Rebel with NO Cause!

See that cutie with his Dad; all dressed up in his Sunday best? Have you ever laid eyes on a more innocent, sweet, naive lad?

Let's be honest, his father and I have created a monster! this little man has the spirit of a Tiger. He has the heart of a Trojan. He is as lovable as a teddy bear! BUT he is truly his Father's son. In every way he aspires to be "just like Dad". They are like twinkies of a different size...packaged together!

Recently Gavin set some goals. There were things he wanted and he determined to have them at any cost. For several weeks Gavin saved every penny. He worked hard around the house and stowed away every cent that he could. Every day he would pull out the piggy bank and recount. He kept telling everyone about the MP3 player that he had seen. Just a tad longer and it was his! Every chore that he performed brought him a little closer to the goal. It was gratifying to watch. I was amazed at his perseverance. He worked untiring and his little 8 year old spirit never ceased. I couldn't help but think there are adults that could learn from him!

Just a few months ago he would have taken that money to town and bought the latest bakugan or a water gun or maybe even new bike accessories. An MP3 player was merely a step up. I smiled as I thought about "boys and their toys".

But guess what? All of a sudden my sweet son decided to assert his manliness! And

overnight everything changed. The money he saved did not buy a MP3 player. He became an

instant rebel.

I think I will blame this on his father. Afterall, rebellion is certainly NOT in my nature! :-)

First of all the music player became a BB gun! This with the understanding that he needed to keep the birds out of our fruit trees. And no shooting with other children there. Along with a list of safety rules he readily accepted. Just look at that smile. He was very agreeable and complying.

The innocent face remained!

....at least for a few days.

Now you need to understand the "father-son" relationship shared between this boy and his father. When they have nothing to do they watch the knife channel!! Do you know about the knife channel? It is nothing more than a shopping channel for knives. They can sit and admire those silly knives for hours on end. Sometimes they just mute the television and watch like a couple of redneck insurgents on the revolt. Gavin has become so adept that he can tell you an approximate cost before they put it on the screen...and he is only 8!

My husband has a special drawer where his knife arsenal is kept. Knifes of every kind. And this is like a playhouse for my son. He will take out every knife; and there are MANY, and lay them out on the table and drool!

So it was no surprise when he decided that he needed to spend money on a machete.

So now my pure and spotless child has become somewhat of a rebel; albeit an adorable one. He has no cause. He just loves the man his father is. Fortunately so do I.

Pictures of Gavin with his weapons require a practiced look of dissent. It's a guy thing!

But I must say, I certainly hope this new look is only a phase!