Cassie had to apply to be a part of this group of kids who have a high GPA, show leadership ability, and have integrity and character. It is a group of kids who make a difference in their school and who have the right to add this as a part of their accomplishments on their resume and application forms for university. We are so proud of her and have enjoyed watching her volunteer in different ways and lead projects throughout the year.
Every year we begin to prepare for the new season. Not spring, or winter or even summer or fall… but birthday season! From April 15-May 25 we celebrate all of the kid’s birthdays. We sit down with each child and ask, “What do you want for your birthday breakfast and dinner? Is there a special dessert? Do you want a party with lots of people, or just a small one with a few friends?” Each of the kids always choose different things, but we hope that each knows that they are loved and celebrated. Of course, throw into the crazy birthday month an exciting volleyball season, a high school musical ‘The music man’, awards ceremonies, and let’s not forget mothers day…oh and… well let’s just say that it has been a full month!
One of our family values is, “We offer to help.” This is one of the ways that Cassie shines! Yesterday I was not feeling very well, but Cassie made sure to come in after school and see if she could help me with dinner or anything else. She really shows empathy and love so easily.
Another example is this photo taken on New Year’s Eve. We do a chocolate fondue every new years eve, and Cassie always helps to cut everything up, get the chocolate ready, and make it all look beautiful! Our family just wouldn’t have that special touch without her!
After a year and a half of doing an online school from Canada, this year Cassie decided to go back to ‘regular’ school. So far she is loving it, mostly. Getting up in the morning to catch the bus is not this teenager’s favorite, but she does it faithfully, most of the time not needing anyone to wake her up.
She has joined the junior varsity volleyball team, and she has discovered she really enjoys that. She is also taking Spanish and she is on the Yearbook committee. Overall, she is enjoying school, and so far has almost straight A’s which she is so proud of. The best thing is that her best friend is in a few of her classes, and she lives right down the street from us. Of course, we had not expected to be here this year in Budapest, but it has been a blessing for our family.
That is the first thing Cassie said yesterday morning when she woke up. It was Sunday and since Ben and I were both sick, we weren’t going to be going to church, so it was the perfect day. Cassie has been missing Kyiv, and so making Vereniki sounded like a fun project.
They were absolutely delicious. Cassie finds so much joy being in the kitchen (especially if she has it mostly to herself) baking and cooking for others. I love to see her sparkle with joy when things turn out just how she imagined.
One of the things I did the most of with my mom was to spend time in the garden. We would weed together, pick out flowers to plant, water in the evenings. Lately Cassie has been reading some different books on gardening and she is learning a lot. Yesterday we went to a little garden center nearby our new home in Budapest and bought a few annuals (and a couple lavender bushes). Spending time in the garden with Cassie was a wonderful time yesterday. I sure love my sweet daughter. Next thing is to somehow get grass to grow where all the weeds are! Maybe Cassie can read a book on lawncare next 🙂
