Wednesdays and Fridays are my "off-work" days which means they are my "on-mama" days. Both are challenging and inspiring in their own ways. Ellerie is now a full-fledged toddler which means there's no "One sec!" where I can dash out of the room to send an email or move the laundry. (She comes with and "helps" in both cases.)
Yesterday (techically today, I'm typing this as she naps so it's ready for Thursday morning) was Wednesday and by 8am we were out of things to do. When this happens, I generally let her pull everything out of my office cupboards while I drink my coffee and dream about sleeping in.
She dumped an entire plastic bin of craft supplies, picked up the watercolors, shouted "More!" and I was like, "Wonderful idea, boss! Let's make that happen."
We got set up pretty quick (this is not my first watercolor rodeo) and she was off and painting in her highchair (at the dining table, covered in kraft paper).
I use "painting" liberally here. Ellerie LOVES the paint, but she mostly loves mushing the brush into the paint and then sticking it into the water to see the colorful clouds.
She also loves sticking her hand in the water dish while mushing, obviously.
And when that's gets boring she loves painting on herself.
I love all of it. My "rules" are no sticking the brush in your mouth and no dumping the water bin (it helps if I hold it) but other than that, paint it all. Paint the table. Paint your onesie. Paint your hair. Paint mama's hand. It's watercolor. That's what it's for, right?
If we end up getting paint on the paper - well hey! Bonus!
In my head, this feels like a 20-25 minute activity, but I think that's because on Wednesday and Fridays I operate on toddler time. In reality it was probably closer to 7-9 minutes. But it somehow took up enough time to get the zoo to open. (I am totally ready to start a petition that all kiddo friendly places should open at sunrise, just like children do.)
Good stuff. I seriously cannot believe I get to be mama to this amazing girl. She turns 17 months old today! Keep growing, Ellerie, you're awesome!
