diff --git a/hyperglass/models/directive.py b/hyperglass/models/directive.py
index b5f0049..d44e22d 100644
--- a/hyperglass/models/directive.py
+++ b/hyperglass/models/directive.py
@@ -315,10 +315,10 @@ class NativeDirective(Directive):
 DirectiveT = t.Union[NativeDirective, Directive]
 
 
-class Directives(HyperglassMultiModel[DirectiveT]):
+class Directives(HyperglassMultiModel[Directive]):
     """Collection of directives."""
 
-    def __init__(self, *items: t.Dict[str, t.Any]) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, *items: t.Union[DirectiveT, t.Dict[str, t.Any]]) -> None:
         """Initialize base class and validate objects."""
         super().__init__(*items, model=Directive, accessor="id")
 
diff --git a/hyperglass/models/main.py b/hyperglass/models/main.py
index c71d458..d5915d4 100644
--- a/hyperglass/models/main.py
+++ b/hyperglass/models/main.py
@@ -128,13 +128,15 @@ class HyperglassMultiModel(GenericModel, t.Generic[MultiModelT]):
         extra = "forbid"
         validate_assignment = True
 
-    def __init__(self, *items: t.Dict[str, t.Any], model: MultiModelT, accessor: str) -> None:
+    def __init__(
+        self, *items: t.Union[MultiModelT, t.Dict[str, t.Any]], model: MultiModelT, accessor: str
+    ) -> None:
         """Validate items."""
-        items = self._valid_items(*items, model=model, accessor=accessor)
-        super().__init__(__root__=items)
-        self._count = len(items)
         self._accessor = accessor
         self._model = model
+        valid = self._valid_items(*items)
+        super().__init__(__root__=valid)
+        self._count = len(self.__root__)
 
     def __iter__(self) -> t.Iterator[MultiModelT]:
         """Iterate items."""
@@ -179,31 +181,27 @@ class HyperglassMultiModel(GenericModel, t.Generic[MultiModelT]):
         """Access item count."""
         return self._count
 
-    @staticmethod
     def _valid_items(
-        *to_validate: t.List[t.Union[MultiModelT, t.Dict[str, t.Any]]],
-        model: MultiModelT,
-        accessor: str
+        self, *to_validate: t.List[t.Union[MultiModelT, t.Dict[str, t.Any]]]
     ) -> t.List[MultiModelT]:
         items = [
             item
             for item in to_validate
             if any(
                 (
-                    (isinstance(item, dict) and accessor in item),
-                    (isinstance(item, model) and hasattr(item, accessor)),
+                    (isinstance(item, self.model) and hasattr(item, self.accessor)),
+                    (isinstance(item, t.Dict) and self.accessor in item),
                 ),
             )
         ]
-
         for index, item in enumerate(items):
-            if isinstance(item, dict):
-                items[index] = model(**item)
+            if isinstance(item, t.Dict):
+                items[index] = self.model(**item)
         return items
 
     def add(self, *items, unique_by: t.Optional[str] = None) -> None:
         """Add an item to the model."""
-        to_add = self._valid_items(*items, model=self.model, accessor=self.accessor)
+        to_add = self._valid_items(*items)
         if unique_by is not None:
             unique_by_values = {
                 getattr(obj, unique_by) for obj in (*self, *to_add) if hasattr(obj, unique_by)