Our Kids

I’ve got a morning helper again! Landis is continuing the fine tradition of helping me put away the dishes in the morning. She’s not quite as consistent as Piper and Lela were, but she does have just as much fun as they did when they used to help me out.

Every other day or so for the past few weeks as I start to put away the dishes, Landis wanders over and starts to take things out of the bottom tray. She’ll Frankenstein-walk the two three steps to the cabinet and hold up the dish and say, “dah!” Cutest thing ever, just cracks me up everytime she does it. I’ll take the dish from her, say “Thank you!” which usually gets me a grin in return, and she’ll shuffle on back to the dishwasher for her next item.

I really love this age that Landis is in… she’s understanding more and more and it’s just great fun seeing how much she does actually know. Lately whenever she sees anyone put their shoes on, she’ll immediately hightail it to the shoe box (with all of the girls’ shoes), grab two of her tiny little soft-soled shoes, and bring them over to whoever is closest. Then she’ll hold them up to you and the second you take them, plop her bum down with her feet out in front of her, pointing at her feet saying “dah!” So cute. And funny because it’s quite rare when she actually picks two shoes of hers that match.

For their part, Piper and Lela have just been fantastic lately, all things considered. They’re getting so big it just amazes me. They’re a ton of fun to talk to, especially if you can get one of those honest, one-on-one moments where it’s as if they open up a window to their soul to you, each in their own special way. It could be just one sentence when they’re upset, or a full on conversation at 7am when everyone else is asleep.

And finally, Otto. I have to mention him because he’s really turning into an awesome dog. He is so great with Landis in particular… she loves to tug on his hair, give him little pats… everything we were hoping would happen when we got Otto. And he just sits there with a “whatever” look on his face… and then he’ll get up, turn too quickly and knock Landis back on her bum. It’s not all perfect, of course