What were you grateful for this week?
I am grateful that I got out more, I got to have some good conflict resolution practice, and I had a lot of fun with the boys.

What was the most difficult or challenging part of this week?
After eating a lot of cheese one day I had an allergic reaction that has left me with a runny nose and a little sleepy. It is nothing too serious, I just don’t like being sick and putting the boys at risk of getting a head cold. 

Tell us about a “wow” moment you had this week.
Having been a young boy once, I know how much they don’t like to organize their things, also how many things they have. This week I set about to organize some of their bookshelves, drawers, and working area. I know they might not notice but you never know and they may come to appreciate the look of a tidy room (maybe in a few years ;))

Tell us about your week! 
This week was my third week in Rome. By now I am starting to get into a routine: get up (hopefully early if I am disciplined enough), make/get coffee, walk somewhere and read, sketch, write, or think to myself (these beautiful, historical places are great to sit and think), head back a little early to eat lunch and get back in time for the boys to come home from school. 

 

For the rest of the night it is me and the boys, us against the world (world being either homework, video games, or gross vegetables). I almost shed a tear when one ate some green beans without being asked too. They grow up so fast hehe. 

 

We drew light drawings one of the days. Now they want a nice camera for Christmas to do that all the time, sorry host mom. I got to go around the city some more with my friends that came to visit but ultimately the highlight of the week is having the boys warm up to me more. 

 

When I can get them interested in something just by showing them how cool things can be, that is what I enjoy most. The opportunity to be like an older brother again except this time I am way wiser and not a little jerk myself. Those are the moments I remember through the week, the smiles and looks of awe, the laughter and the little things. 

 

We will see what this week holds in store, I don’t want to speak too soon but maybe we can go to the library instead of video games. Okay I am getting way too ahead of myself.