If it turns out to be a good thing then yes…it was us.

A four-year old furiously flies his pencil through a Star Wars workbook, tracing and matching the numbers 6 through 10 against a backdrop of lightsabers, Jawas, Ewoks, clone troopers and Jedi. His colors for each are consistent; there is no mix and matching of hues or shades. They are different from page to page, but homogenous within a group. Interesting.

On other pages, there are instructions for filling in a particular character with a specific color. He ignores these instructions and colors them in the colors he is drawn to. I am not sure completely how to feel about this. If it turns out to be a good thing, I was thinking I could take credit for this development. If it turns out to be a blockade to the development of following instructions and directions, I was thinking I could point the finger at his mom. The Countess. Is that a cowardly mindset?

I love the ferocity, yet specificity and attention he gives to each of his marker strokes. They are full of fire and and chaos, but there is also purpose and energy. I love that. And I love the time his mom gives in sitting alongside and helping, encouraging, affirming him along. She is amazing.