Doodle's Studio

For Kenzie's birthday, amongst all the lovely dress-up clothes that we've been seeing frequently, she got her very own toddler sized table. I originally intended to place it in her room - but it's been getting a lot of action downstairs in the breakfast nook. I'm also reconsidering the idea of color crayons, paint, etc. in her room. Give the girl 2.6 seconds and a wall is marred, or she's "done an accident" on the furniture with an out of control crayola. So, I've placed the little table next to the big windows and the Doodle-bug has her own "studio." Mama is quite jealous as it appears to be a very inspirational spot.

Kenzie's a mixed-media type artist..using crayolas, paint, brushes & fingers, and perhaps stickers:


She's very involved in and "feels" her work:


And she celebrates a perfected piece!


Not a day passes without the request for painting. I've been using Kenzie's naptimes to paint our formal living room a really concerning shade of red. After her nap is over, Kenzie has been surprised by the progress. She said it all today as we came down the stairs and she exclaimed "Uh-oh!" I think the color was even shocking to her. I hope I haven't made a design mistake - but through experience I know that the true effect can't be appreciated with dark colors until at least two coats have covered all the walls. I've still got hope.

After today's nap, Kenzie woke up very quickly rather than grunting and gradually waking up. I didn't get a chance to put away the painting supplies until I'd brought her down. Upon hitting the floor -- she immediately headed over to touch the wall. With panic in my voice, I exclaimed: "DO NOT TOUCH!" Fresh from sleep and not yet emotionally stable - Kenzie burst into tears. Her feelings were hurt, and she hardly understood of course why she can paint with her own paints - but this paint is strictly off limits...

After the clean-up was accomplished, we made things better with a session in her own "studio."

Like a true artist - all her stresses were painted away....