Annie Comes Home

Last month, while at the lake, I jokingly asked Annie Kate if she had made her bed and picked up her clothes which is the rule for being able to go in the water or on the boat.
She said:"I be right back" She returned pulling my hand saying: "Come I show you."
The above picture is how she made her bed..."all by my cell phone," she proudly exclaimed.
I was not sure if I was thrilled or sad that she could accomplish such a task so well at her age. I asked her if she made her own bed when she was in China...she happily said, "yes me did."
I choose not to dwell on what was likely expected of this little girl at such a young age while in China. I am going to celebrate that her skills will serve her well in life.
She knew how to make her bed, we did not teach her. She was able to picked up all her clothes and neatly put them back in her little duffel bag placing that in her closet.
The good news is she is very proud of her ability to be self sufficient and to help.
The bad news is her adult and almost adult siblings have yet to reach her level of personal responsibility.
Solution: From now on Annie Kate is in charge of supervising all clean up. Let's see her brothers and sisters ignore her... as it is, they hang on every words she says, find it impossible deny any request she makes and love it each moment they spend with her.
This seems like a win/win.