Caleb Samuel - 7.5

Caleb Samuel is now officially 7.5 years old. I think that as a third child, Caleb just always seems to be the perfect age. As Lydia has grown and entered new phases, she always feels so big. As Austin grows, he always has felt so little because compared to Lydia he just seems so young to be hitting those same milestones. But for whatever reason, Caleb always feels just right. He is just seems like the best 7.5 year old in the whole land. 

I made a note for myself to write about Caleb at this age and all it says is "whole-hearted". I wish I had taken the time to jot down a few more thoughts in the moment but I love this word as a description for Caleb. He is tender hearted and has a sensitive soul. His feelings can get hurt easily, but he also often comes to me out of the blue with a huge hug and an expression of how much he loves me. He feels big feelings, but is quick to forgive and repair relationships. I love his heart and the way he lives his life with so much of his heart invested in what he cares about. 

-He loves babies and little kids. He's going to make a great dad someday. 

-He still doesn't like us being super silly with him. "I don't like that". 

-He is a good brother and takes care of Lucy (he loves picking our princess dresses for her to wear) and he and Austin are building a really solid relationship. 

-He enjoys "talking to himself" which is a physical and emotional release for him. He bounces back and forth between our two couches and lets his brain run wild in imagination. Even though he's done this for a long time, I have appreciated that recently when I need him to go and do something else he is quick to listen and move to the next task instead getting stuck and having a hard time breaking out of his own brain. 

-He prefers plain foods over foods with complex flavors and multiple ingredients. He typically won't eat a chicken enchilada or a calzone, but he will eat an entire head of broccoli or bag of carrots. He eats a lot of fruit, vegetables, and grains. We have decided not to make it a power struggle and we are seeing the fruits of it when he dishes up a whole bowl of chicken noodle soup by himself (something that he wouldn't have previously done) and loves it.  

We have had a really great past six months. In March, there was so much snow- but that quickly turned to a beautiful spring, then a glorious summer. Suddenly school is back in session and we are headed back into winter. 

Some highlights include: 

-Science Fair ("Can you really make "Mrs. Peter's Birthday Cake?") 

-"Taste for a Taste" - this makes David and I laugh so much. 

-End of school Lagoon Day. 

-We went on an amazing Nauvoo Trip in July. We saw all the Church History sites like Nauvoo, Far West, Independence, and Winter Quarters. Caleb loved the performing missionaries, especially the boys. We also squeezed in a trip to Great Wolf lodge in Kansas City and Caleb loved that. It was fun for David and I to trade off who got to be Caleb's partner and we had a great time together. 

-Caleb has the best Primary Teachers, Sister Lewis and Sister Lambson, and we've really seen his testimony blossom this year. He talks about how excited he is to get baptized, and talks a lot about going on a mission, including some serious and thoughtful questions about logistics and things. 

We have the greatest friends in our neighborhood, Caleb and Lucy both really love Anderson Ward and I'm grateful they have a good friend. We have other friends in coops and in the neighborhood, but I'm grateful for this one really really good friend. 


-Summer Range camping trip with the Walker Family. 


Baseball. We went to the movies several times. (Wonka was our favorite of the year.) 


Summer/Mini Coop (last year) 


Summer Market Day 


Vernal trip with the Middletons. 


Back to school! Caleb started the Middleton Coop this year, with Austin. (Now called Blue Moose Elementary Coop). He's doing great and I think this is going to be a really good classroom experience for him. I love homeschooling Caleb. I enjoy spending time with him, I love watching him learn, and I'm grateful for how quickly and cheerfully he (usually) completes his work. Of all of our children, I think that Caleb would have struggled the most in a highly structured and regimented classroom and I am so grateful that he gets to learn while moving his body and focusing on his strengths. 

(Full Transparency: Sometimes it's sunshine and rainbows like when you get to do your math by the side of the pool. Sometimes it's tears and frustration like when you're at the Spiral Jetty on a field trip and all you and your sister want to do is cry. The juxtaposition of these two pictures make me laugh.) 

Swimming Lessons

Best friends forever

"Belly Bump"

We've been spending a lot of time in Wyoming with my mom and dad helping with the renovations on the Red Brick Ranch House (not to be confused with "the Ranch House" down on Walker Lane). Currently, my Grandma Knowles is staying in a care center during the renovations of the house. There is a lot of work to do, but more than anything I'm grateful for the gift that these kids are able to spend so much time on the ranch with my parents. Caleb loves to play on the big tree and loves to pet the cats. 


Splash Summit (aka Seven Peaks) Waterpark with cousins. 

Such a good 6 months with this handsome boy. 

Cascade Springs. 


Caleb, we love you. We are so happy to celebrate 7.5 with you.