Little Washing Machine

It's cute how toddlers want to do all the things that later on in their childhood they will surely put up a fight when asked to do. I know, because I remember not wanting to wash the dishes, scoop the cat box, vacuum the carpet or mop the floor as a kid. But right now, those are all the things Natalie BEGS to do. The only practical chore for someone of her age and size is the dish washing.

I pull up a chair to the sink, make sure only plastics are within her reach, turn the cold water on a trickle and let her have at it. When she grows tired of the task, she says, "I done, Mommy...I get down." There are usually a few kitchen puddles on any flat surface surrounding her, but that is a small price to pay for 20 minutes of toddler bliss.


The other day after she was finished, I noticed that she'd created a tower of "clean" dishes on the counter.

Now, if only they made miniature vacuums that actually inhaled!