Classic Comics

Ize & Dan comics. Based on the real-life experiences of raising active, trouble-prone, neurodivergent twin boys.

Introduction

Comics. Mom asks Dan to introduce himself. He's distracted by his image. Ize jumps in and talks a lot. Dan objects saying he can introduce himself. Ize tattles to Mom who says, "That's good. I think your readers will get the idea."

Pumpkins

Comics. Ize & Dan want to carve jack-o-lanters. Mom objects saying they will be moldy by Halloween. The boys like this saying that'll make them be really scary.

The jack-o-lanterns never made it to Halloween. Turns out squirrels love pumpkin meat. The boys watched in delight at the antics of the squirrels which often mimicked their own.

Cold Feet

Comics. Ize & Dan play in mud. Dan, barefoot, complains his feet are cold. Dad comments, "It's fall now but his feet are back in summer."

Wet

Dad tells Dan to wash his muddy feet in the bathtub. Dan emerges fully clothed and sopping wet explaining that he had to wash his hands, too. Dad observed, " . . . and all your clothes just happened to be between your hands and feet."

Perspective

Comics. Mom yells at Dan to clean his mess. Ize points out he's not doing anything dangerous. Mom grumbles, "Perspective" as she cleans Dan's mess.

Dan, to this day, walks in the house and sheds his stuff leaving a trail of debris.

Pipe Cleaner

Comics. Dan puts a pipe cleaner in Mom's hair. Mom doesn't notice all day until she sees her image in the mirror. She chides the family, "How come on one told me there was a pipe cleaner on my head?"

Emergent Readers

Ize haltingly reads a book. Dan tries but the letters are messed up. He imagines all the parts of the letters fly out in a big pile which he knocks down. Ize finishes while Dan slams the book shut saying, "Stupid book."

IEP Meeting

Many negative things are said to Mom about Dan during an IEP meeting. On the way home she stews. The boys seem oblivious as they run to play in the leaves. Mom is overwhelmed when she discovered they had formed the message, "We

Yes, all these things were said to me during that horrible meeting. I learned the next day that the school (a charter school) was afraid I would sue. If I’d been a more litigious person, I could have. However, I was just trying to cope day-by-day.

Toilet Paper

Comics. Mom asks Ize & Dan to take toilet paper rolls to downstairs bathroom. She discovers they've wrapped themselves up like mummies.

Band-Aid 1

Comics. Mom bandages Ize's paper cut. Ize exaggerates his need for first aid. Mom stops him before he takes the entire first aid kit to school.

Band-Aid 2

Comics. Ize wants Spiderman bandaids. Mom state they cost to much. Mom draws a web on the bandage. Neither are happy.

Kitten 1

Comics. Ize imagines playing with a laser pen and a kitten. He begs for a kitten promising to take care of her. Mom tests this promise as Ize refuses to clean Skimble's litter box.

Kitten 2

Ize badgers Mom about getting a new kitten. When he gets a "We'll see" answer he again asks "When can we get a new kitten?" Mom, fed up, yells in frustration, "We're not getting a kitten."

Kitten 3

Comics. Mom and Ize pet the cat. They converse about Skimble growing up quickly as Mom remembers the boys from infant to school years.

One of my favorite comics. Skimble passed away at age 17. Ize and Dan have graduated from high school and I’m still left more than ever with the feeling of, “Where did the time go?”

Rolling

Comics. Mom asks Dan why he was in the principal's office (again). He was rolling on the floor. Mom validates Dan by rolling down the hill with him.

Ize Colors the Comic

Comics. Ize colors the comic in strange and unexpected colors.

Thanksgiving

Comics. Immediately after the blessing, Dan grabs the drumstick pulling the Thanksgiving spread onto the floor. Chaos erupts. Dan thinks, "Oops."

Google Earth & Santa 1

Mom excitedly shows Ize & Dan Google Earth. Ize wants to see the Santa's workshop as Mom ponders how to respond.

Google Earth & Santa 2

Ize can't find Santa's workshop on Google Earth. Mom is relieved when he comes up with his own explanation that there was a blizzard at the North Pole.

Storytime

Dad finishes reading bedtime books to Ize & Dan. Ize protests threatening to be jealous if he's not read another story. Dad tells him, "Once upon a time. The end." Ize yells, "That's not a story."

Javier Introduction

Ize & Dan introduce Javier. Ize overexplains what an au pair does including taking over for Mom when she goes crazy. Mom laments, "Not exactly the introduction I had in mind."

Morning Chaos

In the chaos of getting ready for school, Mom pulled by the dog, trips over Dan and crashes down. She laments that she should start 15 minutes earlier.

Flu 1

Dan climbs into bed with Mom and Dad and throws up. Mom laments, "How come he gets into OUR BED to throw up?"

Flu 2

Ize complains that it stinks while Mom sprays air freshener. Ize throws up on the fresh sheets. Mom laments, "Whoever said twins are double fun never lived through a flu epidemic."

Flu 3

Mom & Ize enter a crowded elevator. On the way up, Ize says he's going to throw up. As he does all the people leave at the next stop. Mom observes that that's one way to clear a crowded elevator.

Church

Ize and Dan prepare for a music recital at church. The choir director confiscates a book from Ize and hands it to Mom. She questions Dad about the advisability of bringing "Captain Underpants" to church. Dad remarks at least it keeps him quiet. Mom mutters, "He's supposed to be singing" and thinks "Boys!"

Easter Basket

Ize & Dan think it's funny that Sampson has an Easter basket stuck around his head. Suddenly Ize realizes that Sampson has eaten all of his Easter candy.

Weed Killer 1

Ize wants to help mom spray weeds. He had filled his squirt gun with herbicide. Mom yells at him saying, "You filled your squirt gun with weed killer?"

Weed Killer 2

Mom, still upset that Ize put herbicide in his squirt gun, demands he get inside to wash the poison off. Tearfully, Ize washes his hands. Mom softens and admits to herself that actually it was a pretty good idea.

Spaghetti Heart

At dinner, Dad talks about his work project. Dan starts playing with his spaghetti and then re-explains Dad's jargon using his spaghetti creation. Mom states that Dan's comprehension scores would be phenomenal if he could take tests in spaghetti.

Swing

Mom and Dad install a platform swing to calm Ize & Dan down. When finished Ize swings like crazy while Dan begs for his turn. Mom & Dad think, "It's supposed to wind them down, not up."

The platform swing turned out to be a great purchase. Ize & Dan used it for many years for its intended purpose.