This post has to contain some of my favourite pictures of you, aged four in Denmark.
We had spent the whole day with Vikings in Ribe, and the time had come for all “trainees” to show what they had learned throughout the day. All the other children were up for the challenge, and although your sister wasn’t all that interested in the “battle” demonstration, you insisted on taking part. There you stood, by far the smallest of the bunch waiting your turn to take on Viking after Viking, and of course you won (thanks to some pretty good acting on their part!)…
I would say the pictures pretty much sum you up. The complete polar opposite of your big sis, our rule breaker, our fearless one, at times the boundary pusher, a little bit obstinate, and a complete perfectionist when it comes to a good few things. All your character strengths (and the odd trait!) doubtless explain some of your previous adventures (the time you got a finger stuck in a Lion statues nose in Frediksborg Castle for example, or your head firmly wedged between the railings of Copenhagen’s Round Tower, and even why your hair is slightly orange in these photographs…), and promise much of what’s yet to come…
Looking back through these pictures I have laughed so much I nearly cried, but not just at how funny they are and at the memories they hold, but at how tiny and determined you were, and as much as you might hate me saying it – still are, just with less of the tiny… How we left the UK with you as a toddler, and will, at some point in the near future move on from this adventure with you at a whole nine years old… Already.
I am amazed at how you take every chapter and change in your stride, even the most recent massive change for you when your “baby of the family ” status was pushed firmly to one side by your teeny brother interloper. It took a few days for you to truly accept him, worried by the ordeal it took to get him here I am sure, but it’s heart melting to see you with him now, and how patient and sweet you are with him, even when he grabs handfuls of your hair and uses your chin as a teething ring! Again, it’s his fault that this post is a week late, but you won’t mind one bit…
I don’t always find life abroad that easy – feeling like a constant outsider in someone else’s country can be nothing short of draining at times, and there have been plenty of days when I have gone home and just about booked a removal lorry (I have looked for that number on more than one occasion both here and in Denmark!)… And then I look at both you and your sister, and how happy you can be pretty much anywhere, how accepting you are of others, and how in your world, nobody is an outsider, and I realise why we have stuck at it for so long. There’s only one problem though, instead of missing one home, there’s a strong possibility that you will one day miss several. Anyway my sweet, thanks for bringing plenty of humour to our lives, and for making me understand what it is to be proud. Here’s to Nine. x
Nichola - Globalmouse says
What a beautiful post. So, so sweet and your photos are lovely. We were in Ribe a few years ago and thought it was gorgeous – love the look of the Viking adventure there!
Emma says
Thanks very much Nicola! (:
Trish says
What a beautiful testament to your son. Isn’t that the best thing about blogging – being able to say how you are feeling at a particular moment and know that in the future those words of love can be found at a moment’s notice.
Happy Birthday to your boy xx
Emma says
I hope so. Thank you Trish xxx
Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely says
What a boy!!! You must be so, so proud. I’m constantly amazed by how children integrate and adapt. It’s staggering. They’re so much better than us.
Emma says
Thanks so much Rachel. Completely better than us! :) x
Coombe Mill says
Such a beautiful post, and what a loving adventurous boy you have. I wish I had as many photos to look back on when mine were this age, I fear I discovered blogging after the real childhood years had passed. I wonder what he will become when he grows up? With a mix of countries to take his life experiences from and a real ‘can do’ character he will go on to great things.
Emma says
Thanks so much Fiona. I wonder too, hopefully something good! :D x
JuggleMum, Nadine Hill says
What a lovely tribute to your son! I can ‘see’ him growing in the words you write and it was lovely to read that he accepted the new ‘baby of the family’. He’s a big boy now!
Emma says
Thanks so much Nadine! (:
Krista says
Beautiful. :-) Reminds me of my brothers when they were little blond boys running about. :-)
Emma says
Thanks Krista! Time goes so quickly doesn’t it? :)
Kara says
What a lovely story, he sounds like a right character! Hope he has a very happy birthday!
Emma says
He is a real character! Thanks Kara! (:
Nayna Kanabar says
I adore the last picture, you have framed it so beautifully and the light is magical.
Emma says
Thanks so much Nayna! (:
Cass@frugalfamily says
What a lovely post with some great photos.
I love them all but the last picture is stunning!
Emma says
Thank you Cass! (:
Jen says
Oh the days are long, but the years are fast. I can not believe that Maxi turned 11 this week. Our children are amazing.
Emma says
So very true. Hope Maxi had a lovely birthday! (:
KV says
beautiful writing
Emma says
Thank you K! (: x
Grace says
What a lovely post for the birthday boy – described exactly to a ‘t’! Once more making me cry while reading it but looking forward to giving him a big belated birthday hug. x
Emma says
Thanks Mum xxx