A chip off the old block

When I was little I used to write and draw stories all day. One time when I was not much older then Liam is now, I wrote a story about a bodybuilder and then illustrated it by gluing one of my mom's curlers for the weight. I then completed the 3-D piece by cutting my own hair to add to the bodybuilder's chest. As I got older I remember that the best part of summer vacation was having all of my supplies from my "art box" with me at all times--free and ready to use whenever I wanted (as opposed to only doing art once a week in school).

It would seem that Liam is just like his mother when it comes to stories and drawing. He writes stories and draws pictures all day long and then he reads them to us. I have made a point over the years to collect really good children's books--paying particular attention to any Caldecott Medal winners (that is the Oscar Award in the Children's Illustration world). Whenever I read the boys a book I always let them know who wrote it, as well as who illustrated it. Tonight Liam decided to write a story "A Play Day." He took his time to write the words and illustrate the pictures. When it was nearly done he brought the cover over to me and showed me. On it he had drawn a circle--it was a Caldecott Medal. He said "This award lets you know that this book is GOOD. I will read it to you when I'm done."

It makes me smile to see that at age 5, he already has a keen interest in design and art. He is probably the only 5 year old who got the book "1000 of the Worlds Best Logos and Symbols" for Christmas. He is fascinated and a bit obsessed with symbols and signs. He can spot one a mile away and he loves trying to figure them out. Around the house he has placed his own symbols. "This sign means 'Do not crawl here.'" and "I drew this symbol so Beanie wouldn't touch your computer (a circle with a little boy touching a computer and a line through it)." He is a smart boy and wise beyond his years and many days I think he is better than I am.

Secretly, I hope he keeps up with this interest in artful things. I think all parents in some capacity, wish for their children the things that they themselves were never able to achieve or do. But I don't want to put my dreams on to him. I will encourage him and be supportive but I will try my hardest not to make my goals his. I'll let him figure that out on his own. And if he were to one day win a Caldecott Medal I'll live vicariously, albeit privately, through him.