This special guy's mother believes she's raising a man, not a boy-- and she's doing a great job of it.
He was four years old when he "baked" his Mama a pie for her birthday. She prefers cherry pie over cake and the little man knew this fact. He also knew he didn't have any cherries for his masterpiece, so he put "pretend" ones in to make it perfect.
You can only imagine the mess in the kitchen, flour everywhere, but he did it all by himself and the pride shows on his face.
Last night, the now teenage man/child, with his iPod plugged into his ears, made his Mama and me an entire dinner, almost all by himself-- Meatloaf, roasted carrots, baked potatoes and salad with homemade dressing. The kitchen was cleaned after he prepared the food, including sweeping the floor, and his apron was barely dirty. He set the table, head bouncing to the music, and waited patiently for the meal to be ready.
Once dinner was on the table, the iPod disappeared and he asked us about our day. We talked about possible plans for his upcoming summer vacation and who his favorite Food Network chef is. Then he cleared the table and hung out with us for the rest of the evening!
What did we do to deserve this special treatment? Nothing! There were no strings attached.
The meal was the result of his mother letting her son use his imagination starting at a young age, along with hefty doses of encouragement and patience on his Mom's part, as he experimented in the kitchen. He's become quite the chef and enjoys regularly receiving requests for his famous meatloaf, mac and cheese, garlic bread, pastas and brownies.
Someday, this kid is going to be someone's husband and I think he'll be a really good one. He's learning how to take care of himself, he knows how to engage in a conversation with others, he's been known to stop by a flower shop to bring his Mama a bunch of daffodils or peonies, he knows the importance of showing appreciation and gratitude and he's a natural in the kitchen. I'd say that's a great start!
How about you-- Pie or cake?
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
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Pie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story. I wish I had let my kids experiment more and make a mess in the kitchen. I was too concerned with cleanliness and order and I regret that.
I LOVE it! This is what all mothers of boys should do....he is the result of decisions, made when times are stressful....good decisions....smiles.
ReplyDeletesounds like a pretty cool kid. when i tried to make breakfast for my parents i dropped the milk and it exploded across the kitchen. pie definitely.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture of godson when he was a little squirt. Now that he is a medium squirt, he is showing how much he has benefited from his parents and you showing him how much he could do. Your encouragement must have helped him to reach farther and try harder. The dinner and conversation sounds like a marvelous evening. What a wonderful young man he must be.
ReplyDeleteI just loved this post. So full of love and admiration for your entire family - and rightfully so! Sounds like you have all done an amazing job.
ReplyDeleteAnd pie wins hands down:)
I am a cake girl. But I love a good cheesecake, which I think could technically be a pie. Hmmmm.
ReplyDeletegive me baked goods or give me death!!!!
ReplyDeleteIs pie AND cake an acceptable answer...I love both. I'd say this young man for sure has a great start toward a very positive future and is doing great in the right now. You and his mama probably feel as proud as he looks in that picture.
ReplyDeletethis child is every mama’s dream. She did a beautiful job and is now reaping the rewards. How wonderful for everyone, how wonderful for the universe to have a child who was loved, nurtured and taken care of and who was wanted.
ReplyDeleteI want it all...pie and cake. What a wonderful young gentleman. I raised my son and let him cut loose in the kitchen. I wanted to raise a man child who could feed himself and even sew on a button if needed. He's a great cook and since his bride could only cook package mac and cheese...he taught her to cook too. :o)
ReplyDeleteYa'll have a fantastically blessed Friday!!!
That picture is so cute! Sounds like he is growing up into a fine young man.
ReplyDeleteI would take cake over pie anytime!
It's been pie in our home for the longest time. I love fruit pies but I think the kids liked the french silk and peanut butter cup ones more.
ReplyDeleteNice post about a nice guy.
Betty blogged about the giveaway so she gets an EXTRA entry! Woo-hoo.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
jj
Caramel pecan apple pie for me....or if I don't mind a nasty headache...chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.
ReplyDeleteThat young man sounds like a dream. Isn't is wonderful what children can do when we allow them to be children....to explore, to experiment, to give life a try.....
He is one lucky young man...his mom should be so very proud, and he will make a wonderful hubby one day.
He is a "keeper". :)
Pie OR cake? I have to make a choice? Can't have both?? I guess I'll have to go with cake then. Sounds like a very special relationship with all of you.
ReplyDeleteWell done to your friend raising such a fine young man; I wish my mother in law had done the same thing when it comes to cooking...
ReplyDeleteHe's got pride beaming from ear-to-ear in that picture. Love it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like mom knew her stuff, being patient and letting him make his messes. It's paid off.
This is so wonderful. I could brag for a long time about the importance of meals and cooking amongst all my children, but I'll resist. I will say though that my 20 year old son is an accomplished chef... for real... at a sushi restaurant. OK, I'll stop.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Casey
PS - German Choc Cake all the way.
That's always been my philosophy about raising my children. I'm raising a man and a woman. Or rather I was.. now they're pretty grown up.
ReplyDeleteThat young man sounds amazing and his mom deserves kudos.
And not only is a 'great start', it gives me hope for the future.
:)
That is wonderful that he loves to cook. you both were lucky. I did love the pie at four though, that is priceless. take care.
ReplyDeleteLemon meringue pie and carrot cake (with real cream cheese frosting, natch) are equally beloved by my chins, thighs and heart and soul. :-)
ReplyDeletePearl sent me on over here, and I always do what Pearl says 'cause she's cool like that and so's her blog.
Cheers!
Dear Joanna,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you surround your self with talented and cool guys! Lucky for you and YES, lucky for their friends and family to be!!
Thanks for dropping by Rochambeau!!
xox
Constance
Wow! he is going to be some catch!! doe she have an interest in going to school for culinary? Johnson and Wales (too far perhaps) or another school in CA maybe? He sounds like he has the makings of a great chef!
ReplyDeleteCherry pie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great young man! He will indeed make someone a terrific spouse.
Great story! Congrats to all y'all, sugar! xooxo
ReplyDelete(btw, Pearl sent me over and I am so glad she did!)
How about pie AND cake?
ReplyDeleteWell that nice young man sounds like a winner to me. When can I come and get him?
You had me at meatloaf...
ReplyDeleteAnd my daughter is 11..will he wait for her :)
Peace ~ Rene
Always pie first, but I love this story. I'm raising men, too, and agree fully with your approach!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, wonderful giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little slice of each. Hopefully, Juan Carlos isn't his favorite food network chef. Hope it's not true he was trying to buy a "hit" on his wife.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like a wonderful young man. The kind of young man I'd like my son to be when he grows up.
ReplyDeleteLuckily my son has his dad to curve my urges of perfection. My son loves to draw, so our whole house is covered in his drawings. He is currently working on a calendar. He's into March now. For an eight year old to stick to something like that - it's taken him over a month now - is pretty good. I'd say his chances are excellent for growing into a productive adult.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI don't want to enter.
I just want to say that this was a really sweet post, and I could see love in the words. Thank you for sharing. x
The dinner sounded delicious-meatloaf is a big favorite with me. Pie: chocolate pudding; cake: chocolate with coconut marshmallow frosting!
ReplyDeleteCake - chocolate cake!
ReplyDeleteLove the joy and pride shining through that little guy's face in the photo.
It's so important to let kids mess around in the kitchen! And fun too... (Well, apart from the tidying up, that is.)
Absolutely A-dorable little man there. What a story.
ReplyDeleteCharmed.
Wow. What a great guy. The first time I made something for my Parents was Cereal. I microwaved it and it turned into something black. The best part was they managed to eat it! I would take Cake.
ReplyDeleteHere from Technobabe's blog. Have a good day!:)
I can't really choose - depends on my mood. I like both pies and cakes. In the summer, I make a wonderful fruit pie - peaches, bluberries, raspberries and blackberries..I could go for that right now!
ReplyDeleteYour grandson sounds terrific. My three boys were like that, as well. They had to be pretty independent since I was a single mom, on call around the clock and, often, I would be at the hospital 24 hours straight. Of course, I had a lovely woman from El Salvador living in who was my salvation but the boys were terrific.
I married a man who cooks. He is usually the one who cooks when we're asked to "bring something." Sadly, I am the one who is complimented on the food. In spite of many offerings, many people refuse to believe he cooks.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that guy will make a super daddy someday. How wonderful that he's developing such useful talents!
ReplyDeleteWow! Good to know there are moms out there raising their sons to be be husbands some day!
ReplyDeletePS - Pearl sent me!
Cake for me but I won't turn either one down. :)
ReplyDeleteI try to get my kids in the kitchen with me. Sometimes they want to but most times they don't.
German Chocolate cake with coconut pecan frosting or pecan pie!
ReplyDeleteHmmm Lemon cheesecake...yummmmmmy!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing boy/man..she certainly did something right!! Whoot.
Sending a Baileys and coffee your way hon! Hugs, Sarah
Sounds like he's going to make someone an excellent husband!!..someday!
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice story, nicer to see him grown up and just as thoughtful
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful boy!
ReplyDeleteThat photo is PRICELESS, and I love the post. What a great kid!
ReplyDeletePie! Sweet guy!
ReplyDeleteThe parents of this kid should teach a course on parenting boys.
ReplyDeleteIf I wasn't married- and a million years old- I would snatch him up in a second. What a blessing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweetheart. He reminds me of my older son who always loved to cook as a child and still does. That boy's mom is a lucky woman!
ReplyDeleteDo I really have to choose between pie and cake? How about chocolate cherry pie cake?
His mother is some woman for giving her son the freedom ot grow and develop in that way. And yes there will be some lucky girl out there who will be very grateful. It will be interesting to see where he is headed in the coming years.
ReplyDeletePie, the cherry variety, thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou are right on the money, regarding this young man and his future!