April 2 - A boy and his dog are watching “Alpha”, a movie about a boy and his dog.

April 8 - Ian’s friend texted and then called during dinner all upset because Ian had cursed in a text to him and “now we’re both gonna get in trouble for it.” Friend figured out how to delete the text messages so the crisis was apparently averted. 

Out of curiosity, I went to Ian’s phone and he’d said, “that was a real dick move.” 

Friend’s older sister had made little cupcakes for both boys but Ian forgot his at their house. Friend texted to tell Ian he was eating Ian’s cakes and even sent a pic of him eating them. 

We agreed it was a dick move and went back to our dinner.

April 15 - Ian wanted this Pokémon all damn day. We finished all our other stuff, he paid $5 of his own money to play, and he made two baskets to win a Pikachu! #proudmom

April 15 - For all the times Tobias has had zero respect for personal boundaries, I heard this “what the hell?!” meow from Ian’s cot to see that he had pushed the cat off the edge in his sleep.

April 18 - Today Ian has eaten: a bowl of Rice Chex, two fried eggs, three pieces of beef jerky, toast, three clementines, two pieces of cheese toast, a banana, a yogurt, a bowl of sweet potato chili with rice and chick peas, a cup of mint chocolate chip ice cream, two plates of Indian food (tandoori chicken, naan, salad with cucumber dressing), a bowl of rice pudding, a turkey meat stick, and a Clif bar.

April 19 - Today Ian and I drove all over the tri-state area. We went to the Derby Star Pro Shop in Frederick, MD to get me new wheels, bearings, nuts, and a rainbow leash. We also got Ian new grips for his bike. 

We had to find a roller rink between there and Herndon, so we moseyed over to Purcellville’s Bush Tabernacle skating rink. It was largely a huge hardwood floored building with some couches around the edge. This led to some debris on the floor that made me side eye people. But mostly I was super proud of Ian’s skating skills. 

How can he be so aware of these tiny children BEHIND him and yet not see shit in front of his damn face?! Gah. 

Now we’re at Kim and Jack’s in Ellicott City for a sleepover. Ian is in the top bunk! And Clarice is asleep after barking her blind face off for hours. It was a good day.

April 23 - This morning we watched videos of planes breaking the sound barrier at the breakfast table.

April 27 - I’m at the farmers market when my phone rings. Ian: “Yeah, so, I lifted this sword over my head?”