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January 18, 2009
This is my partner in crime, or shovelling, as the case may be. The two of us have a system down. It has turned into a time for the two of us to spend alone talking, because Lord knows the other kids scatter at the mention of shovelling.
He gets to tell in my excruciating detail about the latest episode of How It’s Made. Or Mythbusters. Or ask me questions like, “What percentage of people do you think actually buy things from telemarketers?” and tell me trivia he has picked up from his voracious reading.
I mostly nod and smile and throw out an occasional, “Wow, that is fascinating!”
And while the questions themselves might not be fascinating, or constant stream of “fun facts,” it is fascinating to listen to him and hear how his mind works.
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Yeah, my policy with the boys is to listen with great interest whenever they’ll deign to speak to me. Sad isn’t it?
January 18th, 2009 at 3:19 pmYou know, I have one who likes to re-cap his shows for me in incruciating detail, too. Certainly, we didn’t subject our parents to this, did we? But it is fun to see how they think.
January 18th, 2009 at 3:22 pmFantastic pic!
January 18th, 2009 at 3:49 pmIt’s great you get one-on-one time
“Fascinating” isn’t the first word that comes to my mind when I talk to my teens. “Worrisome,” maybe, or “scary” - especially when I consider how close the oldest is to leaving home.
January 18th, 2009 at 4:04 pmGreat picture!
I would like to know what percentage of people buy things from telemarketers, too. My company encourages me to telemarket, but I refuse to do it because I know I’d never buy anything over the phone.
Let us know if you find out.
January 18th, 2009 at 4:12 pmBrrrrrr! That picture makes me cold!
January 18th, 2009 at 4:21 pmOh lordy!!! I have that kind of son too. Maybe it’s just a boy thing…not sure. But, I get to hear EVERY minute detail of his dream from the night before, the latest show he watched, or the book he is reading. It takes everything I’ve got just to let him keep talking.
January 18th, 2009 at 4:33 pmthat sounds just like my 10 year. It is a steady stream of random tidbits of information. Sometimes it makes my ears and head hurt.
January 18th, 2009 at 5:00 pmThis is such a sweet post - and I can so relate. My oldest is now 21, but we have the same type of friendship. I homeschooled him as well; and since his dad traveled a lot, he was my buddy. We did so many “grown up” activities together even when he was only 12 or 13 - and I got to listen to the incessant talking which consisted mostly of statistics and facts such as you mention here. Such delightful memories. He now calls me (every day) from his third year in college, where he is an RA in the dorms. I treasure our relationship, as I know you do. It is so unusual for boys to be so open and relational - enjoy it, it’s such a gift.
January 18th, 2009 at 5:37 pmI think this is my new favorite photo great job Chris
January 18th, 2009 at 5:38 pmMy oldest is a Physics major. When he and I talk, it’s about energy, stars and things that I will never understand. But like you with your son I love to hear him talk and I marvel at his mind because it sure didn’t come from me!!
January 18th, 2009 at 5:44 pmOMG….I consider it an honor to be first! That or I have no life. I digress, what an awesome way to get to know the workings of a child’s mind…Um, through work! He sounds like a great kid. Apples really do not fall far from the tree!
January 18th, 2009 at 5:48 pmDon’t you love being able to have a little together time with them. I feel the same way. I don’t always remember every reason why a king cobra can eat up to 5 times their body mass. I just like hearing his mind work…….
January 18th, 2009 at 6:42 pmI know how important alone time can be. Glad you two get lots of bonding time, you know with all that snow you get.
January 18th, 2009 at 7:01 pmThat is an awesome photo and a PRICELESS way to spend time together!
January 18th, 2009 at 7:37 pmGreat picture!
January 18th, 2009 at 8:17 pmwhat a great picture! I am sure you to are truly enjoying your time together shoveling, where as I volunteer to shovel just to get out of the house filled with little kids.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:28 pmMy grandson is that same kid!
Tell him to keep at it. He can go on JEOPARDY or WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE in a few years. Or maybe have fun making “bar bets!”
January 18th, 2009 at 9:11 pmThat picture is impressive!
And I think the question about telemarketers is great!
January 18th, 2009 at 9:44 pmSweet picture and post.
Which son is that?
January 18th, 2009 at 10:34 pmAwesome pic!
January 18th, 2009 at 11:08 pmthat’s the coolest photo!!
January 19th, 2009 at 12:29 amI am wishing for snow. We got a little tonight, but I want snowed in snow. Still hoping!
January 19th, 2009 at 12:50 amWonderful that you’ve both turned a chore into a time to be together! My own son who is the same age and just came in and started telling me something just like what your son talks about. I also have gotten good at making encouraging comments about things that usually go in one of my ears and out the other. I honestly don’t care so much about what he’s telling me but I love that he wants to tell me.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:27 amMy last comment was typed while “uh-huhing” to my son… and you can tell because those are some odd sentences I wrote…
January 19th, 2009 at 1:29 amThe how it’s made theme .. i hear that in my nightmares. My husband is an avid fan
January 19th, 2009 at 1:55 amHe is one lucky boy, and you are one lucky mama!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:45 amHah, sounds like the trivia and “fun facts” from MY voracious reading that I’m always throwing at my husband. I guess I can’t really blame him too much for the classic tuning-me-out thing.
January 19th, 2009 at 8:49 amI’m impressed that he’s talking to you at all…you must be doing something right.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:09 amHe sounds like my oldest. She’s been reading “Oh Yikes” which is full of gross facts and quoting random bits of it to me. Lovely.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:17 amGood to know that he helps with shovelling. Can’t wait for my baby to grow up
January 19th, 2009 at 9:18 amI used to do the same thing with my mom. She would wash dishes while I stood at the radiator and talked and talked and talked. She didn’t care what I talked about, as long as I stood there and kept her entertained. If I didn’t stick around, she’d come ask if I was upset with her. Those are some of my favorite memories of my mom (yes, she’s still here), knowing my company meant that much to her. I bet your son will feel the same way 20 years from now.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:36 pmHe sounds so much like Cody.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:06 pmI love this photo. You are quite creative with the camera. I have four boys, and my ears are constantly bleeding… but I try to enjoy it.
January 20th, 2009 at 12:07 pm