Last night of Hanukkah

Our friend Constance came over last night, bearing a lovely gift for Rachel -- a book with music accompaniment -- and some chocolates for me. Since I had the day off, I spent much of it cooking beef stew, brownies and a cake for a party we're going to tonight right after I get off work. I was pooped by the time I lit all eight candles!

Constance, who spent a lot of time with Rachel when she was a baby, was very impressed with how grown-up she is. She watched, astonished, as I gave Rachel some silverware and she placed it on the table. Then I gave her some napkins. She accidentally dropped them on the floor and wouldn't pick them up until I had asked her a couple of times (I thought of giving up, but thought better of it and kept saying, "could you please pick up the napkins, Rachel?" And, eventually, she did!). Constance said she has never seen a child so young be so helpful.

Later, as I was putting her to bed, Rachel picked up her shoes that I had left next to her changing table. "Can you please put them in your drawer?" I said. She toddled over to the shoe drawer underneath her crib, dropped the shoes in, and closed the drawer.

I really hope this helpfulness sticks.