A Workerman Bath

Isaac loves, loves, loves baths.  I think he asks to take one at least twice a day.  And, he also loves pretending to be a workerman "just like my daddy" (as he always says).  Actually, I don't think he pretends to be a workerman--I think he believes he is a workerman.  Isaac carries his hammer around everywhere and tucks it into his waistband when he needs to do something else.  The hard hat Isaac's wearing in these pictures is usually at my mom's house; but, my mom let him take it home two days ago, and since then he's worn it for the past two days straight.  (He does take it off at meals.  He told me in a very serious voice, "Mommy, my daddy says we don't wear hats at the table.")

Needless to say, when I saw this idea for a construction bath on Growing A Jeweled Rose, I knew Isaac would be crazy about it.  

By far, his favorite part was the play dirt I made.  I made Isaac close his eyes until he got into the bathroom and then I yelled "surprise" for him to see how I'd set up the tub for his construction bath--he leaped into the tub and immediately touched the piles of play dirt I'd set up around the edge of the tub.  The second he felt its consistency, he yelled "yuck" with a huge smile on his face.  :) I only used two boxes of baking soda to make it, and I'm sure it was the best $1.25 I've spent all week.  :)

Since there wasn't any water in the tub, I dropped into to check on Isaac every few minutes.  The first time I left, I said, "Have a great day at your jobsite, Workerman Isaac."  Immediately, he said," Have a great day, too, Workerman Mommy."  :)

An hour (yes, an hour) after playing with the machines, workerman figurines, and play dirt, I let Isaac have a little bit of water on in the tub to make mud.  :)  Isaac asked, "Mommy will you sit right here and just watch me play?"  My first thought was, "I have pizza crust to make, laundry to fold, and music to practice...." but then I remembered something I had just read in a book by Renee Ellison.  Mrs. Ellison wrote about how important it is for mothers to watch their children, especially when they ask you to watch them.  What Isaac was wanting me to do may seem small--even insignificant, but I speak volumes of love to him by just being in his presence and watching him.   

So, I sat in the bathroom and watched Isaac play in his mud.  :) I love this workerman boy.