesterday, J went on a boat tour with some of the ladies that she works with.  We also had a bday party to attend as the owner of the restaurant/cafe across the street from us was having a party for his littlest one, who was turning five himself.  There was promises of popcorn, sweets, bounce house, and kids aplenty for a raucous good time.  Kiddo and I were playing and hanging around the house and J was getting ready to go out.  Kiddo saw the bounce house from our window and wanted to get a better look.  So, to the balcony door she went and she frantically used the Thai style “Come here” on me since she wanted to go look.   It was, ...

Today was the first day that we’ve done school without tears.  I’d call that a win.  Kiddo is getting into the routine of things and so am I.  We can have our morning, get ready, and then head out.  The first week and a half we’ve needed to spend an extra five minutes or so to get the cries and anxieties out, but today, we just had the day with an extra five minutes to joke around and have a little bit of Kiddo fun. I have my own little routine outside of Kiddo, as well. Each morning, as we walk up to the gate where I walk Kiddo in, there is a guard that helps direct and flow traffic.  He always gives us a good morning and wishes me a good day.  I’ve been thanking him and giving him a Shaka (hang ten) hand sign as leaving.  For some reason, on Monday in the rain, as I was leaving, I held out a fist for a bump.  The first two days was a little stilted.  Today, he was waiting and looking forward to it, giving me the Shaka back.  Prett...

I awoke this morning to the sounds of J showering.  That is a normal thing in my life now and has been for almost a decade.  Anyone who has dated, lived with, or married a teacher knows the deal.  They are an early rising group, for the most part, and J falls firmly into that category.  So, a quick peek into the shower (oohlala) and a smooch before heading out to the common room, where I find Kiddo in all her morning glory; munchin’ on cereal and doing her iPad time.  I pour myself a coffee, but not before I’m show more app funness.  The sky outside looked like it was going to be an interesting day. As you can see, it was ominous looking.  It was also strange drinking coffee, since it felt like it was nearing 7pm, not starting the day and nearing 7am. I started my day with coffee and Kiddo, then we collectively kissed Mumma goodbye and we started our morning routine.  She wanted oatmeal for breakfast; The Dada kind!  Oatmeal with some cinn...

With the new school year and all the changes in life, Kiddo and I needed to change up some things as well, including our special Kiddo Dada lunch.  After a week of tears and missing Dada during the school days (even though every day coming home was “the greatest day ever….”) and the newness and courage that it takes to start something new, Kiddo and I talked and decided to make it a Sunday Funday Dada and Kiddo lunch.  J had work to do anyways, since the start of the school year is always busy, so it was also a good way to get her some free time and quiet time where she didn’t have to worry about Kiddo being underfoot.   Honestly, I liked that J was busy.  It gave Kiddo time to just sink into her Dada time.  We did some cooking and the she wanted to show me one of her apps and show me how much fun it is to play.  She showed me how the app worked and then told me it was my turn and coached me thru it.  Talk about riveting stuff.  It was great, ho...