Washer Woman

Today I was the stain fighting, pre-treating, scrubbing, rubbing, washer woman extraordinaire! It all started out bright and early this morning- right after breakfast. I dressed Lauren in a cute teal blue shirt with matching blue and purple plaid carpi's. She looked so fresh and pretty. I placed a pretty purple barrette in her hair as she rushed past me yelling, "Sow-si, sow-si!" (That's outside for those of you who don't speak Lauren-ese). She had heard her brothers rush outside to go romp through the sudden rain shower we were having. I raced after her, to stop her from preceding into the damp muddy outdoors, but she already had on one rubber boot. I couldn't tell her no. She was so excited. There was no way I was going to get her to change into play clothes, so being the cool mom I am, I helped her with her boots, grabbed my camera and ushered her out into the rain. All the time hoping she wouldn't destroy her adorable outfit. She had a great time, but in the process got soaked and splattered her clothes with mud. I stripped her down, re-dressed her and pre-treated her clothes. Not bad, but the day was young.

A few minutes later I was changing her again, because she had spilled coffee down the front of her shirt. Yes, I let my 2-year-old drink coffee! But before you judge- 1)she is my fourth(!) and 2)its just a splash of coffee chased by a lot of milk. Not 30 minutes later, she came up to me with a bottle of nail polish in her hand wanting her toenails painted. This wouldn't have been so bad, but she had loosened the top and had gotten polish on her shirt. AARGH! Another shirt to wage the pre-treating war on.

I don't know why it took me so long today to just give in and let her walk around like a filthy animal. She seems happiest when sporting a stain on her chest or belly. I guess I just wanted her to look clean, presentable and like someone really did care for her.

Ah well, I would love to stay and chat, but I have laundry to do!