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Willow, the little helper

Willow helps Daddy re-sort the laundry piles.
Also notice how she helps keep the tables clean.
Willow helped me make the bed this morning.
You know as well as I do that she didn't really do anything, but she was there at the side of the bed, huge smile on her face, helping as best she could (which meant she patted the comforter a time or two).
Willow is our big helper. And she knows it. And Cherish and I know it, so we keep her busy.
  • Willow helps with the laundry (by re-sorting Daddy's piles, which are always all wrong).
  • Willow helps unload the dishwasher (she likes to take dishes from the rack and putting them on the kitchen floor).
  • Willow helps water the plants (she likes to make sure the soil is nice and wet).
  • Willow helps compost (she mostly supervises this activity).
  • Willow helps Cherish get ready in the morning (by pulling rags from under the sink and unrolling the toilet paper roll ... it should be free and flowing!).
  • Willow helps me write this blog (she likes to edit ... heavily ... by pounding on the keyboard ... "NO, NO, NO! Start over!").
  • Willow helps me vacuum (she has a strange notion that TACKLING the vacuum will help).
  • Willow helps me keep in shape (this comes in two forms: having me chase her around, all over the place, and acting as the coxswain in her stroller, motivating me to keep pushing the stroller farther and faster). Note: Funny story related to this below.
  • Willow helps Cherish and me diet (she eats half of what's on our plates).
  • Willow helps change her diapers (she likes to pull them from under her, fun stuff this is).
  • Willow helps us keep the house clean (by this I mean she helps keep the table tops clean; everything has its place, and that place is on the floor).
  • Willow helps us organize our books and magazines (everything has its place, and that place is on the floor).
The list goes on and on.

Keeping pace with the baby

While at Centennial Park last week, Willow was urging me on in her coxswain roll in the stroller. She had me going at a blistering 14-minute-a-mile walk (I was passing joggers here, people).
At one point, we approached from behind a couple strolling around the lake. For some reason, the man started picking up the pace when I caught up with them. I don't know if he didn't want a baby stroller to pass him or if he simply realized he wanted to kick it up a gear.
His wife did not want to go faster, though.
"Why are you going so fast?"
"I'm not going fast, come on. Pick it up!"
At this point, I had pulled even with her. "No, you go ahead, I'll be fine back here with the baby."
A moment later, "Wait a second, even the baby is outpacing me!"
The man and I laughed and exchanged pleasantries.
Then Coxswain Willow told me to pick up the pace.
There were ducks to see.

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