Train them up

I've heard and debated the Nature vs. Nurture topic several times. Not until now am I realizing that it isn't so much a versus as it is finding a balance. My daughter's natural personality and drive is an amazing one. She has the innate desire to help, communicate, and accomplish as much as she can all on her own.

I want to share a typical grocery trip yesterday (I should have taken a picture...).
{Quick reminder, Jasmine is 18 months old.}
We went to Fresh and Easy for a grocery run to prepare for guests that we will be having this coming week. Jasmine started in the cart with her magnetic drawing board. After becoming frustrated that the travel size board would not stay put on the handle of the cart she demanding to get out of the cart in the cereal isle. She proceeded to help me pick out some cereal and attempt to put it in the cart. I say attempt because she's only 31 1/2" tall and isn't quite able to get the box over the side of the cart from ground level just yet. Then she took a hold of the cart in a wide stance under the handle bar area and pushed it the rest of the way through the store with minimal steering from me. As we passed some healthy children's snacks (conveniently at her eye level, well played store person) she got to pick out a few items. Once to the check out stand, I scanned one of her snacks first then gave her the bag in the seat to happily munch away while I finished up. If she could, I think she would attempt to help load the car too! :)

Another series of sweet encounters that happened yesterday that just about melted my heart:
Jasmine has made the connection between my swelling belly and the pending arrival of a baby. Yesterday, on multiple occasions, she came up smiling saying "the baby", then gave my belly a hug and several well puckered up kisses. Each time leaving with an even bigger smile. She is going to be such a good big sister and it makes me so thankful and proud.