I’m in the bathroom with Emily this morning. She’s sitting on the toilet and, in a moment of reflection, says:

Emily: I have hair on my legs.
Me: Yes, you do.
Emily: I need to shave it off.

She’s two and a half years old.

Everyday, we put Emily to bed at 2pm for her afternoon nap. We usually tuck her in and give her a reassuring kiss atop her head and quietly leave the room. Today, Jan told Emily it was time for a nap so our little girl picked up her Teddy and went to her room. Jan followed but, when she got to Emily’s room, was met by a door in the face. Through the door:

Jan: Can I come in?
Emily: No!
Jan: But it’s time for your nap.
Emily: I can do it by myself!

And she did. She’s two and a half years old.

This evening, Jan prepared both kids for a bath – first Sebastian, then Emily. When Sebastian was finished with his bath, Jan brought him into the bedroom to dry off. Emily quickly dragged a step stool into the bathroom and shouted, “I can take a bath by myself!”. She proceeded to climb into the bath on her own, wash herself, climb out, grab a towel, and dry herself off. Jan stuck her head in a couple of times to make sure there was no drowning going on but didn’t attempt to intervene. This little girl is two and a half years old going on 10.