independence...the good and bad

As the superheroes and the princess grow up I realize that some things you wish that they could do in the past, may not be that great once they can do them.  Or maybe it's just me and my desire to be in control :).  Whatever it is, your kids gaining independence can be rough...on the mom!

Here's my example...so what mom doesn't want their kids to be able to get themselves completely ready on their own!?  I know I have been striving for this!  Then your kids walks out with mismatched clothes or is wearing the same shirt for the twentieth time that week.  What do you do as a mom?  Change them into something that at least matches or applaud them for their effort?  Well I have decided to just go with it, which means Evan is wearing mismatched socks with probably his Cars shirt and comfy pants that probably don't match, daily.  I have to be okay with the fact that all the cute outfits he owns will probably never make it out of his drawer...  At least we can get out of the house quicker now right?!  

{A good example of an "Evan outfit" which usually does include pjs that do not match}

Then there is Avery who has decided that he can now brush his own hair and he doesn't need any hep from anyone.  His brushing technique requires A LOT of water so his shirt usually ends up very wet too.  He likes to sweep it to the side.  If you try to help him "fix" it then he just re-combs it himself after you are done.  

 {Yes, Avery still looks very cute in these pictures, but his looks can be very interesting on different days, especially when the back of his hair is standing straight up!}

Also, before motherhood I would see these kids with really messed up hair and food all over their faces.  I always wondered why the parents would let them out of the house looking this way.  Oh man, now I know the truth!  Sometimes it takes all of your energy just to move the little bodies out of the door, you don't have time to worry about what they actually look like.  Your just happy that you have made it to the store before 10 am and have less than an hour before the kiddos start falling apart again because you are getting close to lunch and nap time already.  So if your kid looks like this oh well ;)...

So do you just go with the flow and let your kids be independent and actually accomplish things on their own...or do you lay out comfy outfits that at least match, maybe give your boy a shorter haircut that doesn't require brushing, and pack wipes in the car to wipe them down quickly before the public actually sees them?