Why the walls?

My children, much like other children, love to draw. They are constantly raiding my stash of printer paper to color a picture. I am not sure why since they have their own colorful stash of construction paper, many coloring books and activity books. When they are not raiding my not-so-well-hidden paper, they apparently get bored.

I get that kids need to be doing something during their waking hours. I have come to terms with that painful truth. What I don't get it why they must translate that boredom into doodling on my walls. Thankfully, Gage never had an interest in creating masterpieces on my walls. My girls, however, are an entirely different story.

The girls share a room and their walls look like the cave paintings found in The Cave of Lascaux in France. (Finally an Art History class paid off!) Anyway, the wall art in their room covers 1/3 of the wall space in the room. It's insane. What's more insane is that they are now taking it to the hallway. Until yesterday, I would find little markings here and there. Then, it got bad. Really bad.

While Jim and I were out at a fundraising event for 3 hours, our generous friend, Alison, watched the kids. This is no easy feat for any pro. While we were gone, our little Lyla - you know, the cute one - took the permanent marker to the outside of Gage's bedroom door. When I asked who had done it, the budding artist proclaimed that she was the creator. She was so proud and smiley. After all, who wouldn't want her art work on their door?

When I asked Gage why she did it, he responded, "Mom. I have no idea. She is just as crazy as Maura." So now I have begun the removal of ALL markers, pens and any other writing instrument that can cause harm. This is exactly how I wanted to spend my day.