This morning I was a little groggy as I met T-Bot and Baby Sister coming down the stairs.

Not for long though!

I woke up very suddenly when Baby Sister casually announced that her brother had blood all over his foot.

“I scratched it, Mommy” he said, suddenly concerned. “It’s on my hand too”.

Oh my goodness, I thought. My white carpets!*

… and rushed him to a bathroom where I started by trying to scrub the blood off his hand.

… but it wouldn’t come off.

… because it was red marker pen.

It wouldn’t come off completely with soap, wet wipes or alcohol either. Thank goodness he doesn’t have school. I don’t think they would take too kindly to bodily decoration.

It was only later that he showed me his other hand:

Son, that’s very sweet, but … if you really want to impress me try something more permanent.  On your upper arm.

Oh, actually it does appear to be permanent…

I guess that’s a start.

(*Yes, I did actually think that. Judge me as you will. )