Emily's New Shoes

Besides the fact that Alex is a boy and Emily is a girl, their differences do not stop there! Alex is a very laid back, easy going, go-with-the-flow type of kid. Emily is determined, loud, stubborn and wants to do it all! Not to take away that Alex is not eager to try new things, it's just that he would rather focus on other things.


Emily insisted on riding her bike without training wheels, on her own. And so she achieved it!

Lately she has been asking, insistently, to have a pair of shoes she can tie, so she can learn how to tie her shoes by herself!

Now, I won't disagree that being independent and determined are awesome characteristics to have, and will probably get her far some day...but, at this age, it is very difficult to live with!

She had a major fit the other day getting ready for school because she wanted to 'decorate' her hair with bows with absolutely NO help from me. Fine, except we were late, and she could not get it just right. So finally, I just put the bow in, and she was mad!

Today was no different...
I surprised her with a new pair of shoes with laces that she could tie...and she wasted no time on trying!





There were lots of tears when she couldn't tie it just right, but after a few meltdowns, a little break and very little help from me...she got it!


Now, just to light a little fire under Alex {not to make him feel bad about himself} I told him Emily was going to tie her own shoes and go ride her bike without training wheels! And he honestly feels no competition here...he didn't even react! I asked him if he would please try to tie his shoes, too and he has no interest. {sigh} I know he'll get it...but that's just the difference between them!