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Today I came to a realization: I am too good at saying no. I often have my hands full feeding Nathan or changing his diaper when Drew or Gracie ask me to do something that requires supervision, but I think that "no" has become my automatic answer lately.

This morning Gracie asked, "Mommy, can we paint?" I started to say no. Inside I was groaning. It's too hard. It's too much work. It's too messy. Paint gets everywhere. It takes effort to get the paints and paper out, clean up, and get everything put away again. And what if Nathan needs something while Drew and Gracie are painting? Can a two-and-a-half-year-old boy be trusted with paints, even washable paints, without supervision for a minute?

Then I stopped to think: What else do I need to be doing this morning that is more important than letting Drew and Gracie paint? The dishes are done. The laundry will wait. So now Drew and Gracie are painting. Drew has paint on his nose and one cheek, and on the backs of both arms up to his elbows. Gracie has splashed little puddles of water all over the tablecloth. There is a smudge of paint on the door frame and on the light switch because Drew went to wash my hands before I caught up with him to help him. But the paint will wash off, and they are having a wonderful time.

This week I want to look for more opportunities to say "yes."