The other night while James was out serving at our church, I found myself at home with a particularly active toddler. I don’t know what had gotten into this kid, but she was positively bouncing off the walls!
So when I stumbled on THIS article during a brief moment of peace, I was thrilled. I scrolled down the list looking for a time, mood, and Mommy-energy-level appropriate activity, and I found one:#14. Fill the sink with soapy water and let them “do the dishes”. GREAT IDEA!! We’re no stranger to having her help out around here (see #19 
), and it’ll be good practice for her real chores. So I grabbed some of her favorite and most indestructible) tea set, filled the sink with water and dish soap and let her go!
She started out slowly at first…
… carefully inspecting each dish as she wiped.
For the cups, she would fill them with water…
… swish it around, and then set them aside.
Oooops! She missed a spot!
But overall she was having a great time!
(This is what happens when you ask Lauren to “Say Cheese”)
(What a HAM!)
That is, until she discovered that if you take the towel, hold it under the faucet…
… and get a good amount of momentum going in your arms…
… you can get water EVERYWHERE!!
Then she had a GREAT time!! My floor and my baby were soaked!
But it was worth it. The water play definitely got some of the energy out and we were able to snuggle in for the evening. So I guess the next time you’re feeling restless and can’t seem to sit still, go wash some dishes!
*Editor’s Note*: Yes for those of you who caught it, that is a boy pull-up on my daughter. Somebody’s daddy was in a hurry at CVS and grabbed the wrong kind! She doesn’t seem to care right now, and God-willing she never has to tell her therapist about this.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
You better give her some real dishes to dry. Its time for these kids to start earning their keep
LOL!! Amen to THAT!