The younger boy cracks me up.
Usually.
During the last couple of many months, he has been acting the part of a very normal teenager: spending lots of time in his room and not so much with us, attached to one of many technology items (sometimes more than one at at time) we have in the house. We’ve had to make major efforts to have actual discussions that delve deeper than:
“How was your day?”
“Good.”
…and it’s not always easy to find that time, what with four of us running in different directions most of the time. When we can pin him down, though–like at the dinner table, for example? It is a true pleasure to talk with him, to see what a great guy he is, to hear what he thinks about the world around him.
Going to Europe meant–except for a couple minutes of daily laptop usage (mostly so I could post photos on Posterous!), thanks to Kat’s hospitality–unplugging completely for eight days. I was looking forward to it. The focus was on family, completely. It was glorious.
Spending this time with both of our kids was the big bonus of this trip. Put all the castles and Nutella and mountains and Wiener Schnitzel and all that aside, this trip meant a lot on a personal level.
Another bonus? Watching all of the different faces of the younger boy. He’s got quite a personality (especially when he’s unplugged!), and he made us laugh, made us think, and made us proud. He was introspective but engaged, just the right amount of silly, and smart as all get-out. (After only one year of German, his language skills blew me away. So proud!)
I got a bunch of great photos of him, just being him. Whether he was hamming it up alone or with his brother and dad (like when I asked them to get together for a picture and he decided to stand about eight feet in front of the other two) or just being thoughtful, he made this group of pictures something I’ll treasure forever.
12 Comments
House of Jules
Favorite J ever! Love it.
Emily
You look like you have two great sons! I hope I can have such a relationship when my little boy gets into his teen years!
CDScott
So nice when you get to spend time with your kids and they are just being their wonderful, relaxed, funny selves. I have to younger boys and your post made me look to our future in the teen years. More fun to come!
Mrs4444
He really makes me smile, too. I especially love the second to last one and, well, all of them–He reminds me so much of Kyle. They would have a ball together. Some day…
Momo Fali
He looks so happy. I bet it's because you're his mother.
Tara R.
Love the toque! The boy can really rock the tassels.
The final b/w portrait is awesome. The camera is only as good as the photog behind it. Great job!
BLOGitse
Wiener Schnitzel – yummy! 🙂
I can see you had a great time.
Greetings from Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain where we visited last week…
Eternal Lizdom
He's a good looking boy, too!! I just bet he's a riot to be around!
WeaselMomma
Very cool. I am very jealous of this entire trip. In a good way, of course.
As Cape Cod Turns
He's so cute! I do love the one of him standing in front of hubby and older boy. The look on Jim's face is like, "dude, what are you doing? Get over here." Hahaha
Frances
Love this writeup on younger boy. Totally appreciate how you cherish all parts of him. I am so glad you all had a wonderful experience together.
Patty@NYC Girl at Heart
I agree with Momo! I love all the pics of him. What a great kid! 🙂