During the Texas summer heat, I fantasize about the cooler weather and all the things we will do because the mosquitos will be gone or less active and the heat will no longer be a deterrent to the fun.  One of those things was painting at the table in the backyard.  Yesterday, I made good on that promise.

Now, with art and toddlers you immediately have to set the expectation that this may last all of 5 minutes eventhough it took me 10 minutes or more to get set up.  Another thing is the creative ways in which toddlers want to make art.  I am still working out the kinks such that I am not constraining the process too much.  Today went pretty well, although I had to step in when Tyler was unscrewing the lids to the paint bottles and wanting to pour the paint.  Apparently, he was wanting to open the lid, but had trouble flipping it up..so why not just unscrew the thing??  I get it - problem solving, but we are still not pouring out the paint that way!  :-p

It was a nice moment and cool to see the kids doing something together.  The wind was blowing hard that day and blowing the kids papers.  Tyler kept yelling at the wind, “Wind stop it!  Go away wind!”  When I asked him if he prefers indoor or outdoor painting he said , “indoors because there is no wind.”  He was also painting his hand and making hand prints, which got me thinking that would be a fun next thing to do.  I just have to do a better job of dressing him…I think a second artist smock is a must! 

Tyler starts off with the brush and makes a really cool work of art

Before long, the hands are involved and the table and paper are soaked with paint.  Yes, yes - art is fun!!