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Overheard
Ian: Is Keeghan awake?
Me: Yes. I should go get him and feed him breakfast.
Ian: I can’t hear him. At night, when I hear Keeghan crying, I usually go in there before you or Daddy.
Me: Oh, really? How come I have never seen you there?
Ian: Because, Mommy, you are always ASLEEP.
Blackmail
You are looking at 2020’s best behaved 13 year old boy.
My favorite party helper
So, raise your hand if you are surprised that this guy not only insisted we color coordinate the contents of the treat bags, he also insisted I preserve the original hem when I shortened the t-shirt for his Sam the Library Mouse costume.
Yeah, me neither.
On an only slightly related note, I have been looking at Google analytics, and I have to say something. If you are one of the surprisingly many people who came here seeking birthday cake decorating ideas… I’m very, very sorry. And if you are the person who was looking for Thomas the Train Toast… Wow. Is that a thing?
Now, THAT’S how you make a birthday cake
Today is 007’s birthday. Naturally, it would not be a birthday without cake. So I promised Ian we’d make one after school. And we did.
Notice how the child is laughing at me. Because I lost this competition at “presentation.” the top layer fell apart when I took it out of the pan. Lesser mortals would have made do with the single, perfect layer already on the tray. NOT ME. I forged ahead. The sprinkles and mini marshmallows are there by request, but I’d consider it a kindness if you’d look upon them as a Redeeming Feature.
Skill building
While drawing Keeghan’s bath, I realized he was standing around, grinning to beat the band. So, naturally, I followed his gaze to see what was so funny. Which is when I realized he was holding his junk and peeing on the floor.
He spent the rest of bath time reveling in his new accomplishment. His mother is very proud.
Transitive Property
Ian: Daddy, I want some jelly beans.
Michael: no.
Ian: I really do want some though, Daddy.
Michael: Fine. If you can tell me what 5 + 3 is, I’ll give you that many jelly beams. So what’s 5 + 3?
Ian: Zero… Plus… Eight.
Michael was excited because this demonstrates that Ian hasn’t just memorized some basic addition facts, but actually understands them. I, personally, am pleased to know that he actually gets the concept of “zero.” I had been wondering.
Also, I notice that he isn’t lacking in the one upsmanship department. I believe he enjoyed his jelly beans.
My Daddy!
He’s got our number
So, Michael and I were discussing that commercial with the family doing the a Capella version of “Crazy Train,” and how we really ought to start practicing that, seeing as how it’s practically our family theme song, when Ian piped up.
Ian: are we going to Rama and Raba’s today?
Me: yes!
Ian: WAHOOOO! We’re going to Rama and Raba’s! SO LET’S… GET… EATING!
And then after that there was some running around the house and screaming like a barbarian. In other words, it’s all business as usual around here.
These Tender Moments
Ian and I were off on an errand just the two of us, and he asked me if we were going to be “just you and me, Mommy?”
Me: Yes, sweetie, just you and me! I like it when we do things just you and me.
Ian: You do?
Me: Yes, I do. I like it when we do things with Keeghan, too, but it was just you and me for a long time, and sometimes I miss it.
Ian: But I was wanting a baby brother, Mommy. I was wanting him for a long time and then we got him.
Me: Yes. And he’s awesome. But I like to do things with just you sometimes.
Ian: Give me a kiss, Mommy!
Whereupon he headbutted me right in the mouth. Hard. By great good fortune, I did not get a fat lip, but I wasn’t giving out any kisses for a while, either.
Also, here’s the big reveal.
Some kind of marigold? Ian is proud of himself for growing them. I WANT MORE. They smell good, too. I can’t get enough.
Also, the hedge has burst into flower in a way I don’t remember ever seeing before.
