Times...they are a changin'

Clara used to be the sweet one. A smile that would go on as long as time. An infectious laugh. And cheeks just aching to pinched or kissed.

Well, at least one of those qualities is still good. And they store food.

Although we noticed this major detail as early as this weekend, Clara's teacher didn't share with me her epiphany until today.

Clara

is

mean.

And slightly evil.

No has been her favorite word -- I mean nod -- for a while now. But she's using it for evil purposes. Like to tell her teacher before naptime. Like to tell her teacher at lunchtime. Like anytime you tell her to do anything.

Scenario: lunchtime at school.

Character: Clara

Clara is running (okay, waddling) around the lunch table.

Teacher: Clara, please sit down. (Clara nods no) Clara please sit down. (teacher continues several more times.) Clara, if you're not going to sit down, you're not going to eat.

Clara goes to her seat, sits down, grabs a handful of food, puts it in her mouth, gets up and runs around the table.

Eventually, I suppose she did sit down, because I guess after that all the kids decided that the beans on their own plates were not good enough, so they each ate the beans from their neighbors' plate. All I have to say about that is, who gives one year olds beans for lunch. Seems like asking for trouble to me.

And before any of you comment (oh wait, no one comments anymore) about 'how smart she is'. Please. Why is it my kids display their intelligence through acts of defiance or annoyance. That's a rhetorical question. No need to answer.