My Dearest Whitlee Jane

Well, today is the day -- you woke up SO excited!!! Grinning and singing.

Today you turned 6 ~ you informed me that you have to use 2 hands to make six!!! Six Mommy, and next I'll be 7. I tried so hard to swallow the lump that was in my throat - 6 years old - it seems like just yesterday you entered our lives. You have brought such joy and happiness!! I've never known a child who wakes up with the giggles!!! Brendan was always so happy when he woke up but you have full body giggles :)

I'm not quite sure how you managed to eat your breakfast -- PINK pancakes please with whip cream and sprinkles :)

We were off and running -- so much to do -- after all we were hosting a crafting tea party for 25 kids and 20 or so adults....would we survive? And WHERE THE HELL IS THE TOP TO MY FOOD PROCESSOR!!! I have guac to make for goodness sake!!! :)

You were the cruise director -- you knew exactly where you wanted everything to be -- Presents go here, crafts go here, music here......Daddy, Brendan, Aunt Ginger all helping to get things in place -- Grandpa and Abuela showed up and jumped right in to help -- Your friends started to arrive....oohs and Hi's were all around...there was lots and lots of giggling, laughing and chasing...........crafts all around!!! Make a beautiful hat, Make a scrapbook, Have a makeover.... it is so much fun to see kids having a blast. Many times I was asked "how do I do this?" or "Can I add this?" My response was whatever you want sweetie -- the expression on the kiddos faces when they realized that it was their choice was PRICELESS.

Here is Whitlee Jane -- with her party hat on making her scrapbook!!

Here she is showing her scrapbook

Soon it was time to eat -- Whitlee's menu: Chili cheese dip, Sweet and sour meatballs, Guac, chips and Cherry Limeade Punch. The kids drank their "tea" from real china tea cups. Notice Whitlee's my twin doll next to her -- the dress and bow the doll is wearing was a gift from Grandma and Grandpa -- Whitlee has the exact matching outfit -- she has decided she is going to wear the dress at Easter.

We had Whitlee stand on a chair so we could sing her Happy Birthday --- this smile -- this is the smile she had on her face ALL day!!!

And to top it off -- there was a pinata!!!! The kids hit the crap out of that thing and it WOULDN'T BREAK!!! finally I ripped that sucker open and threw the candy in the air -- THE KIDS LOVED IT :)

When we were driving home -- you said this was the BEST BIRTHDAY you had ever had!!!! and you were still grinning!!!!

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl!! I hope the happiness you felt today is a feeling you will always always have -

3 sleeps.............

Just when I think she can't get any more excited about her birthday --- today when she opened her eyes she SCREAMED --- 3 MORE SLEEPS UNTIL I AM 6!!!!!!

Today, we will be making more GIANT cupcakes and tutus.............and starting to pack up stuff for the party!!!! YIKES!!!! I may not sleep until Sunday!!!!!

I hope that her party lives up to what she is hoping it will be.............................

I will be posting photos of Steven wearing his tutu!!!! Whitlee is so excited!!!

5 sleeps............

and she will be 6 -- REALLY I'm not kidding 6 years old ~ where has the time gone

she is reading now -- starter words but words none the less

she can count by herself to 175 without making any mistakes

she can count to 15 in Spanish by herself

she LOVES Junie B. Jones books.....

She HATES mushrooms

she loves pink

my baby is going to be 6 years old ~~ I wish Mima was alive ~~ I miss her so much these days ~~ Whitlee would have loved the crap out of her and vice versa ~~ we are gearing up ~~ a birthday party ~~ she has invited her ENTIRE class ~~ 26 5 year olds ~~ I have lost my mind :) We are having a tea party birthday ~~ it is going to be AWESOME!!!! There will be Tutu's all around (including the AWESOME Uncle Steve) She can't wait!!!

Did I mention she is in a "Band" -- I love this girl of mine

You spin me....

right round baby right round!!!!




So, the last post was on Jan. 22 -- Brendan my sweet boy had mono....well actually he still HAS mono....he spent a week at home -- literally all he did was sleep -- I'll have to see if I can find the picture but he was just sitting on the couch with his headphones on ..... they weren't plugged in to ANYTHING!!! He is still tired but went back to school this past week. On Friday he came home and took at 4 hour nap!!

Fun fact: with Mono you can still have it when you test negative for it!!!!...NICE!!!!

Weekend here I come :)

So, much easier this morning -- ah to be young again :)......just thrilled that my creativity is back!!!

working on stuff --- love it!!!!!!

Day 2 DOWN!!!

It was oh so slightly easier getting up this morning ---- 21 days to form a habit my butt!!! When it is a lazy habit I think it takes all of 2 seconds :)

Whitlee is not liking getting up -- she gets up easy enough (so didn't get that from me!!!) it's just once she is up getting her started......

I think my creativity is back ---- getting some sleep does that :)

Back to school Back to school.....

Today was a happy day for one and an early day for the other --- I swear it was darker this morning when I was driving Brendan to school than last night when I went to bed ----- Whitlee couldn't wait to get to school!!!!!

They both had good days :) I'll only admit to a brief nap --- this momma was tired :) Tomorrow is day 2 :)

Old friends are the...........

best friends!!!!

My friend Robin and her family are in town ---- they are currently living in Michigan (moving home soon!!!) -- they came out to be with family for the holidays. We got together with them today -- it was great to see her (she looks AMAZING) and the girls...WOW!! They are so grown up!!!!!

I'll have to post some pictures!!!

It's been a good day!!!

Welcome 2010.......

We had a all day jammie day yesterday --- well, Jeff worked out and took a shower so he got dressed :) But, Ginger, the kiddos and I stayed in our jammies ALL DAY!! We ate a bunch of chips (with cheese and chili dip), Weeeeeennie Dogs, Shrimp etc........We watched lots of hockey (YES, you read that correctly) and football ----it was a fun day :)

Today, while I don't what to do a single thing I'm sure laundry will be done as will dishes -----

Kiddos go back to school on Monday - Whitlee CAN'T wait!!! Brendan not so happy about going :) I am looking forward to it!!!

December 31st..............

So, in roughly 37 minutes we will say goodbye to 2009 and HELLO 2010!!!!

It's been an amazing year for us

Brendan started 8th grade, Whitlee Jane started Kindergarten, Brendan got his heart broken for the first time and Whitlee decided she wanted to bottle her farts so that daddy could enjoy them when he got home from work :)

Blogging will continue and my word for the year is BREATHE.................just breathe..............it's gonna ROCK!!!!!!

Seriously.....2 hours down and we are half way!!! SANTA ROCKS!!!!!

November 30th REALLY!!!!

The past 3 days are nothing much more than a bluuuuuur :)

Had an AMAZING birthday ~ So happy to have gotten together with my brother and his wife!! We tried out a new Japanese restraunt in Federal Way! It reminded me of something my Step-mom would have LOVED!!!! It was nice and quiet and just the way I needed it to be!

Thanksgiving was DELISH!!! Ate more than I should but doesn't everyone :) Got some work done -- prepped for this past weekend!!!

Worked at the BF all day on Friday (crazy Black Friday shoppers :)) and all day on Saturday -- then I taught 2 classes yesterday (Sunday) - The super hot shower I took last night was AWESOME!!!!

Today, Laundry, dishes, maybe lunch with an amazing cousin :)....oh, and hiding Christmas Presents!! I swear these kiddos of mine get smarter each passing day (or maybe I am just getting older :))

Bring on DECEMBER!!!!

Friend found........

So, Been having a Baaaaaaad week -- bad is just a term...maybe stressed...maybe sad...just overall icky........that's it icky....

So, Been having an icky week ~~ Different little things when stacked together makes me well, icky...

Have you ever met a person - someone who upon meeting them said to yourself "Hey, I can see this person as a life-long close friend"...the kind of person who you don't have to see or talk to every day butyou know is always there! The kind of person who just appears at random places (like the grocery store) when you just need them to be there - you need to see a face that just makes you feel like no matter what it is going to be OK!!!

I was at the BF yesterday doing my thing -- my mind was elsewhere -- it is a difficult time of the year for me. I'm teaching this ornament I look up and there is Peter....Peter my buddy from college....Peter...I see him maybe once a year or 18 months -- he will just appear in the strangest places -- just when I need someone to randomly say -- Chin up sparky! Literally is a split second of time with his goofy Peter smile he turned it around -- I'm not feeling so icky -- Even though I know the next few weeks are going to be as tough as they are....as they have been...as they will always be....I am working every chance I get to keep busy -- and I will make it through the next few weeks.........it will work!!! :)


Kids are amazing as always I'd expect nothing less :)

New Moon is starting in 10 minutes!!!!!

Today is..........

going to be a GREAT day!!! Last day of late start -- Brendan is turning in all missing assignments -- I am proud of how he has stepped up and accepted responsiblity - I hope that it will stick -

I am looking forward to seeing New Moon is just a couple of hours :)

I am working hard on some "samples" to show a friend -- she and I are going to have a craft booth at a big craft show -- FUN FUN FUN!!!!

It is a good day!!!

just noticed something...

I hate that my photos become pixelated (is that even a word?) when I have to compress them down to be able to publish on the web.... not a judgement just an observation with an opinion...

No excuses....just life :)

So, seriously....no excuses really just life happening :) When I started this blog post it was October 20th ---- today is actually October 26 :). It has been an entire month since my last lame "post" It was actually just an update from the fair :)

What has been going on at the Cunningham household??? SCHOOL HAS STARTED!!!!!! yes that is right! And, at our house this year 2 Cunningham's went to school............WHAT?!?!?!? Did I type that correctly??? No.....wait.....yes...CRAP! It's true :) Brendan started 8th grade this year - his last as a middle schooler. Next year will be High School ( I am crapping my pants already) - Whitlee Jane my sweet little baby started Kindergarten this year!!! So, both of the kiddos are off -- Here are some recent and by recent I mean from the first day of school on photos.

Brendan's 1st Day of 8th Grade

Our annual tradition of First Day of School Starbucks

Love this shot.....he HATES it!

Brendan

Brendan with no smile..

Brendan laughing at Heather (more about that later)

Brendan and Heather

School started on September 9th. Since Whitlee was in Kindergarten on the first day of school you have a "meeting". This means you get like 45 minutes or so - you bring in your school supplies and get to meet the teacher and see the classroom. They do that so when you arrive for your "first day of school" you don't freak out because everything is new and unfamiliar. Whitlee had a BLAST!! She was familiar with the classroom because we went to visit it during the Welcome Back/Open House BBQ...

She was SO excited because she had found her NAME!!!!

Walking to her "line" the first day -- of course she HAD to bring the teacher flowers :)

She found her name again :)

Because she had a "different" start day than Brendan she was able to have her own "Starbucks" time!!!! She was on cloud nine!!!!

This is what happens once the excitement of your first day has worn off -- you have a tummy of warm lunch and your Mommy made you hold still for more than 30 seconds!!!!

2009 Puyallup Fair
Brendan was explaining to Whitlee that these at one time were REAL animals!! She could understand why people would kill the animals just for the furry part!! (so, now we have one kid who is going to save the enviroment and one kid who will run PETA one day!!)

Whitlee said this is how they made lattes BEFORE Starbucks invented coffee!!!

Brendan couldn't wait for his friend Ben to get to the fair!!

Silly faces!!

Look who was tall enough at 4 years old to ride the "BIG" rides -- We went in circles A LOT!!!

Right after this picture with Patrick was taken Whitlee looked at him and said "My mommy won't let me watch your show --- she says it is STUPID!!!!" There was TOTAL silence for about 10 seconds and then......from somewhere deep inside of Patrick you could hear a faint chuckle :)...True Story!!!

It is hard to see him so grown up!!

:)

He HATES this shot!! I love it :)

Love this shot!

You would never know (I didn't) she had a fever of 102!!! Gotta love the swine flu!!!

Love this shot!!!!

What happened to my shy little boy????

Even I didn't get this excited about Spirit Day in school!!!! (Yes, those are wings!!!)

WHAT.....Smitty's is gone from the fair....saaaaaaaaad!!!!

Today...is a great day!!!!!

3 Hours.......1 mall.......1 paycheck......AND FINALLY 1 pair of shoes!!!!! I need wine!!!!!

At a birthday party!!!! Blacklight bowling!!! FUN FUN FUN!!!!!

Getting ready to shoot a wedding. It's always nice when you walk in and the family cheers because your there!!!

Where is the MOJO??? Got lots to do today......

At the fair with the family!!! It's HOT but kids are having fun!!!!

Hey lady sitting in the booth behind us...if you loud smacking and groaning while you eat wasn't bad enough..your loud phone conversation is making me very mad.

On our way to the Cheesecake Factory for Jeff's birthday dinner.

Currently embracing me inner Buddah

At the library with my kiddos...feeling awesome about who they are...it is a good feeling..very zen!!!!!

Happy 4th of July......be safe