Like a Sponge

Probably over a month ago I found a fun idea for "painting" with water outside using a sponge. I'd been wanting to do this with Eva but the first day I attempted it I discovered that our disposal was broken, had leaked disgusting water under our sink, and that all of my fresh sponges were mildewed - yuck! Then I bought a new pack of sponges and the cold front came through - buurrrr!!! Thursday was the perfect day. It was warm and humid enough to make water play fun without being crazy hot.

Eva had fun making a big wet mess with the sponge. I was prepared for this and let her play in only her bathing suit bottom and shoes (since I knew she'd want to walk around in the grass). She also discovered that she could turn the spout on my water dispenser to make a big puddle! 

Most of the time I love dressing Eva up but she was so freakin' cute in just her bathing suit bottoms on the back porch! Some days you need to be able to make a mess and get a little bit dirty.

We walked over to look through the fence onto the golf course behind us. She cracks me up!

As we were playing with the water and sponge I started thinking about how Eva is like my own little sponge each day as she soaks up everything I do. I know that as a toddler she will understand more and more of what I say and do - this is both awesome and terrifying! Each day I'm modeling for her things about life. The way I talk about God, the way I communicate with Ryan, the way I speak to the check out woman at Walmart, even the foods I eat - she is soaking it all up! She's looking to me to teach her and to build her own character, especially since I'm the one she's with the majority of each day.  She's also able to soak up how I handle situations when I feel frustrated, how I act when I'm tired, and the way I frown at my tummy when I see it in the mirror. Yikes! I sure have some habits that I would not want my sweet baby to grow up with. I pray that she would get only the best parts of me and that God would continue to refine my heart so that I can pass along joy and hope! So I better look out, because some little munchkin is always watching :)