Penelope turned TWELVE.

Penelope turned twelve the same day we held Julian's graduation open house. She was kind to share her day with her brother. I popped candles into one of Julian's cupcakes and we sang to her just after the party wound down and just before the Pacers played.

She did have a few of her favorite friends over for a pool party a month later. All of her guests started sixth grade at Longfellow Middle School but only two of them stayed for seventh. She has stayed flexible and joyful through the changes and has embraced being a Longfellow Lion. Last year, she played futsal and soccer, had a little bookclub with her English teacher, and got to go to Kentucky Kingdom to celebrate her ILearn results. This year she joined the volleyball team and made a little debate club with her gal pals. She asked to borrow my computer to type up her essay on why fruit belongs on pizza.

We get to walk her back and forth to school everyday, and we have a deal that we stop at Dairy Queen once a month for a sweet treat. Those walks have brought me so much joy.

She's still playing piano, still loves listening to Lauffey. She gets annoyed when we mispronounce her name. She has worked on perfecting her desk organization, iPad home page design, and skin care routine.

I took her and Maggie to Barnes and Noble during spring break and made them get both a fun book and a serious book. Penelope choose a lovely copy of the Odyssey from which her name came. She has read a few chapters and has begun noticing the constant references to it in all sorts of media.

Summer Penelope was busy reading The Summer I Turned Pretty, attending church camp and soccer camp, and traveling to Seattle with the family. She particularly loved the aquarium with the seals and otters. She's always a sucker for cute animals.

Fall Penelope is making herself hot tea everyday, watching Gilmore girls, and counting down the days till Halloween and Christmas.

She's the baby of the family. Right now that translates to being the only person without a phone and social media. I will communicate plans via text and forget that she doesn't get them.

It also means for the first time, she is going to a school without any of her siblings. I overheard her telling Julian that she felt like an only child. The college kids are away. The high school kids leave early and stay late for after school activities. When they do get home they talk bout their high school friends and events.

Sometimes it pays to have older siblings, though. Julian often taken her to the theatre to see Studio Ghibli movies. He's so kind until he grossly underestimates her age.

"Penelope you're turning nine, right?"

"No, I'm twelve!"

And we all collectively marvel how our baby is so old.

Schroeder is SIXTEEN!

 Schroeder turned sixteen on a quiet, gray Thursday during spring break. I had him drive us to the credit union so we could set him up a checking account. It currently has no money in it, but will be there when he inevitably gets a job in the next couple years.

We had dinner, sang to him over brownies, and watched a movie together as a family. He asked for a Google watch which he received, but I also bought him a book and some hair products. He's on a journey to decide how he likes to cut and style his hair. I'm on a journey to convince him to read for fun.

He's finishing up his sophomore year and keeping himself busy playing a sport every season. Soccer is still his first love, but swimming became more than just a way to stay conditioned. He shaved more than twenty seconds off his backstroke time allowing him to become more competitive. He's finishing off the year playing volleyball where he has become a confident serve receiver and server. I love to watch him play.

He had to take on a personal project for school and choose to run the monumental mini marathon in November. He finished in just a few minutes over two hours. I thought last year's 500 mini would be my last, but he convinced me to run it with him this year. It's hard for him to find time to condition with all his school and sport commitments, though.

I'm running with Schroeder, but he and Stephen have become regulars at the early morning Tottenham soccer games broadcast at a local bar. Who knew there were enough fans to have a local club?

He's owning his academics this year. He admittedly struggles with procrastination, but is learning more about how to manage his time. He is playing trombone and was invited to move up to one of the top bands at the semester but didn't like how that would mess with his schedule. His band teacher said, "Everyone likes Schroeder. He has the opportunity to wield his influence for good or for bad."

He's learning about relationships, who is safe to talk to, how to love well and forgive, how to give good gifts. I can read his face pretty well, but I try to stop pushing if he isn't up to talking. He has leaned on Maggie a couple times. I've heard them in her room discussing and processing. She also gave him advice on how to execute a proper homecoming proposal. I'm excited to see how their relationship develops when they are back in school together next year.

He got his learner's permit last summer. His older siblings have both required three attempts to pass the written test so I assumed Schroeder would do the same. We rushed into the BMV not long before soccer practice, and I said something to the effect of "It won't take long for you to fail."

Who's a good mom, and also wrong with regularity?

He breezed right through and then had to stay to process paperwork. He was late for soccer.

He had several driving lessons with a man who teaches at Whiteland High School. "Did you tell him that Dad and I graduated from Whiteland? Did you tell him you know one of the art teachers there?" No. I guess he doesn't share my enthusiasm for making random connections.

We love this boy particularly for his mean air guitar skillzzzzzz and his willingness to play with his younger cousins (although he could be gentler). Happy Birthday Schroe!