Summer Birthdays

Caleb turned 21 in July and is "adulting" well.  We all loved having him home this summer even though we didn't see him much in June and the first part of July.  He was helping with research in the kinesiology lab at BSU during the day (unpaid) and working as a pizza cook at Grimaldi's most evenings.  He did bring home some good pizza and cheesecake to share, though!  After we returned from vacation he painted for a family in church and spent a week shadowing in cardiothoracic surgery.  He finished his medical school application and is now waiting patiently to hear from schools.  In-state schools for us in Idaho include the University of Utah and the University of Washington in Seattle, but he did send applications to several other schools as well.  As a double major in Spanish and biology, he is fulfilling most of his Spanish credits by studying in Spain this semester through a partnership with Trinity Christian College.  As someone who loves new experiences, traveling, and making new friends this is truly an awesome opportunity for him.  He still enjoys music-- the piano was always busy this summer, and he played violin in church several times while he was home.  Caleb is still my chief home decorator--always updating my walls, rearranging furniture, painting, and just improving decor.  We got used to having him around to help with chemistry and writing homework, to go shopping with, and just to hang out and talk so we will miss him until we see him again at Christmas!

Lydia turned 15 on August 1st.  She laments that we always seem to be on the road traveling for her birthday (true).  We did treat her royally giving her the choice of what movies to watch or music to listen to in the van.  She chose the place to eat that evening, and we splurged on ice cream for dessert.

She has a huge transition this year, entering high school after being homeschooled since 1st grade.  I remember from Anna that regardless of personality, it takes at least 6-8 weeks to get used to being in a classroom, interacting with students, and sticking to a schedule that is not as flexible as mom's.  She is more outgoing than Anna, so in that way asking teachers for help, speaking up in the classroom, and putting herself out there to make friends is a little easier.  Lydia has a huge heart and is incredibly sensitive to unfairness, disrespect, and unkindness in the world around her.  If you would choose to be Lydia's friend, you would have the most loving, kind, loyal, giving friend the world has to offer.  She still plays piano and viola and can be found singing "Abide with Me" (all verses) in the shower most evenings.  She is like Nicolas in that she loves to do dishes as long as she can belt out her music in the kitchen while she does them.  She is Seth's best friend and he has been a little lost without her since school started.  

Seth turned 12 on the 29th.  We had a fun-filled morning planned which began at 5:30 am.  We left for downtown Boise by 6:00 to get in line for a tethered hot air balloon ride.  It was quite cold that early in the morning, so we enjoyed a coffee drink and treat at a quaint coffee shop to warm up afterward.  Since it was too early for Barnes and Noble (his favorite store) to open we just relaxed and played a game of checkers in the coffee shop.  I think we spent 1 1/2 hours at the bookstore before treating him to lunch at Culvers (another favorite of his).  We had a relaxing afternoon at home until the girls came home, and then he opened his gifts, ate supper, and enjoyed a slice of birthday cake.  He still likes having a themed cake for his birthday and this year requested a cooking/baking theme since the kitchen is one of his favorite places to be.  In fact, he has his own folder of recipes he has downloaded and tried in my recipe cupboard.  Many of them are "keepers" that he has made more than once.  Currently, he has a "wishlist" on my Amazon account of all the kitchen gadgets he would like to own.  He is getting better at practicing his piano and cello without being asked, so now I can nag him about having "quality" practice time😃.  When not in the kitchen, doing schoolwork, or practicing instruments, he is usually curled up on the couch with a pet or two reading a book, preferably something in the science fiction genre.  Now that he is in 7th grade, he has graduated from Sunday school into catechism classes and is able to attend Jr High youth group.  He is transitioning out of little boy things and growing up!😥

The top of Seth's cake. Calico Critter accessories came in handy😉.