Dying Eggs

Dear Princess,

It's Easter today, and I remembered this when we were dying eggs a couple days ago, so I thought now would be the perfect time to share a memory of dying eggs with you!

It was your first year doing it, you were almost three, sitting in your booster chair at the table with me, my mom, M, and my brother.  I remember thinking I was going to have to keep a close eye on you to prevent spills, among other things - you weren't exactly the tidiest kid - but I failed to take into account just how quickly you could create havoc!

So we're sitting there dying eggs, I've got one in a cup, and I've got one in a cup for you, that I keep using the spoon to pull out to show you how the color is getting darker.  It's sitting on your booster tray so you can reach it, just in case you should manage to figure out how to lift it up with the spoon.  I had to pull your fingers out of the dye a couple times but that was no big deal - we knew we'd wind up somewhat colorful.  You almost picked up the cup and spilled it once, but once I corrected you and showed you how to look at your egg, you mostly just fiddled with the spoon and tapped me on the shoulder to show you your egg.

It was when I was taking your egg, and mine, out of the dye that craziness broke loose.  I had taken your egg out but left the cup of dye on your tray, and had my back turned to you arranging the eggs on the drying rack.  Now, see, we dye eggs in plastic drink cups every year, like we use for parties, just each with a different color of dye in them.  It's cheaper and easier than trying to find some sort of special cup intended for egg dying.  Unfortunately, what I didn't take into account was how confusing this might be for a two year old.  When I turned around, there you were with the plastic cup up to your mouth, having a good old drink of what I'm sure you thought was very pretty kool-aid.

I could've just died!  I thought we were in the clear, you were doing so good, and then I turn around and you're drinking the dye!  I couldn't get it away from you fast enough (and once you tasted it I'm pretty sure you realized it was most certainly NOT kool-aid... vinegar is not the tastiest substance on the planet)... and after that, I kept your cup and egg on the table, out of reach, while I showed you how the egg changed colors.  Once your blue mouth was cleaned, we all had a laugh about your antics and how I'd have to tell you about this when you were older.  I knew you'd get the hang of this egg dying thing eventually, and until then, it made for a fun story to tell!

Love you forever,
Katie