“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.

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

Lillia: This week you auditioned for your school’s play. You frequently talk about wanting to be an actress, but sometimes you are reluctant to get involved in community theater. I think this is mostly due to the time commitment—you need a lot of time to relax! But, a play at school is the perfect opportunity. You learned on Friday that you were cast as Count Downe, an evil scientist of some kind. You were really pleased and said you enjoyed playing “bad guys” because they are usually more interesting characters. I can’t wait see you on-stage!

Zane: This week you are doing much better at drop-off, I think largely due to your own ingenuity. I noticed that this week when it was time for me to leave, you would wait in the cubby area, covering your eyes and counting. I asked you, gently, if this was an idea you had so that you wouldn’t have to physically see me leave. You said that it was. I am amazed at your coping skills, and I do think that you enjoy school most of the time, but it still makes me feel terrible to leave you like that. I know you’d rather be home. Being a working mom is tough—and, I know I’m not alone in my desire to be in two places at once.

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

Lillia: This week you received your very first (and hopefully last?) DETENTION. Before we all panic, let me just say that it was 100% academic in nature and had nothing to do with behavior. You have been, and always will be, a child I just don’t have to worry about in that way. Now, I will say that I am not impressed with the policy in question—an automatic classroom detention if you have two late or missing papers for one class. Detentions should be a last resort, in my opinion, and I may have expressed some choice words when I looked at the form I was supposed to sign. You father discouraged me from commenting, but I might still say something, especially if this happens again. Of course, I’ve never been a big believer in “punishing” people and perhaps that is a flaw in my character. But, my direction comes from an authority much higher than myself: mercy triumphs over judgment.

Zane: This week you have been REALLY interested in numbers. You frequently ask me to add two numbers together: “Mom, what’s 7 plus 8?” or, “Mom, what’s 80 plus 6?” I’ve been collecting little quotes from you, too, because you do, in fact, say the darndest things. Here are a few number-related Zane quotes, just for fun: “The biggest number in the whole universe is…11!” or, my personal favorite, “Dad, why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 made 8 cry.” Even jokes gone awry are endearing when delivered by a four year-old.