Lillia: This month you have been very sad. In fact, you have been sad for a long time. I think these pictures tell the story better than I ever could with my words. Being thirteen is terrible—it is for everyone. Knowing that doesn’t make it any easier to watch you go through this season of your life. The inner turmoil you feel is palpable, and there is nothing I want more than to find some way to relieve your pain. But, I can’t. It might seem like I don’t care how you feel, but I do—sometimes my only option is to be the parachute creating resistance as you fall. In the turbulence of the descent, I hope you can hear me telling you over and over again how wonderful and deeply loved you are.

Zane: This month you have really been enjoying Lego Club on Thursdays after school. You’ve been collaborating with other kids to make all kinds of interesting structures, including some sort of marble maze. You also had a terrible tummy bug this month, which went on for so long that I actually thought there was something seriously wrong with you. Of course, as soon as I made an appointment for you to see the doctor you perked right up. It’s nice to have you back to your normal self, but I guess I needed to be reminded that I should never take your health for granted.

Lillia: This month it seems like you didn’t spend very much time in school. Between snow days (we had four), holidays (at least one), and school vacation (an entire week), you had it easy in February! The snow days also pushed the end of the second term off for another week, which gives you some extra time to solidify your grades. Not that you really need the extra help—your grades are always stellar. The week before vacation you informed us that you will be starring in this year’s school play again. You said you requested to be the villain—you always like playing the bad guy, I think largely because they are more interesting characters. You start rehearsals this week, and I’m looking forward to running lines with you.

Zane: I wasn’t sure if it was ever coming, but winter finally showed up in February. Because of all the snow days we got to spend more time together than usual. Our snowbanks got so big that we were able to slide down them on a saucer sled. We also made a snowman, but he’s since disappeared under more snow. But, just as quickly as it arrived, it seems, winter is on its way out! We have really enjoyed watching the drama at the bird feeder now that the red-wing blackbirds, grackles, and brown-headed cowbirds are back. Every time a squirrel tries to sneak into the mix, the birds take flight in a noisy flash of black and red and the squirrel high-tails it back to the safety of the trees. It makes you laugh hysterically.

Here are a couple of Zane quotes from the past month:

Peering into his glass of water . . .
Zane: This magnifying glass is so strong that I can see the hydrogen and oxygen in my water!

One morning I was woken up by Zane poking and prodding me, repeatedly. When I finally acquiesced to his demands . . .
Me: Okay, I’m up, I’m up. What do you want?
Zane: A hug! I can’t hug you while you’re lying on your side.

Lillia: This month you’ve been planning and scheming about fun things to do with your friends. I am really happy that you are interested in cultivating your friendships – socializing can be fraught with peril at your age and I think sometimes you are intimidated by that prospect. I can’t say I blame you, and I think you are right to be cautious (but optimistic). You’ve been working on setting up a Dungeons & Dragons group for your friends at our house, with your dad serving as the Dungeon Master (he has some experience in this area). It finally came together one Saturday afternoon and you all had a great time. Your next big plan is to go to New York City with your friend to see a musical – how exciting! We’ll do our best to make it happen.

Zane: This month brought you many “firsts.” You made your first gingerbread house; you welcomed your first baby cousin, sweet little Kyla; you made kolacky (pronounced “ko-loch-ky”), a yummy Slovak cookie, for the first time with Mémé; and you attended your first dance class at Moco. What a busy month! You also received your very first “Academic Best” award from the school principal—you are so proud of your medal. This year I’m going to try and share more of the things you say. Here are a couple of recent gems.

A conversation we had:
Zane: Sometimes Joe has peanut butter and Donatello sandwiches for lunch.
Mama: Donatello? I’m not sure what that is . . .
Zane: You know, it’s like melted chocolate?
Mama: Oh, Nutella!

A quote from Zane:
You know what I love about living on the Earth? That my feet aren’t actually touching the ground – there’s a tiny crack between my feet and the ground. So, it’s like I’m floating.