Even beyond all those lucky double letters in his name, cool number combinations have always been part of Emmett Plummer’s life.

He was born at 17:17 military time, and he weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces.

The tradition continued on Wednesday, when the Boise sixth-grader turned 12 on the 12th day of the 12th month of 2012.

Twin classmates Hayley and Kayla Thomas also marked that milestone.

“We had friends who were into numerology when they were born,” said their dad, Hoby Thomas.

The girls grew up knowing that Wednesday would be a big deal. They’ve been looking forward to this particular birthday for years, he said.

The twins woke up cheering and jumping up and down.

“This birthday is special,” said Collister Principal Gerald Bell. “But every student and every birthday is special here.”

That includes the school’s own 100th birthday this year. Every kid in the school got a birthday T-shirt to mark that anniversary.

The Plummers brought treats to school and hosted an open house Wednesday. Brett Plummer made ham and pasta. Emmett’s uncle, well-known former NFL quarterback Jake Plummer, was in town and made his signature white bean chili.

“To be honest,” said Brett, “we’re a lot more overjoyed and ecstatic than Emmett is.”

Kids were celebrating around Idaho. In Moscow, where Riley O’Connell turned 12, his family noted that he weighed 12 pounds when he was born and that his baseball uniform number is 12.

In the Meridian School District, Lowell Scott Middle School teacher Shannon Powers was sharing a lesson on folklore and storytelling. One girl, who also turned 12 Wednesday, told her story: When she was 9, doctors made a cancer diagnosis, and she’s been through chemo, long hospitalizations and surgeries. Her thoughts on the auspicious day: “I’m just glad to be here.”

Her classmates applauded, saying they were glad, too. “It kind of put things in perspective,” Powers said.

At Collister, the Thomases were waiting for the weekend for their monster celebration: a party for Hayley and Kayla at the Reel Theatre.

“The girls have homework,” said Hoby Thomas.

The twins’ birthday coincides with Hoby’s parents’ anniversary. Wednesday was their 42nd. Hoby made the same call he’s made for the past 12 years.

“I wish them happy anniversary,” Hoby said, “and then I tell them I got them twins.”

Anna Webb: 377-6431