Little Helper

Nathan loves to help. He likes to help take out the trash. He likes to help unload the dishwasher (even when we're trying to load it). He likes to help wash the car (BUBBLES!). He likes to help water the plants and flowers - anything where he gets wet is a thrill for him! He likes to help us flush the toilet (regardless of whether it needs flushing). And, he loves to help with the laundry!

Nothing gets him excited like flinging fresh, clean clothes across the room. He especially enjoys throwing fresh, clean folded clothes. We're working hard to correct that. It's just that he gets so excited, and he thinks it's a game. We've told him that rapidly grabbing and throwing folded clothes from the clothes basket is "not a game". He giggles and excitedly yells, "not a game! not a game!" as he continues the madness. He even likes to load and unload the washer and dryer. Recently, we just did notice he had added a few red items into the open washer, which was loaded with whites and had a full bleach dispenser, just before we closed the lid and started it. (I'd be wearing pink socks and underwear if we hadn't caught that!)

Just this week, Nathan realized he can open the dryer door by himself! (wonderful!) He has been fascinated with the dryer for a while now - the soft warm clothes come out of there, there's a neat light he can turn off and on by pushing the door switch, and the lint screen in the door way is conveniently accessible for toddlers! Also, if you push down quickly on the open door and let go, it bounces up and closes by itself! (until the continued weight of a 30 lb. boy breaks it off!)

Anyway, a few days ago Nathan had slipped out of the living room and we thought he was in his room when we heard the familiar sound of the dryer door closing... then opening... (giggles)... closing... (giggles)... open... "Nathan Peck!", I exclaimed from the doorway. He looked up at me with a big smile on his face and the lint screen in his hand. "What are you doing, son?" I asked. He replied, "Help Daddy with the dryer," as he licked his finger and proceeded to collect what little lint had collected from the unfinished load in the dryer.

Tonight, he came into the living room pushing a clothes basket filled with sheets - which he had removed from the dryer all by himself! They had been in there since the morning. He pushed them in front of me as I was watching the Astros blow another World Series game and said, "help daddy with the sheets!" "Sure, buddy!" I replied. Let the "not a game" begin!