The Mess That Is Easter Egg Decorating.

Last night, we decorated Easter Eggs. I hesitate to say, we, because I wasn't much part.

I hovered. That's what I do when these messy activities take place.

I can't lie about it. There is no way to make excuses. These kind of messes stress me out.

It's like the whole carving pumpkins debacle. I picture worse case scenario. Pumpkin guts all over. Messy floor. Messy kids.

It's the same with the Easter Egg dying. I picture dyed walls and dye on the floor and the kids, oh the kids, dye on their arms and their clothes and ugh, what a mess.
I wish this weren't the case. I wish I could just let it go. Let them have fun without having to change their clothes into old sweats and t-shirts. Not cover the table and floor with newspaper.
Give me baking or cooking help messes any day. I don't mind.

And I don't mind the mess at someone else's house or even at school. Let them play in flour or mud or chocolate pudding. I have no qualms. But when it is here. In this house and I am responsible for them and this mess, I get queasy.
And I hover.

But I don't want them to miss out. I don't want to be that kind of mother. The one who nags and is annoyed with the mess. The one who makes it no fun.

I want to be the mom who is up to my elbows in the mess with them. I want to be the mom who says it's just a messy kitchen, let it go.

I'm not there yet.
Someday.
Lord willing, someday.

For now, I am the mom that hovers. Quietly, so as not to ruin their fun.

I let J take the lead and lead them.

I want them to remember that they did these things. With each other.

And that they had fun.
That they made a mess.
And that it was ok. It was totally ok.

Even if I only hovered.