The Tom Sawyer Trick Still Works

This dream

playhouse

needed some serious Tom Sawyer attention.

One  sunny Saturday,

one trip to Home Depot with hubby,

and one eager little painter.

Yea, as soon as we mentioned painting,

she was all over it.

She wanted to paint.

We hemmed and hawed and made a big deal about

wanting the paint job to be nice.

It worked.

It increased her desire.

Teenagers don't want to paint.

So, we've learned to let 'em paint while they still think it's exciting.

You just can't be that picky about their effort.

Count on the help getting paint all over.

As I've learned from previous painting experiences,

you have to grit your teeth through the process,

and cheer on the outcome.

Seriously, close your eyes and grit your teeth.

It won't be pretty,

but it will be done.

Never criticize the help, never.

They might not help again.

See?  Not pretty.

One messy painter who wasn't criticized.

Laughed at, but not criticized.

One eager neighbor was added to the equation.

As soon as he saw Rebekah having all the fun,

he had to join in.

One cool Home Depot hat was all it took

to get him to stir the paint.

One painter's trick I learned from my  brothers, Joel and Allan.

You pound holes into that little ledge so the paint drips back into the can.

You already knew that?

Sorry.

I learned it late in life.

One window installer...

who also fell for the Tom Sawyer ploy and painted the window trim.

One door installed while the painter retires her brush for

her Laura Ingalls' bonnet and pretending with neighbor, Norah.

One more stage of the

Playhouse Project

completed.

It's finished enough to enjoy through the rainy season

and we'll work on the porch and the interior as time and inspiration allows.

One more skill taught,

One more family memory,

and

One very happy little girl.