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

Lillia: Most kids would probably hate it if their parents posted a silly photo of them on the internet, but I bet you’ll be proud. I had a more genteel image selected, but I just love this one too much not to share. Though you are often quite serious, you can be downright goofy sometimes, too. I was secretly (okay, not so secretly) pleased this week when you told me that one of your favorite subjects is History. Of course, I want you to grow up loving and pursuing the things YOU enjoy, but I think that studying History is a very worthwhile endeavor and I support your explorations into the past 100%. Maybe someday we’ll be poring over old documents in an archive somewhere, side by side.

Zane: This week you have been talking incessantly about your trip to the Children’s Museum. It clearly left quite the impression on you! Your favorite story is about how Lillia climbed into the “bee hive” (a fenced-in climber that goes up two stories), but that you were scared and you cried. You’re definitely an adventuresome guy and most dangerous things don’t deter you, but that bee hive? You were terrified. Maybe you are claustrophobic, or maybe seeing your mother on the other side of a chainlink fence, just beyond your reach, was a little too much. No matter, there were lots of fun things for you to do there, and you can always try again next time!

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

Lillia: Last night you were really sad because you had a mild argument with one of your friends on Minecraft. Then you told us that one of your favorite online friends from Chicken Smoothie had left the forums. You were visibly upset about both situations. I know how hard it is for you to find kids that are share your interests and can appreciate your idiosyncrasies, and I can see that you are frightened of losing the special friends that you have made. But, actually, friendships change over time. I didn’t realize that until I was an adult, but it’s true! In fact, most close relationships have an ebb and flow to them; sometimes you won’t be in sync and sometimes it will work like magic. You just have to ride the wave.

Zane: All this rain has been kind of a downer, huh? You’re the type of guy that needs to be outside, a lot. I’ve been trying to keep you entertained, but mostly you’re just upending coffee tables and tearing apart the couch. If we had a bigger house, I would just fill one of the rooms with old furniture and let you go at it! The highlight of your week was definitely visiting Daddy, and opening a savings account, at the bank. You really love to chat with grown-ups, and you’ve recently started telling “tall tales.” Thankfully, I think drier weather is on the horizon so we’ll be able to run around outside again soon.