The Shoe Step

It is a very small moment, but I take a little delight every time I call my kids to get their shoes on because they both run to the bottom step of the rear stairs. What's most cute is really that Mary is so young but, if she even hears me mention shoes or "outside," she runs for those stairs. John opens the laundry room door, both kids tumble past each other to the shoe bin, and they choose their own shoes (including Mary!). Then they sit down and wait for me to put them on. John needs help with socks and can put on all his own shoes except those with laces. Mary tries to put on her own shoes, but can't do it yet. While I'm putting on John's socks, Mary likes to be in charge of the shoes, so she holds John's shoes one at a time and hands them to me.

Perhaps it is somewhat silly, but the shoe moment is just so sweet to me, as many times as it happens in a day.