We got our Christmas tree last Friday, but with the party and accompanying chaos, we didn’t get it decorated until Monday. For L, the empty decorations box was the most interesting.

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She played for a little bit, posing as well: she’s taken to saying “Cheese” whenever the camera is aimed in her direction.

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Eventually, L was especially helpful. “L turn!” she cried every time K or I hung an ornament from the tree. At first, she herself needed some help.

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But in true L-independent fashion, she quickly declared she must do it “Sama! Sama!”

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That declaration that she must do it “Alone!” is both a blessing and a curse. It bodes well for her future, but it often results in rice spread for a square mile beneath her chair and yogurt smeared about everywhere. Then again, is it really a curse, your daughter learning to do things independently? Some cleaner and a paper towel takes care of it, so what’s the big deal? Besides, what are we going to do — discourage independence?