That's my boy!

Can I just say how unbelieveably proud I am of my son? Benjamin continues to make me the proudest mamma on the planet.

Recently we were at a friend's surprise 40th birthday party, and the theme was Halloween. The house was decked out like I've never seen before (they don't "do" Christmas, but Halloween - now that's their holiday! It was quite impressive!). We actually got there late because of nap time, so we missed the whole "surprise" element of the party, but never-the-less we did get there in time to have some nibblies and birthday cake. After Benjamin had a few munchies it was dessert time, so on his plate I gave him (to keep up with the rest of the kids that were there - why I don't know, I'm not really the "keepin' up with the Jones's" kind of gal) a black incing-ed cupcake with a vampire marshmallow candy on top, some candy corn, gummy worms and some other assorted sugary crap. Immediately Benjamin removes the marshmallow (he didn't like the feel of it) and digs into the cupcake. He emerged with black all over his mouth and surrounding area - definately a Kodak moment - and naturally I didn't have a camera.

Then I offer him a candy corn (my childhood favorite - who doesn't like wax, after all - ha ha) and he just says "yuck" and spits it out. So then we go for the gummy worm and I dare him to take a bite. He does and his whole little body shakes with the wiggly heebie jeebies. Keep in mind that the only candy he ever gets is a lollipop when he gets his hair cut. We just don't eat it in our house (honestly! it's shocking, I know!). He says he doesn't want anymore cupcake or candy and could he please have a piece of birthday cake instead? Of course. So he eats it up without a word and then ....now here's where I beam with pride....he asks for more vegetables!!! VEGETABLES!! And - *gasp* - he eats them!

For a split second I was a little sad because, well, I don't know why, really, other than maybe he should have candy once in awhile???? Is that a right of passage for a 3 year old? Is he missing out because he doesn't get it? Another mom that was there was utterly shocked that he refused the candy and asked for veggies. She said she couldn't believe it and I almost felt obligated to help her pick her jaw up off the floor. It was really the tone of her voice that probably got me thinkin' I was a failure. Like my kid was some sort of freak or something because he doesn't eat candy! What a mean mommy I am! Anyway, the feeling quickly passed as Greg convinced me that it's not ME who's the weirdo.
Rock on, my little veggie lover! The candy will be here soon enough.