Creative Destruction

The morning I posted the video of B and the flour fest, the kids were in the room as I previewed the video to make sure the upload worked.  Apparently the sight of B as an adorable two year old covered in flour was inspiration.  Later that day, I walked into my kitchen to find flour scattered everywhere-- and yes, S was covered in flour.  But having learned my lesson since the days of B's toddlerhood, I now have a latch at the top of the pantry door, which I knew S couldn't have opened herself.  After some motherly interrogation and investigation, I discovered that B had gotten the flour out and encouraged her baby sister to get into it.  That wasn't enough, either-- she then took some flour to the bathroom and proceeded to create a goopy flour paste mess that she attempted to hide by cleaning up with a bath towel.  (I found the towel the next morning, caked with sticky, drying goop.)

They don't grow out of it.  At least not in our family.

This week included deliberately peeing on carpet (K), tons of cereal spilled and scattered all over the house, the kitchen flooded multiple times (S has learned to work the water dispenser), a water bottle filled to the brim with shaving cream from Terence's brand new can (B), half a bottle of dishwashing liquid poured out on the kitchen floor (no idea who was responsible for that slippery joy), a bottle of Gatorade poured out on the carpet (this was a joint effort), my camera and a wii remote ruined by being dunked repeatedly in a cup of water (S) and paint spilled on the top of the fridge (by S-- nothing is safe in this house!)

I read a book on homeschooling this week where the author recommended having an art center with all kinds of supplies in a place accessible to the children so that they'll use it on a regular basis. She does admit that it is somewhat challenging because she has a three year old.  I can't even fathom having a large collection of items that could be used to creatively "decorate" our house stored all together, just waiting for my kids to wield them.  My walls look bad enough as it is.

On reflection though, maybe they do grow out of it.  M has caused a fair amount of damage in her day, but lately she's more likely to ruin something when she throws it during a temper tantrum, not because she's experimenting with something.  I don't know if that's progress out of the creative destruction stage, or just the next stage I should fear.

The thought of multiple hormonal teenagers throwing things at the walls does make me shiver.  Yikes!!!