Independence

This year, Independence Day was well illustrated in the Curley household. Leah has been struggling to gain her own lately, as evidenced by a little tantrum-throwing, trying to put on and take off her own clothes, lots of "no's" and "huh-uh's" and demanding to eat her meals with her very own utensils.... among other things.

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Like last year, for the 4th festivities we joined a few hundred of our closest friends from church at the year's hottest party! (Thank you Lord for wind.) She exerted her independence at the party as well. (Can you believe I didn't have my camera for Leah's very first bounce house experience??? What kind of mother?)'

She watched her friend Kinley get a sucker (or two) out of a big bag of candy laying on the welcome table. After studying Kinley carefully, she reached into the bag, chose a dum-dum, unwrapped it and ate it. ALL BY HERSELF! I just watched the entire episode in amazement. '

She ate the whole thing, only setting it down once to have a bite of her cheeseburger, but quickly realized she could do both at once. '

Then she and her daddy checked out all the animals. '

I think she was the tour guide... pointing and showing her daddy where everything was. '

She's gonna give bull riding a try next. Look! She's already bowlegged!

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"Is anybody gonna watch me?" '

Hanging on for dear life? Or just relaxing? '

Way more than 8 seconds Tuff Curley!'
Cooling off after a tough ride with the fan that Honey gave her! Thanks Miss Hannah!!

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And we almost made it to the end of the fireworks, but a fire ant bite on the foot... 2 hours after her normal bedtime... caused a meltdown of revolutionary proportions. So we loaded up our stuff and got to beat the parking jam.'

Some independent reading a little earlier. Well... accompanied by Abby Cadabby, her new bff. DON'T even think about trying to pick out a book for her. She'll do it HERSELF!!
Happy Independence Day, USA!