Look out Picasso!

I am happy to report that everyone is feeling much better now (and sleeping again)! 

Since recovering from her flu/cold, Makayla is working diligently to master the art of  temper tantrums.  And she's doing a beautiful job!  She certainly takes after her mother with that stubborn streak (did I just type that out loud?!).  Everything seems to be a trigger, from not getting her food first, to Austin tripping and falling too close (but not even touching) to her.

Austin however, is not big on tantrums.  Instead, he has learned how to get around some of the baby gates in our house.  Admittedly, the gates are not drilled into the wall, because we have some VERY wide entry ways and awkward angles that make babyproofing this home a nightmare, and Austin is going to use it to his advantage!  It seems that some of Austin's recent bumps to the head (he also takes after his mother, and frequently breaks his falls with his face (we just discovered this kid already has a chipped tooth!)) may have concussed him into forgetting what it means when mommy says, "No Austin, no, no!"  I give him my best, "I mean business" glare and head shake, he smirks and giggles....and off he goes.  Ugh...isn't that cute, but it is, but it's NOT!

With all this chaos, I'm excited that we have one of their friends with us for the next couple of weeks.  She is a total angel and seems to help mellow Makayla and Austin.  To all those parents I've heard say that having an even number of kids is best, I may have to disagree.  Having a third wheels seems to help diffuse some of the fighting.  I'm hoping she can teach them a thing or two, but if she picks anything up for Makayla and Austin, I'm going to swear to her mother that it wasn't from us!

Since having another little one around keeps us home more than normal, I decided to try something new today to help with the boredom blues.

I picked up some washable Crayola finger paints.  These were super affordable, even without a coupon.  Just $4.99 at my local Target.  And I put three colors in each of three zip lock baggies.

And I tapped the baggies to the window.  Before I could even get them up, Austin was eager to check them out! (Please pay no attention to the Dennis the Menace hair)

All fun and no mess! And totally safe for 15-month old's who LOVE to put their hands in their mouths!

Makayla enjoined this the most.  Singing and talking as she smushed the colors around, long after the other two lost interest.  We kept the baggies up and I'm hoping they'll keep playing with them after they wake from their naps, and maybe tomorrow.  There is almost no air in the bags, so they paint should me fun to play with for a few days.