Child labor

Rachel was astonishingly helpful today. Some things she did:

--When I took her downstairs to take laundry out of the dryer and fold it, a pair of underwear fell on the ground. "Can you please pick that up, Rachel?" I asked. She did, and TOOK IT TO THE LAUNDRY BASKET AND PUT IT INSIDE. Not wanting to let go of a good thing, I gave her a couple of pairs of socks and she toddled over to the laundry basket and dropped them in.

--When I told Drew this, he was impressed. I told him I might try to give her silverware and have her set the table. He poo-poohed that idea. But while he was out shopping and I was getting the table ready for our Hanukkah dinner, I decided I wanted to see what Rachel would do if I gave her silverware. She was hanging out by the kitchen table when I handed her some spoons and asked her to please put them on the table. She did! Same with forks, napkins and even knives (although I think I'll save the knives for when she's a bit older). I was so gratified, I kept saying thank you! thank you! THANK YOU for being so helpful tonight!

--Drew gave her an apple and she didn't seem to want the skin. So she toddled to the wastebasket and tried to open it herself. Drew needed to help her do so, but as soon as it was open, she threw it inside.

I am beginning to thinnk we may be able to bring in some extra income by hiring her out as a mother's helper...