Making a MESSterpiece

I've never been a mom to worry about my kids getting dirty or messy. Childhood is the time to experience dirty hands, face and feet because, lets face it, when were older your boss or significant other ain't havin' it! When I was little my mom tells me that our family pediatrician always said "Happy kids are dirty, and barefoot." Well my babies have obviously taken after me because we certainly do both.

My husband actually can't even walk around barefoot because his feet are so sensitive to pebbles and the concrete. We think that since his mom grew up in a poor country, having shoes (and wearing them) was a sign of wealth. There was NO walking around barefoot, period. My poor MIL probably thinks I'm nuts, but then again that could be why she always buys the kids gym shoes.



areyousureaboutthatblog Barefoot is Best!

We are playing outside - totally barefoot.

But that's an aside. We also love getting messy, well within limits.

My young son wanted to paint water colors one afternoon. So we did. I took out our large tray and we got to work. Baby girl too. After a little actual drawing time with their water colors, he wanted to "Do it with my fingers mom." Of course I said. So finger painting began... Then "finger tips" became "fingers submerged in paint"... which became "let's mush it all around our hands..."

areyousureaboutthatblog Making a MESSterpiece... Full On and IN

Areyousureaboutthatblog Baby girl loves MESSterpieces too.

Midway through this experiment - both kids were set up within my sight on the kitchen floor. So when they started getting silly I reminded them "only touch the paint and paper - nothing else or were closing shop!" He understood and baby followed his lead.

When the painting project was winding down, I realized the kids hands were COVERED IN PAINT, which is perfect to make HANDS PRINTS!!! So I quickly grabbed some fresh paper for "mom's project time" and took these hand prints, making use of some very well colored hands for a keepsake piece...to come, after cleaning up. 

areyousureaboutthatblog Making the Most of Painted Hands

Eventho the kids know how to wash their hands with soap and water, I was extra concerned about my walls. So I told the kids to "fold their hands with fingers locked up tight" (interlaced) and I escorted them (by holding their hands in the air so they wouldn't get the urge to touch anything). Into the bathroom and I turned on the water, I handed them the soap, I pulled the sink stopper plug to fill the basin and let them splash around and wash up. 

Life is good with kids who can freely and safely - within boundaries we parents establish - experiment and explore there messy fun world.

Make mistakes, breath, reflect and Laugh.Out.Loud!!

The days are long, the years are short. Enjoy life now, in the moment!! Even when it's dirty!