My favorite teenager!!!!

As many of you might know, I absolutely adore my stepson. He knows this, but I don't think he realizes. Since the girls have come along & he has become a teenager, I find that we are growing farther away from eachother. Sometimes, I feel like it's my fault that I can't find a balance to give him the same amount of attention (as before the M&M girls). It is just so hard because they aren't independent in ANY way. Did I push him aside? Everybody tells me, "Oh! He's just a teenager. That's how boys are at that age. Their world is centered around them. Don't take it personal. You remember what it was like (being a teenager). Etc..." I just never thought things would be (or feel) different. Maybe I am being emotional, maybe I do take things personal...whatever. I just want my buddy to come back. I know that hanging out with babies and a stepmom doesn't sound all that exciting, but I think I'm still cool (even though he has me questioning myself, "Am I a dork? No!!"). I just wish he wasn't so distant. Will the sweet, social, family-oriented, non-sarcastic Michael come back? And, if so...WHEN???!!?! (P.S. I still love you, Michael. Don't ever think otherwise!)
Here are my two favorite pics of the HaNdSoMe TeeNaGeR. (I tried to find older pics to show you the sweet, young boy-but they weren't taken with a digital camera & I haven't scanned those prints yet!):

Watch out Abercrombie Models!!! Zac Efron WHO!???! I was so amazed that I even got this picture...He protests to taking pictures now!
Basketball Pimpin'!