It's the Little Things... like cow booties!

A week or so ago, when we went to pick up Max from his Wednesday night Bible Study at church, Max's teacher informed us that, if she didn't know us like she did, she might be a little concerned about Max- and us.

(Oh no- A parent's nightmare- what in the world did Max share in class today?!)

For the summer, each Wednesday night Bible study lesson has a theme about "TOYS"- how we can find God in all of our "toy boxes"- in our super-hero action figures (He protects us.), teddy bears (He comforts us.), etc.... all super-cute lessons! Well, it seems that in discussion during the lesson, Max informed his class that he really enjoys playing with cow booties. Now, before you seriously start to doubt our parenting abilities, let me explain...

Max LOVES this guy:

That's right, it's Woody... Woody, the cowboy, or in our house, he is known as Cow Booty. (I suppose a mash-up of Cow Boy and Woody?!... You know, "Cow Booty.") Trust me, to a three year old, it makes perfect sense. And to his Mama, it is pure adorable-ness... welllll, until he tells his teacher and causes her to question what is going on at home?! Even so, we got a big kick out of Max and his "cow booty." I'm definitely sharing that one with his prom date one day. :)

I adore the way Max creates his own three-year old "language"... 

-There were the few months he insisted on ending prayers with "Awww, man" instead of "Amen" because he was convinced he was right and we were very much wrong.

-I love the fact that he occasionally wants to go get ice cream from the "Dirty Queen." (Ok, that sounds like another teacher note to mom and dad waiting to happen.)

It's true, sometimes the mess-ups and mix-ups in life allow us to see life from a whole new, magical perspective, a cow-booty perspective. And I'm totally ok with that. :)  

Speaking of mess-ups, this is evidence of my (latest and greatest) Pinterest epic failure... (Pinterest fails- Ok, I've had a few.) And in this case, Max loved every second of my failure. Isn't that the greatest?! Someone who appreciates you, even when you fail?! We could all learn a few lessons from a 3 year old in that aspect. 

The following is what should have been "Slime":

I would actually call it more like... goop?! That's how it turned out anyway. (Pinterest made it look so easy!!) I was told to mix glue, liquid starch, and food coloring. Yeah... it didn't work, but, man, Max had a blast playing in it anyway, and that made it totally worth it:

Ooey

Gooey

Pure messy-ness!

It was especially fun to rub all over Daddy's arms. :)

To make me feel like a little less of a failure, our other activity of the week (Mini Volcanoes) was awesome and every bit as wonderful as our accidental fun with our slime (gone wrong).

Mini Volcanoes (A.K.A. Color Fizz):

Simple ingredients: Vinegar, Baking Soda, & Food Coloring

We spread the baking soda into a cake pan.

We added vinegar (mixed with a little food coloring for more fun).

And we got lots of foamy, colorful wonderfulness.

Max loved the idea that these were mini-volcanoes.

Too much fun!

What is it about pre-schoolers that they think they have to stick their fingers into everything?! The volcanoes were also fun to touch after they were all "fizzed out."

When all is said and done, it's often the mix ups and mess ups in life that lead us to who we ultimately become. And I think I have a 3 year old, who is going to be all right! (Can I get an "awww, man"?!?)

"So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains." -Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go