Mr. Independent

Coleman is known around here for being very contrary and very independent. I know that he is three and that's what comes with 3, but I know Coleman is more independent than most, and he is not afraid of anything. Sometimes I think it is great that he likes to do things for himself, but most times it puts us in some interesting situations.

Like the time Brandon filled up our wheel barrel with water to find the hole in one of our van tires that kept going flat. After checking the tire, he forgot to dump out the water and left it in the backyard. Later, I went in the backyard and this is what I found-


Coleman had stripped down and climbed right in. I always wonder what my back door neighbors think, they never talk to us when we are outside. I am sure they think we are weird. I will just say that wasn't the first time Coleman had been out there naked.

Or last month when we were at Lava Hot Springs in the pool and Coleman asked me if he could go on the water slide as he pointed to it. "Sure, go get in line and I will catch you," I say. He swims off and when he exits the pool he takes off running, he passes the slide I expected him to go to and keeps running. I then realize he was pointing to the LARGE slide in the distance. So I hurry out of the pool, pass off Paige to my sister and take after him. (Can I tell you how fun it is to run in a swimsuit post baby?! But I did it anyway for my crazy man). As I get to the bottom of the towering stair case, I can see Coleman pushing and butting his way past everybody and nearing the top. I run faster up the staircase. It is too late. He jumps right on the slide (that he isn't even tall enough for) and goes down without waiting for the guy to tell him to go. Agh!!! So now I have to run back down the stairs (in my swimsuit) to meet him at the bottom. I meet him there and I just see him beaming!! "That was FUN mom!" I couldn't help but smile when I saw him despite my frustration.
This isn't the picture that time, but it is a slide he went on, just later that day. I just wanted you to see how happy those slides made him.


Or another time when we were at Dylan's Restaurant a few weeks ago eating dinner. I looked over and realized that Coleman (who was sitting right next to me three seconds ago) was gone. After checking several places, I decided to check the bathroom. There was Coleman sitting on the toilet in a one stall bathroom (luckily he had chosen the women's and hadn't locked the door). "Oh, hi Mom," he says. "What are you doing Coleman, I have been looking ALL over for you?" was my reply. "Gooooing Poooootty!" he said back with a tone insinuating I should have known.

Or the time a few weeks ago when I heard someone at my family reunion yell-"Whose kid is that?" I perked up with that question, knowing it was most likely one of mine doing something weird. I see Coleman standing 10 ft. from the picnic tables (where 30+ people were eating lunch) with his pants down, peeing on the grass. "Coleman honey, you can't pee out here where everybody can see you!" I quickly pull up his pants. He only replies with, "I just had to go potty mom." very matter- of-factly. Thankfully my Mom's side has a great sense of humor. My Aunt actually snapped a picture of him in the act. Wish I had it to post here.
(The more I am thinking about this, I don't know why a lot of these times usually involve going to the bathroom. He's just likes to make things easy I guess.)

But, my little Mr. Independent came into my room this morning with his room lighting smile and said, "I made my bed mom, all by myself!" I went to his room and this is what I found...

And he did a GREAT job too! I guess maybe there might be a few rewards instead of frustrations coming from his independence as he gets older. I sure hope so, he is wearing me out!