14!

Our baby girl has turned 14! She said somehow she didn't feel like a teenager at 13, but at 14 she does.

She is still as obsessively into Broadway musicals as ever, and still spends hours every day drawing, mostly on her computer. She's got all the moodiness of a teenager, that's for sure. Amy is still into fairness and equality and does her best to speak up for others when she sees things that aren't right.

She is the sole stage manager for her middle school play this year, they're doing Little Mermaid. They're just getting into high gear, which means rehearsals six days a week. She just had her first meeting with the crew, where she was in charge – she doesn't feel all that comfortable in a leadership role, but her Girl Scout leaders always said she does a good job with it, and I'm sure she does.

Unlike Reed, Amy is one who will sleep in like a teenager - and she really needs sleep. We have always made sure she gets enough sleep, because if she doesn't, it's really not fun for any of us!

Amy rejoined Girl Scouts a few months ago, when she realized one of her pals' moms was the leader of a troop that she could be part of. So far she's enjoying that, and the troop is a much better fit than her old one ever was.

She cares a lot about her grades, but sometimes really isn't interested in putting in extra work for subjects she doesn't like. Spanish continues to be her trouble spot, since she got another teacher this year who's not a great fit with her. But her "struggling" means she's got a B+ – and it's a bit frustrating because she's so close to an A. Otherwise her grades are pretty amazing. She is really ready for high school, I think. And she's excited since she'll be taking a theater class, and she'll have the chance to be involved as many as four shows per year.

For her birthday, just like at Christmas, she didn't really want any "stuff" – she just wanted to go to see shows in NY. She and I are taking the bus up on the Friday before Easter, seeing a new play called "Hadestown" that night, then seeing "Come From Away" on Saturday, and hopping the bus back. Should be fun!

Amy is a terrific kid, and it's a pleasure to be her family.