My little helpers

Here were my helpers 2 years ago; and here are my little helpers now. With me going back to work, I wanted to share with Lovey all the little things that Rebecca & Mary-Gail do through out the day, so Lovey would know what to expect since he'll be caring for them in my absence.

Rebecca:

• Opens the curtains & blinds in her & Mary-Gail's rooms, as well as the blinds in the master bedroom & master bath
• Turns on the microwave light in the kitchen (Becca says the overhead lights are "too bright for me. They burn my retinas!")
• Gets the bowls & spoons out for cereal, and if the milk jug is 1/2 way empty, she gets that out of the fridge too (provided its on the bottom shelf).
• Takes off the milk lid and MUST put it back on after you pour the milk - a very small, but very crucial part of the morning routine. Let her do this if you don't want your day to start of badly.
• Clears her bowl & spoon to the sink and rinses them - she'll pull a stool over to the sink to "wash the dishes."
• Feeds the dogs. She'll try to carry their water dish to the sink to refill it. This is a No-No, unless you want to mop the kitchen floor @ 7:30 am.
• Undresses herself & picks out her own clothes. Rebecca does a pretty good job matching colors, and will sometimes take your suggestion. She likes to re-hang the hanger by herself, and don't forget to remind her to put her PJ's in the dirty clothes hamper.
• Sort-of makes her bed, but my OCD gets the best of me, and I have to re-do it.
• Gets the doggies their treats for after our morning walk (provided the weather is nice & the air-quality is "Green"). Rebecca gives Pixie her treat; Mary-Gail gives ArlaMae her treat.
• MUST open the front door after coming home from errands. Becca will "man" the door for you too, if you're bringing in groceries or what not.
• Turns the music on for naptime & bedtime, closes the blinds, and draws the curtains in her & Mary-Gail's room (will need help drawing the curtains, but don't do it for her - let her help)
• Takes the bathtime toys out of the vanity cupboard. Make sure she puts the empty ship back in the cupboard

Mary-Gail

• She likes to pull me out of bed (~6:30 am - 7:00am)
• Clears her bowl & spoon to the sink and rinses them
• Helps unload the dishwasher, & puts all the plastic cups, bowls, and silverware away. Watch it though - she likes to push the buttons on the dishwasher and start it after you've emptied it!
• Undresses herself & chooses a new pair of PJ's to wear. The child loves PJ's.
• Loves to put clothes in the dirty clothes, and will also put a few toys in the laundry basket too (it's her way of helping clean up her room - silly girl!)
• Give her a Clorox wipe and she'll wipe down all the walls for you
• Will help you gather trash and water the plants (trash on Monday mornings; watering plants on Wednesdays).
• Likes to help sort things - like sorting laundry, toys, cups, and silverware...
• Loves to help in the kitchen, and tries to be discreet as she finagles with the pantry door to get to her Gummie Vitamins.
• Puts the bathtime toys back in their ship after bathtime, and puts the ship back in the vanity
• Chooses the books to read
• And loves being your little companion!

If it seems like Rebecca & Mary-Gail do a lot, that's because they do. They are very independent little girls, and they take pride in the little tasks they do everyday - it makes them feel important and helpful (these tasks, though small, are HUGE to Rebecca & Mary-Gail and they mean a lot to them). They love to help! They love it! They ARE MY little helpers. I know they'll be Lovey's little helpers now too. Have fun Lovey! And take good care of our little kuties.