Paint at Store

It all began about a week ago when John began saying, "paint!" He enunciated it perfectly, but I wasn't sure he actually meant paint because he's never painted before and wouldn't know what paint is. But then when I'd offer that he could draw with crayons, he'd insist, "paint." I figured out that he must have learned about painting on a television show. As he asked for paint over several days, I finally told him--just once--that I didn't have any paint, that I would have to buy some. Fast forward to this morning when I told John that we were getting dressed to go to the grocery store. He replied, "paint!" I said, "what?" He replied, "paint at store! paint at store!"

I couldn't believe it (probably because I'm a first-time mom who doesn't realize how bright toddlers are). Not only did John understand the concept that to buy something, one goes to a store, but he had been thinking for days about his next chance to buy paint at the store. I don't buy treats for him when we're at various stores, so he's not very familiar with this concept.

I was so charmed that, before going to the grocery, we went to the art store to buy water color paints. Despite John's serious expression, he was very excited:

John's first painting, posted on the refrigerator (he had my help with some of the painting):

John did a lot of painting today!

And thanks--again--to my husband for supporting me to stay home so I could share in the "first" of teaching John how to paint.