Daddy's Little Helper

We've mowed the lawn before when Caedmon had to
hold onto the mower and walk with us.
This was a nicer option and he came up with all on his own.

Helping Carys Keep Warm

Putting Up the Tree

'Here daddy, you forgot this branch.'

Saturday morning(12/5), Caedmon was up by 6:30am,
so went right to work with lights and ornaments.

He's more intrigued by all the decorations this year.:)

'Tis the Season

I was proud of myself for getting a head start on my Christmas baking - I was baking sugar cookies on Nov. 23rd! But that was about all I got done early!:/

Caedmon had to get in on the fun...but a few minutes of "helping" was about all mommy could handle!:)

Helping Daddy

I couldn't believe Corey was letting him play with the drill, but then I grabbed the camera rather than taking it away, so I guess I'm no better!

Sibling Sweetness:)

Caedmon often tells me, "baby spit" and then
proceeds to wipe her mouth with her bib.

I love to watch them together, Caedmon talking to her and she just looking up at him in wonder!:) Perhaps not quite as nice, but kind of funny was when Caedmon discovered last night that if he yelled, Carys jumped - there was lots of giggling...poor girl, she's already so sensitive...oh the torture she has to look forward to from her older brother!:/

Strawberry Muffins

I picked 27 1/2 pounds of strawberries in the last two weeks. I froze most of them and am looking forward to smoothies and bread and such! With the fresh ones I left out I made strawberry pancakes and then Caedmon helped me make muffins. It was a fun project to do together, inspired by my friend who blogged about making Amish Friendship Bread as a family.
Caedmon enjoyed himself! I had to catch him before he ate a spoonful of the batter, batter that wasn't even finished yet!:)

They turned out delicious!:)

Watering the Flowers

Mama's Big Helper

Sweeping, as well as eating things off the floor...
I guess either way, they both clean it up!:)

Can you tell he's seen mommy do this a few times?!:)

"Yay for me!" :)

Oh the Joy of Dirt!:)

Corey has been so ambitious lately, planting flowers and starting a vegetable garden. Planting's never sounded like all that much fun to me, but I love looking at the flowers and I'll enjoy the veggies if they actually grow (our soil isn't the greatest).

Needless to say, Caedmon totally loves playing in the dirt while Corey works!:)

My Little Handyman

Well...maybe we need to wait a few years

Dada's Big Helper

Big Helper

Caedmon loves to help with whatever we're doing! And I find I actually have the patience to let him help me! I thought I'd have a lot more trouble with this, but I think it helps being a stay-at-home mom and not being in a hurry to get things done. Corey's also very good about letting him "help."

Guess the driveway could use a good sweeping!:)

Brushing the dog

Close to the Action

Getting supper ready has always been a difficult time for us - Caedmon decides that this is the time of day he has to be held and receiving all my attention. So a few days ago, I got this "brilliant" idea to put the step stool at the counter so he could be close to me. It works great, but we've created a monster! Anytime we're at the counter at all now, he runs for the stool! I will usually fill the sink with some water and throw in some containers and utensils. He loves it, but he's started pouring the water outside of the sink.:/ So, we put towels down. I'm so glad that I'm able to find the patience, most of the time, to allow him to do these things.

I put an apron on and he wanted one as well:)

In the Kitchen

I was making cookie dough the other day and thought I'd put Caedmon on a chair next to me. Originally, I thought I'd let him "help," but I never even attempted that process...he's a little young yet for that. But he enjoyed playing with the water in the sink. And when I'd grated the zest from the orange and thought he might enjoy playing with it, it went right in his mouth and he actually ate the peel!

I peeled the orange for him and he ate the whole thing!

He's actually not bad at cleaning up with a washcloth!:)

Unloading Groceries...

Not sure how he managed this one!

Oh the Messes...and the fun:)

Caedmon likes to empty my drawers and cupboards in the kitchen and as if that's not enough, he then proceeds to carry things all over the house! This is a common sight these days! And will probably be so for many days/months/years to come!

"Helping" with Groceries

Caedmon loves to be right in the middle of everything, doing his best to "help" mama and dada (although I'm pretty sure that's not the idea running through his mind!:)).

After a shopping trip, I'm usually exhausted and Corey

will unload the car and often put the groceries away as well - what a guy!

Oh So Helpful!:)

Caedmon loves to empty things...anything! When he takes a nap, I clean up his toy mess. Corey always says, 'he's just going to empty it out again!' I tell him that's the whole point - he loves to empty it! Soon enough, we'll need to teach him to clean up himself, or at least get in the habit of him "helping" mommy clean it up!:)