This week I had planned to stay at home with the girls.  For a number of reasons we aren`t going out, money being the biggest factor.  It seems that me being sick has put a strain on our finances and so we are know getting back on track.  Another reason for being home bound is I am ready to have Emma fully trained on using the potty.  I admit I have been lax.  Emma has been more diligent than myself.  I have not had the stamina to keep up with her though and she has often slid back into using a pull up and not always making it to the toilet.  Enough is enough though.  Monday was the start of our 5 day bathroom blitz and what a start we have had.  Today is `hump` day and we have had only 1 little accident.  This morning Emma was running around and playing and she started to go to the bathroom just a bit and she realised that she needed to go and she was able to stop herself and run to the toilet and finish!  I was so proud of her.  I can`t believe it has been this easy, but Emma is a great kid, well ahead of me on growing up. 

The other grown up thing Emma has started this week is helping me set the table and doing the laundry.  Every meal time she puts the place mats on the table followed by the plates and utensils.  I get out the condiments and put them on the counter and one by one she puts them on the table.  There has been one incident when she shook the pepper and some got in her eye, but things have been smooth sailing since then.  I watch Emma as she helps me out.  She is excited to be able to help and contribute.  She is proud of herself and all she can do.  I am proud of her too.  Too soon she will be too cool to want to help out.  I will be a nag and helping out will be a chore, but for now I am going to use my little helper all that I can.  When it comes to the laundry she is right in there too.  Thank-goodness for front loading washers and dryers.  Our face each other, so it is really easy to take the wash out and put it straight into the dryer.  Emma loves this task.  This is great for me, because I really don`t enjoy it so much.  When the alarm sounds to let us know the wash is done Emma is running to the laundry room excited to help take it all out and fold it up.  She isn`t great at helping me put it all away, but that will come in time. 

It is nice to have a helper in the house.  It makes my chores that much more fun.  It takes me alot longer to get things done, but that is okay too – I am a stay at home mom, really, I have time to spare.  At first it was a little annoying having to slow down, but now I enjoy watching Emma growing up into a helpful little girl.  We get to spend time together, Emma leans new skills, she feels proud and accomplished and I get to watch it all happen right before my eyes.