Simon has always had a strong independent streak. If we do it, he wants to do it. Usually this takes the form of helping out so we're not about to complain. Simon loves to help unload the dishwasher. He knows where most things go and he is (relatively) gentle with the plates and glasses. He adores laundry day and makes a game out of throwing the wash at a dryer to see if he can make it in (or on) the machine. He can't wait until he is big enough to work the real vacuum cleaner but, until then, he'll pretend with his toy version. He is nearly obsessed with every stage of cooking. Our new kitchen will keep this in mind - the oven will be too high for him to open for another few years as will the knobs on the stove. Our eyes and ears are constantly on alert for the sound of Simon "cooking."

A few weeks ago Simon became strong enough (or interested enough) to open the refrigerator. Our first clue was the empty box of raisins and single crackers resting alongside the milk and vegetables. Last night he walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, grabbed a yogurt, brought it to the table and sat down to eat. He did all this as if it were second nature. Unfortunately, his master plan to take care of his own needs was foiled by the yogurt lid (that and he would have eventually figured out that he had forgotten to pick out a spoon).

Now this independent streak has REALLY squashed our hopes of potty training by the Disney Cruise/3rd Birthday. Simon knows it is important to us and, for the most part, it seems like he's using it as leverage. The problem is, there is nothing he wants badly enough in exchange for his cooperation. Without a diaper on Simon can and will "hold it" for five to six hours until we need to go somewhere. He knows that, most of the time, we will give in and put a diaper on him. He's remarkable that way. Yesterday, however, for reasons we can't explain, he took off his pants, walked into the bathroom, closed the door (for "pie-va-cy!") and sat on the potty. He then picked up the bowl from the potty chair, dumped the contents into the toilet and flushed. When we heard the flush we went in to check on his progress. Fortunately, he forgot to wipe or he would have successfully hidden all the evidence.

One wonders what he will be like as a teen.