Travelingjenny

It is a family rule to remove one’s shoes when entering the house. This is part of an effort to keep the house clean, because when was the last time you saw me with a vacuum? Or a mop (do we even own a mop)? And we all know that there is plenty of dog hair to adorn the floor – we don’t need mud or leaves or dirt to add extra beauty. Because we live with someone who is "three and three-quarters" and likes to accidentally forget the rules, I am constantly saying "don’t forget to take your shoes off" as we enter the house. And then later I trip over all of the randomly strewn about shoes in the entryway. At any rate, the other day something special happened. I walked in the door, plopped Tess down in the entryway, and walked into the kitchen to set down the five million things I was carrying. And when I turned around, Tess was sitting on the floor taking off her own tiny shoes. All by herself, and without any prompting. We have ourselves a little rule-follower. A kid after mommy’s own heart. I may be able to cling to my sanity after all.

Happy eighteen-month birthday, Tess. And thank you.