I am participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge: A slice a day for all of March. You should do it too! Check it out here. Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!
My 7 year old son is a scientist. He is creative, curious and very focused. Often, he is singularly focused. One of the things he’s been interested in lately is crushing sidewalk chalk. “Because,” as he explained to me, “Once you wet it with water, it will be like paint.” A few days ago he spent some time outside crushing sidewalk chalk with a butter knife. Yesterday he complained that the knife method wasn’t really efficient enough.
“You know what would be perfect? . . . Can I use the coffee grinder?” he asked.
I try so hard not to say no right away, or without reason, but this seemed like an appropriate time for a “No.”
“Why?”
Sometimes I really have to think of the reasons. “It isn’t really safe, the chalk will make a mess, and it might break the coffee grinder, or at the very least leave a chalk residue on the coffee maker.”
To give him credit, he tried to understand. But, his focus couldn’t get away from the idea that a coffee maker would be the perfect tool for his project. My husband quietly reminded me that we do have an old coffee grinder, and with supervision and clean up rules, it might be okay.
And it was.
Today while I was at school, more chalk powder was made, and water was added.
“Look!” he said to my husband, “You think it looks like it’s all mixed together, but when I poor it out, you can see tiny pieces of each color.”
I love his observations, his ideas, his curiosity and creativity. . . and one day I’ll miss the mess. (Or, so I tell myself.)
On a Thought 
You will miss the mess, the exploration, the hugs, the cuddles. 🙂 My youngest is ten now and I would love for them to be little again. Enjoy!
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Deb. I know – I’ll definitely miss it!
I’m thinking this might be a great activity for the grandkids. Now if I could just find an old coffee grinder!
Thanks for the comment! Yes – it was a great activity. Today he even used some of his chalk powder to play outside. 🙂
I love that thinking: Can I use the coffee grinder? That’s a scientist at work with ideas.
Kevin
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Kevin! I appreciate it so much. Yep – he is always at work with ideas! That’s a great way to put it. 🙂
So much fun to see your little scientist in action! Kudos to you for enjoying the journey and the mess. I could learn a lot from you! I love his noticings along the way.
Thanks so much for your visit and your comment. 🙂 It’s often hard to enjoy the journey and the mess, but I try….
What a great guy you are raising! I love the way he thought through his problem and arrived at a solution! And how great that you had a coffee grinder he could use. Take it from the mom of two college kids– one day you really will miss these messes!
Thanks, Carol. I know – I often say to my husband – “One day we’ll be sitting in quiet house, crying about the lack of mess.” 😦