Samuel's ELEVENTH Birthday

 Our Samuel Jacob turned 11 this month! He had a week full of celebrating. 

Since his birthday fell on a Thursday this year, Matt brought his lunch of choice and joined us at co-op. 

All the kids sang Happy Birthday to him during lunch. He's my quiet, doesn't like to be the center of attention kid, so of course his siblings made sure EVERYONE knew it was his birthday. 

That evening he requested ravioli and homemade sourdough bread for dinner and cherry dump cake for dessert. 

After dinner he opened his presents from us. He got a new Lego set, a silly rabbit sign, a preorder copy of the new Dog Man book, and a whiffle ball set and bases. 

Elisabeth had acquired a 2x2 Rubiks cube at co-op, and Samuel desperately wanted it. Elisabeth sweetly gifted it to him for his birthday. He was very excited. 

Instead of a birthday party, Samuel asked to go to Airtopia with his siblings and the Pashkovets, so we all did that on Friday morning. 

Everyone had such a fun time jumping and playing. 

These kiddos and friendships are a precious, precious gift. I continually thank God for the way he ordained the sweetest neighbors who have turned into dear, dear friends. Elena and I were talking that these kids are growing up like cousins not just friends, and it's so true! And I'm so thankful!

After two hours at the trampoline park, we all came back to our house for pizza and apple pie (Birthday Boy's choice)

Then they all had to try out Samuel's birthday presents!

We had such a special time celebrating our favorite eleven year old!

Basketball Season

 

Samuel and Elisabeth both played basketball with Almighty this season, and Matt even coached for the first time! They all ended with undefeated seasons and learned a lot of life lessons on the court. 

Samuel had played before, but his league was much more aggressive this season. He had to learn to fight for the ball, take shots even when they weren't perfect and keep his head in the game the entire time. He did a great job and is looking forward to playing again next season. 

I had to miss one of Samuel's early games to take the girls to a birthday party, and I implored Matt to make sure he got it on video if Samuel made his first shot, and he came in clutch! Samuel's expression is perfect! He wasn't able to score a goal last season (but played some great defense), so he and all of us breathed a sigh of relief to see that first shot go down this season. 

These two bonded over the season. Matt used all his management skills coaching the sweetest group of girls. 

Elisabeth played an awesome first season. She also learned many, many lessons. They played one particularly aggressive, mean team. Matt encouraged the girls to play with integrity even when the other team disregarded the rules. I was so proud of them and of Matt for teaching the girls lessons they will use off the court throughout life. 

Elisabeth is my tough, aggressive, competitive, wants to be the best girl, and this season challenged her that it's okay to make mistakes, to remember what's more important than winning the game, and to put others ahead of herself. 

Her sweet friend (and my sweet friend) even came to cheer her on one day. 

I was particularly proud of how Elisabeth considered her teammates in the way she played. There were games where she scored a lot of goals and games where she only scored a couple, but no matter how well she had shot, she always tried to get the ball to her teammates who didn't have as many opportunities to score. I can't count how many times she had an open shot, and she looked and passed it off to a friend. So much growth and maturity in that girl!

Elisabeth adored her teammates. They were the sweetest team who played so well together. 

It was an odd season with Almighty and the games were on Sunday afternoons this year. Poor Papa and Nathan always supported their players, but with the NFL playoff games on their phones, ha!

At the end of the season, Nathan was kind to create highlight videos for Samuel and Elisabeth. They turned out great!

As much as I enjoy my lazy Sunday afternoon naps, I sure am going to miss cheering on these awesome kids. Being their number one fan is a great honor!

ELEVEN Years Old

 Samuel Jacob,

You are ELEVEN years old! You have grown and matured so much this year. At eleven, you are intelligent, inquisitive, quiet, independent, thoughtful, creative, and determined. I love seeing these traits shown in your behavior and thoughts. 

You're such a bright kid. Your mind continually amazes me. Your favorite subject is science, and although it might not be a favorite subject, math comes very easily to you. I rarely need to help you with any math assignment. Your weakest subjects are writing and spelling, but you've also shown large improvement in those this year. Science is your favorite class. You are actually taking two sciences classes at our co-op this year and enjoying both of them. You eagerly read and watch all the assignments, and take initiative to complete any project at home that you're capable of, and you're always spouting off facts and concepts that you've learned. 

I can't get enough of your curiosity. You seek to learn new things all the time. Your curiosity an creativity go hand in hand and lead to you making amazing creations. You design, build and create projects all the time especially in Kidsboro. It's one of your favorite places to be. 

This year, you participated in several activities including, robotics, Trail Life, gymnastics, piano lessons, and basketball. You're willing to try anything new and stick with almost every activity you've tried- you're a well rounded kid! At co-op your in Astronomy, Medieval History, Chemistry and Physics, Mock Trial and PE. 

You are also fiercely independent. You rarely ask for help, and it is your last option if you do ask. You never draw much attention to yourself. One of the things I love most about you is how you always complete any task to the best of your ability. You never cut corners or do things half way. It might take you twice as long to complete a chore as other kids your age because you don't work at a fast speed, but once it's completed, I know that it will be done correctly and thoroughly- such a great skill to have!

Your best friends at 11 are Leon and Asher. You've also made a few friends at church- Alex and Cohen. You're a kid who doesn't need a ton of friends and are content to be alone. I always think you have so many thoughts in your hand, that you need to be alone to process them all. 

In your free time, you watch YouTube Lego or science videos, play Minecraft, build and craft in Kidsboro, draw or do crafts and art projects, and recently you've been doing some computer coding. You've also become a voracious reader recently- as long as it's a book you enjoy, you'll read constantly. If it's a book you don't enjoy, it's like pulling teeth to get you to read. A few of your favorite recent books you've read are Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians series, Peter and the Star Catchers series, and Ungifted. 

Your favorite foods are pizza, ravioli, fruit, and pie. 

I've seen growth in your faith this year as well. You can understand, interpret, and remember scripture well. You're finishing up your third year in Truth and Training at AWANA this year.

Your favorite place to be is usually outside, and you enjoy any kind of outdoor activity. 

You get along with your siblings for the most part. Your closest sibling relationship is Elisabeth. You two always find fun things to play together. You like to play sports with Nathan and always want to teach or do crafts with Katherine.

Samuel, you are a joy, and it's an honor to walk with you as you mature and grow into the man God has created you to be.