In Honor of Lil Man's Birfday...

I have been saving this one for a while. It was one of things I had put together long before I had a blog and probably one of the reasons my sis said to start one. It is absolutely true - no embellishments. It is my life.

My Lil Man started Kindergarten this year. He has always been my baby. He was stuck to me like glue always. I have an attachment to him that I didn't have with my daughter - a pull of some sort - but I always chalked it up to the Mother/Son Relationship. He was sensitive and kind. A flatterer and a charmer. What more could a mommy want?

I found out on his first day of preschool that he was actually a very talented artist (per the teachers there who raved they had never seen anything like it in all their years). I was proud - yes. Was I surprised? Well...no. I had been drawing since I can remember and I assumed one of them would have the itch too. Maybe that was the pull - kindred spirits of sorts.

During the first few weeks, Kindergarten proved to be difficult for the both of us. I missed the little bugger during the day and he was getting beat up in school. OK - maybe not beat up. He was actually hit twice. Once on the bus. Once in class. And SPIT on by a neighbor's kid - who's mother called to tell me about it (like a screeching siren at 7:00am one morning) and he never even told me about it. The kid admitted it to the mom. The neighbor mom made the kid come over and apologize and tell my son that he (the Spitter) was stupid and a jerk and it was ok if my kid never spoke to him again. A bit harsh? Maybe but I was glad. My son - telling the kid - Its ok Kyle - I still like you. Its ok. Don't cry. Yep. My baby. I hated those asshole kids. I coulda hawked a luggie on them - I swear.

So - I tried to toughen him up. I made him join Karate. He hated it. I made him join T-ball. Hated it more. Then. Then I saw a notice come home for a Park and Rec Art Class. He jumped for joy. He BEGGED to go. With a tear in my eye, I realized my boy wanted to be like mom - an artist. It was in his blood. He was sensitive because that's what artists are. OK I said. Off to art class we go.

The following are actual pictures of his drawings from the first day. Enjoy.