Painting and Priorities

Hi friends, no Wardrobe Wednesday here as I just want to savor the last drops of summer before school starts (too early!) for us in just two weeks.  I can't stop time, but I can enjoy the lazy days we've been fortunate to have recently and for the next couple weeks.  I want so bad to be present in the moment with my child and it's difficult to do that for every moment of the day, but sometimes, those moments happen and you don't even have to try.

The morning when James declared, "I want to paint!", I admit my first thought was about how messy it would be and how I'd have to pull out all the supplies and the kitchen counters would have paint everywhere, etc.  Not wanting to be "that mom", I quickly changed my attitude and just took the painting outside so it didn't matter about the mess.  When I relaxed, I was able to just enjoy being outside with my son, and even got in on the painting action.  I can only play sword fight or lightsaber war for so long, but when we are doing something crafty together, or reading or playing a game, it's much easier for us both to get lost in time.  

We had such a nice time painting that on a recent jog in my neighborhood, I took note of all the rocks  along the way that I thought my son would like painting too.  The next time we went to the park in the wagon, we stopped to collect rocks to wash and paint when we got home.  I made a big deal about it and he thought it was the coolest thing, finding the perfect rocks to paint and then helping wash them in a big tub of soapy water and finally painting them together.  It is messy, but who cares when it's outside and you can just wash off later?!  

An activity like painting rocks reinforces the point that we don't have to do elaborate play dates or spend big money on fancy birthday parties, it's often the "cardboard box" and spending time with us that young kids enjoy most!  

My son is at what just might be the perfect age (the magical age of 4) where he is so big and independent in many ways, yet still my little boy with chubby toddler hands. He's not afraid to openly declare his love for mom and dad, give lip kisses, and ask big, innocent questions like, "Why can't I see Jesus?"  That one surprised me.  His curiosity is exquisite. 

Suddenly, the things in my life that felt like they were beginning to overwhelm me have been put into perspective and we're in a good groove.  :)