Tweens Vs. Toddlers (and a photo diary too)

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm keeping my eleven (almost twelve) year old niece Kristen this week.  I've dubbed it "Aunt Mandy's Camp" and I'm trying my best to keep the activities fun and flowing all day long. 

In the mean time, my niece Kristen is educating me on what it's like to be "practically a teenager."  (her words).  She's been teaching me about what is cool, funny and hot.  Also, things that are most certainly not. 

So here are a few differences (that I've noticed) between my tween niece and my toddler daughter: 

Tween: Beating your two year old cousin and 31-year old aunt at bowling (or any other sport) is cool.
vs.
Toddler: Everything is cool, even toilet seats and drains in public restrooms.


(Kristen keeps score at the bowling alley).


Tween: Justin Bieber is hot!  He's the most talented and best looking singer around!
vs.
Toddler: Elmo is hot.  He's even the color red.  He's the most talented and best looking singer around!

(Note: For nearly an hour each day, Kristen plays Justin Bieber videos on youtube!  Can I just say that I'm sick to death of this boy and I have only just met him!?)



Tween: Helping Aunt Mandy bake brownies and licking the bowl filled with batter is cool.
vs.
Toddler: Not eating is cool.  Or feeding the dog the food I drop on the floor is even better.



(Kristen helps Aunt Mandy make brownies).



(Her only request is to lick the bowl afterwards!)


Tween: Being the only girl in school with bangs in the hair is NOT cool. 
vs.
Toddler: Who care about hair? Someday I'll get some.  Until then, I don't even want it brushed nor do I want to wear bows in it.



Tween: Speaking of style, how you look is very important.  The way you dress is important in school if you want to be popular.  I want to be thin.  Exercising is important.
vs.
Toddler: I like to wear things that don't match.  I don't care what others think of me.  At all. 


(Who cares if my clothes don't match?  Not me!  I think I look good!)


Tween: My parents are annoying and they can aggravate me easily.
vs.
Toddler: I love my mommy.  Daddy is okay too.  I like having them around all the time!



Tween: I like to boss around and annoy the pets in the house.
vs.
Toddler: I like to boss around and annoy the pets in the house. 
(Yep, they are the same!)


(Kristen loves playing around with Sammy cat).



Tween: Drawing and creating artwork takes dedication and time.  It should be done perfectly.
vs.
Toddler: I like to throw any color on this piece.  I just want to get my hands dirty and make a mess.


(Vivian and Kristen show off their artistic sides at a pottery painting class).




(Vivian likes using lots of colors with no real thought behind it).


(Kristen paints a beautiful portrait of dolphins, a palm tree and the sun setting).



Tween: Kristen just wants my attention and enjoys talking to me.
vs.
Toddler: Vivian just wants my attention and enjoys talking to me.
(Yep, they are the same!)



Tween: She is ticklish and has a great laugh.
vs.
Toddler: She is ticklish and has a great laugh.
(Yet another similarity!)



(Kristen and Viv engage in a tickle wrestling match!)



Tween: Kristen wants to listen to the radio and sing along to tunes in the car.  With her cool sunglasses on.
vs.
Toddler: Viv wants to make up her own songs and sounds.  She would rather point at stop signs and airplanes.  With her finger in her mouth and drool on her chin.



Tween: Kristin tells me she likes being here and is having a fun time.  Before I tuck her into bed, she says "I love you."
vs.
Toddler: Vivian tells me she loves me and is having a good time.  She gives me lots of hugs and kisses before I put her into bed.



(Me with my two girls this week!  Aunt Mandy camp is almost complete.)


So, perhaps tweens and toddlers really aren't that different after all?!  One thing is for sure -- both of my girls hold a special place in my heart.  I sure enjoyed hanging out with them this week and I love them both to pieces.  I hope that I'll always be the awesome mom or cool "Aunt Mandy."