Breakthrough!

Rachel did two big things today:

--At the park she petted a DOG. It was a small dog, yes, but she petted it willingly after Drew did. Then she noticed a lady walking another dog and asked Drew what kind it was. When he said he didn't know and suggested she ask the lady what kind of dog she had, she marched right up to the woman and asked. Then she ran back to Drew and said, "it's a Yorkie!" We're just glad she actually petted an animal.

--Tonight Drew and I were having a long conversation during dinner and he told Rachel to let him finish his thought (and his biscuit) before they did Daddy books. She sang to herself for a minute and then, totally unbidden, wriggled off her chair, went to the linen closet, got the dustpan and dustmop and SWEPT THE CRUMBS OF HER BISCUIT FROM THE FLOOR INTO THE DUSTPAN WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING WHATSOEVER FROM US!!! We are beyond proud and told her. Result: She got an extra story tonight.

She also did a terrific job of finishing dinner -- she loves Drew's meatballs, and spaghetti with sauce, and ate almost all of her homemade biscuit, so we told her she was definitely entitled to vanilla ice cream. Which she happily ate!