One thing about Alice these days that just melts our hearts is her helpful nature. She wants to be involved! She wants to be told how to help!
For example, as soon as she sees one of us start making the bed in the morning, she trots over to the pile of pillows and tries to pick them up bodily.
It’s time to make the bed?
We keep her high chair in the dining area, but frequently move it to the kitchen when she eats her meals, for easier cleanup and so that I can work on cooking while she snacks/dines. As soon as I announce, “Alright Alice, I’m going to move your high chair,” she starts chanting “hachaaa, hachaa,” and helps out by grabbing any part of it that’s within her reach.
And shoes–she loves playing with them as she exclaims “ashhh! ashhh!” And as soon as Mama says, “I’m going to put on my shoes,” Alice leaps into action.
Wanna wear these, or these?
Not those, sweetie–today Mommy is wearing her boots.
No problem, Mom.
She also:
-Hands Dada his gloves and scarf when he’s suiting up to leave the house in the morning.
-Takes Dada’s keys and puts them in the drawer when he gets home.
-After we brush her teeth, she brushes our teeth. Teeth-brushing is a family affair and she is not going to let our pearly whites rot away on her watch.
Of course, sometimes she also likes to “help” pull every article of clothing out of my drawers . . .
. . . and pull all the books off my night stand . . . and pull all her books out of the cupboard . . . and hide things in laundry baskets, trash cans, and under our rugs . . . but that’s another post for another time.
so awesome π
Love her!
Helpful babies are the best and it doesn’t take as long as I expected for them to start to be actually helpful. Kyle regularly helps me load the washer, dryer, hang up clothes to air dry, wash dishes, take the trash out, fold clothes, dust, pick up toys and vacuum. His help makes things take a little longer but I love seeing the joy in his face at being able to join in with whatever I’m doing.
Sounds like a “made for Montessori” baby. I’m working close to home. Check out http://chicagomontessori.org/
Jenna,
I work with your Dad and came across your blog through a post on your mom’s facebook page. I’ve now spent several days going though all of your recipe posts and have printed most of them….you’re a cook after my own heart! Oh, and Alice is, quite simply, one of the most adorable little ones I’ve ever seen. So sweet!! I’ll stop stalking you now. π
Jenn
Hi Jenn,
hi! Nice to meet you! =) I’m glad you’re liking the recipes. And yeah . . . Alice is so precious. =) Thanks for introducing yourself! Not sure what the temps are in Wisconsin right now, but if it’s anything like Chicago, I hope you’re staying warm!!
Aww adorable pictures! And the captions fit perfect, reminds me of my little ones at home π
LOL Love it! (although I always wonder why kids love taking things OUT of drawers so much, but not putting them back in!??)
xox
giedre
http://www.walkingdotphotography.com
Hey Jenna, hope you’re doing well! I thought I’d check out your blog and see what you were up to, and came across this post randomly. Alice is such a cutie. I especially love the teeth-brushing bit. I remember rushing to help my mom with things when I was little. It made me so happy. Just means she loves you. π
And congrats on giving birth!! (Wrong post, I know.) Benjamin is so sweet. It was my grandpa’s name. He was a kind, adventurous wizard so the name carries good energy.
Aw, thanks Carmen! How are things with you?? Is med school ahead?