Dora

Dash has been on a real Dora the Explorer kick of late, and now that he is two, I let him watch one show a day after his nap (this is different from before he turned two when he watched one show a day with Ella but, importantly, I pretended that he didn't watch any television). Today he took a long nap, and by the time he got up at 3:20, we needed to head out the door for a playdate. He was NOT happy about missing Dora and did an impressive job of wailing and flailing while I wrestled him into his shoes and coat. Sweet Ella, hearing his plaintive cries for Dora, quietly went to her art table and drew him a Dora to carry in the car since he missed seeing her on tv.

Helpful

Ella has suddenly decided that she wants to be helpful. She wants to set the table, make her own lunch, get snacks ready for outings, fold laundry, and more. I don't know where this campaign started or how long I will be so lucky. And, of course, I do want to encourage this helpfulness. Rather than the "helping" you get from an enthusiastic toddler, she is actually really accomplishing needed tasks these days. But as I found today, we might need to so some rearranging of our kitchen to let her helpfulness continue without imminent threat of broken bones...