One Down, Ten to Go!

Summer is off to an incredible start for the Cunningham Fam as this first week proved to be an action packed week full of fun.  Monday morning I dropped Christian off for the first day of his speed and conditioning camp with Coach Frank that goes throughout the summer.  Carson and I then made our way to Mrs. Krystal's house for another year of swim lessons with his best buddies Ben and Holt.  She has such a gift for what she does and even Carson proclaims her to be the best swim teacher ever!  When  we got back over to Christian, I was very happy to hear how much fun he had and how nice Coach Frank is, which we already knew.  Monday afternoon the kids were beat and both took a nap for several hours...a VERY rare occassion!

The rest of the week we did more of the same, except that Tuesday morning I had to go to traffic court in Krugerville, Texas for which I thought would only take about 5 mins.  Boy was I wrong! 2 hours and $45 dollars later, everything was taken care of for my expired registration sticker.  Jenn kept the boys Tuesday afternoon so I could go to a PTA meeting and in exchange I had her kiddos Wednesday afternoon for her meeting.  Thursday afternoon we kicked off summer at my grandparents house with our first afternoon of swimming.  We ended up spending almost four hours in the pool that afternoon relaxing and playing a fun game of baseball that we made up.  The boys both loved having grandma bat and were amazed when she would hit a home run across the pool!  I think there will be many more of those games in our future over the summer.  By 5:00 pm we were all starving and went to grab mexican food before heading home.

Friday afternoon we had another pool party and brown bag lunch at Misti's.  We met Josh, Lexi and Kaden Friday night for dinner and a night out before baby Hudson's arrival on Thursday. We decided to meet up at Dodi's and load up on shrimp and crab legs before heading to Main Event for bowling and games. At the start of dinner the boys were shy and didn't really speak to each other but by the end of the night Christian and Carson both wanted Kaden to spend the night.   I am a TERRIBLE bowler but had a great time watching the kids bowl while keeping track of their score and dance to the music.   We were also thoroughly entertained by the group on the lanes to the right of us...WOW!  Saturday the kids and I relaxed while Chad worked and then went on a ride.   That evening we went over to a birthday party for Chad S. and Jennifer that ultimately ended with me being thrown in the pool with all my clothes on and several others jumping in after!  Like always it was a wonderful shindig and time well spent with friends.  Sunday called for relaxation!  Wyatt came home with us from the party and the boys played all afternoon before heading to their first night of VBS at FBS.  Chad and I decided at the last minute to invite a few people over to watch the Mavs win their 1st NBA CHAMPIONSHIP and win they did, with class I might add!!

That my friends is how the Cunningham Fam spent their first week of summer!  The kids have already proclaimed it to be the best summer ever and are excited about plans we have made for later!  Carson is already swimming like a fish and has one more week of swim lessons to go.  Christian is running extra laps after camp because he wants to,  and has brought home all kinds of swag throughout the week! Next week it is football camp.

I'll keep ya posted!

Sunday

This past Sunday was Ross' 22nd birthday.  As the day approached I tried to decide what we should do to acknowledge it, unlike last year where we all sat in our houses and cried.  Saturday afternoon I got a text from Jake asking me if he could come over on Sunday, hang out and take the boys to the movies; to which I absolutely said yes!  I told the boys about their plans for Sunday and needless to say they were beyond excited.  What a wonderful way to spend the day, so I decided to cook-out that evening and have the family over to celebrate the life of our son, grandson, brother and friend.  Sunday afternoon Jakers came over and when he walked upstairs Carson ran from across the room and jumped in his arms to give him a huge hug.  It was so sweet.  Christian was playing PS3 with his headphones on and was a bit startled at first but he too gave Jake a huge hug and immediately turned the game off to go have some fun.  We put booster seats in his car and after a few minutes off they went with great, big smiles to have a boys afternoon!  Seeing the boys light up every time they see "Uncle Jake" brings tears to my eyes.  Tears of joy, tears of sadness, and tears of what should be.

Later that afternoon the family made it over and the boys got back from the movie and said how awesome it was. Christian said Jake is just like him and anytime there is an Icee around he has to get one too.  The rest of the evening we all visited, ate and watched the Mavs game.  Jake had to be exhausted because the boys pulled him away every chance they could to play basketball, baseball, basketball on the PS3 and more.  They talked about sports, summer, college, girlfriends, etc.  It ended up being a very nice day!

Ross, I love and miss you more than words can say.  Our love and memories of you will never fade as we think and talk about you every day! Carson has turned into Ross Jr. with his facial expressions and antics and Christian looks more and more like you every day.  He has his collection of Uncle Ross music on his iTouch that he plays over and over as they both sing along.  How I long for the day to be with you again, to be welcomed with a bear hug that brings me to the floor, to be your sounding board (but not to tell mom), for our dinners, sushi dates, and sleep overs but for now I know that you are looking down on us with a smile and living it up in Heaven.  XXOO

Jake, I love you so much.  You have no idea how much it means to me that you took the time to come take my kids to the movies, to laugh and play with them like their Uncle Ross would do.  We cherish each time we are able to spend with you and love watching you mature into a fine young man.  The boys love having you to look up to and interact with and we all love and appreciate each moment we get to spend with you at lunches, games, etc.  Last night Carson asked me,  How old is Jake that is in our family"?  You will forever be apart of this family!  I could hug you and never let go!  XXOO

Last T-Ball Game EVER

Last week was our last t-ball game ever as next year Carson will move up to coach pitch.  Before the game we took some cowboy pics for the school calendar next year.  Carson's hat is entirely too small for his head.  It is one that Uncle Ross bought Christian a long time ago and needless to say we are in need of a new one!  Once again my pictures came out horrible :(.

Horse Wrangler Holt, Buckaroo Ben and Cowboy Carson

Carson "Puff" Cunningham (need to work on a new, more permanent nickname)

Hi Mom!

Sa wing batter......

On first base

Carson and daddy

Rounding second!

That is Carson's elbow on the bottom

CHEESE

Great job Bobcats.  Off to the "big leagues"

Last Day of School

Thursday was Christian's last day of school and I am a little embarrassed to say that tears were shed.  I spent the morning up at school with Christian.  I had some last minute papers to pick up and wanted to be there to give Mr. Pasqua his gift, plus one of the moms took donuts for the class.  When I walked over to his class, they were headed to p.e. so a few of the moms and I sat and chatted.  We had early release all week and I needed to do a few things before getting Christian so I left to get back in time for pick-up.  Mr. Pasqua walked Christian to the car, gave him a huge hug, and when he opened the door actually had tears in his eyes.  I told him what an impact he had made on Christian this year, etc and when he closed the door I actually had a tear in my eye too.  Christian immediately said he was going to miss Mr. Pasqua next year and then said he did NOT want this school year to end.

This is what Mr. P wrote in Christian's yearbook. So sweet.

It seems like the past 8 years have gone by with the blink of an eye.  How I have a 3rd grader and kindergartner now is beyond me.  Christian has been blessed with three of the most amazing teachers while at the elementary school and I only hope that Carson does too.  

Our little graduate

Thursday was GRADUATION DAY!  The day my baby boy becomes a "big boy" and says goodbye to his pre-school days.  I can't believe the past five years have gone by so fast and that he will be entering kindergarten in August.  Life as we know it will never be the same.  No more Friday play groups like we have done since the boys were two years old, no more special Mommy and Carson time while Christian is at school, no more funny conversations, pictures and dancing in the car between 2 and 3 pm while we wait in the carpool line for big brother.  

Thursday morning we all gathered in the sanctuary to get a good seat for the ceremony.  Like always, our family took up the entire pew. :)  The single file procession began at 11:00 am and as you can see Carson was all smiles!  He looked absolutely adorable in that red cap and gown!!!

The graduating class

The ceremony brought tears to my eyes.  The kids sang a few songs and just seeing Carson up there made me reminisce days gone by as well as project what it would be like in 2024 when he is in his orange cap and gown and graduating from high school.  It scares me how fast it will be here.

Carson and Mrs. Kitty

Our little graduate!

Gracie and Carson

Carson and Cason

The fam

The diploma

Mommy sneaks a smooch

Proud parents

Daddy decided to give a smooch too

4 Generations on each side of the family

After I insisted on taking 9 million pictures, we made our way to the reception for cookies and punch, said our good-byes, gave teachers hugs and walked out of pre-school for the last time.  We then went to Palios for lunch.  I asked Carson if he wanted to go pick up Christian on the way, but he said no.  This was his day and I was sure to have some explaining to do when we did pick Christian up later as he really wanted to come to Carson's graduation.  Carson opened cards from everyone and even scored some graduation money!  After lunch and ice cream he wanted to go with dad.  Let the birthday begin!!

A Sweet Little Surprise

I found a sweet little surprise in Carson's cubby at school Thursday morning.  When I glanced in his cubby I found some art work and a piece of cute scrapbook paper.  I picked it up to see what it was and to try and figure out who it belonged too.  When I flipped it over my question was answered as I found this....

It was not signed so I secretly went and asked Mrs. Kitty if she knew who had made this for Carson and she did!  This is a keeper!  Too cute.

A picture worth a thousand words