Step Stool Frustration, Laundry, Writing, and Partner Dependability

I'm not sure what his end goal was, but it involved this step stool.  BOY was he frustrated. 



I'm enjoying this new phase of life, where the kids are actually able (if they're willing) to load laundry into the washer, add the soap (thank you, Tide Pods), and push the start button. 

 
It is an amazing site to behold.  Makes me want to take back all my complaints about having to do my own laundry as a kid (while my friends' moms continued to do theirs).  

My maternal perspective on this is so very different from my childhood perspective.  If the kids can reach it, they absolutely can do it.

Lucy's been enjoying her "reading lessons."  They always end with "writing time" -- when she practices writing two letters.  

 

Actually, we refer to them as "sounds," instead of letters; it helps her keep straight what the letters actually sound like, so that she remembers that R is pronounced, "rrrrr," as opposed to "Arrr."  

We've been experimenting with some grippers to improve her pencil marker grip, and she really likes them!  

Actually, Elliot really likes them, too.  

He practices his writing, too--since he's decided that napping is for chumps and now sits sort of quietly beside us while we do Lucy's reading time.

 I've been wanting, all summer, to get a picture of Lucy's adorable freckles.   They are so cute.



This is an actual text conversation with Daniel from this past week.



I think he saves my sanity on a daily basis.  A good friend recently said something about how dependability is attractive, and it is SO true.  I am so thankful for a parenting partner who's got my back.