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!

My baby Girls Sippy Cup is a Weapon

My baby girl gets a cup with milk before bed. Yes, I know that's a big no no, on her teeth. Got it. But this is the way I ween with the least screaming, sorry teeth. I did read tho that the teeth damage is from milk that stays in the mouth too long. Like my cousin who fell asleep with a milk bottle in his mouth only to have front tooth caps at age two, covering his two rotted vampire shaped milk teeth. With our cup she has to really SUCK the milk out, so she's really swallowing most of the milk residue out of her mouth too. Most.

I tried many "leak proof cups" only to find they drip drip drip their contents onto our sheets and bed. Causing a wet spot and a chill under baby's head who wakes up screaming... You get the idea.

But even my favorite sippy, a brick of a strong cup made from recycled milk gallons, is a weapon. When my daughter wakes up in the middle of the night, thankfully I feel her move and grab the cup. That's when I move my hand up to my face, in a hold similar to those creepy hand jewelry stands (you can find a DIY on Pinterest). My fingertips near my forehead and my palm on the tip of my nose. Because our dear leak proof sippy cup is sturdy, and so solid, that as my daughter tossed it when she was finished, it landed on the bridge of my nose. This cups very reliable, even tho not intended to break skin. So my funny "hand face mask" is purely for my protection. It's free, works great, and saves me some skin off my nose!! Literally.

"The days are long, the years are short" Gosh I love my kids!!