Splish! Splash!

One of the simple pleasures in life has to be watching your children get enjoyment out of making a mess and then getting cleaned up. Harrison is such a great mess maker. I think he has mastered the art of making a mess.

First he starts out rather clean. He doesn't like to get anything on his hands (at first). Then, like stepping into a swimming pool on a hot summer say, he takes the plunge. He realizes that there is great fun in watching mashed potatoes, pudding, yogurt, ketchup, or any other edible substance go crashing down on the table, rug, or his body. He will play and play until he realizes that the mess is not as fun to wear as it to play in.

So it is off to the bath we go. At first he hesitates because it interferes with his evening plans of watching the Backyardigans, but as soon as you tell him to give Elmo or Mickey Mouse a bath, he is off to the tub like a horse running towards his barn. Splish! Splash! Everyone gets wet!!!! He is very particular about how he is cleaned. Stay away from the hair!As a mom, however, I have learned the art of distraction so that I can scrub him clean. It is a tough job, but someone has to do it!

One afternoon, Nana was over at our house making dinner for us. Harrison was in rare form and was needing a job. So he helped Nana make country fried steak. First he took the flour and patted it on the meat. He had so much fun. He was smiling from ear to ear and chanting, " I did it mommy! I did it!". Then, like clockwork, the mess began. The flour no longer was on the meat. It was all over him, the floor, the counter, and Nana! What fun! Then of course, he headed back to the bath, to tidy up!




Kate doesn't quite understand the logic behind a bath yet. She just enjoys being held and having the milk wiped off of her face. She coos and shivers when you touch her with a wash cloth, but like most babies, she enjoys being in her birthday suit. She and Harrison have quite a time each evening after their baths. Harrison will lay down beside her and hug her. He loves his little sister and you can tell that she already knows her big brother. It is so much fun to watch them enjoying the simple pleasure in life.