why not picasso?

In my fabulous week off with the kids. Yesterday, Chris had the day "off" - he was so sweet - I told him he could come back as late as he wanted to, and he said he missed us and came back early in the evening. Too cute! Liam, Kalian and I went to the library. It was fun until they started chasing each other. I was sitting quietly reading a book with Liam when Kalian egged him on to chase her. She is such the rabble rouser. I wonder where she gets it. Then we headed over to the Stride Rite outlet down the street. Kalian desperately needed new shoes. Of course, all of the "girl" shoes are pink - and the "boy" shoes are hideous. Kalian went for the pink ones, and then Liam wanted to try on some pink shoes. By that time, the kids were tearing up the store and I knew we had to go home to cook dinner, so I told him we didn't have time and there weren't any in his size. What was I doing? Saying? He didn't need new shoes. I know if I had time, I would have let him try them on, but if he needed shoes would I have bought them for him? I want to think it would be fine, but not in this very cruel world. Hmm...shouldn't I be teaching him to stick up for what he wants/believes in?

This morning it was great to take Liam to his OT - I usually don't get to go. Liam starts out doing more active gross motor work, and then she had him put together a "body" with these sticky strings onto the wall. I had never seen him draw or create a person, so I was so impressed with his grasp of the concept. He put a circle for the head, a straight line down below it, and then a line across the middle. The OT asked Liam if those were his arms or legs. Liam pointed to one side and said, "That's his anus and the other end is his penis." You go guy. She wasn't very impressed, and insisted on him being precise. She complained that parents and teachers are often OK with kids being "Picasso" (after I made that remark) and that kids don't learn true represenation and proportion, which is important for their development. I think she has a good point, but I was just so happy that Liam was doing this for the first time. Can't they explore on their own a little first before coloring within the lines?