Life with toddlers is full of firsts: first words, first steps, first F-bomb (we haven't hit that milestone yet, I'm happy to report).Today was a new first. I haven't quite decided how to label this one. First mural? First graffiti? First real reason to paddle someone's richly deserving behind for ignoring me several times when I repeated in an increasingly screechy voice, "Sophia! Crayons are for paper only! Don't you dare color on that wall! Sophia, are you listening to me? Sophia Mae!! Get over here!" (Don't worry, you non-violent types. No blows were exchanged. I'm too big a softie for that sort of thing.)
Reasons this is a bad sign of things to come:
1) Evelyn thought her sister had a fine idea indeed and is ready and waiting to try her hand at wall art the next time I allow them to touch the crayons (probably right before they leave for college).
2) Both girls seem to think it's hilarious when I tell them "no." I've always known that I don't exactly command respect or give off an air of authority, but it's just a touch irritating to have two toddlers laugh in your face while you very sternly and seriously say, "No!"
3) How lame is it that I'm reluctant to wash the wall? It is a lovely bit of toddler art. The colors, the line, the form -- delightful! Who am I to squash Sophia's inner artist?
That pathetic sentiment aside, who can give me some good advice on how to get washable Crayola crayons off water-based paint? I'm fresh out of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.
7 comments:
When you guys were little we rented, but I remember decorating the walls with my own brilliant art when I was little.
Your woes are just beginning, but they're such cute little woes.
Test spot an area with WD-40. I don't know how it will work on your water-based paint, so test a small inconspicuous area behind a couch or something.
Magic Erasers are the best. Wait 'til you get some!! Goo Gone works too.
Cute!!!
Can't you just use a wet papertowel or wash cloth? I have always just used a warm washcloth on paint, wood, fabric, skin....(can you tell that this happens here a lot?)
My youngest was a budding graffiti artist at that age and no amount of scolding warning or whatever seemed to dissuade him. Just wait till one of them decides to experiment with scissors on your furniture.
it's hard to contain the precious, isn't it! i'd want to frame it, but then the burning desire to break out the magic erasers and go to town would take over.
and seriously, you *do not* want to know some of the artistic mediums my kids have used to decorate walls before...
It's beautiful!
I use paper towel and water to clean the washable crayons off everthing from books to baby dolls. I don't know about water-based paint though.
By the way, my twin toddlers also think "no" is hilarious. Baby Z, in particular, finds it side-splittingly funny.
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