An Aspiring Michelangelo???

Both boys have a history of being less than enthusiastic about doing art projects. When they were little (pre-Pinterest days) we never did anything crafty or artsy in our house. I suppose if I had any interest in doing arts and crafts…that would’ve been a different story.

Part of the resistance to arts and crafts for Riley is that does not like to get his hands dirty. At. All. Yes, it’s a part of his autism…a sensory thing. The other part…well if you know G…it is definitely the G gene…no doubt about it.

The other day when I picked R up, he handed me a bag with 3 wrapped pieces of pottery.

Me:  What have you got there?

R:  Hedgehogs! 

Later at home, I unwrapped the pieces and found these…

I...I...I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure hedgehogs have those spiky things all over their body.  ;)

OR...just maybe...they were newborn hedgehogs. Could be. Right?? Well ummmm...no. I was not right. Apparently even newborn hedgehogs have those spiky things all over their body. I looked it up. 

The third piece?  Lucky for you…I asked.

Me:  Riley, nice art!  What did you make??

R:  Hedgehogs.

Me:  What’s the third one?

R:  I don’t know.

Me:  Is it a…… *pausing to let him answer*

R:  *gives me the side-eye* 

Me:  …………

R:  I don’t know! *getting annoyed*

Me:  Is it a mouse?

R:  NO! It’s an animal!

Me:  What kind of animal?

R:  YOU’RE TALKING!!

Me:  Is it a pig??  *if you look closely you’ll notice a ‘P’ on the side*

R:  NO!

Me:  Then what kind of animal is it?

R:  *pauses*  It’s a mouse. YOU’RE TALKING!!!

When we decided to do an art class as part of the IWNS (InclusionWorks! North Shore) program, I knew this would not be a huge hit in Riley World. Especially the pottery section. But for Riley, it is all about exposing him to different activities whether he likes them or not. One never knows when he will actually take to something.

Make no mistake, whether Riley sees me opening the bag he hands me or not…when he brings home an art project or anything else he makes, you’d better believe I am all over it!

As for Riley…does he enjoy/like art any better these days??  I’ll let you be the judge.  :D