When it took me 10+ years to become a mom, I'm not in any hurry for my little guys to grow up. Sometimes though, I see other children... and I compare them to Zach- when it comes to his independence. I think Zach lets his mom do more than she needs to...
After he began kindergarten, I have slowly been working on little things to help him become a more independent little person. I make him put his own clothes on, and he has to remember to grab his back pack. I also try very hard to not help him with 'clean up' on the potty. I also let him pick some of his snacks, or what's going to be packed in his lunch.

Today, I told him to grab his own afternoon snack. Imagine my surprise when he declared how "delicious" his snack was... I was intrigued to find out what he grabbed.

He was eating cinnamon sugar graham crackers... with cheese on top!

Ewww... phlack!

But I can't squash independent thinking... so I just grin... and let him eat it. :S

Then, he declares he wants to go outside and ride his bike. We bundle him up, and off he goes. I figured he was going out to feed the cats (his chore) but instead he went straight for the ramp that he and his daddy built yesterday.

I ran for my boots.. because he couldn't quite get over it yesterday... and John was helping him. By the time I got out there... he was screaming "I DID IT MOM!"

I don't suppose there is any way I can squash him back into his infant carrier? Make him stop growing... and keep him my baby forever?

I don't' suppose so... and with that grin he gave the camera... and the pride in his eyes... I guess I don't want to.