Four is a tough age, no? (We are still about 10 days away from the big four, but we are over-achievers in our family…)
At four they want INDEPENDENCE (which is a fancy way of saying “I don’t want your help! I want to do it myself!) but there are still things for which they need ASSISTANCE (which is a fancy way of saying “You need my help, child, no matter how much you are screaming in my ear and no matter what kind of flop-on-the-floor in a public place kind of tantrum you are showing at this very second!”)
like, let’s say, for instance, THE WATER FOUNTAIN. (insert rather ominous duh, duh, duh, duh here). She *wants* to drink from it herself, but she can’t quite figure out how to coordinate her still toddler-ish pudgy hands to hold hold the button while keeping her face close enough to the spout to reap any of the watery benefits.
(random totally unrelated side note: my mother calls a water fountain a “bubbler” which makes me and my children laugh to no end)
I *could* try to help her. But instead, I take pictures. and laugh.
and finally, when I do assist her to sweet, sweet victory…
the thanks I get is a huff and a puff and a “NOOOOOOOOOO! I wanted to do that MYSELF! why did you help me?”
and don’t even get me started on the pull out and then pull coordination it takes to close the van door. the coordination she can’t quite get, but still insists on doing every.single.damn.day.
You just can’t win with FOUR.
- Recovering Do-It-All Mommy
- Falling from Grace. Again.
- Things I learned from my mom
- Change for a dollar
- What the books didn't tell me about motherhood









{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Haha! The expressions of CONCENTRATION and SHEER DETERMINATION plastered across her adorable face is killing me. Ah, four. Something to look forward to.
As for the “bubbler” thing, I could’ve sworn I read that in a Judy Blume book as a kid and found it funny then, too. Perhaps it was the underrated Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself? Maybe?
Twitter: thecaffeinatrix
August 5, 2009 at 10:23 am
Ali, you need to get her doing that on video and win $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos!
Twitter: LaurinEvans
August 5, 2009 at 10:25 am
She is gorgeous! I want a Wonder Woman t-shirt.
My two-year-old is ALREADY STARTING WITH THIS. I can only imagine the joy he will be in two years.
Twitter: alotofnothing
August 5, 2009 at 10:35 am
She could have totally done it herself w/ the Wonder Woman t-shirt. Gah, mom. Sheesh.
yeah I’m really not looking forward to those years as it is already painfully apparent at 10 weeks that my child has my stubborn streak. I am doomed yo!
Twitter: AMomTwoBoys
August 5, 2009 at 11:04 am
Ha. We live the same life. Well, except for the fact that you’re from Canada. And you have a girl. And you live on the East Coast.
Other than that, though, it’s like we’re twins.
Twitter: alimartell
August 5, 2009 at 11:25 am
TOTALLY TWINS!
Twitter: Kristabella
August 5, 2009 at 11:33 am
OMG, that is awesome! The photo where she gets all close to it, thinking “this is it! I WILL HAVE COLD WATER ON MY LIPS ANY SECOND!” and then BAM! no water, is AWESOME! Her expression is all “WAH? Where did the water go?”
At least she tries. I have one that wants me to do everything for her. I think she would still let me feed if her if I would do it.
Twitter: mariamelee
August 5, 2009 at 11:44 am
Dude, so cute.
Also cute? Your DJ Lance hat. I feel all conflicted by my attraction to your avatar now.
She is so cute! And I love her shirt.
or 2 or 3 or 5 or nearly 6 or.. wait. I digress.
She’s wearing a wonder woman shirt. If I didn’t already adore you, the fact that she’s wearing a wonder woman shirt would have sealed the deal.
Love this. LOVE IT. Independence in our daughter’s is a gift (even if it is a PITA)
Twitter: motherbumper
August 5, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Holy crap, I rumbled with four over a water fountain in the library recently and we of course left soaked and still thirsty. Bubbler is my new favourtist word in the world, thank you.
Best photo series EVER.
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