Artwork

Amelie brought home a couple of art projects. For one, she had to recreate & modernize a classic painting and do a silkscreen background. Here's her inspiration painting - it really looks like Leah! 

Here's the reference photo she took in our hotel room on spring break. 

And here's the finished product: 

She also did this t-shirt with ink stippling and fabric paint - it's been washed a few times & is holding up great: 

I asked if she wanted to model it for the blog & she said no! 

Rockbridge

These are from an earlier trip to Rockbridge that I apparently never published on the blog. Jim has just 100% stolen my jean jacket. 

Learning facts about bats: 

 We also went to Rockbridge for a Christmas hike. I didn't take the dog because I thought it might be crowded, but there was only one other car in the parking lot. 

Zooming in - you can see Jim took his drumsticks once again. 

Amelie's 16th Birthday

Amelie's birthday fell on the last day of school - which was a 1/2 day - so that's a pretty cool present to get out for the summer for your 16th birthday! 

Sam drove her in so her theater project wouldn't get banged up on the bus - she had to do a scale model of one of their sets: 

She had a chocolate long John for breakfast & we lit a candle & sang. 

She was super busy & stressed with school all the way up til the last day, so we just did a family party & she'll have a sleepover in June. Also, Sam was out of town for dinner, so Nana Jana & Aunt Holly came over for take-out & Amelie picked Love Sushi. 

Leah made her a big stack of color-themed presents.

Aunt Holly brought over a case of Arizona green tea - you'll see I also let her pick out a gallon of it at the grocery store! 

Mother’s Day

Sam took photos of the kids for Mother’s Day again:

I like pictures of them all 3 together.

It doesn’t always work out this way, but Mother’s Day and the flower communion fell on the same Sunday. Leah helped gather these up from our yard. 

After church we went over to the big playground at the elementary school across the street & then we went out to eat Indian food (my favorite). 

Birthday Interview: Sweet 16

I asked Amelie if she wanted to do the birthday interview & she said “I am willing to do it,” and then she had to type most of it because I sliced my finger. 

1. How old are you? 16
2. What is your favorite color? Still blue
3. What's your favorite possession?  Not sure, the skeleton squid thing 
   
   
   
   
4. What is your favorite game? Mafia 
   
5. What is your favorite song? "Black Sheep" 
6. Do you have a favorite animal? Fox
7. What is your favorite book? (Or what is the best book you've read this year?) I haven't finished it yet, but Project Hail Mary 
8. What is your favorite movie? Project Hail Mary 
9. What is your favorite TV show? The Amazing Digital Circus 
   
10. What is your favorite thing to eat? Dutch baby pancake
11. Where is your favorite place to go? Youth group 
12. What is something you learned your sophomore year of high school? A lot about cancer in bio
13. What is something you'll learn now that you're 16 (or next year in 11th grade)? Drive, hopefully 
14. What is your favorite subject at school? Biology 
15. Who is your favorite teacher this year? I have several least favorites. Favorite is Coach Lou (that's her geometry teacher & ethics bowl coach) 
16. Best memory from this year? Youth Con in KC 
17. What is something that is hard for you to do? Turn in homework on time 
18. What is your favorite thing to do? Read
19. What is your favorite thing to do with friends? On the rare occasions that it does happen, debates - or just deep conversations-still true
20. What do you like about Me (Mom)? You do lot of little things for me
21. What do you like about Dad? Fun talks 
22. What do you like about Jim? He gets references 
23. What do you like about Leah? How she rants about shows while they are on 
24. What do you like about yourself? I think I'm creative-still true
25. What do you want to be when you grow up? I wish I knew 

Here's the link to last year: https://babybuffaloe.blogspot.com/2025/05/birthday-interview.html