I made a big cake today, using some of that roasted pumpkin, to go with all that coffee I just got.
The older children were in my room watching an animal show on the computer and I sat, all alone in the kitchen, enjoying the quiet and my cake, and my coffee.
By the time my cake was gone, I was feelin’ a little lonely. I was thinking of all my friends, and wishing one was sitting by my side.
Just then, Caleb came walking into the kitchen, awake after a three hour nap.
“oooo, ooooo, a person!!” I thought to myself.
Out loud, I said excitedly, “Caleb! Do you wanna piece of cake?”
“Yes,” he said, nodding at the same time.
As I sat and watched him enjoy his cake, I thought, “I just can’t think of a more satisfying guest to have for dessert than my three year old little boy.”
Who else would sit and carefully eat all the frosting off, first?
Who else would say, “Um. Um. Um. A PEACH,” with their mouth full, when I asked what fruit was on their napkin?
Who else could forgive my laughing at them for calling a cherry a peach?
Who else would boldly say, “Can I have some JUICE?”
Who else would boldly say, “Can I have more frosting?”
Who else would do a face plant onto their cake because it’s easier than using a fork?
Who else would soberly use their napkin to wipe their mouth, their whole face, their head, and then their mouth again, when I told them to clean the frosting off their mouth?
Who else would eat comfortably with ME staring at them the whole time, with my elbow on the table, and my chin in my hand, and frank adoration in my eyes?
Who else would hop down after they were done, and instead of walking away, come to me and say, “I want a big hug”?
Who else could make my heart melt so?
No one, but my little Caleb.
~Thanks for having cake with mama today, small friend.~
PS, the cake recipe is here I would recommend using canned pumpkin, not fresh. I was trying not to waste my pumpkin, and I’m glad I used it up, but I had to work a lot to get all the extra water out of it. Also, it’s not quite as flavorful as the canned.





Love that napkin!!!! Cake and coffee sounds divine. Thank you Lord for small friends to share our lives with. Beautiful post.
What a sweet boy :)That cake looks delicious!
Mmm! That caked looked devine! Care to share that recipe?
YUM, that cake looks yummy! Suz
How very precious. What a sweet little guy. The cake looks wonderful also.Missy
beautiful!
I’m so glad you had someone to share your special moment with! What a nice time. I’m about to read with mine on the couch before bed (Dave is at work). I hope you have a nice evening!
What a great way to wake up from a nap (a three-hour-long one no less)! The cake looks so good, Shan! Hope you are having a wonderful evening.
That was so sweet! You make me want to go scoop my Cadi out of bed and hug her.
Thank you so much for answering my questions! I so appreciate it. I need to relax a bit and enjoy.
*I* would have sad (very boldly, too), “Can I have some juice?” and “Can I have some more frosting?” I might have gone so far as to do the face plant onto the cake, cause it’s easier!But . . . he beat me by a mile when he soberly use his napkin to wipe his mouth, his whole face, his head, and then his mouth again. HATS OFF TO YOU, CALEB!
No, no! I wouldn’t have been “sad” – I would have “said” . . . stinking keyboard keys stick ALL the time!!!
I love the face plant picture. Hope to see you soon.
Love Ya – Colleen
What a little sweetie.
Oh, how sweet π
Aww that is so sweet!! That cake looks so good! Little Caleb is so cute. It’s so amazing how you word things to I felt like I was there with you!
Simply Sweet…and adorable and cute and all those other mushy words you could use…That cake looks scrumptous!!
That cake looks awesome. What a cute little story…I love it. Hope you had a great afternoon, and that we can get together soon. Love, Trish
Ohhhhh gosh…I want a Caleb! What a moment to treasure.
What a sweet moment you two shared. I love those little every day moments. That cake looks delicious.
What a wonderful way to wake up from a nice long nap — with cake and frosting and juice with Mom!
How lovely to enjoy and watch Caleb eat his cake…and did I notice you two eating off of Fiestaware?
Awww… that looks good! I want a bite π
I love it! I wonder what would happen if the next time I had cake at someone’s house I had it Caleb style! LOL!
The cake looks delicious!
Adorable post!!! It is good to remember what wonderful friends we have around us all day everyday in the shape of our little children! Thank you for the lovely reminder.A note about the pumpkin too, I use home cooked pumpkin in place of canned. I have found that it helps to drain it first. Pour the pumpkin puree into a clean cloth, (any non- fuzzy cotton cloth will work) and tie the corners over a wooden spoon. Prop the spoon between to jars/containers and allow the water to drip out into a bowl, or down the drain. You will have nice thick pumpkin to work with after it has drained for several hours or overnight. HTH!BTW, I love your header photo!!!!
How sweet! The cake looks wonderful.
Oh, these precious moments will so quickly slip away. I try to hold them tight. What a great moment with your son. Thanks for the recipe. I was wanting something like this to serve to our bible study group from church when they meet at our house next week.
Sweet pics of Caleb. The cake looks great. I am hoping to try the recipe.
How funny! I think icing is the best part of cake too!
So sweet and adorable! Please share your cake recipe π (I made pumpkin bars yesterday with cream cheese frosting–now my hands can’t stay our of them!) And btw, how did you get to share it just with Caleb? My kiddos would’ve figured out that we were snacking and they all would have come running for cake! Glad you had a sweet time with him!
Cheryl
sweet Caleb and sweet mommy too….I love the pictures of the cake, cups, cherry napkins! Such joy. LOL over the very complete use of the napkin. Jenny
Scrumptious cake and little boy!! I love your new header up there…very festive!
Now that is what I call savoring life. What a sweet boy! What a sweet momma! I’ll bet the house smelled wonderful as well, as that little guy made his sleepy little way to the wonder of that table. hugs from here.
Children ARE such a gift from God, and Shanda I love how you just enjoy your children and appreciate simple, everyday moments with them. Very satisfying guest, indeed! Also, in reading the post before this I was looking at your coffee and wishing we could share a cup (or Fiesta mug ) together! I’m a tea drinker, but that coffee looks good enough to try!
You know, I was going to say “me! me! I will have cake and tea instead of coffee with you!” But I see you had better company than me. Caleb is adorable. Life flies by so fast. Thanks for reminding me to enjoy my 3yo because he won’t be little for long.BlessingsMelody