When asked about Elise’s trustworthiness, I usually comment that she’s always been a pretty trustworthy kid.  If I take a nap and she is up playing, I don’t expect her to get into things she’s not supposed to.  But there must be something about being a big sister that swallows up good judgment.  When I was a kid, I once smeared vaseline all over my little brother Ben.  I was reminded of that moment yesterday and the picture my mom took.

Yesterday afternoon I was on the phone while both kids were playing in John’s studio.  Their giggles should have warned me that something was up, but I foolishly thought that since they were together Elise would come tell me if Will was getting into anything he shouldn’t.  I finished my business on the phone and went to get Will to put him down for a nap.  The scene I discovered was a bit shocking.  Elise had painted Will, not painted a picture of Will, but actually painted Will.  He had a black streak across his forehead, red on his cheeks, black inside his ears, red hands, and orange legs, all in John’s oil paints.  Yes, I did get a picture of it, but I also spanked Elise.  It didn’t help any that as I was trying to wipe paint off of Will’s very wiggly face and body without getting mineral spirits in his eyes, Seth was screaming wanting to nurse and Elise was calling asking when she could come out of her room where she had been sent awaiting her spanking.

After we had all taken much needed naps, I got to work on the computer.  The kids were driving me crazy, so I sent them both downstairs to ride on their car and tricycle.  A few minutes later I heard the same giggles and the sound of running water drifting up the stairs.  I know, I know, I should have gone to check, but I was busy and just put it off.  Later Elise came up to tell me Will had fallen down.  She had several good size wet spots on her clothes.  Will was wet from head to toe.  I’m still not sure what they were doing.

Later that same day, I found both kids throwing their balls from the ball pit we got them for Christmas down the stairs. This wouldn’t be much of a surprise if I hadn’t gotten onto Eise for doing that just a few days ago.  She got another spanking.

I guess gone are the days when I can trust Elise to keep Will out of trouble.  She must have decided that it was more fun to join in, than to tattle.  I wonder what all they will get into as Seth gets old enough to join in the fun, and they are joined by their cousin coming in March.  At least life won’t be boring.  And as long as I keep seeing the humor in it, we will survive.  Speaking of humor, Seth is developing a good sense of it.  This evening he was lying on my lap and all I had to do was look at him and say “hi” and he would break out in laughter.