Keeping Up with Kaide

October 15, 2026

I get to pick up Kaide from preschool two or three afternoons a week, and I love having that time with him.

Last month, we had a little routine going. He would come in and wash his hands (he loves using his stool and being so independent.), have a snack—usually fresh fruit and pumpkin seeds or graham crackers and milk—and then do an interactive reading lesson on my phone, followed by about 5-10 minutes of Khan Academy Kids. After that, it was rest time for about an hour. He would play quietly in the front bedroom while I rested or took care of things around the house. Then we'd head outside to play, walk to Gram and Grandpa Vore's, play store or do whatever he chose until Erin or Tanner came to pick him up.

This month, he seems to have gotten a little tired of the reading app, so we've dropped that from our routine. He's also getting a little bored with the toys and games we have at the house, so I've been scrambling to come up with new activities or dig out some old favorites.

One afternoon, I took him grocery shopping with me. I'd forgotten just how much longer grocery shopping takes with an inquisitive four-year-old as your sidekick. Whew! We did manage to find a fun photo op at Sam's Club and stopped to enjoy our fruit and a pretzel on our way out. 

I had Chat extend the backdrop to the ceiling and make the floor black-nice!

I was excited when he wanted to pull out the jumper for the first time in months, but that only lasted about 15 minutes.

I found our old Bubber set (it's similar to kinetic sand but can be molded and played with like Play-Doh). He was a fan! I also pulled out the paints, but those only held his interest for about five minutes. If it's not too windy this week, we may make a trip to the duck pond. Wish me luck—not with the ducks, but with keeping up with a four-year-old who needs a constantly changing lineup of activities (and a Gigi who wants to spoil him!)