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.

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

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.

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

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?