Mommy's Big Boy

Zachariah has been gaining so much Independence lately that it never ceases to amaze me. He loves to say "helpa" when I ask him if he's a good helper. And he really is. He's starting to put toys away after playing. He will go get his shoes when it's time to leave. He'll get things off the shelves for lunch or dinner and bring them to me. He likes to put the empty laundry basket in the kitchen when I finish laundry.

Here's a cute story. This morning while Zachariah was playing I mentioned that we needed to go to the store today. "Go," he said, which means he wants to leave right now. Then he went and got his shoes. I told him he needed socks before we could put his shoes on. I said I'll go get your socks if you'll pick up these toys you just got out. Then I left to get the socks. When I came back every last toy was put where it belonged, and he was trying to put the lid on the toy container. I helped him close it, then he picked it up to put it on the shelf. There was no room for it, then he remembered that he'd brought it out of his room. So he waited by the door until I opened it, then he put the toy on the shelf and off he went. What? When did he learn to do all of that when asked once? I definitely praised him for all that.

I tell him "You're a good helper."
"Helpa!" he says with pride in his voice and a smile on his face.

My little boy is growing up, and I love him so much.