Independent

Tonight, for the first time in a few years, I've got the house all to myself for a night. I won't bore anyone with the details, and trust me, it is boring, but I will share that I focused my time on showering love on the dogs, who normally never make my list with so many other things (they are 2 and 4) demanding my time and attention. This translates to some extremely happy and relaxed puppies, and a mandatory vacuum in the morning. :)

But this post isn't about my night of independence, it's about Miss Independent. Miss I-can-put-on-my-own-clothes-shoes-bathe-myself-I-don't-need-your-help. Aria is the complete opposite to Roland in so, so many ways. If you are old like me you might know the archaic "Anything you can do I can do better" jingle. For Aria, it's a mantra.

She's learning to brush her hair - and it's not that I am teaching her - she just watches Roland and demands the brush.

Who does she look like now? I mean, she just looks like Aria to me...

She also demands to sit on the potty before bath, wipe herself during diaper changes, put on her own pajamas, use adult spoons and forks, you get the idea. She does however, have one very similar trait to Roland, she does not want your help. Nope. Flailing about and frustrated? Check. Asking for help? No. (Aria's favorite word. She literally shakes her head 'yes' and says "NO!" Awesome.)

Oh the focus! The determination! The composed and calculated strokes of thoughtful brushing of her golden ringlets...

Yeah, that is more like it. "Hey, that's me in the mirror! Aren't I funny?" Yes, yes you are. VERY funny. Too bad Mom's a crap-shot with the camera, but at least the moment is captured. I need to get a photo of Aria's favorite random sound: she sticks her tongue out and leans forward making this completely exacerbated 'blahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh' like those 2007 beer commercials. It's awesome. Like whatever you are saying is just so uninteresting it must be drowned out by loud obnoxious noise making from a toddler.

Back to focusing. Focus. Or maybe she is checking out her little baby bicep there? Nice. Maybe she gets that from her Mom? Maybe? (Oh come on. I know my jokes are mildly funny. Laugh. It's Friday.)

So tonight Nana and Grandpa Bob are hosting Aria and Roland at their house for the first time and it's going beautifully. (Or so they tell me, though Nana admitted some good lessons learned.) Brian's in Knoxville (I think) and Evan and I will meet up tomorrow to travel back to Dyersburg for the weekend where I'm sure I'll find my kids being perfect little angels.

Now that's a funny joke!