I want to write a blog post about our sweet James now because he recently turned 10-years-old, a developmental milestone, and also because he will soon turn into a teenager and probably won’t be so sweet anymore. David and I think he will be a different type of teenager from his older brother Jacob. Jacob has been a moody (up one day down the next), stinky (he doesn’t like showers), intellectually challenging (he asks us a lot of extremely tough moral and philosophical questions), and academically focused teenager who mostly wants to stay securely in the family fold. Although he’s also gifted in reading and interested in science like Jacob when Jacob was in 4th grade, we think James will be more extroverted and athletic than Jacob once he becomes a teenager. In fact, he already told us he is interested in the soccer tryout at his school when he starts 5th grade next year. Right now he’s playing American football with his friends during recess at school.

We have been fortunate that Jacob and James really enjoy each other’s company on most days. They both have a wicked sense of humor, and they share similar tastes in books, music and entertainment. They both seem rather ambitious and hard-working, but James is a lot bossier and more practical than Jacob. Whereas Jacob shuns attention, James welcomes it. While Jacob can be hurtfully honest, James is remarkably tactful and diplomatic in dealing with the outside world. At James’ age, Jacob talked very little about school and other kids at the dinner table. In contrast, James usually can’t wait to tell me about his friends and all the goings-on at school when he comes home. I don’t know how many times David and I turned to each other and said this about James: “So different from Jacob!” Of course, James is his own person, and we will need to stop comparing him to Jacob at some point.

This morning, while contemplating this post, I took a trip down the memory lane and looked back at James as a two-year-old. Toddler James was sweet, loving, adorable and extremely funny with a tremendous temper tantrum. He used to shout loudly in Jacob’s face when he didn’t get his way. These days, he still must get his way, but he knows how to get what he wants without any shouting.

In the summer months, James loves swimming.

In the winter months, James loves hanging out by the fire to read and to play with his treasured action figures.

Here he is again with his newest action figure — a Stretch Armstrong. He won this “guy” at a business expo at his school. For this exhibition, James teamed up with another 4th grader and some 7th graders to create a business. David attended their presentation at the Expo.

Thank you for reading! We hope everyone enjoys their weekend.