The Coloring Contest

I have always believed that one of the characteristics of a good dad is how sincerely and whole-heartedly he devotes himself to playing with his children.

Not in the casual way he might play with his nieces or nephews or the children of his friends but in a no-holds barred "I am really a monster chasing you and I am going to eat you and tickle you when I catch you!"- kind of way.

I bring the same sort of intensity to my arts & crafts sessions with Sippy Cup.

We had a coloring contest this morning (I have included our masterpieces for your review).

Now I can sit here and explain how coloring is great for his imagination and helps him work on his fine-motor skills and include other educational development terms that will make me sound awesome; however, this was (first-and-foremost) a contest and I could care less about those things.  I wanted to win! 

I brought out all of the tools in my creative arsenal.  I outlined precisely.  I shaded carefully.  I incorporated some of the Renaissance techniques of Chiaroscuro.  I even included low-lights in my character's hair!  How awesome is that?!  I knew I had it in the bag.

It took Sippy Cup 10 minutes to finish his page. 

I, on the other hand, dedicated a good 45 minutes to my pièce de résistance.

And it's pretty clear he still won.

Surprisingly enough, I am perfectly ok with that.  No.  Honestly.  I am perfectly ok with that.

Now, if you'll excuse me, my son and I are going to go play some Jeopardy.

  "X-Man Projecting Eye Beam"

Mr. Cufflinks

"Scott is Awesome!"

Sippy Cup