May 29

One of Brady's friends had a birthday party at the park late this morning so we all --less Abby who, citing an absence of familiar faces her own age, declined the invitation-- headed over for some fun. One of the activities involved painting a picture frame with tire tracks. What the birthday boy's mom didn't realize was that some of the trucks they were using were of the pull-back variety, so the tires produced a spray of colorful skin-and-clothes-adorning dots.

Brady, who looked a bit like he'd gone paintballing, giggled like a madman each time more paint splattered in his direction.

I laughed, too: I can totally imagine myself freaking out over the mess 10 years ago, but not now, both because a little washable paint really isn't a big deal, and because kids deserve to be kids. It should be okay for them to get dirty and make messes without their moms having fits, because Heaven knows that Jesus doesn't start yelling every time adults --who should know better-- get a little dirty.