Busy Body ... or Not

There's this thing that Alexis does that makes me crazy. She can't help herself; she just HAS to worry about what other people are doing.

If she's at cheer, she's acutely aware of who is half-assing things. If there's a girl who isn't doing her thing to the best of her ability, Alexis will report on it. Cheating on push-ups or stretches or whatever? I've heard about it.

When Alexis dances, she knows who on her team is following directions and who is not. She can accurately report that the girl in the back left corner wasn't bothering to finish out her steps. She knows that the girl in the front left corner skipped a few steps. She knows the girl in the back right corner forgot to bend when she was supposed to bend.

She always knows who is doing what.

The whole thing has made me nuts for the better part of a decade. Alexis has always been one to worry about what everyone else is doing. She genuinely wants them to do better, be their best, even. But, for the love of all things cheesecake, WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF, CHILD.

I bet I've said those words 5,234,062 times. Maybe more. 

But I have stopped. I stopped about a week ago because I went to ask Alexis a question about the whole thing, but then figured out the answer and WELP. I'm an idiot.

"Why do you worry so much about what everyone else is doing?" I was going to ask. I didn't quite get the words out of mouth because even as I formed it, I realized something.

Leaders. Leaders worry about what everyone else is doing. They worry about it and they want everyone to be their best and they need the whole group to work together.

It's not about being nosy; it's about leading.

So I'll just shut up and follow the kid who is smarter than I am.

 

I Know Where I Stand

I've been out of town since Sunday afternoon for a work thing, which means Mila has been experiencing some serious Mommy Withdrawl. She does fairly well when I'm gone, but still. She's happy when I return.

Or at least I thought she was.

Within five minutes of walking in the door, Mila had kindly informed me that I needed to turn a light on for her, she needed help reaching a Barbie doll, and most importantly, "Where's my present?"

Fortunately, I had a present for her. She ran off with her little bag of chocolate-covered pretzels ... and I haven't seen her since.

I think maybe Mila just uses me for my presents.

So Many Possible Captions, So Little Time