The Art of Summer

Today I was inside feeding Ellie and Mason was outside with Daddy.  I was gearing up for a day of planting our corn in the side garden.  Unfortunately, the cool weather we have been having melted away just in time for me to be feeling up for some yard work.  As I was bonding with Ellie, Mason trekked in with a big 'ol stack of "washable" ink pads.  They are about the size of salad plates. I asked him what he was doing and he said quite matter of factly, "Bringing these in here." Oh, of course.  Silly question.

I said, "Please don't bring them in here, they are for outside artwork."  

"Why?" Mason asked as he proceeded to venture toward the carpet with them.  

Seeing that I was not going to change a 2 and a half year old's plan with mere words, I had to act quickly. I thought perhaps I could detour him a smidge.  "How about you put them on the kitchen floor instead?"  Cool, that worked and will be way easier to cleanup.  "What are you planning to do with them?" I asked.

"Put them on my hands." said Mason.  

He then proceeded to peel all of the sponge ink pads out of their containers and stack them in a pile of 6.  "Where are you going?" I asked.

"Outside." Whew, okay, still messy, but outside. I can live with that. So I watch him leave.

Minutes later he returned...

"Whoa, what the heck is that?" thought Ellie.

"It's just me, Ellie."

"Oh, my Mason. Why is he all colorful? I want to try that." smiled Ellie. (Too bad she can't escape the loving hands of Mommy or she would be abstract art as well.  I know it's only a matter of time.)

What to do in a situation like this? Embrace the moment and go outside to play in the water.

"I love summer!" sang Mason.  

Me too.