Monster Paint Party

Today Ego was home again with me so I needed to find something to entertain her.  I pulled out Disney Family Fun and decided to create a backyard paint party where Ego could throw paint covered rubber balls at paper attached to our playset.  Put away your “what, is she nuts” faces and just embrace the humor in the fact that I thought this was a good idea.   I’m desperate here!   Oh, and don't tell my husband that I allowed her to throw paint covered anything at the playset.  J

Before I share my lessons learned about letting your child paint your backyard, I want to give a shout out to all the mommies who hold it together everyday.  Today was one of those days when I was juggling too many volunteer activities, multiple summer camp drop offs, my children wearing dirty clothes because I hadn’t yet gotten to the laundry and kiddos who just needed attention and TLC.  Lets just say that by the end of the day mommy was on the verge of a self inflicted nervous breakdown.  I only have myself to blame for getting to this point, but it doesn’t make the emotional reaction any less real.  So I’m going to take a warm bath, go to bed early and start again tomorrow!  J

But first, here are my lessons about allowing your child to paint the backyard:

1)      It will take twice as long to set up the paint party than it will for your child to participate in the activity.  I don’t know why I don’t learn my lessons with these art projects.  I was convinced this would be a good hour of entertainment for Ego.  After ½ hour she was done with art!  Crap!

2)      Nothing within a 100 yard radius of the paint is safe.  When Cassie said “look mommy, I painted the rocks” I knew I was in trouble.  A day later I’m still finding all the things she painted - the slide, anything on the playset not covered in paper, the door knob, the back door, the cabinet next to the kitchen sink, the guest bathroom sink, the floor . . . I think I’m just going to close my eyes from now on.

3)      Before going to meetings for your volunteer activities, you should closely check your legs to make sure you have cleaned ALL the paint off.  I MAY have stepped in a bit of paint when I was trying to clean up the mess.

4)      When your child begins her painting adventure, you may want to check and make sure that the pants she has selected to wear are not white sweatpants.  There is a slight chance (ok, lets admit that there’s a 110% chance) that she will get paint on her pants).  She looked like Rainbow Bright after her “party” was over!

Ego still has to put googly eyes on her “monsters”, but she had a fantastic time and was so excited to show her sisters when they got home.  Thank goodness for washable paint!  Despite the mess, I recommend letting your kids have a backyard paint party at least once, particularly if they do it at Nana’s house!!!!  J