Keira responded "Just painting some rocks, mom"....
Painting WHAT?
For Christmas, the girls received rock painting kits that have been tucked away ever since... I guess they felt it was time to break them out :) Independently... without any adult interaction... LOL
Keira set up newspaper, got out the paintbrushes, handed out aprons and set up herself and her sisters with paint, water, brushes and rocks... all on her own. She takes such care with things like that... its really great.
I always encourage the girls to create. I love to paint and draw and make things..... I wish there were more hours in the day so I could spend them writing, painting, taking photos and creating. I love that the girls enjoy being creative as well.
I think it is so important that we, as parents and caregivers, try not to worry so much about the mess that our children might cause when they create. I know it can be so very hard to keep the house together with small children... its truly not possible to have it all put together all of the time. And, I know many moms who avoid paint and play dough and other crafts because of this. But, it is so wonderful when children are free to express themselves through art. And, older children are very capable of being mindful to set-up their workspace, clean their brushes and tools and to be careful.
And really what is the worst that can happen?
A little paint on their fingers...
Maybe a thumb or two?
OK quite possibly the floor, their clothing and your entire kitchen... but isn't it worth it in the end? Childhood is messy... what fun would it be otherwise? Now that Keira is so good at setting everything up, we'll have to work on the CLEANING everything up part next :)~
xoxo
