There are many changes in a house with two 12 year olds. At the moment, DD seems like a teen already, complete with music obsession and new contacts and pierced ears. She's also got a practical, competent bent under her quiet exterior, and can cook whole meals and bake an amazing birthday cake for her mom (earlier in the month). See photos 1&2

DS is on a slower road. He's still a magical boy -- all sinew and jumping like some lost boy from Never Land -- with a perfectionist streak under the chaos and a deeply loving heart.

My eldest nephew was married last week, and I asked DD to wear a dress (She humored me, but changed as soon as possible). A friend had passed down a suit from her son, so I nonchalantly asked DS to try it on, along with a pair of honest-to-goodness dress shoes. He came down the stairs smiling, saying, "Can I wear a bow tie? "Cause bow ties are cool?"

Now, he and I share a Doctor Who obsession, and had just re-watched the premier of the eleventh Doctor (an episode called "Eleventh Hour"). At the end of the episode, the newest version of the Doctor chooses his costume -- a Who tradition. As he prepares to vanquish the alien and save the earth (again), he nonchalantly ties a bow tie around his neck. Transformation complete!

So here's my magic boy --- with spiked hair and a sonic screwdiver -- embracing in a moment what we fabbers struggle with for months -- finding the next step on his style journey! Photo 3

He tried the ensemble on a half-dozen times before the ceremony, and didn't want to take it off on the 3 1/2 hour car ride home. Photo 4 Yep. Bow ties are cool.