Caroline's stool

I bet I had everyone worried with that title! Not to fear, this post is actually about my nemesis... Caroline's step stool.

I fear the stool...
the sound of it grating across the kitchen tile,
the crash of it on my big toe,
the slam against the cabinet that the frying pan I'll need is in,
the shove under the water dispenser (because someone has to fill her own water cup),
the hustle to get the stool to turn on daddy's bathroom light before she goes potty,
the trip over it when the kitchen is dark,
the caution to keep it a foot away from the cooktop...

...I actually hid the stool in the laundry closet for a few glorious hours last week.

But, I also love the stool...

the eagerness to help mommy,

the pride to do things by herself,

the independence it brings,

the cuteness standing in front of my computer talking to grandma on the webcam,

the ease of washing hands at the sink,

the cuddle sitting on the stool when something has gone wrong...

... I guess I'll keep it!