“A portrait of my children every week in 2016.”

Lillia: This week you’ve been working extra hard on your homework and other school assignments. The term ends next week and you are so close to having straight A’s. After a bit of a rocky start to the term—you aren’t the most organized person so you failed to turn in some homework papers early on—you’ve worked really hard to bring your grades up, especially math. Right now you have an 89, so if you turn in all of your assignments this week and do well on your test I think you can bring that up to a 90 (or A-). We’re all rooting for you, Lillia!

Zane: This week you were listening to Daddy and I talking about our bookcases, and how we’d eventually like to make some built-in bookshelves that go all the way to the ceiling. Daddy said he was concerned that they might be too high for some of us to reach. I replied that, truthfully, I might need some help reaching the top shelf. “Yep,” you quipped, “Dad, you’re a skinny zucchini. And, Mom, you’re a fat tomato that needs help!” I almost died laughing…even remembering it now has me giggling! Such a cheeky boy!

“A portrait of my children every week in 2016.”

Lillia: This week was your school’s annual Academic Fair. Now that you’re in sixth grade you are expected to participate fully by doing a project and a presentation. Your grade had to choose a country to study, and then you had to execute a multi-disciplinary project that involved writing an essay, designing and making a large poster, and then creating some sort of take-away. You chose to research Thailand, so we made some tasty Thai green curry with jasmine rice. It was a big hit, and you did an awesome job on your presentation!

Zane: I’m happy to report that you’re no longer covering your eyes at drop-off. You seem more settled and comfortable at school, which allows me to relax. Last weekend you went tubing with Nanny and Papa for the first time (while we were away in Boston). According to Nanny, you had a blast! At first you went down the hill coupled up with your grandparents and Lillia, but as soon as you saw other kids going down on their own, you had to do it by yourself, too. You are a speed-loving child with no fear—I dread the day you get your license!

“A portrait of my children every week in 2016.”

Lillia: This week you had your first semi-formal school dance. You didn’t have a date, but you went with a couple of your friends. You’ve never been overly “girly” but you do own one dress with a Dr. Who tardis on it, which was perfect for the occasion. You even let me do some stylish winged eyeliner on you (it was very subtle). Despite your best efforts not to be beautiful, you are a truly stunning young lady. Sorry, but that’s just how it is, kiddo!

Zane: This week you had a great time making pretzels at Meme’s house. The traditional pretzel shape didn’t really appeal to you, but you came up with many creative alternatives, including a mummy! I think we should send this photo to the King Arthur flour company—you’d be a very cute spokesmodel!

“A portrait of my children every week in 2016.”

Lillia: This was February vacation week, so you’ve been relaxing here at home. You’ve been pestering me ceaselessly to get your hair cut (it hasn’t been trimmed since August…), so your father finally made an appointment for you to go see his friend who owns a barber shop. The last time you had your hair cut short you weren’t thrilled with the results, so this time we took you to an actual barber who has more recent training and experience with the kind of cut you want. This picture doesn’t really do justice to the finished result, but it’s actually very cute. And, it’s finally out of your eyes!

Zane: This week you were also on vacation. At the beginning of the week I was home with a terrible cold, but you did eventually go and play at Meme’s house on Thursday and Friday. You and Meme made a very cute little book, complete with full-color illustrations, about the unlikely friendship between a chicken and a puffin. [You can read the whole thing here.] When you came home you wanted to make more books, so we’ve been working on them all weekend. You draw the pictures and then dictate the text to me. It’s been fun and I know we’ll love looking back at these when you’re older.