 |
| Felipe The Flower |
This last weekend, we squeezed the dreaded piano lesson in. We usually have it mid week but missed for some reason or another so had to make up on the weekend. While at the lesson, Gavin and I sat in the garden room while Sam took his 30 minute turn. On the brick wall behind where Gavin and I sat hung a very large portrait of Edward Eikner, our wonderful piano instructor. It was a painting done by a well known artist inGA named PENLEY whose style is strong brush strokes with bold colors that exhibits vivid imagery. It was such a large canvas that up close, all you could see would be large strokes of paint resembling what looked like someone was trying to ice a cake on canvas. From afar though, the full image of Edwards head was a truly a piece of art.
We sat in a small wicker love seat barely enough space for the two us. We faced toward each other so we could talk without disturbing the ongoing lesson in the other room. I brought out the Boy Scout Handbook because I thought today Gavin and I could sit and cover some of his Scouting home work so we would not have to do it at home. This is part of trying to be the "Efficient Mom". We started in the book and as 5 minutes passed Gavin started to fidget. His hands were on the table touching everything, touching the large red glass diamond that is supposed to be more like a paper weight, touching the flowering cactus because "it did not look real said Gavin", even touching me...I finally stopped suddenly and said abruptly "stop touching everything and lets read this Boy Scout stuff together".
Up until now Gavin was yawning. His eyes widened and his hands quickly retracted to his chest like a robot receiving his command and obeying his master. I continued to read aloud. Gavin's arms slowly reached up in the air trying not to reach to the table of stuff in front of him. Gavin's eyes slowly wandered up above his head and over to his right, over to the brick wall where the oil portrait lived. Interrupting me Gavin asked as he pointed to the PENLEY signature "What does that say?"
I sighed and responded "It says Penley."
"What does that mean?"
Haaaaaaaa! I sighed again. Not wanting to be the mom that fusses 24/7, I answered. "It is the artist signature. That is the person who did the art work."
I went on to explain Penley's local roots and style of painting to Gavin when he reached up and put his hand on a clump of dried paint as if he were going to pick it off like a scab! I WAS MORTIFIED!!!!!!
We were being quiet up until now when I wanted to yell but I didn't. I raised my hand which in the book of mommy sign language delivers, quite effectively I might add, the you will get a spanking if you continue message with out saying a single word. My brows were furrowed, my lips flattened but pursed and my nose was squinched up so tight that one might think I resembled the Grinch when he is disgusted by Christmas.
Gavin even more quickly this time retracted his hand and held both fists close to his chest. He knew by my mommy sign that he was doing something very very bad!
"What? What?" he asked.
"Gavin, I NEVER EVER want to see your hands on any art work ever again, especially a painting!" "But Why Mommy?"
Because it is art! The oils on your fingers will transfer to the painting and ruin it over time and how am I to explain the clump of paint missing from the portrait if you had picked it off! Do you know how expensive art is! It is something people cherish in their homes and they don't want their art damaged by other people!"
I changed my tone and continued "Please don't do that again!"
I could see Gavin's face turning from being scared he was doing something wrong to being mad about something else. His arms went from up at his chest to folded across his body. His posture went form straight upright to leaning back like he had this one all wrapped up. His head was now tilted back and cocked to the side. Now his lips pursed and his head nodded in disgusted at me!
Gavin's response was classic Gavin!
"Really Mom!... Well what about Felipe the Flower?"
There was a long pause waiting for my response.
Gavin then continued: "What about Poopy the Platypus? Huh? Auhhh! What about Zingof, Fogniz and The Kevin?"
I looked at him confused "What?"
"You know MOM!!! Felipe?....Oh and then there is Gogizeenie, Gagazieenie and Googizeer too Mom!" All this was said with an accusatory tone. Like I am guilty of something. Like I have a double standard. Gavin can't do it but Mommy can kind of thing.
My eyes shifted back and fourth trying to think of a response that would defend my actions. "I am not sure I know what you are talking about Gavin!"
Again in accusing tone.. ."Mom ...my art work?... at home Mom?
I paused trying to recollect the memory of his artwork.
"The ones I wanted to make 100 copies of for people to buy and you wouldn't let me."
Now it was all coming back. I began to smile and giggle. That would be the I am caught guilty giggle.
 |
| Poopy The Platypus |
 |
| Gogizeenie, Gagizeenie, & Googizeer |
 |
| The Kevin, Zingof & Fogniz |
Gavin continued to scold me... "Every time I show them to you, your hands are all over them and then you just stack 'em up and (slight pause) .....sometimes I find some of my art in the trash." "MOM??!!!"
My eyes shifted side to side. I am guilty! He is right! I do do that!
"Gavin" I said, "I am so sorry! I did not realize how important those pieces of art were to you!" Of course I am giggling the hole time. "I will cherish your art and be more respectful to your stuff and I am sorry!"
In his very sweet 9 year old voice Gavin replies "It's OK Mommy!"
I laughed about what just happened. Sammy is now finished with his lesson and it is Gavin's turn. Off he skips with the "I won smile" on his face.
Hey!!! How did he just turn that whole thing around on me!
