Man of the House

This year for the Acres Organic conference Larry traveled to Minneapolis Minnesota.

But unbeknownst to me, before he left, he left Braden in charge. The day he flew out he took Braden aside and told him

"Son, I'm going to be gone for a couple of days. You are going to be the man of the house. You need to take care of your sisters and mom and make sure things go okay."

"okay dad" was Braden's four year old reply

This conversation took place without my knowledge

Braden was his usual helpful self so I didn't think anything was out of place until Thursday when he announced he needed a glass.

I asked him if he wanted water in the glass.

"No"

"well, do you want ice in it for your soda?"

"no ice, just a glass with noffing"

As our strange conversation goes on I get more and more confused...a glass, no ice, no water. Maybe he isn't thirsty...then why does he want a glass.

Once I'm clear as mud about what he wants I give him the glass. I try not to stare and wonder what he is going to do with the glass because he gets kind of shy when there is unwanted attention on him. So I watch him out of the corner of my eye and see him spit into the glass.
I look at him and say "what are you doing bud?"

He says"I spit in glass like Daddy"

I think, "oh no"

That night he climbs onto my lap to watch a movie, with his cup in hand, and spits throughout the whole movie.

I told Larry about this on the phone that night and he felt a little bit alarmed that his little boy might pick up on his bad habit. Maybe this will be a catalyst to helping him quit chewing.

One other way Braden thought it was important to "man up" was in the wearing of his apparel. Again Thursday night, he was walking around the house with his pants low on his hips. His bumcrack is hanging out and when I pointed this out to him he says

"me just like daddy now"

You won't find a litte boy anywhere who wants to be just like his daddy more than Braden.