little boys and socks

this morning AJ was getting dressed for school in the kitchen while i went about setting the table for breakfast.  he loves to have everything done for him and sometimes i just love to do it, cuz i waited so long, afterall!!!  however, i've been trying to teach him the basics of pulling on underwear, t-shirts, pants, etc..sometimes he'll get whiny and say "i can't try it"...he knows i expect that he at least try, and then often i'll dive in to assist if the underwear are backwards or the t-shirt is stuck.  today, it was his socks.  i was watching and encouraging while setting out cereal boxes, saying something like "AJ, i want you to just try it.  you're four now and it's okay to try it by yourself (see the emphasis on just trying)."  with the most serious face of desperation and those big brown eyes looking up at me while the socks were scrunched in his hands he said "no mom, little boys can't try it, they can't!"  such an passionate plea, i was down on the floor wiggling those socks on after all, while he grinned at me.  he's a smart one.