The Littles Got Bigger Today

Today the three Littles made their own toast and buttered it. They ate nearly half the loaf because they loved making it. I gave them the basic instructions about not sticking metal objects in a toaster and where the nob should be placed so their toast would be done perfectly. I equipped them with a red sparkle plastic knife leftover from Lou's party so they would not have to find out for themselves the reason behind my instructions. Trae took the lead, which is surprising because Sally always knows best. But she submitted and watched to see what mistakes could be made. Ty waited patiently perched on a pink stool with plastic sparkle knife in hand. You see Ty is famous already for sneaking the butter and licking it. 

The maiden voyage of toast making was a fail but you would never know it. Trae was determined to be proud of his crunchy blackened dry piece of toast. He spread the soft butter with slick 4 year old finess and ate every bite. Sally  observed the unsightly piece of overdone toast and adjusted the nob to the far left. She didn't have to wait long because her toast popped up quickly. She too overlooked the barely warm bread and topped it proudly with plenty of butter. She too ate every bite. Now Ty was left to his own attempt at making toast. I watched as he stared at the twins happily eating the fruit of their labor then he took a look at the toaster and crammed his piece of bread in it. His little hands twisted the nob clear to the right and then back to the left. He then scratched his small chubby chin and took a good look at it again. Then he adjusted the nob right square in the middle. He used all the force his small 2 year old arms could muster and pressed the lever down. He stood back and watched patiently. When it popped he cried "YES!" then he removed the toast forgot all about the butter and crawled up next to his brother and sister began feasting on his perfectly golden toasted bread. 

This act of courage and new set of skills they put on build their confidence. Before I knew it the boys were hauling in firewood for me. It's like they knew that if they could make their own toast then they were big enough to haul in the wood for Daddy. 

Notice the "speed shoes" they are wearing instead of their boots. I overheard that they could work faster this way. And notice the great combination of gloves on their hands. This was just pure laziness. They didn't want to waste time digging for matching ones. 

It's a good thing when little people not only feel big but are actually being big.