Shadow

Mica's hit a new stage in his childhood. It's the help stage. I'm not sure if all kids go through this or not? Mica is. He's my shadow all the time. Most of the time I love it.

I only find it hard when there is not too much for him to help with, or Isaak and him are fighting over who is going to help me. Isaak's generally liked to help in the kitchen and with laundry as soon as he could. Mica was pretty neutral to it until recently.

Along with this stage comes more responsibility.

What Mica does now:

• He's taken care of putting away his socks, underwear, pjs and pants for a long time. Now he has to hang his shirts up. He doesn't really like doing this, but I know he knows how. Therefore I make him do this task.
• He has to collect all the trash and takes it out, while we watch. The rule is, is that he can not go out without letting us know. Someone from my sister's high school went to take out the trash and never came back. I'm paranoid about our kids going in the front of the house alone. 
• Mica packs his own school lunch with me talking him through it. This is a pretty big step. Before Kindergarten he had trouble spreading peanut butter on a piece of bread. He doesn't have peanut butter sandwiches all the time. Sometimes he does.
• This is a task I'm still shaky on, he started peeling his own carrot. Daddy helped him the first time. I did the second. He tried telling me he knew how to do it. I watched and he was peeling towards himself. YIKES I stopped him right away. This is a task that has to be overseen. 
• He helps unload the dishwasher. Basically he stacks dishes, while I put them away.
• He also dumps ingredients in a bowl when I'm making things.
• He takes the plates to the table.

Were you ever weary to let your kids start certain tasks? If so, what were they?

If You Had a Robot, What Would You Want it to Do?

Mica likes robots. He likes both Transformers and Robots the movie. His favorite part is when Tom Waits sings the song Underground. His gravel voice just intrigues Mica.

I love the concept that robots help people. Think of all the medical advancements that have been made with robots help! Many surgeries have robots as assistants and are fast now. In some cases, people can go home the same day as their surgery. Artificial limbs work much better then they used to. All due to technology and research.

I don't think robots will ever over power humans. Check out this video by Honda and tell me what you think? If you had a robot, what would you want it to do?

Helping Mama in the Kitchen

• I have the boys help me in the kitchen sometimes. They love dumping in the ingredients into the bowl!
• The problems I have are:

1. The boys fighting over who is going to help me. Usually I make them take turns. This time Mica was happily watching TV.
2. Spilling the ingredients outside the mixing bowl. I've learned to guide them instead of let them have the power.
3. They want to eat what's in the bowl; I place raisins, walnuts, or chocolate chips on the counter for them to snack on.
4. The apron Isaak is wearing is sized more for a 4 year old, so I put an extra knot in the back. Don't you just love his skulls and cross bone underwear?

• I have to tell you; I don't care about those problems.
• I love help in the kitchen.
• It makes it much more fun when I have them in there. Except when I'm frosting cookies. I get a little anal about my decorating. ;)