Ricker Family

My kitchen walls have been a work-in-progress for, uh, two years? Well, thanks to a much needed kick in the rear to get finished I now have only a little painting left to do (that's after stripping, priming, and texturing. Darn that bright springy floral wallpaper!).

So, I've been painting- with all the kids home- and awake. It's exciting!

I early on in my motherhood career learned that if I am to expect my children to be willing workers I have to, well, allow them to work. This tends to take a tremendous amount of patience on my part as I often cringe at the words "mom, can I help?" as they most frequently come when the work to be done has the potential for a mess. The bigger the mess potential, the more zealous the volunteers.

The kids were upstairs playing. I was painting. Quietly. Very quietly. Bailey needed a snack. My secret was out. She pleaded and promised to be SO careful. I gave her a small brush and told her exactly where she could paint. Then Trey needed a snack. He pleaded but wisely did not promise to be SO careful as he is fully aware that he and paint have yet to combine in a neat and orderly fashion. Again, if I always say "no" when they ask to help they will eventually just stop asking. Paint away, my little ones...

Top 10 things overheard during Ricker kitchen painting

10. "Mom, can I have a napkin?"
9. "Will you be mad if a little bit spills?"
8. "Oh, there's a little spot on the floor. Well, 1, 2, 345, 6..."
7. "Look! A smiley face!"
6. "Mom, can I have a rag?"
5. "People are going to think this looks SO nice when they look at the wall over there."
4. "How do you spell 'Welcome to our kitchen?'"
3. "Wow! The floor looks good this color too!"
2. "Mom, can I have the mop?"
and finally...
1. "No! Mom doesn't want the plug thing painted!"

I'm told I will miss "opportunities" like this in 20 years.