Sweet helper.

This morning I was trying to tidy up the downstairs a bit and was sweeping the kitchen area when Evelyn's impatience regarding finding a certain toy was becoming more and more of a distraction. I swept everything up into a little pile, rested the broom against the counter, and went out to the car to try to find her train she was so intent on playing with.

I came back in from the car a minute or two later, unfortunately without the train, and discovered the broom was on the floor. I didn't see my pile where I had left it, and discovered instead that the debris had become somewhat scattered between where I had left it and the garbage can.

Instantly I became annoyed and grumpily told Evelyn I'd appreciate it if she wouldn't touch the broom. She said, "Look Mom, look!" I surveyed the floor and said, "I see". She responded, "Nooo look, I dumped it!" and pointed to the garbage can.

Feeling dubious I walked over to the garbage can and peered in. Sure enough, there was a small amount of dirt that wasn't there before I went out to the car. She had swept it up to the best of her ability while I was out trying to find her toy. What a sweet pea! She was proud of herself and I made sure she knew I was proud of her for helping, too (I also apologized for being a grump).