Sharpie

Three years ago I blinked and this is what I missed:

Sharpie Face Art by Remi

It might have been cute except the artwork was created with Sharpies, permanent markers and the medium was face skin.  

Two years later I sneezed and this is what I missed, again:  shame on me.  Good thing this fit of creativity took place right before Temple.

Second Sharpie Installation 

I promise you my children were no more than ten feet from me when each of these art explosions took place.  I'm not proud.  I'd like to tell you that Sharpie falsely advertises and it's not 99% permanent.  I wish that Todd was on duty.  I'd like to tell you that I learned my lesson after the first round.  Increased my parental vigilance.  Stayed hyper focused and on guard.  Clearly I didn't and insanely I believed that hiding the Sharpies was enough to prevent this from happening again.  I also swear that Remi, Chad and Eden make smart choices -- usually -- except when Remi is the ring leader.  The kid can sell ice to an Eskimo.  Take a cue from me, hiding the crack doesn't stop a child from locating it like a pig finds a truffle.  It's only a matter of time.  

My children have 22,000 magic markers.  If you know me well, "why have five of something when you can have 5,000?" Regret numero uno.  Why the magnetic pull to the Sharpie?  I have no idea.   Nothing, in my opinion, makes a better coloring option than good old Crayola, pastelles if you can take the mess.  

I'm thrilled I opted for the ten pack of Sharpies instead of the single work horse black.  Todd flipped.  He finds nothing about Sharpies or kids using Sharpies funny.  At least I got a good chuckle out of this and had the common sense to memorialize it on film.  Todd particularly loved when Chad and his best friend Dylan created Sharpie super hero pictures in navy blue on our wood kitchen table.  As we learned when the pictures were lifted up, there was no need for paper because the perfect copy of each picture was tattooed on our kitchen table.  Todd's head exploded comic book style and splattered all over our kitchen.  It took Dylan a month to return to the scene of the crime.

As I parent, I encourage all forms of creativity.  Build a fort in our den.  Make magic potions using mud and pine needles.  Make me breakfast in bed and have me drink a ghoulish brown mixture you call coffee.  Style my coif using 80 hair accessories.  Dig a fortress in our backyard and pelt me with dirt bombs.  I'll never stop you.  Heck, I'll even join you.  Ever touch a Sharpie again -- please make sure you do it at your grandparents' houses -- they think everything their grandchildren do is "fabulous!"