Living in a home with a three-year-old has turned out to be quite the experience; I love the time with my granddaughter but she definitely is under the assumption that things should be done her way.

I guess that’s pretty typical of many toddlers; they hit a certain age and believe they should be in charge. It’s like when she asks any of us – my daughter, my son-in-law, or myself – to do something with her, such as coloring. It’s all good for 10 seconds but then she lets us know we chose the wrong color and promptly hands us the crayon that we are “supposed to be” using. Same with building blocks; I’ve gotten used to waiting for instructions regarding what I should build and with what specific blocks.

My niece Kristel recently visited and brought her niece Nova – who’s a little over a year older than my granddaughter Lorelei – for an overnight trip. Nova and Lorelei usually get along quite well but I noticed that Nova would often correct Lorelei or tell her how to do something; with my niece Kristel then telling Nova she didn’t need to tell Lorelei what to do.

Yes, it was all pretty confusing. Who’s in charge sort of became a “Who’s on first?” routine.

Lorelei thought she should be in charge since Nova was visiting; Nova thought she should make the decisions since she was the guest. They had a few squabbles but were both sad when it was time for Nova and Kristel to leave.

My granddaughter has a very stubborn, independent streak and is certain she can do everything herself. She definitely tries. Especially if you tell her she can’t do it, that’s when her attitude really kicks in.

To call it a bit of a power struggle is an understatement.

But then there are the moments when she’s being a sweet, loving little girl and melts your heart. Plus, I love to keep track of some of her sayings, like I used to with my own daughter when she would say a word and you understood the meaning but it wasn’t quite right.

Among Lorelei’s favorites: going to the ‘restaurnaut’ or having ‘frinkles’ on her donut. She is also fond of anything with ‘farkles’ – which translates to sparkles – and enjoys playing the ‘I Spy’ game but tells you that she spies ‘someping’ of whatever color she is choosing.

My daughter actually made a word harder to say when she was young, telling me she was “uncunchterable” when she was uncomfortable. She eventually learned how to say it so I suspect Lorelei will advance to being able to put her ‘s’ and ‘p’ together for sparkles and sprinkles at some point in the not-too-distant future.

She does like to ‘read’ to you also; some of the books that have been read to her enough times she kind of makes up the story as she goes along but getting it mostly right. We are working with her on actually sounding out the words, when she has enough patience to do it, hoping to give her a head start on reading.

The other day she was at the office with me for a little bit and noticed the calendar on my wall. She immediately went into teacher mode and – as she has learned in preschool – began instructing the ‘class’ on the days of the week and the months of the year.

I guess if there’s one way to summarize what it’s like to be a live-in ‘Mimi’ with a young granddaughter I’d have to say simply this: Life is never dull.

Marg Jackson is editor of The Oakdale Leader, The Escalon Times and The Riverbank News. She may be reached at mjackson@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.