Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Cain's Party

Cain's Welcome Back PartyYou've probably heard me mention our little neighbor, Cain, from time to time--he's blond, he's blue-eyed, he's freckled, he's eight?

Well being the same age as my David, Cain's over here quite a bit and he spends his time digging in the sand box, jumping on the trampoline, avoiding the water when the kids are running through the sprinkler (he doesn't like to get wet) and turning over the rocks in my garden looking for bugs to bring together to form new species.

But for a week in July Spencer and David went to cub scout camp, leaving Cain alone except for Lillian who followed him around for the week as his cohort in entomological adventures. They dug for worms, found worms and played hide and seek with the worms. Lots of fun was had by all but evidently Cain really missed his buddy David because Monday morning once the kids were up and about they looked out the front living room window and saw Cain. In his front yard. With some chairs and a cake and a sign.

Grace, Spencer, David and Lillian all trooped outside to investigate and found themselves the guests of honor at Cain's Welcome Back party. He'd moved some chairs outside on the front lawn by the corner--down by the fire hydrant--and had taped signs to the chairs that read "Welcome Back." Can you see the hand-lettered sign stuck on the chair?

Cain's CakeHe proudly showed them the multicolored cake he'd made that was sitting on one of the chairs, looking rather misshapen, colorful and spotted like some Dr. Seussian giraffe.

"I made it all by myself--except for making the batter and putting it into the oven," he said as he began cutting it and serving pieces.

Grace came back inside a few momenfts later with her partially eaten piece of cake (it was, after all, only 9 am or so) and reported that though the cake was oddly put together it was remarkably tasty. The colorful splotches looked suspiciously like Playdough but did that stop my boys from snarfing it down? Of course not.

Grace reported that Cain had handed her an extra large piece, saying: "I'm giving you and the biggest piece because YOU have the biggest stomach." She accepted graciously, taking the comment at face value--it was meant as a gesture of kindness.

I wondered how the cake had materialized. Obviously he'd decorated it but I'm betting he had his mother help him and though I've hardly seen her I had warm feelings for anyone who'd be so patient and kind as to either make or help her son make a cake for a neighborhood Welcome Back party for boys that she didn't know for a party that might seem silly to some.

I'm starting to get pretty attached to this kid.

***

Congratulations to Deborah from Andover, Kansas who was this week's Saturday Giveaway winner. She's won the two mini-zippered pouches from Blissful Handbags--more next Saturday so stay tuned.

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34 comments:

Heffalump said...

Sounds like Cain was very lonely for his buddies. He also sounds like a creative kid. I hope none of his bugs found their way into the cake!

Jen at Semantically driven said...

Cain sounds lovely, no wonder you're becoming attached. And I love the 'you get more because you've got a bigger stomach' comment.

Chris said...

That is absolutely the most precious thing ever. I just want to hug that kid! He's a pretty special guy, that one.

An Ordinary Mom said...

I think I would start becoming attached, too.

By the way, my favorite class in college was my Entomology one :) !!

Anonymous said...

"I'm giving you and the biggest piece because YOU have the biggest stomach."

Aww, I would have melted at that if he had said it to me. It meant that he is thoughtful enough to take my stomach size and match a portion so that I won't go hungry, haha.

I think the cake would have been adorable. :) Such a sweet little guy...

la bellina mammina said...

That's so sweet!

Robin said...

Oh my goodness, what an incredibly sweet thing to do. What a kid.

Erica Douglas said...

That's so thoughtful, and for a boy of that age all the more of a big deal I think.

Those kind of friends are usually the ones you're still in touch with as an adult.

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a sweet little man.

Sandy said...

What a sweet little boy! I can only hope my kids find friends that are so thoughtful.

Megan Cobb said...

That kid's gonna make somebody a very nice hubby someday, I think. I hope his parents nurture his thoughtful, spontaneous side.

Unknown said...

Ah . . . sweet indeed!

M said...

How great! I also love the fact that you let your kids eat the cake at 9am. Whenever a 'special occasion' comes up, like this one, in the morning I just remember "Its 5 o'clock somewhere"! (That's even easier since you are in AK!)

Heather said...

How thoughtful of Cain, though I daresay that does look a lot like a Playdoh fruitcake. :o) He obviously put a lot of work into the party making all of those signs. So sweet!

Lisa said...

How sweet is that?! And to play with little sister, too, way cute.

Christie said...

Looks like Cain atually IS his neighbor's keeper.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like my kind of a guy!
Best wishes

Jenny said...

What a great little neighbor! This story brought a smile to my face, and a chuckle thinking that an eight year old boy would make a cake for his friends that are boys when they returned! I can't think of a single friend my son has that would do that!! :)

Daisy said...

I started to like this kid when I heard he looks for critters under rocks. Now I'm sure I like him!

Anonymous said...

That is adorable, and it sounds like your kids were very gracious guests too.

J Fife said...

I just want to hug that little guy and change his name. He needs a sweeter name.

snarflemarfle said...

That is absolutely the sweetest story! I'm looking forward to the post where you and Cain's mom meet...(or have I missed that?)

Loralee Choate said...

Awe. That is seriously cute. If my neighbor kids did that for my children I would probably get attached to them, too. Even if they did draw on my car with a Sharpie.

Megan@SortaCrunchy said...

Oh my heavens, that is so PRECIOUS! What a little man. He will surely make a woman very happy someday.

Anonymous said...

Golly, that kid is sweet. I wonder how long he was out in his front yard with the cake and the sign before you all spotted him. He's sounds like a special little guy.

Anonymous said...

That is so incredibly sweet! What a nice kid! And what a reflection on your kids to be missed so much!

deedee said...

I'm smiling way over here... reading about Cain's cake. that was really nice.

Lori said...

That is the sweetest thing! They are all lucky to be such good friends!

jean said...

This is such a sweet story. What a great kid.
jean

Anonymous said...

okay michelle, i am getting attached to this kid, too. what a kind heart to do such a thing as this. there are not many little ones who would think this up, let alone take this kind of action.

totally impressed, kathleen :)

Suzanne said...

We need a Cain in our neighborhood. What a cutie!

Deb (aka bobo) said...

My eyes are always bigger than my tummy. God bless those who are left behind while others are gone for summer.
the Alaskan Mom

Damselfly said...

How energetic and creative! I'd be attached too. ;)

aeireck said...

Wow...Cain is so sweet and creative. He is really a smart kid. I know how he feels when his friends are away..