Painting Piece By My Boy

School has officially ended for the summer break for J, and he brought home a piece of art work he had created there.
I've posted his creations before, many which were drawn on a 'magnetic drawer', with Tomy's Megasketcher being his preferred one for many years. 

I buy a new one of these every year for him, as he wears them out, and they get quite bumpy and uneven. He can sit for an hour at times, just drawing away. I used to try and photograph these drawings, to capture his thoughts and feelings, and you can find some of them here, here, and here, and you can also search 'drawings' or 'magnetic drawer' in the search box to the left of the blog.

There is also another piece of art work that J did, over two years ago, that I still absolutely love. 
You can find the original post here. It is a cubism inspired piece, and still impresses me to this day.

I am also bowled over by his latest painting, I just have to post it here to share. 
It is mixed paint on a canvas board, and it quite textured. He wasn't bothered when I asked him about it, and walked off! He walked back in, and pointed to it, and said "sailing boat", so that is what I shall call it - J's Sailing Boat. 

 J's Sailing Boat 2017

Well Meaning But Unkind Words

These are just a sample of some of the words spoken to me, over the years, when people enquire about my children and myself. 

The latest one was very recent, and occurred when I went car shopping. I was invited to sit at the desk of a friendly looking salesperson, as I had certain preferences - sliding doors and seven seats being the priority. I was asked why I needed both of those, and I explained that the children need space, and not to be squished next to each other - consider J is 6ft 3in, with his brothers following in his giant footsteps - the car needs to suit their growth. 

Sliding doors are fabulous when you have children, and because car spaces are still inadequate in width for the modern vehicle (in the UK), it means the boys can get into, or out of the car, with ease, and there are no dings against other car doors. 

As the salesman pushed me to consider an estate car, I felt I had to mention about the boys and their needs. 

I was met with a bowed head, lowered eyes, and him telling me the following, as he shook his head slowly and said -

I was taken aback, but remained stoic in not responding with an outburst of shock, and instead steered the topic to whether electric folding wing mirrors were worth paying out for - the first thing I could think to say!

The truth is, I don't agree with the statements about being unlucky. I consider myself blessed to have children, especially after being told over 20 years ago that it was highly unlikely I would ever have children due to complications I suffered when I was younger. 

My boys do not need sympathy and regret. They need respect and acceptance. 

I do understand that for some, they feel they have to say something, and they believe that what they say will be comforting or kind to me. There is usually no malice, just ignorance, and for that I don't get angry or upset. I have responded before, by explaining that they are very happy boys, who laugh a lot, smile, are creative and musical, are kind, and who have never once been made to feel they are less than perfect in my eyes. 

I am sure I will hear many more 'sympathetic' responses from people, but I'll just continue to listen with courtesy, and smile with politeness. 

As for the electric wing mirrors - I have narrowed my car choice down to two, and one has them fitted as standard (Ford Galaxy Titanium X),   

    but does not have sliding doors

           (and they do not have an option to change to sliding). 

                The other doesn't fit them as standard, but is an optional extra (VW Sharan SE), 

      but does have sliding doors. 

They are both very similar looking cars, with proper 7 seats (not fiddly, cramped seats in the third row as some 7 seaters have)

I have to make my mind up soon, as I need to order it to be built!