well, the kid's got taste!

Earlier this afternoon Alex used a toy train cargo car to hold mini-chocolate morsels that he was eating (in the living room - shhh don't tell!). He was watching a GeoTrax dvd, so it seemed an appropriate "bowl." After a second helping (without permission), the inside of the train was kinda gooey. So, Alex decided it was time to wash it. Cleanliness has been instilled in him since infancy, so while he trekked to the bathroom (he can't reach the kitchen sink so well yet), I sat at the desk doing some work with a huge smile on my face - proud of the fact that he was washing it without being asked.

After a very long five minutes I asked if he was going to come back and finish the video. The response was "soon - it's not all clean yet." I stifled a "you're wasting water" comment and just smiled all the more - proud that he wanted to do a thorough job. Several minutes later I was summoned to the bathroom because the soap didn't want to come off. My stomach instantly found itself tied in knots. As I entered the bathroom I literally bit my tongue so I wouldn't yell. There was "soap" all over the sink, the counter, HIM, mirror and walls (I assume he shook his hands trying to get the "soap" off), and of course the train too.

First I washed the counter (that of course he was practically laying on!), and next came his arms (up past his elbows!). After I had a chance to calm down, I asked why he used THAT bottle to wash the train? Alex's matter-of-fact response - "that one smells SO MUCH BETTER, Mommy! The train's never had a bath before, so he deserves the good smelling soap."
Now it's time for me to explain. Last year I discovered an AMAZING Shea Butter soap/lotion set sold by Arbonne. I love it so much (and couldn't justify spending that much money), so I got it and told Aaron it could be my birthday gift. The hand soap is long-gone (and is constantly refilled with cheap Soft Soap). But I love the smell of the lotion so much that it's been slowly savored over the past year. Needless to say, the bottle is now almost empty. Sigh.

The entire first floor of our house is bathed in the heavenly scent - so at least I'm enjoying the lotion ..... I guess. Alex was going to get a bath before church tonight. But he smells so good that I've decided he'll just go dirty. I don't want to waste the glorious smell.

I can't really yell at him. He wanted to use the best he had to clean his favorite toy. And at least the kid's got taste!