April 18, 2011

It's all about priorities


Having a plastic kitchen table has its benefits.

For almost the entire week last week, it looked like this.


You may now wipe the horrified expression from your face and close your mouth before you catch a fly.

I hadn't meant for it to happen, honest! It just... happened!

I think it was Monday when Savannah brought home these broken pieces of wood and insisted she get to keep them because she wanted to build something.

Fine, I'm not one to mess with creativity. Kids need to be allowed to explore!

That's why my children know a 9-volt battery stuck to your tongue will give you a zing.

Eh hem... er, not that I've ever encouraged such behavior... *cough*

But the next day, she decided she wanted to paint them. Of course, you can't allow one child the option of playing with paint before the others start bellowing and wondering where their paint is!

So, I brought out the paints.

For the first couple of days, I meant to clean it all up, really I did!

But after noticing how many HOURS, yes HOURS the kids were spending at the table each day coloring and painting, I just couldn't bring myself to mess with a good thing.

I have priorities you know.

Important priorities.
Sleep is something you just learn not to put high on your list.

You take what you can get when you can get it.


I'm an excellent power-naper.

(In case you're wondering, the table is now spotless and the kids are bored. Time to think of something else they can do. Hmmm... now where did I put that battery....)

11 super cool people speak:

Neisha said...

my kids love to paint too, and though I hate the mess, it does keep them busy.

make some play-doh for your kids...
2 cups of plain flour
1 Tbsp. of cooking oil
1 tsp. cream of tartar
2 cups water
food coloring
1 cup of salt

Place all of the ingredients in a medium size or large pan. Cook slowly on medium-high and stir it until the playdough thickens

Mama Smith said...

Ah...NEW stuff is on its way...I sent something for EACH CHILD...with Abe and Annie...They left for home...about 1/2 hour ago...LOVE EASTER! So many fun things one can do...Sounds like its time to COLOR EASTER EGGS for your next PROJECT! (smile) (Along with the use of that PLAY DOUGH recipe!)

KT said...

Never mess with children having a creative good time that keeps them occupied, happy, and engaged in nondestructive behavior.
Instead milk it for all its worth. A messy table for a week is SOOOOOO worth it!

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Haha! You said it!

Amy said...

Who cares about the mess??? My sister said one day (concerning the huge pile of legos on the floor) that she decided to be the fun mom instead of the clean mom that day. I said "that makes you a good mom."

Dangit, now I want some chocolate.

P.S. I know what a 9 volt battery does to your tongue because I have an older brother.

Susan Anderson said...

You and my daughter-in-law should be friends. Two of a kind, all the way...including the priority graph.

;)

TisforTonya said...

messy tables are what tablecloths were invented for - just toss it all on and cover it up.

you may have to flatten down a few of the items first though :)

Rachel Sue said...

That right there is exactly why- when we got a new kitchen table, I kept the old one. Which is now the art table. Which means that they can paint the day away and we can still eat dinner! never made a better decision in my life!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Looks like fun times!
If the kids are entertained by it I say let them play with it....even if it's matches.
OK not really.

Pitterle Postings said...

Serene, you really need to learn about butcher paper!! Put it on that plastic table, take out colored pencils and put in a cup (I don't like crayons if the kids are in the color on the wall stage) and get some of those foam stickers from Michaels, and turn them loose!! When the table gets messy, change the paper and keep going. It is my kids favorite part about holidays. Even the grown kids still color on the table!!

Charlotte said...

I had a plastic "dinner table" for years and it was great. The kids couldn't really destroy it and if I needed to move it, the legs folded up.

Even now with a boring traditional one, my table often looks like that. Which is why I have a boring traditional cheap one.

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