Finn's Renaissance

In the last three months, Finn has developed an intense interest in all things artistic. This is a marked change since previously he never picked up a pen or pencil unless it was to write his name on a card or do a dot-to-dot... he has never been interested in drawing, writing, coloring, etc. He would occasionally paint, but always abstract designs and he would lose interest after a few minutes.

It all started when, totally out of the blue, he brought me this:

Yes, that's me. He was pleased as punch with his creation and we stood admiring it for several minutes before he looked suddenly alarmed, grabbed it, and ran off with a cry of "You need an Emile!"

Phew. much better. Note we're holding hands. Cuz we like each other. Once again, panic soon ensued with this result:

Yep, Finn added himself to the line-up. It wasn't long before his first family portrait was complete:

I like Larkin's long hair. Okay, hairs. There are two.

Finn started writing the same day. Mainly, he writes love notes. Larkin had a note reading, "I [heart] U Larkin" taped to the wall over her bed for a very long time. Before my kayaking trip in Alaska, he hung this up so he wouldn't forget me:

He was particularly proud of my fuzzy red tummy. I have found love notes taped all over the house and tripped over them written on empty toilet paper tubes.

All of a sudden, this kid who loved video games and picture books and never put pen to paper had to have drawing instruments nearby At All Times. His first response when checking out the 1,000-year-old petroglyphs in Wyoming? "I need pen and paper!" (More on Wyoming later, I hope.)

Larkin and I used to bribe and beg Finn to read long form books with us. His new favorite way to spend his time? Working on craft projects while listening to Harry Potter as long as my voice lasts. We're nearing the end of book 6... phew. He colors, cuts, draws, writes, beads, paints, sculpts for hours on end. This has been one wild ride of a developmental leap.

Larkin, meanwhile, is super pleased to have a crafty partner. News on the grand opening of her etsy shop soon!