make her own breakfast

It took just the tiniest readjustment: we moved the plastic kid plates down a shelf. And Voila! Rose could make her own breakfast. She gets her own plate, takes the frozen cinnamon bread out of the freezer, puts in the toaster, puts the chocolate yogurt in a bowl, gets a glass of water, and carries everything carefully to her waiting book. We've been having serious conversations with other parents about responsibility vs. safety issues. I know Jane had her girl cutting with the sharp knife at seven. We aren't quite there, but this is a happy start.

go to the bookstore by herself

So talking about responsibility vs. safety, I took a big jump the other day. I sent Rose to the bookstore alone to buy a birthday present. The bookstore is only four blocks away and does not involve crossing any major streets. But still. I believe stranger danger is mostly imaginary. But still. The people at the store are very nice and helpful. But still.

Rose told me how she looked both ways and again to the left crossing the street. This is the third time ever that she has crossed streets without an adult present. She told me how she asked the store people for help. I was actually not worried about her making a decision. She has a lot of book ideas. They wrapped the present for her, and then she ran all the way home. Which meant I could start breathing again.

operate the remote control and Tivo

Not only can Rose do all the remote control stuff David can do, she can also get to the saved programs, scroll through them, read the blurbs, and pick which Arthur, Word Girl, or Franny's Feet she wants to watch for her half hour of t.v.

recommend books

Patricia Polacco, Sharon Creech, Jesscia Day George. . .Rose has a lot of authors she wants to get you hooked on. And she's right, they're great.