Independent Thinker!

The elementary years are such wonderful years for children. They are the years that teach them to become independent. Sometimes this gets them into trouble. For example:

Haiden: *kicking the back of the seat in grandmas car*
Mom: Haiden, stop kicking the seat please.
Haiden: They are my feet and you can't make them stop!
Mom: I'm the mother and I can too make them stop. (see, now I just sound like an idiot.)
Haiden: *stops kicking, silent treatment for rest of car ride*

Haiden: I saw Alex in the cafeteria at school today, she was eating.
Mom: What were you doing in there?
Haiden: Payson and I were spying on people from the library
Mom:*10 seconds of silence* Where was your class?
Haiden: Outside.
Mom: Why weren't you with them?
Haiden: Because we wanted to chew gum in the Library, duh!
*much discussion regarding proper behavior at school ensued with much kicking and screaming about you are not the boss of me.*

*in the car*
Haiden: singing 5 fat turkeys
Mom: For Thanksgiving dinner we are going to have a fat turkey too!
Haiden: Eew!!! I don't want turkey!
Mom: Well, what are you going to eat then?
Haiden: A sandwich.

What I have learned from these conversations with Haiden:
1- I am not the boss of her feet, or any part of her for that matter.
2- I am the stupidest parent alive
3- I sound just like my mother
4- I don't know if I have great patience or have just given up the fight because resistance is futile.

I love my little kids, and this age is so fun! I am enjoying the tween stage of my older ones, but almost forgot how wonderful the 5-8 year old group is!