Carl, my Little Brother, and I, have been meeting for around two months now. We are really starting to feel comfortable around each other.

Which means I gently poke fun of him to make him laugh, and he makes farting noises.

Check out this (awesome, if I may brag) wizard. Which he painted himself. I taught him technique and guided colours, but he did it all. I especially love the red spooky lines in the eyes, which was alllll his idea.
We spent the day yesterday building towers out of Jenga blocks and dominoes pieces. And crafting long snakes of blocks on end and knocking them over. There’s nothing more satisfying than watching the line tumble or stacking until they all come crashing down.

We recently changed our time to earlier in the afternoon, which means I’ve been bringing my lunch. And since I’m a mom and can’t stand to eat in front a child but don’t want to share, either, the past few weeks I’ve brought Carl treats: bakery cookies, chocolate hearts for Valentine’s Day, and yesterday, a sprinkle doughnut.

“Are you sure you don’t mind missing recess once a week?”

“Nah, I don’t mind.”

“Well, geez, I wouldn’t mind either if someone brought me treats.”

Carl laughs and licks a pink pinhead-sized sprinkle from his lip.

“I wouldn’t mind missing it even if there weren’t any doughnuts.”

And that, my friends, is the best compliment an 11-year-old boy has even given me. Sounds like we’re on the right track.

Day 21: 29 Days of the Everyday

Possibly related posts:

1. Carly n’ Carl
2. Old, in, like, seven years
3. Best wife ever, if I do say so myself
4. When cookies and chocolate reign supreme: Thanks, Christmas
5. For the record, I baked them for HIM