i do it

Anyone who thinks independence is a skill parents teach or promote has not been locked out of their house by a 3-year old.

Famous words, at our house: "I want to do it." Or, in the case of Obi-2, "I do it." Everyone wants to do everything. First. By themself, thank you. Except laundry, that is. Or dishes. Nobody wants to do that...

We went for a walk this morning to take some treats to our friends. Each boy wanted to carry the bag of cookies. "I want to carry them!" "I carry them!" So we took turns, block by block.

Obi-1 decided it would be nice to take our friends flowers, too. "I want to pick a dandelion!" "I pick lion!" echoed Obi-2.

We arrived, and each boy hurried to announce our presence. "I want to knock!" "I knock!" Our friends weren't home, but they took the liberty of ringing their doorbell, too.

We walked home. At each intersection, "I want to look for cars!" "I look!"

Upon returning to the house, I unlocked the side door and proceeded to open it. "I want to open it!" cried Obi-1. Meanwhile, Obi-2 had taken off around the back corner of the yard.

So, I closed the door, and Obi-1 opened it and went inside.

I retrieved Obi-2, and came back to a locked, (even-the-deadbolt sort of locked!) side door. I had to knock on my own door, calling, "Obi-1! OBI-1!! Unlock the door. Right. NOW!" while standing in my driveway, 2-year-old in hand.

He opened the door (giggling, of course!) and I came in, turned and pulled the door closed behind me.

Just in time to hear, "I want to close the door!" "I close door!"