Today I’m linking up with Lisa-Jo for Five-Minute Friday. So, grab a timer, set it for five minutes, and join me!
The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, overthinking, or backtracking. Just write. Then leave some comment love for the person who linked up before you…and anyone else because that’s the fun and the heart of the community!
Today’s prompt: Paint
Ok, so I really thought about making y’all laugh and writing about the ridiculous woodpecker who keeps pecking at our house and is leaving holes in the siding and taking the PAINT off.
I may or may not have totally chased him off with one of my boots today.
But, instead, I’m going to talk about what came to mind first and avoid the possibility of getting into trouble for chucking footwear at a bird. 😉
So, I’m really trying to be a more fun mama.
I mean, there are lots of moments of fun for me and my girl…goodness, we rode a motorbike together in Indonesia. And if there had been vines, I would have totally taken her vine swinging. 😉 And on a normal day, we have a great time. Dancing, playing, couch surfing.
Yes, yes we do.
But there are also way too many times when I just avoid the mess.
Oh, there are definitely moments of the controlled kind of mess…the kind when we cook together and I just wipe up the messes as they happen. Or when we play with glitter glue and I just spread the newspaper far and wide so I don’t have to deal with the sticky and the sparkle all over Eve.Ry.Thing.
But this week…well, it was different, kind of.
We’ve been talking about painting together…that thing that is just GUARANTEED to change the color of the dining room table forever. But we were walking through Target, and she found it. A cute little princess set with a brush and Real. Live. Paint. (As in, not watercolors.)
Oh boy…and Mel takes a deep breath and spends the dollar so her sweet girl can have an afternoon of painting fun.
She had a blast. She seriously loved it.
And the best part? The paint wiped right off the table.
Win. And here’s to a lot more afternoons of painting and making messes.
Because I’ve got a pretty fantastic girl…and I want to make all the memories we can. 
I love your heart expressed here, Mel! It took me the longest time to get comfortable with painting, so I completely understand. But a mama that chases a bird with her shoe is most definitely anything but boring!!! Your girl is blessed to have you.
You are so sweet…thank you for stopping by and for your encouragement, friend! Blessings…have a great weekend!
Your post made me smile today, Mel. Thanks (we have woodpeckers in the woods here, but they’re just pecking the trees, that I know of)! You talk about the risk of permanent mess left behind after painting like this… I’m thinking of the permanent picture in your hearts that leaves an indelible joy… so worth the creation. I hope you can continue to boldly let your sweet daughter paint into your lives like that.
I love how you said that…thank you.
I’m starting to realize that the memories are so worth the mess it takes to create them. And I’m kind of ready to replace our dining room table, anyway! 😉 Thank you for stopping by today, Ruth…blessings.
Mel, I so love what you expressed here. As moms, we so have a problem with some of the messes our kids make as they enjoy crafts. I know I did. And yet, these days, these moments, pass oh so quickly. When you both look back, you won’t remember the mess at all. You will only remember the joy. You are absolutely right – you have a very fantastic little girl. Keep making memories for they are a thing of beauty you will paint on both of your hearts! Blessings!
Thank you for your sweet words, friend! Blessings and hugs to you…have a great weekend!
This just made me smile! What wonderful memories you are creating…both of you will treasure them in years to come!! And I’m also really glad your table survived.
Haha…I’m glad, too, though I confessed to someone earlier that I wouldn’t mind if we replaced it soon. Hmmm… 😉 Happy weekend to you, Jen!
Hi Mel, joining you from Five Minute Friday. You sure look like a fun mom to me!! Thank you for sharing your heart with us today
Thanks for stopping by today, Shannon! Blessings.
I love this! I need to embrace the mess–sometimes–too, let them squeal, and cherish all these insanely awesome moments when they’re young and excitable and clinging to my legs every waking minute.
Isn’t it so true that our kiddos thrive in messes and happy squeals? I want her to make those memories…and so I let go and let her, or at least I try to!
Blessings to you, friend!
It’s always hard to let go and let the mess happen–but the results are always worth it, aren’t they? It’s a good analogy for our lives. We have to give up control to God, and he’ll faithfully prove he can create memories from the messes.
I love that…I definitely struggle giving up control, but it IS always worth it! Thank you for your sweet encouragement, friend.
I hope you had a good aim! This woodpeckers are persistent!
Ah yes – make the memories… and the messes! Before you know it, she’ll be nearly grown! (Ask me how I know!) Also… she may remember, for instance – instead of all the things that you DID do with her, she may remember, let’s just say, how you hated playing Barbie and never wanted to get all of the stuff out. Maybe. I’m just sayin’… 😉
Terrible aim…but I wasn’t really trying to hit him, just scare him away. We actually have a huge plastic owl (that is completely tacky) and we pull that out during “woodpecker season”. I guess it’s time to get it out! It really does keep them away, mostly.
Thanks for stopping by today, sweet friend…I love seeing your smile here!
Mel, i missed reading about your life and your girl. I love your spontaneous play time and I remembered/ prayed for you while you were in Indonesia. Love
Hello, friend! Thank you for your sweet encouragement and for stopping by. Heading over to catch up on your space now! (((hugs)))
Hi Mel! I saw your cute face in the links, so I clicked it and voila! Here I am in your awesome space.
So glad I came by. I love the fact that you threw a boot at a woodpecker. And the fact that you let your baby girl create even though it made you nervous and then she loved it and so did you. Love. it. Have a good weekend, friend.
Hey, friend…I love seeing your sweet smile here. Thank you for stopping by!
Hope you had a wonderful weekend and a fabulous birthday! Blessings and hugs. 
Oh how I wish I had embraced the mess and memories more than I did. Both my kids were home this weekend and we went down memory lane. It was the messy times they remembered and they really didn’t mention my non so mom of the year type days.
Love on that sweet girl, embrace the mess and always give yourself grace.
You are always a sweet encouragement to me, friend. I’ve been thinking of you a lot lately…hope you’re doing well! Sending BIG hugs!