Max has been on a creative tear lately. He’s been making up interesting games, songs, etc. He’s also been full of energy from dawn to dusk and not taking naps. I guess he’s really three now.
Last night, I came home from work to find Max and Jen sitting on the sunroom floor building “sand castles” out of pieces of toilet paper. Apparently, while Jen was downstairs doing laundry, Max found our stash of TP and decided he could make sand out of it. He ripped up the entire roll in the sunroom and proceeded to build things with it. When Jen came up, he hastily pointed out, “It’s sand!! I building SAND CASTLES!!!” I think he was trying to tell Jen he wasn’t being naughty, but had a reason for mutilating the roll. Jen, of course, sat down with him and started playing. When I got home, I took over with the camera. Max thought it was really cool to pick up a bunch of pieces, throw them up into the air and walk under them. We had a TP fight, made some TP origami, wore TP hats and Max stuffed a bunch of it down my shirt. Who knew TP could be so much fun?
You and Jen are great parents. Most would have punished him for having fun. I’m pleased to see you two are willing to look at life through Max’s eyes.
Jen said it was clear he was playing and not just being destructive. I came in after it happened, so I wasn’t going to lose it if Jen wasn’t. Jen’s the great parent… I’m just her sidekick.
If I could, I would laugh out loud. Instead, I will laugh inwardly & rejoice that Max’s Mom is so understanding and playful. It would have been a great video. Sorry to miss the great AZ adventure.
I think Connie was on to something. Why didn’t you punish him for that. Kevin? He’s obviously horribly disobedient. You should have sent him to the basement without any dinn-…
Um, never mind.
Seriously though: Personally, I’m amazed by what I find funny or impressive these days. Writing on the bedroom wall? Well, heck, at least he spelled the words right! Way to go! And all the nails in the piece of purpleheart I was going to use? Well, heck if they aren’t very straight and orderly. He organizes well and never once hammered his own thumb. That’s worth something, isn’t it?
I’m discovering that good parenting often involves knowing what to put on high shelves.
Lemme tell ya, son, I consider toilet paper to be VERY fun, on accounta the alternative of having a mitt full of poop ain’t fun AT ALL! It’s all in the contrast.