“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: This morning (Saturday), you asked your dad why he was still at home. As he aptly noted you are obviously in full-on summer vacation mode — you don’t even know what day of the week it is! You’ve spent a ton of time at the pool, and also you’ve been planning on doing some sort of summer shape-up by jogging around the block. We discussed how little kids stay in shape without difficulty, but that it is harder the older you get to stay active. Although I sometimes miss your younger years, I think it is pretty neat that we can talk about all kinds of interesting things now that you are older. I hope you keep talking to me as you enter your later tween years. I’m always here if you want to chat, and I promise I will try to be a good listener.

Zane: Your new backpack arrived this week and you were so excited to try it on. I have to admit that seeing you wearing it kind of depresses me but I’ll get over it (eventually). I’m so glad that you are excited about preschool, and I know you will have a blast. You’ve been helping me do all kinds of things around the house this week: we’ve made bread; watered and tended our garden; picked berries; and we even made our very first pie! I love having you as my little shadow.

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: This week you had a sleepover at Nanny & Papa’s house. Earlier in the week we were driving in the car and I asked you if you missed Papa, since it had been quite a long time since you saw him. You said, “Of course! I ALWAYS miss Papa!” I think it is really special that you are so close to Papa. He worries that when you become a teenager you won’t be interested in spending time with him anymore, but I can’t imagine that would ever happen. You have a very unique relationship, and he loves you very, very much; we all do.

Zane: When we were at the pool the other day there was a little girl, a little younger than you, swimming all by herself with floaties. Her grandmother let you try them on to see if they might work for you, too. At first you were really nervous so you held your body perfectly still and when I told you to try and move your arms you said, “I’m afraid I’m going to sink.” Once I reassured you that you were not going to sink, you were pretty thrilled with the whole experience. The next day we got you a pair of your own, and now you’re unstoppable in the pool. Freedom!

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: Summer vacation is in full swing, and your freckles are in full bloom! This week you played with your best friend, spent some time at the pool, and just generally relaxed. Last night you regaled your dad and I with twenty-five minutes worth of web comic plot synopsis. I’m so amazed at the amount of information you are able to retain, especially if the subject matter interests you. I know that some of the comics you read are a bit mature for you, but you seem to handle it well and I am trying to choose my battles wisely. I know from life experience that there much worse things to fear than a couple of curse words, and I want to save my energy and whatever authority I have for the big stuff.

Zane: This picture makes you look old, and that makes me sad. This week something very exciting happened to you at the pool — you met your preschool teacher! You and “Aawie” (Allie) talked about trains, alligators, and the playground at the preschool. I’m so glad that you had a chance to meet Allie this summer because I think it will help you to feel more comfortable in the fall. Also, you had your first non-family babysitter last night and you did great! And, next month you’re turning three. I’m feeling some serious inertia with all of these milestones just around the corner.

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia & Zane are on vacation this week!

“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2014.”

Lillia: You got a new haircut and suddenly you seemed at least two years older (and about a foot taller). You just seem older in general. Yesterday morning you spent some time cleaning up the living room, just to be helpful. Dad told me that by the end of the day you were lamenting how fast everything became messy again…I know the feeling, kiddo! You also made me sign a petition for you because you were too young to sign it yourself. The issue at hand dealt with intellectual property rights and, more specifically, the rights of artists and writers to make fanart and fan fiction using copyrighted characters. It’s great to see you becoming more interested in the world around you.

Zane: This week your favorite phrase is, “will you play with me?” Playing “with” you usually entails being directed to watch you or to perform a specific action. I think you’re definitely in the “associative play” stage of social development. It will be interesting to see how you interact with your peers at school in the fall. It’s one thing to have adults doing your bidding, but another thing entirely to learn how to deal with other kids. I think you will be fine; I just hope that exposure to conflict won’t turn you into a big meanie (probably unlikely considering what a sweet temperament you have).