reading books

I have discovered that many parents dislike reading to their children. I understand that the repetition of reading the same books over and over, day in and day out can get a bit annoying. But, I am very thankful that I don't fall into that parental category.
Now, there are times that my love of reading to Ella fails me (like the other day when she wouldn't take a nap and discovered that her new favorite toy was a bell that she rang almost constantly). But for the most part I am happy to read many books in one sitting (even the same one more than once), with her snuggling in my lap for up to 45 minutes at a stretch. Ella is, however, lacking one of the more annoying traits that many toddlers exhibit during book time: constant interjection. She does not ask me to spell our words, or threaten to tattle to her father if I skip a page (accidentally, of course), or insist that she read the story to me. Now, she does like to sign along when she sees a picture or hears a word that she knows the sign for, but that isn't quite the same as interrupting. I suppose that this trait will surface when she learns to talk, but until then, I will keep on reading with joy.

helpfull child

Today I was holding a pair of my socks in preparation for getting on the treadmill after Ella went down for a nap. When Ella saw them in my hands she showed interest in holding them, so I gave them to her. Then the phone rang and I got side tracked for a few minutes. Then the time comes for me to take Ella for a diaper change, etc. before bedtime and I notice that she no longer has my socks. I walk around the kitchen and living room looking for them to no avail. So, I give up and go to put her down for her nap. When I am done and Ella is quiet, I take another look around for the socks. In the kitchen, I get a sudden flash of an idea and decide to look in the trash can. There they are, in the kitchen trash.

I have been teaching Ella to do little things to help out lately. Having her put her laundry in the drawer, putting her dirty dishes on the counter, carrying her milk to the table at meal time, and occasionally throwing trash in the trash can.

I wonder if it is time to bleach my socks.