Lessons Learned, One Mess at a Time

    If you have a child, or have spent any time in close contact with a child, you know their ability to dismantle your home would put a NASCAR pit crew to shame. My daughter has perfected the art of taking advantage of any minor distraction on my part, and turning that momentary lapse into mass destruction.
   At almost 19 months old, L is still wearing her size 6-9 month clothing, and I think this gives a false sense that she is younger, thus tricking people into thinking she couldn't possibly think up, let alone execute, some of the stunts she pulls. Even I find myself forgetting at times that she is in fact a toddler, capable of more than I give her credit for.
   Yesterday was one of those days. After finishing breakfast, I sent L to the living room to play while I cleaned up, and made an important phone call. After 5 minutes, I wrapped up the call and reached for the bowl of leftover scrambled eggs I had set on the counter....and came up empty handed. I looked around. Gone. Checked the fridge, had I already put them away? No. Did I throw them out? No. L couldn't have possibly reached them, the counter is way beyond her reach. And that's when I saw her plastic potty sitting beside the counter. Apparently it had been upgraded from hat to step ladder.
    I looked into the leaving room, and oh joy, she's decided to redecorate our living room. There is a trail of eggs leading to the sofa where my daughter is enthusiastically using the last of the eggs to add some color to our furniture.All I could say was "L, why!!??" She flashed her dimples, full of pride and said, "Mama, So Piddy!" (Translation: SO Pretty!!) Have you ever had the privilege of scrubbing cheesy scrambled eggs out of a living room rug? I don't recommend it.
   This is not the first or worst mess I've encountered. Mentioned in a previous post, L takes any opportunity to remove her diaper. This is usually quickly followed by my husband yelling down the hall, " What is this puddle in the hallway? Did you spill something?" or, personal favorite of mine, "Did something spill on the couch, my pants have a spot on them!"
    Before I had a child, I worked for years as a nursery school teacher, which is perhaps why I'm able to take messes in stride. Life with a kid is going to be messy and chaotic, no matter what you do, so we can either let it stress us out, or laugh it off as another phase of childhood that, believe it or not, you'll miss one day when they're grown and cleaning scrambled eggs off their own living room rug. Until then, I'm stocking up on paper towels, and spot carpet cleaner, and moving that bowl just a little bit higher!!