Mommy’s Little Helper

As the arrival of baby #2 nears I realize how much I appreciate the little things that Jack can do. Most of it takes in to account that he is closer to the ground than I am and can pick things up with much more ease right now. Now if only he knew how to tie my shoes….

He helps put laundry in the washer (front loader) and will move clothes from washer to dryer. He mans the grocery cart at the store; stacking cans and boxes  in the back of the cart (he sits in the front), and counting out fruits and veggies in the produce section. You just have to remember he can be a bit of clod so eggs, bread, and yogurt need to be placed where he can’t step on them.

Jack really thinks being “Mommy’s Helper” is fun and my back is spared. For the most part it is a good deal. However, there are times when his helpfulness is a little too helpful. For example, at daycare he learned how to clear his plate and cup after lunch and put it in a tub so it can go to the kitchen to be washed. He does the same thing at home. Only problem is our counters are a bit higher than the ones at daycare so he can’t reach the sink to dump out leftover juice/milk/water. Unknown to me he had solved that problem by pouring out the extra liquid in the laundry room garbage can. Oooo the ‘mystery smell;’ took close to a week and Kevin catching him in the act to figure that one out. (Shortly after that I figured out the he had poured all his shampoo into the bathroom garbage so he could use the bottle as a tub toy….gotta love the logic of a 2 year old.)

The other problem with clearing his own dishes is that he also likes to clear Mom and Dad’s dishes to. His dishes are plastic. Our dishes are glass. The sink is porcelain. See the problem? He is so quick to hustle of your empty water glass too…there have been some near misses, but so far we have only lost one glass.

Cooking with Chef Duchow

Not to much going on around these parts lately. Today it was really windy out and too cold to play outside so we explored our inside options….including baking cookies. Chef Duchow is a pretty good helper. He likes to operate the mixer and dump things into the bowl (we are still working on learning that you have to crack the eggs BEFORE you put them in the mixer). Still taste testing is his favorite part by far. Thought you might enjoy a few pictures from our fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Adventures of Helper-boy: Beverage Anyone?

I figure I'd better write these 'adventures' as they happen or I'll forget the fine details. Maybe someday I'll get enough to compile a book and make my fortune.... Welcome to the first installment in "The Adventures of Helper-boy."

Helper-boy is the illustrious assistant to Mommy. He is very eager to 'help' with even the smallest of tasks. His attempts are usually well-meant but lacking in skill, often resulting in disaster, hilarity, and the need for cleaning supplies.

Our story begins as Mommy is sitting at the computer checking her Facebook account. Suddenly, she hears the tinkle of silverware on glass. A year ago she wouldn't have thought much of the noise, but these days she has 'Helper-boy' and sounds like that are usually the first indicator that 'help' has arrived. As she rises from her chair to go investigate Helper-boy trots through the doorway. He looks pleased with himself...too pleased...and is tightly clutching a glass and a spoon.

Helper-boy found it abandoned and forgotten on the end table/bar stool out in the living room and decided to 'help' mommy by retrieving it. He had a good grip on the glass and spoon but liquids are hard to hold, especially if both of your hands are already full. So he left behind the drink itself for retrieval later.

Mommy thanked Helper-boy for bringing her the glass and allowed him to keep the spoon as a reward (and to keep him from 'helping' with the puddle of Instant Breakfast now slowly soaking into her carpet) . She then went to find a towel, the Resolve spray, and Helper-boy's Daddy, (who incidentally, left the glass on the stool in the first place). Daddy needed to know that if wanted his breakfast he was now going to have to suck it out of the carpet with a straw. Oh, and can Daddy pick up a gallon of milk and some carpet spray on the way home from work?

We can't be to hard on Helper-boy's Daddy for leaving the glass on that stool, as Helper-boy's Mommy is guilty of the same. Only in Mommy's case it was a hot cup of coffee. As with the Instant Breakfast the coffee itself was left behind on a couch cushion, the armrest, down one side of the sofa, and on the floor. Helper-boy himself somehow remained dry. Mommy is still trying to figure out how he got such wide distribution of the coffee without scalding himself. That is an answer only Helper-boy knows. For now Mommy will just be thankful for an uninjured Helper-boy...and Scotch guard.

Tune in next time for more adventures of Helper-boy!