Or under the bed...bunk bed to be precise. Oscar thought it would be fun to cut out portholes & turn his bunk bed into a sub by taping them along the frame. Indeed! This is fun, especially since there are so many trinkets, toys, crafts, etc scattered about Oscar's room it truly is exploration. "Should I draw a submarine today?" I ask. The answer is a resounding yes. Once I have it down on the bag, there is a secondary request for an octopus...you know, to make it real he says. Happy to oblige as Oscar knows this is one of my all-time favorite animals. "Why do you like them mama?" Oscar asks. "So many reasons," I say "but mainly because they are super smart." "And delicious." Oscar replies. Ha! So very true! Happy Wednesday xoxo
There are a few rites of passage that never go out of style. This weekend Oscar selected & rode his first very own bicycle. Not a "baby bike" as he refers to tricycles - one for a big kid, like him. Ah, a boy & his bike...it does seem really magical. When you think about it, it is his introduction to freedom. Conveyance on his own terms; a chance to be a total individual. I can picture him sticking baseball cards in the spokes, making a tick-tick-tick, & pedaling off into the sunset. I asked how he felt riding his shiny new wheels, which spun into this morning's doodle request. "I like it." Ok, not the enthusiasm I was hoping for, but he continued his recount with "big plans" of springtime rides "at night." Clearly I have Easy Rider in the making. But I think we'll commemorate with something a little more innocent to begin. Pee Wee's Big Adventure is in queue for movie night, ready to inspire what I hope will be a long and meaningful relationship between Oscar & his ride. Happy Monday xoxo
As I finished packing for my weekend trip to Toronto this morning, Oscar watched on as I exhibited OCD mixed with my usual hyper-kinetic state. "What do you want me to draw today sweetie, and make that request snappy" I uttered while checking my passport location for the eighteenth time. "Draw something about your trip." Oh...a Canadian doodle, ay? (yes, that was intentional) Sadly, only a few images come to mind - maple syrup, hockey, and South Park (T&P fart doodle...negative). Well, it is a lot of country - surely there is something translatable here. And then I think, MOOSE. A really big animal for a really big wilderness-y place. "Are you going to see a moose when you are away?" "Hmmm, don't think so. Toronto is like, well, here." He's pleased with the drawing, but is now critical of the context. "Maybe you should draw something you are going to see." Maple syrup it is! Or a bag of Heinz ketchup chips. Meh, we'll stick with this or I will be late to the airport. Happy Friday, happy weekend. xoxo
Oscar told me a story this morning - a short one - he was told by his friend the day before. It goes like this: An alien was visiting earth, and a bird landed on his hand. Then the alien ate the bird. That's it - that is the whole story as it was passed on in the great elementary school oral tradition. Sigh...I really want to know so much more but that's all he's got on this particular allegory. "So Oscar, want me to draw the alien on your bag?" "YES! Make him a martian." Sweet...classic martian it is. Of course, Oscar is very interested in the possibilities of extraterrestrials. We chat it up about space exploration...rovers & satellites, galaxies near & far. The imagination wheels are spinning fast the more Oscar hears - I can see the illustrations forming in his head - and I am thinking this is one of the greatest aspects of being a parent. Sky's the limit pumpkin - dream big today & everyday...maybe a trip to Area 51 is in order. Happy Thursday! xoxo
We've already established our fondness for natural world in this blog...it shouldn't be surprising that on our break last week we ventured into Evolution with a birthday shopping agenda.
Another friend had given Oscar a gift certificate to choose his own treasures, and he wasted no time in spending it. Alas, the impressive alligator head. Oscar has taken him out around the hood a couple of times, eliciting random & insane comments like was he in your toilet? from our friendly neighbors. "Can I take it to school today?" - the ever popular morning question following the doodle request. As always, the answer is no unless we have a show & tell situation, so Oscar takes his reptilian head and walks away. When I check in on him later I notice the alligator is now in the guinea pig cage on top of the food bowl...an effective starvation tactic. "Hey, Oscar? Do you think Saturday is going to eat with the gator in here?" His response, "I want to see Saturday get stuck in his jaws." Ah yes, that makes sense...I relieve Saturday of the circus performance, put the head away on the shelf, and explain to Oscar that reptiles & rodents don't make a good pairing.
Yep, it's Wednesday...enjoy! xoxo
Oscar's mission this week, I'm convinced, is to have me draw every one of his birthday presents. Luckily all gift certificates have been "cashed in" for tangible items or some of these bags would be incredibly lame Franklin Mint concepts. "So Oscar, what are we drawing today?" I can already guess, because he has had his Schleich dragon out terrorizing the guinea pig for a solid 15 now.
"Draw my dragon!" Ok...I kind of want to include a pooping guinea pig in the foreground since this is what I am seeing, but I stick with a tighter depiction keeping to the theme. As I am drawing all that's coming to me is the scene from The Cable Guy- easily the most hilarious part of the movie with the joust at Medieval Times - and I laugh & laugh. Oscar is looking at me like I've lost my nut - "Why are you laughing? I think it looks really good mama." Ah, unconditional support...you can't beat it. "I just think dragons are funny. Thanks for liking it." Happy Tuesday xoxo
