“A portrait of my children once a week, every week, in 2015.”

Lillia: This week was a particular good one for you. After all of your hard work campaigning for a spot on the Student Council at school next year, you were rewarded with a win! Next year you will be the school’s one and only Member at Large. When you came home from school after learning the results of the election, you had a huge grin on your face — ear to ear — and you were jumping up and down with excitement. You felt a little sorry for the child that you were running against, but you said that she gave you a hug and gave you a slip of paper that said “Congratulations!” on it. That little girl (your competitor) should certainly receive accolades for her graciousness and sportsmanship, and I hope that she finds success in another endeavor, as she clearly deserves it. This week you also found out that you scored very, very well on the reading portion of your school’s end of year testing. I’m so thankful for these gifts that you possess, and I hope they will always serve you well as your go through the years of your life.

Zane: This week was turtle week! Because we live so close to the Mill Pond, every spring we have lots of turtles that climb up the bank to lay eggs in our neighborhood. I can’t imagine why they would choose such a place, except that it must be safer than down by the pond. One morning there was a giant snapping turtle mama walking slowly up and down the road and on our lawn (and even up our front steps!). You said, “I have a good name for that snapping turtle: Zane! Because he has a great day just like me!” That was very cute and it made me smile. Unfortunately, the big snapping turtle seemed to be having a hard time deciding where to lay her eggs, and I was worried that she might get hit by a car if she stayed in the road too long. So, I said, “Turtle, just pick a spot!” to which you replied, “You have to call him Zane! Zane, pick a spot!” Oh my goodness, Zane (the boy, not the turtle) — you do keep me in stitches!