Toddler Tuesday: Not the usual.

  In recent weeks you have all probably all noticed the absence of a Toddler Tuesday post. To be honest Lu has been giving me a serious break. Either that or she is just out growing the curious-in-a-bad-way stage. I'm afraid to wish or hope for the latter. I do know that she seems to have grown up a crazy amount. She has been much more little girl then toddler recently. I have to say, I'm really enjoying, and very proud of the little girl she is becoming.

  Today was sort of the icing on the cake and I had to share. Lucy and I have had a very fun, very productive day so far. She woke up a little grumpy, but quickly came around to be her usual sunny, cheerful self. We had our morning snuggle on the couch, now Avary wants in on it too and she's not always impressed with that. Today she wasn't happy about Avary snuggling too, but she came around. After snuggles we had some breakfast. The girls played a bit. Then it was nap time for Avary and the real fun began!

  I went to do some laundry and Lulu wanted to help. I always try to let her help if she wants. We really believe in  fostering that urge to help and exercising the kids work ethic while they are young. We folded laundry together. Well, she did something, then passed it to me and I folded ;) but I praised her and she was proud and happy to be helping. Although I do have to mention, she did manage to fold one face cloth darn near perfectly. Next I unloaded the dishwasher. She wanted to help again. She got a little bored when I began reloading the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes. She decided to finish off her blackberries and chattered away.

  I finished tidying up the kitchen and then we did some crafts together. She is really catching on to manners. She uses them all the time now. I'm very proud to have such a polite little girl. She says please and thank you. She will even ask if she can use something before touching it, if it's not hers. Today was no exception. It makes for a much more pleasant experience when kids learn not to just grab. We were able to share the craft supplies and both had fun.

  About this time Avary woke up from her nap. We had lunch together. Lucy is a girl after my own heart, she loves pasta and garlic bread, so we had that today. I burst out laughing when I looked over to find her putting her pasta noodles on her garlic toast and eating it. I don't think she has ever really seen me doing that, but I love eating left over pasta that way. It's so cute to see little things like that which must be genetic. This was the first meal she has really eaten in a few days (oh yea, I forgot to mention she has entered the eating-like-a-bird stage) and she had thirds! I couldn't believe it! After getting all cleaned up from lunch, and getting her cleaned up we had a snuggle and read a book. Then she had her nap.

  Both girls even had their afternoon nap together today. I was able to get all my housework done by early afternoon. I couldn't believe my luck! They are really spoiling me! They rarely have their whole nap at the same time anymore. The best I get is an overlap. Avary did wake up a little before Lu, but she played happily in her crib while I finished mopping and had a quick shower. I'm sure this all sounds pretty mundane. Maybe even boring. To me it was a perfect morning and early afternoon spent with my beautiful little girls, especially Lucy. I'm thoroughly enjoying the "mundane" and "boring" while it lasts. Before you know it I'll be back in the the toddler stage with Avary.