"I will slow down!"

It seems we have been praising Tate for being "such a big boy" more than usual lately. He helps with all sorts of things, such as:

• taking dirty diapers to the trash
• picking up toys for the baby when he drops them off his highchair and exersaucer
• fills the dog water bowls with his watering can (along with feeding morning and night)
• reminds us daily that the chickens need to be put in for the night.
• feeds chickens the kitchen scraps (besides getting eggs and letting them out of their coop in the morning)
• empties the small trash can before he and Daddy go and take the garbage to the road every Thursday
• ANDDDD, just yesterday he figured out how to clip his seatbelt all by himself around his booster! He was very proud!

I am sure I am missing something, but bottom line, Tate is a helper! We expect it of course and have taught him that being a part of the Allbritton family means everyone pitches in, everyone has jobs. It honors our family when you pick something up that needs to be thrown away or put in its place, clean up a mess, or whatever without having to be asked. And doing those jobs with a happy heart is the only way! And Tate does a beautiful job!

A few weeks ago I told him that he is growing up too fast! Tate asked, "Mom, do you want me to slow down?" I said, "YESSSS!! Please slow down, you are my baby and I love being home with you!" So now about every few days Tate just says out of the blue, "Mom, do you want me to slow down?" And I say "yes, please!" And he says, "OK, I will slow down." It is adorable!

Tate took this picture of him and his puppies to school for his special show and tell day.