The Colour of Flowers

I wonder why many nations on this planet wait until politicians are old and tainted by age before their public elects them to perform as their representative.

The greatest thoughts come out of idealistic young minds. The most fantastic I've heard to date just came out of my (almost) 3 year old daughter.

Erin: "What colour is Erin?"

Me: "Mmm, I don't know. What colour is Erin?"

Erin: "Erin is the colour of flowers 'cuz I smell good."

Granted, the comment is cute coming from a young child. The innocent logic behind it is brilliant. How many times have you heard someone say or yourself said, "It's what's inside that counts."

For some reason, that principle doesn't apply to people. Why?

Why are we so insistent on dividing ourselves into black or white, yellow or brown, striped or polka-dot? Smart or stupid? Christian or Muslim?  Abled or Disabled? Go on and poke any two people with a stick until they bleed. There are over six billion people on this planet and all of them have the same shade of red blood.

Maybe there will soon come a day when the people on this little blue and white marble will look beyond the pigment of skin, IQ, religion and ability and really see what lies beneath. Maybe there will soon come a day when we are all the colour of flowers.

A Day In the Life...

Baking has never been as much fun as it is with the assistance of two ambitious and intelligent toddlers. One will give the impression that they are eager to help in the manner carefully described by mommy while the other samples the batter. The sampling starts harmlessly enough. A little dip of the fingertip, then the whole finger, soon by the handful and if left unattended for more than 8 seconds, I'll surely find two delighted children, covered in cookie batter from the waist up.


 
Ty's "cheeeese" face


Yesterday I made banana muffins. From the moment I measured the butter (the first ingredient), my mission was to protect the batter (well, butter) from curious fingers by racing around the house, the bowl under one arm, whipping and mixing with my wooden spoon in the other hand, stopping only briefly to measure and add the next ingredient, all the while being relentlessly pursued.

Finally, I had all the ingredients added and mixed. All that needed to be done was put the batter into muffin tins and deliver them to the sanctuary of the oven. I put the bowl of batter on the kitchen counter and turned my back on it only long enough to open a cupboard door, bend down and pick up two muffin tins. When I turned around, I discovered that if Ty stands on his toes, he can get his hand in the muffin batter all the way up to his elbow.

"I wuv mama muffins," he says between swallowing one fistful and cupping his hand for another dip, "Deeeee-lis-us!"


* * *
This morning, I opened the door to the kids' bedroom and was warmly welcomed with big smiles and a hearty stereophonic "Hi Mommy!" Ty reaches for his morning mommy hug and races out of the bedroom.

"I build a big rocket ship!" This proud exclamation I normally expect from Ty, but he's happily awaiting "mail" in my bedroom closet. Erin stands in front of me, beaming.

"Oh! Did you?" I respond, now noticing the open and empty top drawer of their dresser.

 
Erin and Buzz Lightyear

Did I say empty drawer.  Make that drawers.  And the closet it empty.  Sippy cups, assorted toys, and every piece of clothing they both own is piled in a heap on Erin's bed.

"I build a big rocket ship!"

I'm rarely described as jovial first thing in the morning, and never before I've had breakfast and a coffee. Faced with a rather large project to content with before I can pry both my eyes open doesn't do much to improve my morning disposition. That being said, there's something uniquely disarming about a smiling toddler touting her creative achievements .

"Is it boo-tee-fol?"

"Yes sweetheart," I respond, smiling, "it's beautiful."


* * *
"Ty, how old are you right now?"

"Two."

"And how old are you going to be on your birthday?"

"Threeeeeeeeee!"

"Erin, what would you like for your birthday?"

"Candos!"

"Sure, you can have candles for your birthday. Ty, what would you like for your birthday?"

"Bawooooooons!"

 
Erin and Ty snuggling in the satellite chair


"Balloons and candles! That sounds like fun! You guys are getting so big, do you know what you want to be when you grow up?"

To which Erin quite seriously replies, "Bigger".