The Joy of Painting

James and Owen have recently rediscovered their wooden swords, which is an entertaining and hazardous way for them to pass an afternoon. James likes to play "swordfighting" and make his sword click against as Owen's as if they were having a duel. Owen isn't playing. When he swings his sword he's actively trying to take James' head off. It's a good thing that James is taller and faster.

Naturally, we decided that Felix probably needs to have his own sword. So we walked up to Dan's Crafts and Things (actual name of the store) and managed to get past the Legos and model rockets and airplanes and woopie cushions and toy cars back to the bin at the back of the store where there are unstained and unsanded wooden swords. Not only did they have a sword for Felix, but there were two round wooden shields for sale. (There was also a wooden battleaxe, but I didn't let them bring that home.) I thought it would be a good idea, at least for James, to have a shield available.

"This will be fun," I said. "We can sand and stain and finish the shields together and you boys can help me."

"I would like to decorate mine with jewels!"
"I'd like to paint a J on mine and an O on Owen's so that we can tell them apart!"
"That seems like a good idea."

Yes, giving the boys paint seemed like a good idea a few hours ago.

We put Felix to bed a little early, since he'd had a busy day of vomiting. (Separate blog entry) I showed the boys how to sand with the grain of the wood and how to rub their fingers along the edges to see when the sanding was done. James did a great job and Owen gave up after about ten seconds. I sanded Felix's new sword and did the remaining 90% of Owen's shield, and then we were ready to paint. I was ready to hand a black paint brush with actual paint on it to James and Owen.

"Okay boys, pay attention. We are going to paint a J and an O on your shields, but you need to listen to me so that it goes well. The first thing you need to do is to practice painting your letter with just your finger so that you know exactly how it's going to look. Can you show me with your finger how you're going to paint? Yes, that looks very good. Owen, that's a perfect 'O.' I am going to stir and mix this paint, and then I will put some paint on this brush. If you need more paint on the brush you can ask me for some more, but it's going to be Daddy that gets the brush wet, right? Good, glad we understand. Now, be careful with the paint. You don't want to spill it on yourself or on the table or especially anywhere on the shield that isn't where you're painting you're letter. Take your time. Are we ready?"

They were very ready and had listened to everything I said.

James went first and did a great job. His J ended up a little to thick at the top relative to the bottom, but I think he was pleased. Then it was Owen's turn.

"Now Owen, be careful when I hand you this--wait---"
"Oops."
"See, you grabbed it out of my hand, and now there's paint on your shield in a spot where you don't want it. STOP, Owen. Stop and hold still. Some got on the table, so I'm going to need to clean it up. DO NOT paint your shield while I go get a cloth to wipe up the table. Just hold the paintbrush and wait for me."
<five seconds later>
"Daddy, I needed more paint, and some spilled."
"Oh, COME ON OWEN. I just told you NOT to paint your shield and WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HANDS?"
"A little paint got on me."
"Yes, and more on the table too, huh."
"Yeah, I think you need to clean up the paint thing."
"I think something happened to your O."
"Yeah, I made a mistake, so I'm going to fill it in."
"Owen, that isn't painting. That's stabbing."
"Do you like my O?"
"You need to stay right here and not move until I come back with more rags to clean up your hands and the table."
<five seconds later>
"OWEN, COME BACK OUT OF THE ROOM WITH ALL THE NEW FURNITURE!!!!"

And that is the story of how James painted a J on his shield and Owen painted a Rorschach Blot on his shield.