The braai king...

For as long as I can remember, Jake has loved braai'ing.  From the moment the fire is lit, Jake is outside, helping out. I'm not sure whether it's because he realises that this is a chance to spend time hanging with the guys hanging, or whether he realises that this is a man's chance to show of his culinary skills.  He might simply be a pyromaniac and I have just about everything crossed that he doesn't become a fireman one day.  Although at this stage, he seems more interested in setting things alight, rather than extinguishing the blaze.

The first pictures were taken at my parents house, while we were staying there.  We ware still busy getting things ready for our evening braai and Jake was very excited.  Note the moustache he has from trying to peep into the braai.  He soon realised that he could get higher (and further into the braai) by standing on the wheel. He was just 1 year and 5 months old at the time.  The fact that it was only October and he's wearing summer clothes gives me hope today.  Just a few more weeks of winter...

Just to prove that he really was still a baby at the time, this photo was taken after the above braai, all clean and ready for bed.  Oh, how I love that little face.  It feels like yesterday...

The next set of photos were taken in Jan 2006 and Jake was getting ready to turn 2 in May.  When we stayed with my parents, we braai'ed at least once a week for Jake's sake.  This is him opening the bag of charcoal.  I remember those shoes.  And those shorts.  And there's young Amber and Sasha's ear in the bottom corner...

That day was the first time he'd had his head shaved and he looked so grown up to us all afterwards.  He loved it though and he still likes to have his hair as short as possible...

Almost as big as the bag of coal...

The best part of a braai is always stuffing your face.  And yes, my child was walking around carrying a fork, but at least he had an apron on...

 Next up is a jump to March 2008, shortly before Jake's 4th birthday.  We went to Disney just after he turned 4 - I can't actually believe that I was brave enough to venture to Dubai, London, EuroDisney & Scotland for 2 1/2 weeks with that little mite on my own.  Here he is braai'ing with my dad one glorious summer evening...

 August 2008.  I just love this photo.  By now I had my first decent Nikon digital camera...

September 2008.  He really is allowed to do it all on his own and he is very proud when he sees everyone enjoying their meal that he slaved so hard over.  I love that concentration on his face.  Jacques used to stick his tongue out like that when he was concentrating too. Sorry to my veggie friends, this picture makes me hungry...

 See?  All on his own...

 May 2009.  Another of my favourite photos of Jake at the fireside.  I love his dirty arm and the way the smoke has made his eyes a little red and watery...

 September 2009.  My favourite part of a braai - marshmallows!

And then a huge jump to 3 weeks ago, again at my parents house.  We arrived to visit and they were mid-braai.  Jake stepped in and helped by burning garden refuse (twigs and leaves), causing the braai to smoke like mad, but he had fun...

Oh and this time the moustache was chocolate mint ice-cream.  Still the same dorky smile though...

And then last weekend, we braai'ed at Danie's house.  We have been braai'ing there quite a bit lately and I'm sure we'll be doing so more and more as the weather warms up.

He ends up getting so involved playing with the fire, that he can't even look up for a picture...

Well, maybe just one...

So, while he gets bigger by the moment and is growing up faster than I can believe, somethings never change.  I just hope that he continues to enjoy being outside around the fire, preparing delicious meals for his friends and family as he grows up.  And I hope I'm invited sometimes!

Sue X