Every preschool teacher, every toddler mom knows of the activity "painting with water". This is where you give your child a paintbrush and let them paint everything with water. It's wet, but there are no stains, no mess, and water dries. At our house this is how painting with water went. I gave Hogan the paintbrushes. He was interested, but more so in throwing them into the bushes for me to fish out than acutally painting with them. Once rid of those bothersome paintbrushes, in went his spongy balls. This actually turned out to be a fun twist on painting with water. He dipped the balls in the water, threw them on the sidewalk and as the balls rolled they left watery trails. He did this for several minutes, dipping balls, throwing them and watching them roll down the sidewalk. After a little bit, the heat just became too stifling and his head went into the water. Wa-Lah! you've got Hogan's version of painting with water. I have to say it was much more fun and active than using those silly paintbrushes.
Throughout swimming lessons Hogan resisted the back float. In fact, he would cry and wriggle anytime he was on his back. He hated it! But something I've learned about Hogan is that he's a thinker and an experimenter. As adventurous as he is, there are times when he's cautious. If something is new he'll often adamantly steer clear. Afterwards, though, the wheels start turning. He begins to watch other kids when they do it. He starts experimenting on his own. And then one day he gets it. The following is an approximation of our conversation yesterday afternoon. "Mommy! Hair" To which I replied, "Yes, you put your hair in the water." "Mommy! Hair!" "Yes, Hogan you can put your hair in the water. Wow!" "Mommy! Hair!" "Yeah Hogan! You can put your hair in the water." "Mommy!....I think you get the picture. So- several weeks after swimming lessons he's decided it's okay to be on your back in the water.l
