Paulchen-ella
I woke up this morning to the sound of clanking dishes. It didn't catch my attention for a bit; I figured Paul was just grabbing a dish for breakfast. Then, after the clanking continued a while longer, I figured he was putting away the clean dishes before he went to work. (Well I can dream can't I?) Finally I looked at the clock and realized that Paul should have already left for PT and wouldn't be home for a bit. That made me guess that it was Paulchen playing with the dishes. I jumped out of bed and hurried to the kitchen, waiting for the inevitable crash of glass and stoneware.

What I found instead thrilled me to no end. Paulchen was attempting to put away the dishes. We often put them away together, since he enjoys helping me at this age. He had two small plates stacked on a bowl, on a large plate; on the floor. He also had all the flatware and mixing spoons put away. Granted, he placed all the tools and flatware in the fork section of the drawer, as that was the only area he could reach, but it was the thought that counts. I was so impressed with his eagerness to help out, not willing to wait until we could do it together. Of course I put away what he took out and closed the dishwasher and went back to bed, but we finished the dishes together later in the day. What a clever little boy!