Rachel's purse

Rachel has a darling straw purse (Thanks, Mrs. O!) that she likes to carry around. Sometimes she brings it with her to church, where invariably someone asks her what she has in it. Then comes the amusement when she opens up the purse and starts taking out rubber ducks. There are four of them who normally inhabit the purse--the Mom, the Dad, the Yellow Baby, and the Purple Baby. (There are several other rubber ducks, but they don't usually live in the purse. Not sure if they're unrelated or just don't fit.) Really, though, the contents of Rachel's purse should not come as any surprise--what else would be in a little straw purse? The duck family "fits nicely" (as Rachel is fond of saying), and you never know when you'll need your rubber ducks at a moment's notice! One morning, not long ago, the ducks spent some time outside the purse, and each of them received a special party hat. It was quite a rollicking good time.

In other news, Rachel has been practicing lately for her upcoming role of "Big Sister." She visited Cousin Jack last week and got a chance to bounce his chair. (We're all lucky he didn't get catapulted across the room as she experimented with just how much force was needed.) Jack seemed to enjoy the kisses Rachel bestowed on him.


Rachel is also learning a great deal of independence, which will be a big help in the months to come. For example, when I told her the other day that we'd be leaving in a few minutes to meet our friends Christy and Gigi at the market, Rachel got ready all by herself. I laugh every time I look at this picture, but she was indeed ready to go! She must have learned the overpacking from her father--I don't usually bring a bucket, a backpack, and an insulated bag with me to the market!


An update on the pronoun situation: The other day when I laid Rachel on a counter to change her diaper, I asked whom she saw in the mirror. She looked at it for a moment, then proclaimed, "It's me!" She's got the first person! (Next stop: linking verbs.)