Connor's First Race!!

Before the big race, Connor was feeling confident:

Connor: Mom, will there only be other 5 year olds in my race?

Me: Yes, there are lots of races for different ages, but your race will only be for 5 year olds. 

Connor: Good, because I think I'll be the fastest 5 year old there. 

Me: Great! I'm sure you will be very fast. (Trying to build up the confidence, because he typically can be a tad timid in the sporting arena).

There were quite a few racers. Like maybe 50 five-year olds alone. 

Although not the very fastest 5 year old, he was the "coolest" in his shades:)

After the race:

Connor: Mom did you see me? I passed at least 10 kids?

Me: Totally. You were super fast!

Oregon Strawberry Picking

Earlier this summer, we headed out to a farm for a fun adventure of strawberry picking. We spent more time playing on the tires, play structure, and running through the fields than actual strawberry picking. Which was fine, because I have no time to actually make jam or a pie or anything like that...for obvious reasons. 

 

I'm not sure if you are aware, but occasionally rain coats are required in Oregon, even in the summer time, even for strawberry picking.

The girls were semi-serious pickers for about 10 minutes. Unfortunately they just grabbed anything that resembled a strawberry regardless of ripeness, which I felt obligated to later pay for. However, the main reason why we didn't end up with very many strawberries, was because Connor's bucket was way more fun as a hat. Clearly:)

Cousins & Fireworks: Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July Blog-o-sphere!

We got to spend the day with our newest cousin, Hudson! Isn't he just so silly:) All the kids loved having him over. Uncle Troy chased the kids endlessly with Hudson in his arms, which resulted in lots of squealing, and screaming! The next day Connor says, "Hudson was being SO WILD yesterday!" (Ummm...I think that was actually TROY, but okay).

 Then some fireworks. Fire Marshal Casey put on a really nice little family-friendly show in our cul-de-sac. Everyone approved, except the girls thought it was "TOO LOUD" (of course).

Happy Birthday America!

Our Graduate

This post is way WAY overdue, but I didn't want to forget our graduate on his special day!No longer a preschooler officially on June 5th.

 Apparently it is quite difficult for a herd of no-longer-preschoolers to sit still and contain their excitement through an entire graduate ceremony (that last approximately 17 minutes)...

 Connor & his BFF Jake. Thankfully we will be seeing him next year in Kindergarten!

 After graduation, Connor's preschool puts on a "carnival" for everyone to celebrate. There is no shortage of good times for the kids with crafts, obstacle courses, a little fishing, some camping, and lots of candy prizes.

 Our family with our little graduate! Is it really possible that we have a Kindergartner???

Treasure Hunting

We are really into treasure hunting these days here at Growing Up Cunningham. The interest was sparked by a clever relative who created some treasure maps during our last vacation. Connor insists on treasure hunting multiple times each day. The good news is that ANYTHING can be the "treasure"...sesame street figurines, cars, other toys, food, literally anything. The bad news is that he prefers if an elaborate map is drawn, so he can find the hidden treasure. Thus, I created this little map of our home on the spot, while balancing two other small children. Connor loved it!

 However, Connor's dad was less than impressed. Instead he described in great length how I should create one that is "to scale" and use rulers and stuff. Ummm I don't have time (or two free hands) for that kinds of concentration. He took it upon himself to show me exactly how to do it...

 

He liked his own version of the map so much he made me multiple copies to use. Great! Now we can literally treasure hunt ALL. DAY. LONG. Next time, I will expect nothing less than an exact replica of our entire home using auto-cad. Oh, and maybe a rendering of the back yard too. To scale, of course.

 

I'm FIVE!!!

I don't know if you heard, but Connor was pretty excited to be 5! For months now, we have been hearing all about what he thinks he can do when he turns five: ride without training wheels, go the the barber with dad, pretty much anything that couldn't be done at four, obviously. At Connor's request we threw him a WILD safari party. Complete with lots of wild animals, wild games, and wild behavior:)

 

 Our scary, and VERY wild lion...

 The Birthday boy with some preschool friends: Cailey & her sister Lexi, & Preston

Cousins!

 The only thing Connor wanted to do at his party, was "play games...you know like the ones we play at my school parties..." but before all that fun started the kids played in the fort,

 built some legos...

Getting wild for some games? Connor, Kaia, Ashlyn, Cailey, Lexi, & Jake

Sophia & Lauren (cousins!!!)

 Let the games begin. First, there was lots and LOTS of safari hunting in the back yard for safari animals...

 Then a water-balloon toss

 And a "pin the tail on the Elephant" - the main game Connor requested. It is amazing that not one single online website sells such a thing, so that was homemade by yours truly. Apparently no pics of said masterpiece could be found. However, the winner: Ashlyn (age 2)...apparently there are a few things that can be accomplished before age five.

Happy Happy Birthday to our wonderful FIVE year old! After the party Connor told us that he "wants to have the exact same party every year!" I guess that means he liked it:) Cheers!

Last Game!

This month concludes Connor's first T-ball season. On the last day, we had a team picnic complete with cake and trophies! Both super exciting for little C. The Coach was well loved by his team parents too and was showered with gifts and cards. Ahhh...it almost makes wrangling 11-four, five, and six year olds worth all the effort. Almost.

Connor & Coach