Maybe it’s Cléo’s bold move so early in the New Year that motivated me; maybe it’s the fact that my Museum economies are running a bit low. But in any case, here I am, writing away to chip at my New Year’s resolution. It’s a book about, big surprise, archaeology. I have so much to say, and I think maybe it’s about time I share it.

Cyril has his own project to work on. His resolution is to bring his grades up, so while I’m upstairs typing away on the keyboard, he’s being the perfect teenage mad scientist.

It’s a neat water rocket! That’s an A+ if I’ve ever seen one.

I’m just leaving the mic here over to my little sister.

Actually no, I’m not, but seeing as everything I know about this day I learned from her recounting it to me, I think it still counts.

On New Year’s Eve, as is tradition, everybody in the family of course took a resolution. I wanna write a book; Cléo wanted to get a girlfriend. More specifically, she hyped herself up to finally talk to Amanda The Red-Headed Scout. Like, talk talk.

It went well.

Really well.

Yes?

Yes?

YES!

So cute.

There you go, one of us kept her resolution.

And it wouldn’t be Cléo if there were no selfies involved. And I can’t blame her, San Myshuno is still dreamy, even if you were born there.

I’m just leaving the mic here over to my little sister.

Actually no, I’m not, but seeing as everything I know about this day I learned from her recounting it to me, I think it still counts.

On New Year’s Eve, as is tradition, everybody in the family of course took a resolution. I wanna write a book; Cléo wanted to get a girlfriend. More specifically, she hyped herself up to finally talk to Amanda The Red-Headed Scout. Like, talk talk.

It went well.

Really well.

Yes?

Yes?

YES!

So cute.

There you go, one of us kept her resolution.

And it wouldn’t be Cléo if there were no selfies involved. And I can’t blame her, San Myshuno is still dreamy, even if you were born there.

Spring is here! And just like the last times the season changed, our house looks like it got a complete makeover. This is a direct consequence of Mom, taking the Easter trinkets out in the same breath as she pushed the Winterfest lights back to the bottom.

To the box with you, lights that barely ever work!

‘Tis the season for pastel colors!

Pastel indeed.

The music is blasting, and as soon as we step into the heavily decorated living-room, we get greeted by everyone Gram never mentioned she had invited. Nolan and Aunt Miranda are no surprise, really, but Mom is elated to see Shanna here, too, her friend from their teenage years.

Something about how Charlotte, her wife, was away on a business trip for her fashion brand, and the kids were at their grandparents’, so Gram invited her.

I’d normally prefer to be among family only, but I like Shanna. She’s an observer. Also, her being here just makes mom look so happy.

Only Shanna and Mom know how to dance, really, but does it really matter?

Nope.

… Clearly, it doesn’t.

Would it be the twins at all if they didn’t hang out with each other all night?

Gram doesn’t yet know that I’ve been let go from the museum. Don’t really feel like telling her now. Just so happy to see her. And I mean, it’s not like she never hides anything.

Don’t wanna think about any of that tonight though, tonight is for dancing.

And of course, watching the countdown on TV!

As we step on Gram’s terrace, I’m pretty sure we’ve never looked more dapper. Except for you know, the silly New Year’s glasses, but the twins and I chose to believe they were charming.

Dad’s even wearing a tux! Mom laughs he didn’t go fancier than a dark T-shirt for their wedding. Guess he succumbed to the peer pressure of his wife and children looking absolutely bomb.

This is me, in the background. Cyril did not care for taking a picture of my outfit. Thanks bro.

Greeted by Gram, the Princess of Winter herself, whose cold-resistant shoulders Mom apparently inherited?

One picture, Cyril, that’s all I wanted. Anyway, here we go. The New Year is mere hours away!

Did I mention we are spending our New Year’s Eve party at Gram’s house? The old family house never disappoints, quirky yet majestic, and of course, aptly decorated for the season and the occasion. The thin coat of snow is so perfect I could have thought Gram had layered it herself.

Gram also won’t divulge if she had any help in setting up such a dreamlike atmosphere. I sure hope her thousand-year-old butt didn’t drag those nutcrackers statues outside on her own.

Isn’t she cold?