More than Mothering

 We've been staying plenty busy this summer, what with all the lessons, camps, playdates and book mobile trips we've been taking. But there are those rare days where we just stay home and I try to play creative mama  by trying to think up ways to keep my kids out of trouble. And also how to keep the messes outside.

 One day recently, it was quite a scorcher (literally, you should see our scorched yard). We decided to head out to the alligator pool and play in the water.

 And then I got a wacky idea. I decided to actually get the kids incredibly messy outside. I grabbed the chocolate syrup and mustard on my way out to the pool--two ingredients that almost never get used in this house (I guess we're just not that into ice cream or sandwiches--but ice cream sandwiches, well that's another story). So I decided I may as well put them both to good use.

 And so we painted. We painted with the chocolate first, and then we painted with the lovely mustard.

 Some of us decided to taste the chocolate (who can blame her, right?)....

 And (I don't know if you can see it well, but...) some of us decided to taste the mustard-- what?

Crazy girls! I, personally would never ask for a mouthful of mustard, but they seemed to enjoy it! 

Some girls just like to get incredibly messy and have a good time.

And some girls just like to stay clean and look angelic (even if her sassitude was in full swing, ahem Boushka)!