How to handle pre-req flow using Jake.exec

gistfile1.js

// I'm trying to accomplish something like below.
// Is there a best practice for using Jake.exec in a pre-req that's also a stand alone task?
// The default task below will execute in arbitrary order - I am assuming because exec is async.
// Seems like the invoke/complete pattern could be used but using pre-reqs I'm at a loss.
// Are there other options to enforce procedure order here?

var spawn = require('child_process').spawn

desc('Do thing 1');
task('thing1', [], function () {
  console.log('--> Thing 1... Starting')
  var cmds = ['node -e "console.log(\'--> Thing 1... Executing\')"']
    , echo = spawn('echo', ["--> Thing 1... I'm doing a spawned process in thing 1"])
    , data = ''
    
  echo.stdout.on('data', function (d) { data += d })
  echo.stdout.on('end', function () { console.log(data) })
  
  jake.exec(cmds, function () {
    console.log('--> Thing 1... Done')
  }, {stdout: true});
}, {async: false});

desc('Do thing 2');
task('thing2', [], function () {
  console.log('--> Thing 2... Starting')
  var cmds = ['node -e "console.log(\'--> Thing 2... Executing\')"']
  
  jake.exec(cmds, function () {
    console.log('--> Thing 2... Done')
  }, {stdout: true});
}, {async: false});

desc('Do all the things');
task('default', ['thing1', 'thing2'], function () {
  console.log('* Default... Starting')
  var cmds = ['node -e "console.log(\'* Default... Executing\')"' ]

  jake.exec(cmds, function () {
    console.log('* Default... Done')
  }, {stdout: true});
}, {async: false});



/*

⚡ jake
--> Thing 1... Starting
--> Thing 2... Starting
* Default... Starting
--> Thing 1... I'm doing a spawned process in thing 1
--> Thing 2... Executing
--> Thing 2... Done
* Default... Executing
* Default... Done
--> Thing 1... Executing
--> Thing 1... Done

*/

@mde If you get some time, any pointers here would be greatly appreciated! Let me know if this needs any clarification. Thanks. :)