Well , check another item off that parent to-do list! I broke down and let Claire dive into some paint and I was so surprised at her dainty painting skills. It’s hard to believe that the kid whose food finds its way behind her ears can hold a brush and keep most of the paint on the paper.
If you look closely there are a few blue streaks above Claire’s eyebrows, but other than that c-l-e-a-n. Even I had more paint smeared on me! In my own defense (there’s always an excuse, isn’t there?) I was slathering paint on apples and onions for some stamping.
Claire seemed so proud of her creations and was happy to help hang them on the clothesline to dry. I cropped out the laundry hanging on the rest of the line – you didn’t think I’d let a sunny day pass without something cheerfully drying in the sun, did you?
By the way, onion stamps make the coolest concentric rings – hands down winner in the stamping department in my opinion. Just zoom into that picture above and check out the pattern. I’d love some suggestions for other paint related ideas – share below in the comment section.
More photos to be seen via the slide-show linky here, but if you prefer the non-moving version sans cool color halos (how completely and utterly b-o-r-i-n-g, heehee!) there is a link to the album at the top of the post. Enjoy!
Chalk In My Pocket 
I loved the slide show ! If I am not mistaken I believe Grandma CaCa deserves photo credit for at least one of the shots 🙂 Claire is lucky to have a mom with so much patience and little kid still in her. Great to see you enjoying each other.
Hi Gina — she looks like she's having so much fun!
We used to use different household items (almost anything) for painting/stamping with toddlers and preschoolers:
potato masher
small vehicles with wheels to roll across the paint and page
nylon scrubbies (for pans) – looks like a firework pattern
I also recently saw a blog post using lego blocks – cool
Dee
http://newenglandnanny.blogspot.com
Hi Gina — I didn't see an e-mail address, so I have to add one more thing…would you mind if I posted the link to your blog post on your toe nail cutting tip next week on my blog?
This past week I posted a link from another Mom — I'd like to do it regularly as I find clever mom tips!
Would you mind if I used the foot photo to accompany the post?
let me know — thanks!
dgormly63@gmail.com
Hi Dee – Check your email! 🙂 G
Love the name Claire and love the clothesline full of art work. We set up Mini-Saurus' (age 2.5) play clothesline indoors this weekend to hang up some drippy artwork (Her idea!)
I love the onion idea, it probably offers strong texture and odor experience too! We do A LOT of painting. Little M is NOT a clean painter. Get yourself a $5 wipe able tablecloth and a button up shirt that is 3 or 4 sizes to big for Claire to wear as a smock. You won't mind if she ends up with paint on her toes. . .yes that happens to us!
http://amomwithalessonplan.com/2011/04/06/more-easter-fun-with-painted-eggs/
http://amomwithalessonplan.com/2011/01/19/sense-of-touch-reverse-finger-painting/