To celebrate Noah, we hosted a backyard BBQ on Friday evening. Bob used his special recipe to make a huge batch of hamburgers, while I made salads and baked cakes, and Noah baked chocolate chip cookies and decorated the cakes. Lukas, who had to work part of the day, took charge of decorations and set-up. This family knows how to put on parties.
Now that the SILL Academy is closed, the flag is being retired. It has served its purpose for almost 15 years, so it is worthy of retirement.
On Friday, May 14th, SILL Academy graduated its last student, Noah Markus Severinghaus. SILL's principal Robert Nelson Severinghaus presented the diploma while the speaker played Pomp and Circumstance. The graduate was wondering where his lawn chair was so that he could sit down and relax while listening to long and presumably boring speeches before he would have his five seconds of fame walking across the stage. He then realized that as a SILL Academy graduate, he would not endure long-winded graduation - the entire ceremony was completed, including pictures, in less than 30 minutes.
Noah has learned a lot by being part of the Mountain Bike Team. This week, he used his bike repair skills to assist Bob with his bike tire. Not only did he help with the repair, but he also did some cleaning and servicing so that the bike will work well once it is time to head back to NAU in the fall.
Noah had his last online class on Monday and on Wednesday he submitted his final paper and read the last chapter of his biology. He has finished his high school education. He has persevered. He has run the race. The principal of the school says "Well Done!"
Lukas had not been home many days before the sewing machine took over our dining room table. He had an order to complete, and the customer was waiting.
Over Christmas break, Lukas created a unique set of lights for his room. He used wood and styrofoam plates. Since then, he has acquired a 3D printer. For Noah's birthday, he made a custom-designed set of light. No more wood, no more plates, and it all fits together like a puzzle.
Our small group did a local campout this past weekend. Bob was an excellent camp master, organizing everyone, selecting a beautiful campsite, and planning and cooking all the food. Lukas and Noah were great assistants, and all their hard work paid off; everyone had a great time.
Since there was used fry oil in the pot, which was still usable but probably not worth salvaging, Lukas made homemade mozzarella sticks for lunch. These also disappeared pretty quickly.
Noah made Churros for the youth group in recognition of Cinco de Mayo. Lukas assisted, although he is no longer in the Redemption Youth Group. Judging by how quickly they disappeared, they were tasty!
This time, I pretty sure spring is here to stay. All the trees are blooming, and I keep taking photos and marvel at God's handiwork.
It is now official. Noah chose to attend Arizona State University, where he will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. We now have two great reasons to visit Phoenix!
Bob made German Chocolate Cake 2.0 while Christina drove to Phoenix to pick up Lukas, who has completed his freshman year at ASU. It certainly was a bit of a Jenga puzzle to get all of his gear into the car, but Lukas is an engineer, after all, so he made it fit.
It is a joy to have both boys back in the house!
Noah celebrated his birthday but getting one more afternoon of skiing in before the season closed. A family friend wanted to join us, and although he was a newbie, he had no choice but to do black diamonds with us. Noah had hoped to break his speed record, but the snow conditions were not favorable. Yet, it was a fun last day of skiing.
Noah stretched out his 18th birthday celebration over several days. Lunch and Rita's Water Ice in Phoenix on Tuesday, crepes with Nutella for birthday breakfast, German Chocolate Cake 1.0 with the youth group, and finally, the family celebration on Thursday with German Chocolate Cake 2.0 and gifts.
