Creative Capers

Natalie's first "Pebble's" hair-do.
Can you imagine what the auto insurance is going to be in another 10 years?

Natalie found the mud first...then the dog food.

Sometimes I feel like I'd like to pull my hair out for the sake of my kid's "creativity."

This morning started out with Heidi and Jessie "washing" the Suburban with wet, dirty brooms. Of course, the vehicle needed it, but I'm not sure they helped the situation out a whole lot. I can't fault them for their desire to help though. I found both of them on TOP of the Suburban...Heidi on the roof and Jessie on the hood...making sure they got every square inch! Argh! It wasn't even 10am yet.

Then came the next feat in Natalie's need to conquer. I heard her breathing hard as I was helping Jess with something in the living room. I looked over to the kitchen and there is Natalie with the biggest smile on her face on top of the kitchen bar counter! She had climbed up a step stool that was left beside the counter and made it onto the counter. She did her little victory dance up there before I could get over and bring her out of the clouds.

Good thing we had a deadline for lunch-when Tim comes home from work-otherwise it would have been a lot later.

Heidi and Jess's love affair with water continued when I sent them out to water the flowers. I should have known that they just couldn't resist playing in the water. The squeals brought me back out to check on them only to find that they had a five gallon bucket FULL to the brim with COLD water and they are taking turns sitting in it. "No harm" I think because the sun had come out and it was warming up. But in-between phone calls I check on them again and you guessed it-they're both naked. Why?! "My clothes were all wet!" "Duh!!!" So I get them their swimming suites....only to find them naked again in about 15 minutes. This time they had to go to the bathroom. (They availed themselves of the outside facilities-bushes. Good thing this isn't the middle of Anchorage.) Jessie's excuse was that she couldn't get her suite back on! I'm not sure Heidi had an excuse, but I'm sure she was trying to give me one.

I'd had enough, so quiet time it was. Not yet..."I'm cold. Can we have some hot chocolate?" was the cry. Well who could blame them? All that playing and cold water was bound to get them cold and hungry. Hot chocolate and a snack it was and then to lay down and be quiet.

Supper came and went. But it seems like Heidi and Jess hadn't gotten enough water therapy yet because I found them in the bathroom with a whole bucket of nuts (with the shells on them) in the sink filled with water! Heidi, who had asked to play "nicely" with the nuts, adamantly said it wasn't her idea-all Jessie's, I guess! At this point, I told Tim in a very stressed tone, "If my girls come up with one more creative idea today, I'm going to pull my hair out!!! What am I thinking having another one? I can't handle the ones I've got!"

So my day went. Now as I sit at the computer smelling like cut grass and mower exhaust desperately needing a shower, I realize that I did get a few things done today. The laundry is still in the washer and dryer, but my kids are peacefully sleeping in bed. They are healthy, fed, and now clothed.

I can ponder God's graces in allowing me to experience these creative capers. A year ago today, I was in Seattle for Natalie's second open-heart surgery. These experiences in life make us who we are. (Right now I feel like a frazzled mother.) Thank you God, for these treasures that you have entrusted to my care. May they use ALL of their creative talents for YOU!