We live in the most populated neighborhood in our city, within short walking distance to a host of interesting places to visit and things to do. Given that, we get out and about around here a lot with Lukas. And, whether we are pulling him around in his red wagon, pushing him in his Kettler tricycle, or more recently walking beside him as he rides his balance bike, he is always drawing attention.
Lots of attention.
And, being the proud and also protective father that I am, I am continually gauging reaction of the people we come into contact with. What I have found, and also what I don't find at all surprising, is that he invariably makes quite a few people smile. And often laugh out loud.
I don't blame them. At nearly 3 years old my son seems to have found the sweet spot of cute. He is fully conversational with an adorable inflection in his voice, as well as being perceptive beyond his age. The only thing Mrs. LIAYF and I need to be fully cognizant about is instilling a proper amount of caution into him of strangers. But when with us, he is not at all shy about striking up a conversation with the people we run across. And they are generally rapt. Often you can see their mood change instantly.
It's a great feeling as a parent to be out and about with him and to see the fleeting moments of happiness engaging with a cute kid gives people. Lukas even made two teenage boys smile and laugh out loud yesterday. He had been devastated after dropping his ice cream cone at the local ice cream parlor. Seeing this, the boys immediately gave him a replacement cone.
A 100% sincere "Thaaaank yu-oohoh" followed by a thousand mile wide smile, and these two boys just couldn't contain themselves - as much as you could tell they wanted too.
I'm sure there will be a time in the near future when people stop seeing the adorable, happy boy my son is right now and just see another kid out and about with his parents. That will be just fine with Mrs. LIAYF and I because we will know that he is the same terrific boy we have always known.
But while it lasts, it sure is fun to be out in public with our little guy.
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10 comments:
That is so great.
My son, with his red hair, tends to get a lot of attention when we are out. So far, his sister hasn't taken too much notice to the fact that he tends to steal the spotlight....
Funny, my Owen gets that same kind of attention, and it IS lovely, and fun. One thing I have learned through my four is that even if they don't "get" the whole stranger thing, when they are little there will sometimes be people they shy away from, and I tend to steer clear of those people, too-I think they just FEEL something off. Or maybe that is too new-agey, I don't know.
I haven't been here for awhile; has it ALWAYS been Mr. and Mrs. Potato head up on the header? Or am I finally really losing my mind?
Very cool. It's funny cause Tessa despite being so young is really like that as well. She is now beginning to wave and "talk" to people to try and get their attention. It's very cute.
That's a great photo of him! He is really growing, isn't he? He looks like quite the little boy now, not a baby at all. :)
Such a great post (not to mention photo).
My kids are both really personable too, and I also worry about the fine line between friendly and "stranger danger".
It's a great age. It's sometimes kind of sad to see my son out and about now at age 4, essentially the same loving and friendly little boy, not really getting the same attention and smiles from passers-by that he did when he was two. It's all part of growing up. But you are right, he's found the sweet spot.
Nice post. The Peanut is a shy one, but as she has hit three, that has started to dissipate and people love it. So nice that your boy is as friendly and engaging as he is.
I don't know, if he can make teenage BOYS laugh, that's some serious, long-lasting adorableness.
Hahahahaha. Yeah the Mini-Kamp gets that same sort of attention. She is all cute and lovable for the strangers out there. I tell them just wait till ya get her home and she doesn't have the right treat then tell me how cute she is.
I love taking my son for a chocolate ice cream cone, then letting him eat it. Slowly. Messily. Then I watch the people walk by and giggle and smile at his happy, chocolate face. So much fun!
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