The Growing Boy

Half-of-a-cake

The growing boy eats over half of the left over Strawberry Shortcake, in one swift bite. His mother looks on with envy, knowing the calories were burned off before he ever picked up his spoon.
The growing boy hesitates, looks up at his dad. His mother knows, like only mothers do, that the boy wants to eat the remaining cake… but wonders if his dad might want some too.
Instead, the growing boy runs upstairs, to dress. His dad says, "Hurry, you are going to be late!"

growing boy

Upstairs the boy hollers, "Hey dad, can I wear your shorts?" Dad nearly, chokes on the strawberry shortcake, "Why? Which ones? Why? Oh no, do I have to share everything with you?"

Mother leans in, touches husband's arm and whispers, "Take it as a compliment."

Underwear-showing

Dad hollers back to growing boy, "Okay, you can wear my shorts, but only if you wear them correctly."

Mother's interpretation: Underwear cannot show.

Growing boy promises nothing, and shortly thereafter runs downstairs. 

boy wearing dad's shorts

Dad notices underwear. (Mother knows this is coming and has camera ready.) Dad says, "Hey, pull up MY shorts, and hey that is my shirt too! Dad stands up, mother notices that growing boy is taller. Dad shifts his weight, realizes that it is not the end of the world.

boy

Mother says, "He is a good boy even if he wears his shorts showing and steals your shirt. Remember, Daughter wears my clothes too; and after I see her in them I give them to her because they look so damn good on her compared to how they look on me."

Mother sighs realizing if this continues she will be going around naked. The grim thought makes the mother chuckle. The dad looks at her and asks, "What are you laughing about? Don't I look good in those shorts?"

boy running 

Growing boy smiles, turns around and runs off to school in his dad's short worn low enough to be cool.

Dad looks at mother, feeds her some Strawberry shortcake, mother eats the cake, doesn't count the calories, just notes the hand that feeds her.

 

At the end of the day all that matters, is that you enjoyed life enough to share it with others.



Comments

48 responses to “The Growing Boy”

  1. Enjoyed today’s blog…growing boy
    is becoming a young man…noticed he
    has a different hair style.
    My sons would never have wanted to
    wear their dad’s clothing!!!
    Your strawberry shortcake looks
    delicious.
    Jann

  2. I never know what I’m going to find when I click on your blog’s bookmark, but I always know it will be different and that it will make me smile (or sometimes get a tear in my eye). This was an absolute delight. Thank you.
    Colette

  3. As always it’s the little things in life that make it so meaningful. Love the photos. My how you boy is growing – a young man on the verge of a very exciting life.

  4. Corey,
    I never did (and still don’t) quite understand the “show a bit of underwear” style/trend…
    Your strawberry shortcake looks so yummy!

  5. Sacha is really growing up….loved your story. Such a compliment to FH that he wore his clothes!!! Most sons would never even think about it.

  6. Life is in the details! Thanks for the morning smiles….

  7. Oh Corey, you have stolen my heart with this post.

  8. And thankyou for sharing it with us……..sublime!

  9. Sacha is the coolest/cutest kid on the planet!!! ;))) and Yann is great, re: “Sacha can only wear them if he wears them correctly” héhéhéhé
    nancyxx

  10. Corey, my daughter and I loved this post! What great photos of your son. It was fun reading about the whole strawberry shortcake/clothing thing. I can’t wait to go pick some strawberries and try out your recipe! I don’t think our strawberries here in North Carolina are quite ready yet, so I will have to wait a few more weeks. I have been loving your recipes and Annie posts. Thank you, I look forward to your blog and photos each day!

  11. He is in that man/child phase where you see glimpses of the little boy mingled in with the rituals of becoming a man.
    Another precious moment to savor, along with your strawberry shortcake!
    Marilyn (in Dallas)

  12. So sweet, touching,warm. Corey you are such a beautiful family, inside out!
    BTW, your strawberry shortcake looks divine! I must try to make it.
    Thank you.

  13. Thank you for sharing your life with us everyday.

  14. I too give my daughter clothes of mine she has asked to borrow. It seems they always look better on her! It gives new meaning to giving your children the shirt off your back! LOL
    Sacha is quite handsome.

  15. Corey,
    I loved this story.
    It was as good as being there!
    It is a good day to remember what really matters.
    BTW you always look gorgeous in whatever you wear!
    XO

  16. you guys are so danged cute. !!!!
    But I’m shocked, i didn’t know frenchmen or growing french boys either one wore shorts!!

  17. Wonderful post and wonderful photos. The underwear peeking out looks rather cheerful. Red polka dots?

  18. this made me smile.
    i remember stealing things out of my sister’s closet when she was away at college. of course it was all off season clothing she couldn’t fit into her dorm closet, so i was wearing long sleeves in springtime and minis in the winter…

  19. Sacha is growing very tall and always has been handsome.
    I am an only child and never wore my Mom’s clothing (she would borrow MINE when I was a teenager). I did get my Dad’s old dress shirts for casuual wear. They smelled of his Chanel for Men cologne and were very comfortable.

  20. Sacha is really growing up; looking more manly each day.
    My impression of this story? How cool is it that your kids even want to wear your clothes!? That says to me that the two of you must be very stylish parents. I don’t thing my brother or I ever asked to wear our parents’ clothes; they just didn’t have the style we wanted to be seen in! 🙂

  21. chelsea*

    (here goes my 3-point-thinking)
    1°)About the cake…
    how about wondering if i wanted any! geee i think you should start mailing me my half of the cake! or just hide a (large) piece for me to have on the week ends! i might not be growing upwardly anymore but still… i’d like some cake please! (oh by the way, martin kept the chocolat pear cake you sent home with me and ate most of it…)
    2°)About Sacha…
    his ski tan makes him look like he has a dirty face -or permanent sun glasses- but at least his underwear seem to match his shirt!
    3°) Clothes…
    i think you should go buy lots of summery clothes so i can then try them on and keep them! =)
    ___________________
    Hi Chelsea Baby,
    1) Tell Martin if he drives you home for a quick visit, I’ll make another strawberry shortcake…it was really good, sorry. But hey you did eat ALL the Chocolate pear cake.
    2) Cool Ski mask tan, at least Sach thinks so.
    3) Let’s go shopping.
    Mom

  22. chelsea*

    (does sacha’s underwear have strawberries on them??? you gotta be kidding! hahaha)
    ________________
    Hi Chelsea Baby,
    Yes they do have strawberries on them! I forgot that important fact. How could I forget I wash and fold them often!
    Mom

  23. Loved this post.

  24. I remember the days when one was practically mortified if their bra strap showed, so yeah, the whole showing of the undies, by both boys and girls, I don’t get. I’ve seen boys here wear their pants much lower! Sacha is discreet in comparison.

  25. When children want to wear their parents clothes and comment on their mother’s blog it’s a huge compliment.
    Wonderful post Corey. ” …… you enjoyed life enough to share it with others”. Beautiful.

  26. This could have happened in our home too except that I’ve never made strawberry shortcake! My Max wears his dad’s shorts too and they fit just like this!- only he doesn’t always ask first! Fun post!

  27. Corey
    It’s all in the details!
    Love this story it made me smile — as always your stories touch some warm part inside us all… the simple everyday experiences of life you express the ordinary and transform it to extra ordinary — you make it a ZEN moment!
    Your daily stories reminds me of the play by Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” you both have the same strong grasp on your audiences (us blogger’s) , Wilder conveys life’s fundamental meaning and significance, dwelling upon daily life and routine. Also, the author’s concept of pursuing life rather than just living. . . to appreciate life to its fullest, and enjoy the simple pleasures — Wilder uses a young girl who died asking for one last moment and chooses her 12th birthday to revisit — in this scene all the minute details of life are savored and noticed and enjoyed — a Zen Moment
    Joanny

  28. Beautiful Corey…really beautiful.
    It makes me sad, though…growing boys and all that. I called Steven my “19 year old” the other night, and he corrected me…sigh.

  29. 2 growing boys… husband almost naked… not bad! (:

  30. What a great post. I’m having a hard time with realizing my son isn’t a boy anymore. Over the weekend he was wearing his dad’s dress shoe’s. It’s fun to see them grow, but on the other hand its sad.
    By the way, your strawberry shortcake looks so yummy.
    Stephenie

  31. Strawberry boxers, strawberry shortcake….I take it strawberries are a favorite of Sacha’s? 🙂
    My daughter and I used to share clothes but then I gained some weight. Oh, to be her size again….

  32. Julie Ann

    Another wonderfully thought provoking post Corey and a great insight into family life. So real I could touch it, thanks, Jx

  33. See you are teaching us all that its good to share!!
    Whenever I try to get impromto shots like that you can bet my camera batteries have run down!!

  34. Oh,I love your blog so! This post made me smile and brought back memories…like realizing your 13 year old daughter has breasts bigger than you and she’s still growint them! YIKES! Tell growing boy’s father that yes, he looks good in his clothes. I’ve seen the pics!

  35. This is such great post. Enjoy the birds while they are still in the nest. Mine have flown away and though I am so happy for them they are deeply missed.

  36. aww corey, such a sweet funny story.. I guess now it is a trend for the youngster to where shorts or any other pants or jeans and showing off their underware.. My brother is doing the same.. hehehehehe..
    and your strawberry shortcake is there any leftovers? hehehehehe.. looks yummylicious!
    have a good weekend corey!

  37. Kimberly

    Oh Corey this post is near and dear to my heart. You know I have three sons and they are growing up way too fast. I cannot believe the food they put away. I agree fully with you that before they even leave the table they have burned off the calories and are looking in the fridge for something else before the dishes are even done! My oldest is going off to college this summer. I can see him walking out the door and me taking tons of pictures. I cherish this time because I know too soon I will have an empty nest. 🙁 Blessings, Kimberly

  38. Oh, Corey… Your post today reminded me of mine yesterday… My baby girl just turned 20!!! My, how those years flew by! Love your wisdom and insight on life… You should write a book. You are the American/French version of Anna Quindlen (a favorite of mine!)… Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

  39. hi corey! you always put a sweet smile on my face and sometimes a tear to my eye…you ‘get it’-some people never get what life is about-you do! ox ann-marie

  40. Tell growing boy, with no French accent when he speaks English which still amazes me, that dad’s shorts look very good on him with underwear showing just enough to be cool!

  41. Fun story. You are very quick with your camera. I love the photos of your entry way.

  42. I have tears in my eyes..
    you are an angel mother..
    things may get so high.. between man and man to be..
    I know what I am talking about..
    shorts.. are at their lowest position possible.. in here too..
    no more need of imagination =P..
    and..
    May God protect your serenity.. and never spoils the taste of your life..
    hugs and love..

  43. Oh so cute.It IS a compliment that Growing son wants to wear his dad’s clothing. Cute red polka dotted shorts, too. Come to think of it, Corey, your entire family is cute!

  44. Sweet story. Such a nice family. 🙂

  45. As my children grow into their own beauty and my (or Dad’s) clothing I drink it in with joy. They are so beautiful — confidence in youth keeps them going right.
    This is simply precious! I love coming to see you when I have the time to relax, sip a cup of tea (after a long morning in the glorious gardens), and know that life is right and good all over the world.
    I toast to you our blessed lives. ; D

  46. I didn’t realize that the boys in France wear their pants 2 or 3 sizes too big too. I thought that was just in the states.
    Chris

  47. I LOVED this post. Absolutely precious!!

  48. This is a fabulous post. It was funny, universally-true enough to make us groan and giggle, and full of wisdom, too. Pass the shortcake.

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