Sisters

Paul and I are taking a parenting class through our local Parents as Teachers organization. This week we spent some time talking about making our children feel valued and loved, and about how they absorb values from the environment we create for them.

I mentioned how I can see all this happening in my own children by watching them play together. Watching my girls play together is my favorite thing in all the world to do. When one girl gets hurt, the other hugs and kisses her. They frequently affirm and praise one another. They're generous with their affection and both say "I love you" regularly.

Today, Ada started a new little sister habit (I hope it becomes a habit) that warmed my heart almost to bursting. Or something.

Anyway, Ada asked me to read a book to her. I love to read to my girls, but occasionally I can't do it right away. For example, today I was tidying up quickly before a friend came over for dinner and to watch the girls while Paul and I went to our parenting class. Ada asked if I could read her Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?. I asked for a couple of minutes. She left and took the book to her big sister and instructed Ellie to read the story to her.

"Oh, sure!" Ellie said, clearly delighted to be asked.

And she did it! Ellie "read" that story to her little sister. It was awesome. And it was the second time today. Surely, life does NOT get any better than this.