Two, So Very Two

The Banana has a way of just deciding that she is now more grown up than I think she ought to be.  For example, last summer, she crawled out of her crib at a much too early age, and took to sleeping in a toddler bed, or her big sister's bed.  There was nothing I could do about this.  And just last week, I finally gave up on the high chair.  Sarah and Mr. Sneaky Pants used the high chair until both were two and a half, at least.  Sarah moved out when we relocated to Wisconsin, and Mr. Sneaky Pants moved out only because The Banana was moving into the high chair.  But The Banana, she just moved out because she wanted to be included at the big table.  

In fact, she desires to be included in everything, all the time.  Her very favorite words are "ME!"  and "No."  If you ask her any kind of question, the answer will be no, even if she really means yes.  Even Mr. Sneaky Pants introduces her to strangers as, "This is my sister Hannah.  Her favorite word is no, so don't even bother asking her questions."  

The Banana is quite the little helper these days.  She loves helping empty and load the dishwasher, and knows exactly where everything should be put away.  When I ask Sarah or Mr. Sneaky Pants to clean up something, she will actually rush over and help with the job because she likes to be included.  Let's hope that motivation for housework lasts for the next sixteen years.  

It turns out that The Banana is also an avid little shopper.  I had to run to the mall today (I avoid the mall at all costs)  to get just one thing (actually it ended up to be three things . . . but that's another story).  She was the only tot home, so I just scooped her up and took her with me on the quick shopping trip.  Let me tell you, The Banana knows how to saunter through the mall.  Her favorite part was the shoe shopping, of course.  She very patiently checked out rack upon rack of shoes in the shoe department, more shoes than I ever wanted to consider looking at, while I found some dress shoes.  She happily plopped down in an easy chair while I tried them on and gave me approving looks.  She gestured to her own shoes, like she'd like to try on a few pairs herself, but I wasn't about to get started with that.  We'd have been there all day, and I had lessons to teach!