Little Petunia is starting to plan her own projects now. Today she decided we should make birdhouses. (I have an unfinished one on my computer desk) It took quite a bit of convincing for her to accept we wouldn't be able to get a real bird to go in them. We made a puffy paint which was awesome. However she didn't want it to be puffy so she squished the heck out of it.
Puffy Paint
1/3 Cup white glue
2/3 Cup shaving cream
Mix together and add tempura paint for the coloring. We used a styrofoam egg carton to mix our individual colors in. I had some sea shells and insect buttons and leaves that we used for decorations and she picked out some birds from Michaels. But, what Miss Funfinity was really interested in was that can of shaving cream.
About the time I was getting her situated on the back patio, Erica came over..... very much not knowing what she was walking in to. Out came the glint in the eye, and the contagious giggle.... joy filled her whole being as she covered us both with her magic potion. Watching her made me realize how it seems never again will we feel as much complete and simple joy as we do in childhood.... and what a shame it is to squelch it with too many no's, or I don't have the time, or a million other ways we turn them away. (I know because I did it more times than I care to remember to my own kids) Even though I'm exhaused at the end of the day, this time with Mackenzie has been wonderfully fullfilling and joyful. If we frustrate each other it's only because we are two apples growing on the same tree.
