Today I took Kate to a playgroup that we hadn’t gone to before. There were some familiar faces, but it was a new location, new toys, and many new faces as well. I walked in, put Kate down, and she walked off. First she walked around watching everyone. Then I saw her carrying around a small toy that I think another kid had given her. Next thing I know she’d discovered the push-toys and that had her attention for a while.

I sat down with other moms and little ones and would crane my head around every few minutes to try to locate her. It wasn’t always easy; one minute she’s pushing a toy around in that corner, the next look she’s gone from sight. I stood up to do a visual room sweep. Oh, there’s my child. She’s sitting in the middle of a group of older children playing with trains. She was holding up a chunk of the wooden track and waving it around.

One time I saw her pushing around a ride-on toy. I saw an older toddler – probably a 3-year-old – walk over while Kate was stationary and try to get on the ride-on. Kate stepped forward and very firmly pushed the other kid away from the toy. I’m pretty sure the 3 year old was a little confused, and she just continued on her way. Kate returned to pushing the toy. (I wouldn’t be amused if she started pushing kids around for fun, but so far she has not done so, she only pushes back if someone gets in her space or tries to take something from her hands.)

There was a plastic slide in the room. I sat Kate on the top, held her hands, and whoosh down the slide! She liked that. We did that for a little while and she wouldn’t leave the slide. The steps up were way too big for her to even attempt so unfortunately she just stood at the bottom, in the way. I had to distract her with something else across the room so she wouldn’t get knocked down. Clearly she needs a slide.

It’s just so funny to watch her, my independent little girl. She would look for me now and then, and give me a huge smile from across the room. A few times she toddled up to me and leaned into my chest for a hug and a kiss. Then off she went again. Only at the end did she try crawling onto my lap, whining quietly and wanting to nurse. It was nearing nap time, though.

She’s such an outgoing, independent, strong-willed little girl. I love it. But I sure know she’s going to give me a run for my money down the road!