The Young and the Restless

Dapper little men

Maddox wanted a fancy picnic.  Maddox also wants to make craft projects out of the Costco sample cups.  He wants to save the die cut stars from the Scout Blue and Gold Banquet to make a bedside mural.  He wants to make hats out of the paper snack bowls in primary.  He wants to make masks out of the Zoo Pal paper plates.  He wants to make boats out of Easy Mac cups.  He wants to make a project out of all the kid's Valentine cards. He wants to make flags out of take-out straws. He hangs toilet paper on the fridge for Valentine decorations because it has a heart print on it. He makes scarecrows out of hotdogs and corn holders. He has to make a miniature version of anything we're baking. He wants to make a birthday party hat atleast bi-weekly. He wants to make a snake out of a paper towel roll and be a traveling snake charmer that plays the maracas.  His life is one big craft project.  And I love seeing his little mind at work.  So when Maddox wanted a fancy picnic, a fancy picnic he got.  I dozed in the sun on the patio chair while he got everything set up.  Double neckwear? Check. Silverware? Check. Napkins folded in triangles? Check. Sandwiches cut into perfect little squares? Check. Ryder was a somewhat willing participant.  He mostly liked just sticking the knife through the slots on the picnic table.  But he did look rather charming in his bowtie/necktie combo too.  I'm really going to miss this stage.  I hope I never forget his example of finding joy in the simple and beauty in the mundane. The world is his canvas and he Picasso.