She took Initiative

After spending some time with a dear friend, I took some tidbits of wisdom back home with me (as I often do b/c she is a great example to me). She spoke of teaching her children some new words and ways of implementing & simplifying those words into there young lives. I thought it was a great idea.
I often forget, even though I am reminded almost daily, that children have a great capacity to learn. Emily has 2 dozen songs tucked away in her little 3 yr. brain and most of them are hymns, praise, and Gaither Vocal Band songs! She has a memory beyond what I think is possible and her awareness of things around her is mind-boggling.
OK, the point is, the same afternoon that I returned home from my precious time with Jess, I tested the waters of teaching the word, "initiative" to Emily. She came in from out side, sat, removed her shoes, and walked them to the shoe basket at the front of the house (without being asked). So, I added to my usual, "Good job, Emily, for being responsible..." the words "...and taking initiative!" She looked up at me, realizing I had said something different, and she says, "What you say?" I replied, "You are taking an initiative when you take your shoes off without being asked--great job!" As a reward, I then gave her a chocolate covered raisin.
A few days later, she does the same thing, comes in from outside and removes her shoes and places them in the basket. She comes running over to me and squeals, "I took initiative! Can I have a chocolate raisin?"
And of course, she got 3 chocolate raisins and a big laughing hug from mom.