#75 It's Okay

One afternoon Taylor came strolling in, proudly displaying her latest artwork.

"Look, Mama!" she said, smiling.

Upon examining the permanent markered page, my enthusiasm didn't quite match hers. "Taylor!" I half sighed... the other half was... frustrated (seeing we had just been through this a week ago), "You're not supposed to use marker--it gets on the counter."

Her smile didn't fade, it only broadened. "No! It's okay! I didn't color it on the counter. I colored it on the piano bench!"    ...Oh, child.

Are you curious? I was. Yes. There is permanent marker on the piano bench. I can laugh about it now later.

#74 Let's "Pretend"

I love hearing my kids play make-believe. I love it when their imaginations run wild and I get to be a silent observer to pure creativity.

Of course some make-believe sessions are a little... less creative. Those somehow strike a funny bone in me.

One afternoon—playing with friends—it's time to start parting ways. Moms round up kids and this is what I overhear Brecken saying:

Brecken: Abby, let's pretend we're humans (ok... check—they are, in actuality, humans). And we're friends (check again, so far, there is no pretending needed). And let's pretend that you have to leave (yes, this too is a reality). And I'm sad that you have to leave (I can't say positively, but I'm pretty sure this also is an actuality).

Abby: Ok. Bye, Brecken

Ah, what stunning imagination. Pretending that it is your scheme and not your parents' to be separated from your friends, is perhaps one of greatest products of creative imagination. It's a lot like the times Brecken says to me, "Mom, let's pretend you're the mom, and I'm the daughter, and I have to clean, and you're giving me jobs..." Yes, honey. Let's "pretend" :)