my little helper

Abby loves to help me do things around the house...and it's so much fun to have her help! When I start to sweep, mop or dust, she runs to get her cleaning supplies (a little play set my mom bought her at Toys 'R Us--priceless!) so that she can help me.

Several months ago as I was moving clothes from the washer to the dryer it dawned on me that I could begin teaching her how to do laundry now. Why not?! Actually, it was more about wanting to involve her in what I was doing, but I soon learned that she really can be (and is) a tremendous help as long as I have the patience to teach her new things...and allow her to do them repeatedly and learn the new skills. So, the first "task" was laundry. Though her preference is helping me put wet clothes in the dryer, here's a picture of her helping me unload the dryer back in September. She gets a kick out of putting Daddy's "heavy" shirts in there all by herself. I think she'll be ready to do her own laundry by the time she's 10! :-) No, really. I do.

Yesterday as Abby was sitting on the counter visiting with me and playing--as is our usual custom when I'm in the kitchen, which is quite often--I had her tear up lettuce and put it in bowls for my and John's salad for dinner. She did a fantastic job...and she loved helping once again. I just love having her as my little helper. Watching her learn and perform new skills like these is just amazing!