Future Picasso … Or Future Vandal?
I was lying in bed last night with Boy #2 (in Boy #3’s future room, whenever we FINALLY get the bedroom-switcheroo completed) obviously completely engrossed in Seymour Simon’s Planets Around the Sun because I failed to notice that fewer than 10 feet away, Boy #3 was doing THIS.
Now, what do you do with that? Was I angry? Yes. Am I used to things like this happening in my world? Ye
s. Did I think this little creature he drew was about the cutest thing ever? Again, yes.
So I gave Boy #3 the “We don’t EVER draw on anything but paper. EVER! Do you understand?” speech and decided I’d just leave it there since it’s going to be his room anyway. The builder’s paint won’t stand up to a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser scrub-down, I’m sure.
Now, silly me. I thought Boy #3 understood. I thought we’d reached an understanding. And I thought I’d put up all of the crayons and markers.
WRONG.
Oh, and not only did he draw on the wall in the hallway this time (with a nonwashable marker, I might add), but he also decided to color my already severely abused carpet.
I did try to Magic Eraser this one (well, Target-brand Magic Eraser, anyway), but it merely faded the drawings just a smidge. The carpet? Well, it’s been long overdue for a good steam-cleaning, but I wasn’t exactly planning on doing it today.
So, should I go ahead and start pre-paying tuition for him at the Kansas City Art Institute—or prepare myself for the fact that when he’s 16 I’m going to get a phone call from the local police that he was picked up spray-painting “CLASS of 2023 RULZ” on the water tower?
Gotta love those Mr. Clean Magic Sponges – Mr. Clean, bless his bald head, has saved many a wall in my Trenches!
Of course, it’s the rule that MARKERS GO ON PAPER! And if that rule is disobeyed, then the offender himself has to scrub his own mess with the sponge! Nothing better than seeing a 3 year old scrubbing a wall.
Boo did this in her room, with non-washable markers. If you find something that gets it off, let me know!!
Livie drew lines, with a pencil, on our kitchen cabinets, the stove, the fridge, the wall & the pantry door. She wasn't allowed to use any writing tool, unsupervised, for a long time.
Then, apparently, because Livie did it, Em though she could do it… but she gave herself away, by writing her name on the wall!
At least if he does become a vandal he will spell the words correctly. He is your son, afterall! I must say that I love his little creature, too!
I just gave up trying to paint over the crayon and marker, using magic erasers, or cleaning the carpet. When #3 hits 18, we will just repaint everything and recarpet every room!
Minneapolis has a good art school, too. lol
you could try to use a white terry cloth towel (all white – no color at all) soaked in hot, hot water, put it over the stain in the carpet, place a steamming hot hot iron on it – watch carefully so not to melt the carpet, and repeat – sometimes that will pull the stain out of the carpet fibers. (worked magic on my carpet…)
as far as the wall – if Mr. Clean didn’t get it off, I don’t know what will.
Oh…I know EXACTLY how you feel. AD has written on the walls of every room in our house, and the kitchen cabinets, and the appliances.
I certainly hope it is going to be the art school but to be on the safe side I would eliminate all forms of writing utensils and paint from your house. đŸ™‚
When the boys are grown, just buy an industrial sized can of Kilz and cover over all of it…well, except the carpet. It’s the small stuff in life that isn’t worth sweating…and before you know it, all of your walls will be the same color…and clean…but you’ll fondly remember that cute little creature created by #3. Yup, someday when you and Art are approaching geezerhood you’ll remember all of this as the Best Years.
Life is about helping the kids become the best adults possible and creating wonderful memories.
LOL! This is happening at our house too. Miss Priss took a SHARPIE and scribbled on the screen of my lap top!
My LAP TOP, for heaven’s sake!
Thank goodness for the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. Worked like a charm!