Lydia 9.5

Our Lydia girl turned 9.5! She's smart, beautiful, funny, and growing up so fast. I found this picture of her the other day and loved how much it reminded me of the pictures that we just had taken. (In the pictures below she is 4- almost 5). The hair is the same, she smile, the pose with the arms. I can still see the tiny girl that she was in her recent photo and all it can do is make me think of how she will keep changing until she is a grown and lovely woman. I'm grateful to be able to walk this road with her. 

At 9.5 Lydia is entering a new stage of independence and self-autonomy. She's so capable, smart, and responsible. She bought a new sewing machine and is working on a LOT of self-motivated sewing projects. She does her chores by herself 90% of the time. She is responsible about getting her homeschool done. She's a great big sister. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what is changing, but she's growing up and I'm here for it. 


Our tradition of a half-buntcake for your half-birthday is going strong. 

She's in 4th Grade, with an homeschool/friend group who is making this year of homeschool one of the most involved yet. She has 3 friends her same age that do a rotation class each Tuesday and Thurday focusing on Science, History and rotating electives: cooking, sewing, PE, art, etc.. 

Some of the biggest news in this girls life right now is that she got glasses! After a bit of a tricky start, she now is diligent about wearing them every day and takes care to put them in a safe spot every night. When we were picking glasses out I was trying to steer her to some thin metal frames and she said "Mom, those just aren't my style" and ended up picking out this wide framed, super trendy, lovely purple glasses and they fit her to a T. 

Things that haven't changed? She still loves dogs. Especially Rugby. She even helped make him a matching Halloween Costume for herself. 

Lydia is the leader of our little band. Her siblings adore her and follow her every lead. We couldn't have a better captain for our family. 

And not just our family, but she's definitely the leader of the Cousin-Crew. 9 cousins on the Walker Side 

Here are some pictures of adventures and happy moments from the past 6 months: 

(Secret Garden Date with Mom and Dad) 



(Exploring the Redwoods in California) 



(Learning to Kneeboard for the first time) 

Such a good big sister / Reading Harry Potter with mom and dad at night (pictured: our kickoff party)

Reading while camping, living her best life. 

Exploring the world around her. 

Cherry Picking and Pumpkin growing. (Her ONE plant produced 8 pumpkins!) 

Haystack climbing. 

We love you Lydia Elise!