Busted.

Between the two of them, each week the girls bring home no less than 4-5 paintings and projects from school. I always like to look at the artwork and ask them questions about how they did it and how it relates to what they’re learning, etc. Then, I put what I can on the refrigerator for display. But, ultimately, {with the exception of “special” projects like family pictures and other significant pieces} the majority of these papers wind up being discarded.

Lest I hurt any feelings, I have a special strategy for disposing of the excess artwork. Long after everyone has gone to bed, I sort through the stack of papers and crafts and quietly put those that don’t make the “keeper” cut in the big recycle bin in our garage. Out of sight, out of reach, out of mind.

Well, yesterday I was in a hurry and I carelessly threw one of the Toddler’s recent projects in our kitchen trash thinking she would never notice. And, forgetting that I had done so, I later told her to throw the wrapper to her fruit snacks in that same trash. So, of course, this is what happened:

The Toddler: {yelling from the pantry} Mommy!! My sheep is in the trash!

Me: {acting convincingly shocked} Oh, no! How did that get there?

The Toddler: I don’t know! It’s messed up!

Me: No, no. Let me get it. It’s fine. I don’t know why this was ever in the trash. But, we can fix it…

And, so, I present to you the salvaged black sheep from the Toddler’s current preschool unit on nursery rhymes.  Our very own {somewhat crumpled, slightly damp} Bah, Bah, the Black Sheep…