enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

on wednesdays we watercolor.

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Wednesdays and Fridays are my "off-work" days which means they are my "on-mama" days. Both are challenging and inspiring in their own ways. Ellerie is now a full-fledged toddler which means there's no "One sec!" where I can dash out of the room to send an email or move the laundry. (She comes with and "helps" in both cases.)

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Yesterday (techically today, I'm typing this as she naps so it's ready for Thursday morning) was Wednesday and by 8am we were out of things to do. When this happens, I generally let her pull everything out of my office cupboards while I drink my coffee and dream about sleeping in.

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She dumped an entire plastic bin of craft supplies, picked up the watercolors, shouted "More!" and I was like, "Wonderful idea, boss! Let's make that happen."

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We got set up pretty quick (this is not my first watercolor rodeo) and she was off and painting in her highchair (at the dining table, covered in kraft paper).

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I use "painting" liberally here. Ellerie LOVES the paint, but she mostly loves mushing the brush into the paint and then sticking it into the water to see the colorful clouds.

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She also loves sticking her hand in the water dish while mushing, obviously.

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And when that's gets boring she loves painting on herself.

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I love all of it. My "rules" are no sticking the brush in your mouth and no dumping the water bin (it helps if I hold it) but other than that, paint it all. Paint the table. Paint your onesie. Paint your hair. Paint mama's hand. It's watercolor. That's what it's for, right?

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If we end up getting paint on the paper – well hey! Bonus!

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In my head, this feels like a 20-25 minute activity, but I think that's because on Wednesday and Fridays I operate on toddler time. In reality it was probably closer to 7-9 minutes. But it somehow took up enough time to get the zoo to open. (I am totally ready to start a petition that all kiddo friendly places should open at sunrise, just like children do.)

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Good stuff. I seriously cannot believe I get to be mama to this amazing girl. She turns 17 months old today! Keep growing, Ellerie, you're awesome!

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26 responses to “on wednesdays we watercolor.”

  1. Shirley K Avatar
    Shirley K

    So funny that toddlers are so similar and different at the same time! My daughter also enjoys seeing the water turn colors more than the actual watercoloring on paper. She’s a bit older, so the watercoloring keeps her occupied a bit longer, which I’m a fan of.

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  2. Julia Avatar
    Julia

    Love this! My son is almost 1 and I can’t wait until we are doing art projects today. We’ve tried coloring with Crayola toddler crayons but he’s not quite there yet.

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  3. Kelsey, Especially Avatar
    Kelsey, Especially

    This is the most adorable thing EVER!
    Does Ellerie sit still for the most part? Enough to not have to watch her every move out of fear she might paint the wall or something (hehe)?
    I have a 2-year old son that loves to color just as much as his 4-year old sister, but he is impossible to corral. I have always been able to sit my daughter down at the table, hand her some “colors” and trust that she will stay there and not color on anything. The boy though? That kid…I can’t get him to sit still with art supplies (or anything else) for my life!

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  4. Carrie Bentley Avatar
    Carrie Bentley

    I remember these days fondly.
    Costco opens an hour early for Business members. I think ALL places that SAHMs run errands to should allow for early opening/entry for those Moms and Dad’s with early risers! If we have to be up at sunrise, we should be able to get a start on our day’s errands! 🙂
    Thank you for sharing these moments!

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  5. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    STOP IT! she looks 5 years old here! Adorbs.

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  6. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    Ha! Preschool teachers the world over wish painting were a 25 minute activity for kids of any age. (Former preschool assistant/camp counselor here, so although not a parent, I know from where you speak).

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  7. Brittany D Avatar
    Brittany D

    Love, love, love!

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  8. Elisa Sims Albury Avatar
    Elisa Sims Albury

    Wow–strong right handed girl there and such dexterity for her age. A water table may be in order. Beautiful!

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  9. elise blaha cripe Avatar
    elise blaha cripe

    sort of. If she wasn’t strapped into her high chair this would not be as successful. 🙂

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  10. elise blaha cripe Avatar
    elise blaha cripe

    she is SO right handed. It’s fun to watch. And yes! we desperately need a water table! 🙂

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  11. Amanda Rose Zampelli Avatar
    Amanda Rose Zampelli

    Little DIYer in the making! I bet she’s painting her own canvases to hang on her wall before Pre-School. 😉

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  12. Morgan Avatar
    Morgan

    Is she wearing suspenders? So cute! I’ll have to try this with my 18 mo.

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  13. casie Avatar
    casie

    Elise,
    I adore this post!!! and your sweet baby girl! Her manual dexterity with how she is able to hold the paint brush is impressive!
    I love the honest of this post (as always!), the real life glimpse into mama life and your willingness to let her explore her toddler creativity!
    Ellerie – you rock lady! Keep on painting!!!

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  14. Cynthia H Avatar
    Cynthia H

    My daughter is 3 and we still have watercolor days, but our day is Thursday. So fun to see these photos!

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  15. Jessi Avatar
    Jessi

    So fun!! She’s entering into my FAVORITE age. 18-24 months is THE BEST. They are becoming independent but still so dependent on you. They are just so interested in exploring but are still super sweet. And watching them learn to talk is so awesome. She’s adorable.

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  16. Erin Freeman Avatar
    Erin Freeman

    I would sign your petition!!

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  17. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    AMEN to things opening earlier. I arrive at my nanny babies house everyday at 7:45 and especially now that it’s too cold for early morning park excursions, we sit and twiddle hour thumbs for a solid hour or two. So annoying!

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  18. klr Avatar
    klr

    This post is inspiring. All too often I get caught up in my toddler’s daily routine that I forget to find time for art activities. A new routine is in order: Saturday morning art time! I am loaning out your “creative family” book recommendation which should also hold tons of ideas.

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  19. Tiffany M. Avatar
    Tiffany M.

    I love water coloring with my kids! A tip that I do so there is no bowl of water needed, I use a dropper and drop enough water in each color to make them wet enough to paint with. Other than dropping a few drops of water in the colors every once in a while, there is no tray of water needed so less worry of spills and I can just watch them create.

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  20. Kaytie Avatar
    Kaytie

    What is it with places not being open earlier? We have an indoor play area that opens at 8:30am which we frequent often because… we’re awake! we have energy! we’ve already done all the things! But we are almost always the only people there. What does everyone else with children do in the morning?? The sweetest post though, I love toddler craft time. 🙂

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  21. Rebekah Avatar
    Rebekah

    Oh my, I do love to hear about your days! Phebe is 17 months on the 24th and yes, there is no more “one minute…”! Getting on the computer is a recipe for disaster. Thankfully being on my iPad at the kitchen counter is allowed for the most part!! I love the part about letting her unload the cupboards while you sip away and dream…totally do that also! It’s amazing how quickly it can all be put back…and it’s good exercise I figure!

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  22. Anika Avatar
    Anika

    Awesome. My girls love to paint, too. I find Crayola washable paint more rewarding when they are younger because it has a brighter mark. Also, I would give them an cardboard egg carton to paint and that buys quite a bit of time. And small index cards are a great size and weight for little hands and paint.

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  23. Amy B. Avatar
    Amy B.

    Another fun painting activity: painting outdoor walls, concrete, and fences with water and a big paint brush!

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  24. Kelsey, Especially Avatar
    Kelsey, Especially

    Ahhh, I see the straps now! That would help, I suppose 😉
    Good luck when she figures out how to (1) unbuckle herself or (2) wiggle out of them. insert frazzled face emoji here

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  25. Kathleen Avatar
    Kathleen

    Wow! She holds the paint brush so well! I’m an occupational therapy student so these are the things we geek about… haha!

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  26. Kelly Avatar
    Kelly

    This looks like a lot of fun. I’m impressed at how well she is holding the paintbrush (sorry, kindergarten teacher can’t turn it off haha). (AND just looked up and realized Kathleen said the same thing, lol)
    Do you remember what age you started watercolor with her? My son is 10 months, probably too early haha.

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