I think someone needs to write a parenting handbook with helpful tips like, “Don’t let your kid draw on your siding with wet sidewalk chalk. It will stain.” Because, I didn’t know that until recently. I had to take full strength Charlie’s Soap (the all-purpose cleanser, not the laundry soap) and a scrub brush to the HardiPlank columns on the back patio. I wasn’t able to get the stains out of her clothes, no matter what I tried. Argh. So now Daphne is banned from the brightly colored, siding and concrete staining chalk and only allowed blah pastels. I don’t think she minds. It would be different if she would pay attention to me and not get the chalk wet, but with the pool, koi pond and various potted plants in the back, there is always moisture somewhere and she knows wet chalk is so much prettier. Hahaha.

So here’s my little graffiti artist now, with her tan and lilac chalk. Decorating the patio chairs:

Leaving no surface bare:

Oh, I think the column needs some color:

Yes, that’s about right:

Oh, I smudged it. Let me fix it:

Do you like her watermelon dress? It’s not usually my style, but I purchased it last year because it reminded me of Daphne’s first experience eating watermelon at a 4th of July party. She ate her watermelon and everyone else’s. And this was when I was still begging her to eat solids/baby food. Aw, she was so little and cute last summer: