Friday

Just Like Dad


. . . continuation from here . . .

We've laughed quite a bit about my son's obvious interest in girly things. I thought it was completely normal, in an abnormal way.

He was born loving his big sister and looking up to her.

And I mentioned the pink, right?

Lots of pink.

We thought the Dora obsession was cute. She was a new TV character back then and it was precious hearing him walk around the house saying, "I did it!"

(I should add here that all good things come to an end. I don't find Dora, her theme song, or her orange shirt, pink shorts and coordinating backpack precious anymore. Adios, Dora).

And dressing up in his sister's princess stuff happens every day, right? DO NOT burst my bubble here, people.

But when my son asked for a pink Singer Sewing machine for Christmas last year, there was cause for concern.

"He's five," my hubby said.

"Well, he sees his sister's sewing machine and he likes it," I explained.

Now, don't get me wrong, he liked boy things too. He just hadn't found his little niche. He liked whatever his sister liked. And with his sister's strong personality in the mix, he had few choices. It was her pink way or no way.

Well. We both drew the line. No pink sewing machine.

And then just like that--snap of the fingers--it happened.

We were on a family bike ride. I was pulling the baby in the bike trailer. My hubby led the pack with my daughter and son in the middle.

The breeze was blowing. The sun was shining. And that's when it happened.

My hubby spit.

Life-changing I know. Stay with me.

I mean it was a clear-your-throat-over-the-shoulder SPIT. The kind that makes me shudder.

You could almost see the light bulb go off in my son's brain:

He cleared his throat and spit--

Just like Dad.



It was beautiful. As much as spit can be, um, beautiful.

"Did you see that?" my hubby called, pride evident in his tone.

"I did," I called. He could hear the smile in my voice.

And with that small gesture, a lot of things started happening. Boy things. Dirty, smelly, noise-making boy things. My heart is swelling, I'm sure.

My little guy can't get enough of his Dad. He wants to be just like him.

He starts baseball next month. His idea.

When I hug him now, he smells like a stinky boy.  

Tomorrow, he turns six and he's growing up. Too fast, for me.  

He's excited about one thing:  he heard there's lot of spitting in baseball.

Food for the Soul:
“As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.”-Ecclesiastes 11:5

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just wanted to say im so excited for your summer Spectacle it will be a blast!

Alicia said...

Congratulations! I know that feeling. You should celebrate the spit, like with cake. It's a big day.

Anonymous said...

I love this. My son has TWO older sisters. He does like a lot of boy stuff, but my hubby cringes everytime he wants to play with GIRL stuff. It's good to know there's hope for him yet. :P

j said...

This was so funny.

He's right, there is A LOT of spitting in baseball.

JEN

Unknown said...

That is so precious! That pic is so sweet, almost made me wanna cry.

Have fun with baseball - we're finishing our Little League season soon. It's fun to watch, and especially to see them improve.

Anonymous said...

I just got chill bumps--there is nothing so sweet or so special as a little boy who looks up to and admires his daddy!

Karen said...

It's the basic, down-to-earth, disgusting things that make men bond, isn't it?

Dawn said...

I love the picture! I guess we're lucky to have missed the spitting here.

Yes, they grow up too fast. Watch out, he'll be shaving before you know it!!!

Blessings! Dawn

Vixbil said...

So funny
xx

Memarie Lane said...

He sounds so much like Max.

Anonymous said...

O.K. How cute is that?

marky said...

That is so sweet (not the spitting exactly but the story in general)
My 9 yo has always Loved Pink! and we also have several pics of him in his sisters dress up clothes. He does have a pink shirt (male) and we try to encourage that God made All the colors of the rainbow for Everyone.. some days I think I still struggle with the pink thing!
Cute pic of your boy in daddy's suit!

Tonya said...

The spitting thing is hilarious! My boys haven't started that by I'm sure the day isn't far off ;)

Happy Mommy said...

Who ever thought spit could bring such joy! I love when my boys imitate my husband. But living in the forest with trees everywhere, they pee on trees alot, not so cute...

Marcy Massura said...

Nobody judge me for this comment- it was funny at the time:

My son was so into glitter and pink and sparkly girly things (and there is NO sister in the house) that I would say to his dad "well, he is either gay or going to be a pimp"......I know not two things to joke about- but it WAS funny!

He grew out of all that- and is so 'boy-ish' it is amazing. Football, baseball, basketball, soccer knocked the 'girl' right out of him!

Suzie said...

Thats so sweet. My son is still in the Dora stage maybe I should tell my hubby to start spitting

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Awww...maybe he'll graduation to crotch-grabbing while he's at it. :O)

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

The start to a "well balanced" boy!

Now breathe mom...youv'e done a great job!

Anonymous said...

And also, I don't think there will be pink sewing machines for baseball ;)

The Fritz Facts said...

The things that change our children, in the blink of an eye. And who would have thought it would be a simple spit. Ahhh...boyhood!

Bahama Shores Mama said...

Seriously, draw the line at crotch grabbin'. As the mom of two little leaguers.....it'll only get worse! :)

T with Honey said...

Before you know it he'll be asking you to pull his finger.

Kelly said...

I loved this post. My daughter used to dress my son up in princess stuff when he was smaller and he loved it. He probably loved it because she actually paid attention to him back then. My husband always said "get him some boy dress up stuff". He is 5.5 now and very much a boy also.

Anonymous said...

He's the 'spittin' image of his dad now. Aaah, I crack myself up!

Anonymous said...

Oh my. Is this what I have to look forward to with Big Red?

Valarie Lea said...

Mine has two older sisters and all their friends. So my husband would hate it when he wanted to wear lip gloss or smelly lotion. Now when Little but goes outside to pee instead of walking to the bathroom just a few feet away, his daddy swells with pride. :)

Shan said...

I know I'm going to be the dissenting opinion here, but I can't believe you wouldn't let him have a pink sewing machine. What was it, the pinkness, or the sewing machine-ness? Because some of the best tailors are men.

It's good for boys to honour the female, just as it's good for girls to honour the male. Our sons should be able to cuddle dolls, go fishing, play kitchen, climb trees, grocery shop, and work a hammer. So should our daughters.

Gender roles are assigned too quickly and they stick with us for life.

S
PS: I still like you.
;-)

Anonymous said...

My husband's great pride moment somehow ties into the crotch scratching bit. I don't know, I wonder if there is something my daughter does that makes me proud we're females???

Unknown said...

How cute and wonderful! Love the story.

Who could know that spitting would have such great consequencies???

What little cutie spitter your boy is, too!

Anonymous said...

That's cute. My little guy is all boy, but he doesn't want to be anything like his dad. He's already told us, when he grows up he's moving to New York.

Anonymous said...

congratulations on the spit! what a glorious thing. :) i have a nearly 6 yo son, and it's seems like such a need to identify with someone at this age.

DD said...

I walked into the bathroom last week to find my husband and son with their shirts off and my husband teaching my son to make arm-pit noises.

Boys, can't live with em... cant.. oh wait... nevermind.

Darla said...

Awwww not 6 already. I hate birthdays (mine included LOL).

erin said...

Readin this post made me grin so big! Here's to sweaty little boys playing baseball wearing blue :)

Marni's Organized Mess said...

That is just awesome. My face is all ready to burst in happy laughter. :)

Tracy DeLuca said...

What a really tremendous story.... love it! Happy bday lil guy!!!

The Maid said...

Great one!

I am proud of my middle daughter who can spit like that too.

Her brother likes to don the dresses and wigs and rock out girl style. I am not concerned, for I see a future line of tweakin' gender kids clothes.

Now just watch out with baseball, spitting, crotch grabbing, and swearing are soon to follow! ;)

The Maid

Indy said...

Too funny. I never understood why boys did this (or the other gross things) until I had two little boys and no girls. I now don't mind and sometimes giggle when I know I shouldn't. I grew up without brothers and this is a new world. Pretty funny world.

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

So even reading about spit totally grosses me out so I had to skim a bit, but I caught the point...too cute and happy birthday to him...and lots of little boys love pink.

Liza on Maui said...

That photo is a keeper!

Unknown said...

Hi, found you through BlogHer.

I just love "It was her pink way or no way."

My son, who is 3, has 2 big sisters, is going through a similar phase. When I do my daughters' plaits and pony tails he will come and ask for his to be done too.

Shelle-BlokThoughts said...

Nice...I love how accepting of all that you guys were...my husband would have been freaking! He is okay with my boy wearing a boy PINK shirt but that is about as far as he goes!

BUt I do love the "Light went off" and now he is stinky and spitting! So fun! My boy is 6 also...it's fun yet hard to see him grow into a kid instead of being just my LITTLE man! I feel ya all the way!

FUn POST!