Finger Paint is washable

I would love to say Thank-you to whomever made finger paint washable.

Today was the first time in a few months that I got finger paint out for my children to do a good, hands-on craft activity.

At first, it was my 6 yr old.
Then, it was my 6 yr old and 2 yr old together.
Wow, they had fun!
Then, as often it happens - this mama had to go out of the room, to go get 11 month old...
Upon return to the kitchen: there was finger paintings strewn about the kitchen, and they both had sheets oozing with finger paint, and were making foot prints on fresh sheets of paper. Needless to say, it took a bit of washing (but finger paint is washable!) to get the whole floor clean, but it got done.
It took a little washing to get the two kids clean, but it got done.
Then 8 yr old walks in the room: he is jealous. but, this mama says he can also finger paint, so fresh paper was given, and he was able to paint.
And wash, again.
Now, here is the problem: 5 yr old was sleeping through this whole occasion.
2 yr old felt bad that 5 yr old didn't get to paint, so the venue was changed (no longer on easily washable linoleum floor). And, 5 yr old (and 8 yr old, and 2 yr old again) got a chance to paint.
But, this time it was on the wooden table. And, guess what? Since finger paint is water-soluble, it gets absorbed into our wooden table! EEek.
Ok, but kids wash up just fine (as does the floor) and 2 yr old ends up in third outfit. Everything is fine.
This mama is too busy getting ready to go out the door for dinner at church, that the minor detail that got missed before got missed again: taking the paint away and hiding it.
8 yr old decided to do "Indian war paint" on his cheeks.
That's ok. Finger paint is washable.
This mama got the 11 month old in a new outfit.
And, ready to go out the door discovers that 2 yr old has decided to dunk arms (up to her elbows) in finger paint. That's ok, finger paint is washable -- and this time, it didn't get on the table, but it did get all over the church outfit.
So this mama washed the child up again, got to church late (missed prayer, but there still was food there).
Now, it's time to do a load of laundry, before the finger paint sets in clothes.

Just another ER trip..

Today started with my three year old being "sick". (Long story short, potty-woes. someone is reluctant to use "the potty".. so holds it.. and feels a little sick until getting the gumption to actually confront that this is a fact of life that can't be avoided...)

After taking my 3 year old to the Dr's... (he said the right thing, and we are much better.. I dread the bill though)... My 5 year old started fighting on the way out of the Dr's.

Of course, this brought about a time-out when we arrived at home. (Manners are important, and not having good manners merits a few minutes to reflect. Isn't that fair?)

Of course, no one wants to stay in time out.

So, My five year old repeatedly pressed the boundaries, getting out of time-out...
And, in the process... got more rambunctious and angry...

This led to a "push" (I'd use the euphemism of a 'bump' but it really was a push) against older sibling 'cause the 6 year old was tattle-tailing that the 5 year old got out of time out (again).

BUT....
This didn't happen without consequences.

My six year old was standing next to a closet door which was left ajar.
The "bump" caused a head collision with the edge of a door. "MOM, IT HURTS" oh, yeah, and blood splatter.. and then blood-soaked paper towel.

Then the debate: where to go? I tried to get phone and get ahold of the dr who we had JUST SEEN. (Ironically, if it had been for the SAME kid, the receptionist implied that we could get in, but, we were told to go to the ER).

We chose the Not closest ER (1 1/2 miles away -- That one has terrible wait times), and when to the one 21/2 miles away.

Turns out we made a wise decision -- from triage time until exit time was about 2 hours. (Not bad! last ER visit was over four hours if memory serves me correctly). Although the Adult ER was swamped, the pediactric ER had empty beds, and we got great service.

So, at the end of the day, One Dr Visit, one ER visit, 3 staples in one kid.

All stories have happy endings (eventually). Drum roll...

I have four kiddies in bed. And, I even have a few spare minutes to post a blog entry!

What do Whole Wheat Flour and Bathroom Sink have to do with each other?

We have creative children.

Who knows where they get their ideas?

Perhaps it's the Mr. Roger's tune "Let's think of something to do while we're waiting, while were waiting..."?

Well, I wish Mr. Roger's song included "never make a mess, while you're waiting", THAT would be a helpful tune to have in my kids' heads!

So, this evening, I was on the phone with a college friend.

I returned her call immediately after dinner.

I assumed my children went to the bathroom to wash their hands.

Perhaps, that was the original idea?

Someone (I think it was the 5 year old) brought the 5 pound container of whole wheat flour into the bathroom.

When I checked in on them (It's amazing how it only takes a few minutes for a mess to develop!) The sink was full with a Brown Liquid. Oh, goodness!

Time Outs, to each and every one.

"You know that mom paid money for that flour, and that flour was reserved for baking?"

"Oh, we didn't know that"!!!!!


Rather than risk a clogged drain, I emptied the sink out into the pail.

But, as I write this, there is a small area of paste on the bathroom floor that I need to remove, before it hardens...


At least my life isn't boring!

Just a little Cup of Apple Juice?

As parents, we've encouraged our children to do things for themselves that they can do.

In some ways, it's paid dividends: our oldest learned to tie his shoes at five years old, our next in line learned at three.

And our current three year old likes to do things too!

But, the other day, it started with a simple desire of a little cup of Apple Juice.

Now, I had just opened a full Costco-purchased 2 gallon jug of apple juice.

Of course, a three year old, can't pour that.

So, The FULL juice container (minus the one cup that had been poured previously, and the few ounces that remained) got spilled onto the kitchen counter and kitchen floor.
This, of course, included getting into the toaster oven, on cutting boards, etc.

Do you know how much a mess sticky apple juice is to clean up - when it's just a cup spilled?

Now, imagine volumes that should satisfy thirst for this family of six for at least a week...

Yup, you guessed it: A mess.

But, the adventure didn't end there. Realizing that it needed to be cleaned up, this three year old, grabbed the kitchen sink hose, and tried to spray it off. (Which, was an admirable idea, but, you guessed it -- wet. We don't want to let juice leak into the basement too!

Thankfully, I happened by the kitchen as the spill was expanding. And, we did have clean towels accessible.

It took a few days to get rid of the sticky residue from the floor and the counter. But, it got done.

Adventure concluded.

Of course, that means another one is around the corner!