Declaration of Independence

As you know, Rachel recently turned three. She has wasted no time asserting her independence. "I want to do it!" is a much-heard phrase in our house.

First, she began to potty train. There have been a few bumps along the way, like the time she ripped off her diaper to do #1 in the potty when there was already #2 in the diaper. That wasn't very fun. Then there is that annoying thing she does about trying to stuff as much toilet paper as possible into the potty before she has actually done anything. And then there are those episodes when she just can't stop flushing the big toilet.

Brushing her teeth is another matter though. She doesn't brush as much as suck off the toothpaste, wet the toothbrush, drink it, wet the toothbrush, drink it, wet the toothbrush, drink it, wet the toothbrush, drink it and continue to have fun fun fun 'til daddy takes the toothbrush away.

She seems to have taken more of an interest in hygiene. It was nice to see her wash her own face the other night. The real test will be to get her to do it after black beans or yogurt. How this child gets yogurt on her forehead still baffles me!

She doesn't mess with her hair. Once in a while, I try to get the tangles out, but it's so long, she lets me know when she wants no more daddy help. You have to be careful not to catch her hair in seatbelts or in armholes when she wears a pullover. I would not remotely know what that must feel like.

Rachel has also started putting on her own socks and is interested in tying her shoes, but she's not quite ready for that.

We usually can't leave the house without four Little People plastic figures. She loves her Little People, especially when she totes 'em around in her Hello Kitty metal purse or the blue denim purse her grandma made her with Rachel stitched on it in orange letters.

Darn Little People! Rebecca bought Rachel a Little People cd all about numbers and one of the songs is a rewrite of Lou Bega's Mambo #5. So the song I spent so much time getting out of my head is back in there.

Like many children, Rachel has taken an interest in the human body. Why, just the other day, she was asking about mustaches.

My wife explained that men can grow mustaches and facial hair, but women cannot.

Rachel thought about that a few seconds and then, referring to the assisted living facility where my uncle now lives asked, "What about the ladies where Uncle Jimmy is?"

Rebecca laughed about two minutes before she could speak again.