Drew

“Ten days in and it sure isn’t turning out quite like I thought it would.
I anticipated that it would be different than the summers of old. With two kids at camp for two months and an almost-twelve-year-old with great expectations of a sunny season away from his mom – I knew I’d be charting new territory.

Yet, being armed with before-hand inklings is not the same as living through the reality of it all. And the truth of the matter is that I have to try harder to make the times that I am alone with Drew enjoyable for him. Just coming to the lake is more than enough for me. But not for him.”

I wrote that on July 10 and today, Sunday August 6, almost a month later, things are no better. I haven’t figured out how to make this summer-without-his-brothers good.
“Want to go to a movie?”
“No. Not with you.”
“Hey, let’s go to the beach.”
“No. Not with you.”
“Want to go shopping?”
“No. Not with you.”
“Let’s see if any of your friends can join us at the lake.”
“No one’s allowed.”
“Let’s go to the fireworks.”
“Only if I can hang around with Clint and Max.”
“Want to play a game?”
“No. That’s gay.”
“Hey, wanna go for a walk?”
“No. Can I have a cell phone?”
“No. Hey let’s pick up one of your cousins and go…”
“I’d rather have a girlfriend.”
“Not until you’re 18. Do you want to …?”
“NO. I need my license. I want to go for a drive.”

I gave my restless 11 year old son the keys to my Durango. He backed it up to the gate, then forward to the trampoline over and over again, listening to Tainted Love at maximum volume.

He wants to be 18.

Finally, hours later, his yearning for impossible things vacated his body - and I could sense he was, at least temporarily, at peace. He was my delightful Drew again.





Using the jenga blocks, he set up a dominoes style maze/track.
Then knocked it down.

Then, inspired by that Malcolm in the Middle episode where Dewy makes a gargantuan dominoes thingy - he grabbed the Karadon samples and started to wind the maze throughout the kitchen.

Of course, he still needed the undivided attention of someone. Bups is always a good audience.

Once he had them all set up, he took pictures, using Max's digital camera.

And then the light went on.

Max's camera has he capability of recording short videos... so he video taped it.

When we replayed it on my desk top, he discovered a video-editing program.

Pretty much the rest is history.

He transitioned two parts, added the Pirates of the Caribean Theme music, put in a few still shots, did a credits page and did an overlay special effect.

If only I knew how to upload that puppy to this blog, I'd proudly post it for y'all to see.

His summer now has purpose. He has plans. And he's excited.

Hopefully we can put this need for a license behind us for awhile...

The next day, he and my dad had a water fight: