Raising Adana

Background: Safeway recently had a Buy 2 Get 2 Free sale on Kit Kats. Dark chocolate Kit Kats. So I just happened to have 4 Dark chocolate Kit Kats in my kitchen the other night when I went out to dinner with Nathan. But I was pretty sure that no one knew that I had them. And besides, they were tucked away out of sight on the highest shelf in a high cupboard of my kitchen. Totally safely hidden away, right?

I walk in the house from my date and immediately go to check on Adana. I find her lounging in the family room, watching Jetsons and (here's a shocker!) happily munching away on a Dark chocolate Kit Kat.

Me: Adana! Where did you get that Kit Kat?!?

Adana: (with seriously the most non-chalant, dripping-with-innocence expression I've ever seen, as if she was asking someone if she could pet their puppy) Soooo . . . am I allowed to climb up on the counter?

I have to admit, though, that I completely adore my free-spirited little girl. Today, the moms were invited to preschool for a little Mother's Day celebration. The kids served us muffins that they had made, then we had music time with Silly Miss Heather. As I watched Adana and all of her classmates participating in the singing & dancing, I was struck by how NATURAL Adana is in her body. She laughs and dances and twirls and sings with complete abandon. She really isn't a "naughty" child; she is just very impulsive and very very very self-assured. She loves life and people and play. She is physical; she is emotional; and she is frighteningly bright.

I would love to be more like her.