Brett & Kirsten: My little helper!

Like most little kids, Brooke loves to help. As long as "help" is defined as: being directly involved with whatever is going on.

Sometimes it is cute, but less than helpful. Like when we were cleaning and moving into the house.

Inspecting my cleaning job of the fridge at our apt.

No, that is not a door, that is the fridge we were trying to get to fit through the door without running over our daughter in the process. "But dad, I can help carry!"

And then when reassembling the fridge.... Brooke was VERY helpful making sure we were doing it just right.

Luckily, sometimes her desire to be involved can be directed to do something actually helpful. Sure, most of the time I could do the job faster and easier without her help but it about teaching her, right? That and letting her help saves me from having to deal with a fussy toddler because I said no. A little selfish mom motive in there too.

Carrying in the groceries! This is one of Brooke's favorite and she has even started mimicking the way I carry the bags (sliding her whole arm through the holes instead of holding it in her hand). She runs it inside, puts it on/near the table and then beats me back outside asking for "more more more!" I often have to separate out the few items she can carry to keep it going a few rounds because she gets sad when they are all done.

Once the groceries are all in the house she is equally helpful at helping me unload the food. Here she is handing me canned food for in the pantry. Although, this task must not be as much fun because she often gets bored after empty the bag and handing me a few cans and then I have to bend down pick them up off the floor.

And then there is the never ending laundry chore. Brooke lights up when it is time to carry/push the hampers to the laundry room. And then when it is time to switch a load she is right there waiting for me to pass her the clothes coming from the wash so she can put them in the dryer. And sometimes I'll even let her unload the dryer for me so I can sit and fold while she brings me the clothes. Unfortunately she gets confused sometimes and starts taking the clothing items back to the dryer before I get them all folded, but it is still cute to watch. It ALMOST makes doing laundry fun. Almost.

We also practice putting her clothes in the hamper, but sometimes she decides it would be more fun to just empty the hamper...

Brooke is also helpful when she will get things for me! Yes, another selfish mom motive.... No shame! I asked her to get me my shoes the other day and she walked over to them and put them on and then pointed at the door like she was ready to go. Not quite what I meant, little one, not quite.

Brooke is usually good about wiping up if she spills something. This cute picture shows her trying to wipe the rain drops off the window from the inside. Someday, Brooke, I'll let you wash the windows to your hearts content!

Another "helpful" things Brooke likes to do is help me sweep. This one I have yet to find a way to make it actually productive, but if I can keep her away from the pile I'm sweeping I call it a success!

Helping sweep the garage out.. aka carry the broom around so mom can't actually sweep

Brooke even offered to change the oil on Brett's pick-up one day! I should probably get to teaching her NOT to play under cars... whoops!

And here she is using the stud finder to check our work on the placement of the shelf/table we built in her play room. I think she approved of our work. ;-)