I might be in “way-too-excited” mom mode, but I am sooooooo excited about Cam’s first real free-hand drawing. I am practically tearing up. I’m pretty much ready to send out a press release about my son being the next Picasso.

For the most part, Cam is coloring blobs, starting to stay inside the lines with crayons, and writing just a couple very simple letters. Beyond that Joe and I will see a scribble and blurt what it looks like just to spark imagination. But today is a different story.

I left Cam in my office while I went inside to get Demi dressed. Joe went out to get him and he was busy drawing on my note paper. Joe asked what it was, and Cam said, “a five-legged armadillo.” Unprompted… no suggestions from dad.

First of all, it kind of looks like a 5-legged armadillo. Secondly, how did he think of that? Aren’t the first basic animals a kid draws more along the lines of cats and dogs and cows and whatnot? And finally, I just love that it has 5 legs.

I was reading an article about things you can do to promote creativity with your kids and one thing was to have the supplies/utensils always available to them. I think the benefits of this outweigh the negatives (walls can be painted, carpets can be replaced, sisters can be washed), so I’m going to set up the station in his room a little better.

Lastly, this is SO going in a frame. I remember when my mom framed my wolf painting. Even though I could only see the faults in it, she loved it so much she wanted it prominently displayed in her office. I get it now. It’s exciting to see your kid create!