I can do it myself.

"Hey mom can I have some brownies?" Yes, just one minuet. "No, I can do it myself."


It is very strange how you spend much of your Mother-hood trying to teach your child how to be self sufficient. The goal of a parent seems to be to help your child grow up to be a productive, happy, loving, and a self reliant adult. You want your child to learn how to make their own happiness. How to take care of themselves. How to comfort themselves and comfort others. How to be resourceful. How to cut a perfect diamond out of the middle of your brownies at age Four.

Well, a small part of that goal starting happening this year for me. It started when Lilly went to preschool. I was not allowed inside after the first couple of weeks. And, don't bother trying to get a description of what happened there. Next, I was not allowed to help make her bed (which is good thing) but it needs help every now and then. Then, I had no say in what outfit she picked out, and no combing of her hair. Which she is trying to grow out. Yes, it is a scraggly mess. Lilly is also learning to read. She is pretty good at those little sight word books that her teacher sends home every week. But, you got it-she reads those to Dave. She thinks we should take her training wheels off of her bike. She just got her bike for Christmas. And, the monkey bars-are like watching the lady on the flying trapeze. Even the boys are mesmerized at the playground. I am terrified. But, you know I get the same old- no mom I can do this. She will cut her own brownies, pour her own milk and now she walks to her friends house.

It was one of the moments for me. I was in total shock. It happened the first week in March. She woke up and said I am walking down to Audrey's to take her this coloring page. I said, "I could go." No way. "Let me call down there so they know you are coming." -No way. It is about 15 house down the street and just around the curve. I can't really see her. So, I sad o.k. and took a picture of her before she left. She happily skipped away, turned and waved at me and then disappeared around the corner. Maybe she won't come back someday? What have I done! I am not sure I am ready for this.

First Cake

Josie's first Birthday was fun. We had our cousins over for cake and ice cream. They sang great. And of course, Josie had her own mini-cake. She was so cute to watch. There is something wonderful about watching a child do something for the first time. "First's" are just as exciting for the parent as the child. At first, she would only touch it with her finger because I don't know if she knew what it was or what to do.

Then she began touching it with alternating hands and licking each finger off. It got a little frustrating after awhile. She wanted that cake, but would have to lick her dirty fingers every time she went after it. Eventually, she figured out how to eat the cake without getting her fingers dirty. She went for it with her mouth.That way she wouldn't have to keep licking her fingers. "Clever girl" And, you know once your face is dirty. You might as well pick it right up. She did not want me to take away her little piece of heaven.

See the dirty look. Get away mom, and don't clean my face. And, there is the scream and shaking fist-

"You took my cake"