A grandmother in Brazil got the shock of her life – and a new blue complexion – thanks to the creative efforts of her three-year-old grandson during a nap.
The Nap-Time Transformation
The incident took place on 10th January 2026 in Criciuma, a city in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Maria Ivoneti was looking after her grandson, Gabriel, at her daughter's house. Seeking a brief rest, Maria climbed into a hammock for a nap, with the little boy joining her.
Initially, with what appeared to be permission, Gabriel began colouring on his grandmother's legs. However, once Maria drifted into a deeper sleep, the toddler saw a grander canvas. For almost an hour, as his grandmother remained asleep, Gabriel freely scribbled blue marker ink all over her face, even moving around on top of her to complete his artwork.
A Mother's Shocking Discovery
The boy's mother, Carol Daros, who works from home, grew suspicious when the house fell unusually quiet. She went to check on the pair and received a major shock. "I briefly feared Maria was unwell and turning purple," Carol admitted, before realising it was marker ink.
Reacting quickly, she grabbed her phone to film the startling result, sending the video to her husband. To understand the full story, she then checked the home's security camera footage, which captured the entire mischievous event. Carol later posted the clips online, where they quickly gained traction.
Good Humour and an Easy Clean-Up
Thankfully, the story has a happy and humorous ending. Carol confirmed that the ink "came off easily with water and detergent." Most importantly, grandmother Maria took the entire episode in remarkably good spirits, affectionately dubbing her grandson "my Picasso."
Carol joked about the transformation on social media, writing: "And that’s how AVATAR was born," a playful reference to the blue-skinned Na'vi from James Cameron's blockbuster films. By the end of his creative spree, the security footage shows that young Gabriel had also managed to colour parts of himself in blue.
The viral video serves as a charming and funny reminder of the unpredictable, and often messy, adventures that come with looking after young children, even for the most vigilant of grandparents.
