At peace

I agree to let Audrey and Jane paint with watercolors.

After making one swipe each on their papers, Audrey begins painting her fingernails and Jane begins sipping the paint water one drip at a time from the end of her paintbrush.

A quick checklist forms in my head. Will this kill them? No. Will it make a mess that takes longer than 5 minutes to clean up? No. Are they content and quiet? Yes.

The balance sheet is clear. I avert my eyes and continue reading the internets. (But first take a moment to snap photos.)