E has only had 2 b-day parties: at age 1 (when it snowed in March in TX!) and age 6 (when we first moved to SD). Both were a lot of work! We haven’t really planned anything since and we’re usually snowboarding around his b-day and celebrating on the mountain anyway. Also, we’re a bit 客气 about people having to get gifts. This year we ordered a snowboarder ice cream cake and some of E’s friends happened to be over so it was a semi b-day get-together. ;P

And then these packages arrived… “Birthday gifts” of a different kind — school acceptances! After visiting a list of schools and research, we settled on applying to just three schools for middle school and beyond: SFC, Bishop’s and Francis Parker. The application process was arduous for both parents and student alike with essays, testing, rec letters, INTERVIEWS, etc. but we have nothing but good things to say about the interactions with the admissions teams of all three schools. Congrats to E on 3 for 3! Very grateful and humbled.

The goodies inside!

Pretty impressed that Francis Parker made custom sugar cookies.

There definitely was a school we were all leaning towards but E did a campus day at all three before we made our final decision.

Drumroll — Elias will be a Knight next year at The Bishop’s School! We had our doubts of getting accepted given the number of competitive applications they receive so we were pretty surprised but pleasantly so. And then after spending a day there, he really felt at home with the authenticity of the students, the diversity of the kids and teachers and just the a joy of learning (and living!) he felt all around.

Such a sweet handwritten note!

Signing our acceptance letter and Daddy fake crying (or real) that his dreams of a Porsche might be put on hold. :D

So, so excited to call this place home for the next 7 years (hopefully!). All praise and honor to Him! Think we mentioned that Daddy loves the chapel here as it reminded him of his school in SG.

Kept this cookie for awhile as it was just too pretty to eat but E caved in one night. Also, it was difficult letting the other two schools know as they were excellent choices as well.

Happy 11th, Elias! Enjoy the final months of elementary…