Hi All, Thought all of the 'moms' on the board might appreciate the latest Andy episode(aka-the child raised by wolves) This morning while I was...ummm,utilizing the facilities,my 2 yr old Andy sprayed everything in the kitchen with 409...walls,floor,table,food,himself.

While I was cleaning all of it up,he managed to get into the fridge without me noticing,and get the ketchup.He was caught painting my living room carpet with it.This resulted in a lovely fingerpainting"ala Andy",and I almost considered saving it for posterity.Who knows,he may be famous someday....not to mention I was really dreading scrubbing it all up.(I will never again buy the economy size ketchup.)

But,I decided against saving it and set to work scrubbing,while Andy retreated to my room to watch a Disney movie. After I finished and went to check on him,I noticed a lovely(and new)red accent color covering my floor,walls,linoleum,and youngest son. Ketchup again??!!! Nah,couldn't be...I just 'bungee-corded'the fridge shut! No,this was a much better artistic medium....BARN RED ACRYLIC PAINT!! Gallons of it,or so it seemed.

After cleaning "Hurricane Andy"in the tub,scrubbing the walls,carpet and linoleum,I discovered something spectacular.There is a particular shade of BARN PINK that almost(if you squint your eyes and hold your tongue just right)blends perfectly with the shades of tan and green in my bedroom!Thus,I have decided to leave it,since my hands were cramping up from all the scrubbing.

And so,our new Interior Decorating Business is now for hire.If you'd like a free sample of our new line"A Splash of Toddler",call us for an appointment.We will send you our top Interior Decorator free for a weekend trial. The Terrible Two's Toddler Decorating Service thanks you for your patronage!

That was my day!And how was all of ya'lls day? And the next time you feel angered by the antics of the goats,calves or chickens,just remember...you can always solve that problem by heading for the auction barn or the butcher block...but I'm stuck with my little maniac! LOL

Johna (frazzled mom of Andy the human wrecking ball)

-- Johna (marcnjohna@aol.com), February 25, 2002

Answers

Oh my Goodness!!! Sounds like you need a "safe room"!!! I always thought it would be nice to have one room, comletely carpeted, floor, walls, and everything, with a screen door on it, filled with soft, safe toys, to stick the kids while I was busy!!!!! I never got one, but still think it would be a good idea.

Maybe he will be a scientist with his love of exploration!!! I wish you well, and stamina!!! I think you will need it...

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 26, 2002.

You must be a writer, no? Great story, Johna.

-- Randal at home in Brazil (randal@onebox.com), February 26, 2002.

My 3 year old was the climber, and still is, but at least he's a little better at it. My husband didn't (doesn't) understand why I am tired when all I have done is stay home all day. I tell him, you should spend the day taking Nick out of the dishwasher, off of the table, out from under the bed, off of the dryer door, down from the cabinets, need I go on...? My sympathies - they tell me we will look back on these days and wish for them to be young again! Here's looking forward to wishing, huh?!

-- Christine in OK (cljford@mmcable.com), February 26, 2002.

Johna,almost sounds like a typical day at our house.WE have a very active 2 year old boy too.Yesterday we had about five messes while eating one bowl of cereal.He is our last until grand kids so we enjoy him even the messes,most of the time.

-- willa in IL. (goodall6@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.