my second boy

I figured since I'm waiting for Ryan to cut some matte board for my latest project I would do a little post for my second boy, Drew.    Drew is one of those kids that has that nervous laugh when they get in trouble - you know the one who smiles under the stress of being scolded.  Yep, that's my Drew.  I have dubbed him my little Santa Claus because he is generally the happiest child you will ever meet - unless it has been a long day and I am forcing him to sit quietly in the frame section of Hobby Lobby - then all bets are off (Leslie can attest to this).  He is my big kid - he is huge, tall and solid as a brick.  But when he opens his mouth he still has some of that familiar toddler ease language that I can't bring myself to correct - thus we live in Nosabelle (Noblesville).  He still Woves me and I know, as it happened with Jon that wove will turn to love and never look back.

I was farting around with my camera this morning and took this one - I am madly in love with it - not because it is some photographic genius of a shot, but because it captures his "smirk".  So back to the laughing and smiling when being disciplined, another one of Chris Kringle's tactic's is the smirk.  It is one of those flawed moments in parenting when you laugh, when you should be very, very serious.  He kills me when he gives me the smirk!  He has had it since he could smile and my mom and I agreed upon seeing the smirk the very first time - he can look like a cherub and a devil all in one glance.  

He is my big boy wanting excessive hugs before bedtime in one moment and running around like a jedi knight the next.  He is fiercely protective of his little sister and his best friend Paige.  He has more emphathy than any four year old could possibly hope to possess - let alone an adult.  

Yes, Penny is wearing the elefun nets on her head - a trick big brother showed her, but beyond making her look like a fool he also takes such good care of his baby sister.  More times than not he will crawl into bed with her at nap time to read her one more story because mom just can't read another book.  He also idolizes his big brother  - having that typical best of friends /worst of enemies thing going one.  Lord help me when they are teens.  The best part is the fact that he is a minature, hairless version of my husband - it's freaky really and nothing makes Drew happier than to "work" with HIS tools, tuck his pencil behind HIS ear and fix things with dad.  It brings me joy to see them together.  

There are times that I am sad because of all the distraction that occurred while Drew was little - when he was four months old mom was first diagnosed with cancer,  our lives were bouncing back and forth between here and up north, then Ryan worked out of town, we moved and eventually mom moved in with us.  So much happened that there are voids in my memory of him growing up - I have them all journaled - thank goodness, but I guess he is the happy kid that generally goes with the flow because of everything he's seen and done.  I am so blessed to have him.  He is so different from Jon, but not in a bad way, but in so many other good ways.  I enjoy so much the little boy he is becoming.  He is the "Norm" of his classroom and its been that way since he started school- his effortless ease, his self assurance is amazing.  If he wants to wear a spiderman costume to target than by all means. If he wants to wear his sisters leg warmers on his arms because he's cold that day, than he will.  He is so comfortable being Drew, that I strive for that own self confidence in myself.  I love him so much more than I can ever explain.  

Thanks again for enjoying my ramblings - next up Mac's tiles.

my boy

So I don't have any Penny Pickles work to show you at the moment, but I have one that needs to be matted, one nearly done and one that I am just getting started on.  Plus I was asked to make two jumpers for big and baby sister for a gift to a friend - I have lots going on!  But I wanted to share a picture I took about a week ago of my big boy Jon.  Jon will be seven next month - oh where has the time gone?  I still see my fuzzy haired baby, but in the same breath I can't imagine him not being my articulate, imaginative little rock star.

I've farted around with the processing on this picture, but decided I like the raw image out of the camera the best.  I love this picture for a few reasons, first to me it is the quintessential childhood picture - he was looking down at something on the ground, so curious, but it shows his beautiful eyelashes that he has had from day one.  It also shows off his freckles, that I LOVE!  His soft perfect skin and his long hair that is forever in his face.  He looks so much like I did as a kid - acts like I did too - so it brings back so many memories when I watch him in action. I told Ryan, we don't have quiet, demure kids that follow all directions.  Ryan's reply was, I'm glad, they be free thinking adults that will succeed.  I agree with that wholeheartedly, but I know from my own experience he has a long road a head of him with teachers and people who don't like individuals or little people with their own opinions.  Ah well, I'll try to clear that road off when I can and just offer a hug when I can't.  After having three kids, I don't love any one more than another, but I do love each of them so differently it is hard to explain until you've had more than one child.  Each of my children are so unique, with such different qualities - I am so blessed to have my own mini-melting pot here in my house.  

This is my Jon working hard on his science fair project testing whether homemade glue works as well as store bought varieties.  He received first place and I am so proud of him!  I love the look of concentration - sometimes I wish my biggest stress was whether to use the red or blue marker!

I just wanted to give a bit of love to my eldest boy - there is something about your first that holds a unique bond, we stumble together through this part of our lives - him as a child and me as a mom.  He is a terribly forgiving soul and since he is receives the brunt of my parenting mistakes - I am very grateful for his grace. 

Have a great weekend and Thanks!