A Weekend Full of Celebrations

Along with Casen's graduation yesterday, we had more things left to do and celebrate this weekend. Today marked the last baseball game of Casen's season as well as Camden's last soccer game of the season. And, as it has happened so many times this season, the boys game times overlapped so Shane and I both missed different parts of the boys games. Luckily, my parents as well as Shane's dad were there to watch the boys play.

Camden had his game first - which he played awesome. Some of the coaches for his league have approached Shane and I regarding him possibly playing for the academy team next year, which means he would be playing with kiddos older than him. Camden is all for it because he said it will help him get better playing with older kids. Half way during the game, Shane and Casen left for Casen's game. After his game, the players received medals for their hard work and effort.

Casen, Camden and Cole (classmates and teammates)

After celebrating, we left and headed to Casen's game, which did not have much time left. Unfortunately, we missed Casen make some awesome plays - he got two out of the three players out in one inning (which they have not gotten three out in one inning all season long) and then hit the ball really well. Ugh - I hate that I missed it . . .

After the game, Casen and his teammates each received a trophy for their hard work and effort and he of course was thrilled.

We left the ball field and headed over to Tomball High School for the Tomball Fine Arts Festival. Camden had a piece of art work that his teacher chose to be displayed at the festival. We enjoyed all the talented artists and their handiwork while at the festival. Camden LOVES art and will tell you that he is going to be an artist when he grows up.

Camden and his art teacher, Mrs. Easton

This morning our family all headed over to Kinsmen Lutheran Church for Braden's confirmation. It seems like I just attended his baptism and now he has reached another milestone in his walk with God. So awesome to see what great boys my sister and her husband are raising!

Pre-Kindergarten Graduation

This weekend was a weekend full of celebrations in our family. I actually ended up taking off Friday so that I could get prepared for all the weekend had in store We started out with Muffins with Mom at Casen's school on Friday morning. Casen was so excited to give me the gift he made, and I was thrilled to receive it. We enjoyed muffins together, which Casen served me my muffin and juice, and visited with some of the other moms.

Later that evening was Casen's graduation from Pre-Kindergarten. Several weeks ago we received the invitation to his graduation and it hit me like a ton of bricks! How could it already be that time? I was so excited for this day for his sake, yet this was closing yet another chapter in our lives. He was so excited that all of our family was coming to celebrate his graduation with him. He was fortunate to have my parents, Shane's parents, my sister and her family and then Shane's sister and her family all come to watch his graduation.

They started graduation with the kids marching in and then reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as well as the Texas Pledge.

They then sang multiple songs, some with sign language and some with other hand motions.

The kids then went to change into the gowns, while the audience watched a slide show of all the things they had done during the year. Talk about the tears being shed - hard to take pictures while you are crying!

The top right picture makes me laugh because if they
tied Casen's shoes once, they tied them a million times.

Pre-K Pet Show

Making Stone Soup

From grapes to grape juice

A little jealous that Casen has already done this as
this is one of the things on my bucket list. 

Week of the Young Child 

The final slides were of the kiddos
waving good bye.

And then they lined up to receive their diplomas. Casen is taller than all of his class mates so he looked so big standing in line with them awaiting his name to be called.

Hugging his teachers, Mrs. Kathy and Mrs. Diane

Mrs. Kathy has been in in our family since Mason went to Pre-K at the ELC. She has now had all of the 'Key' boys and our family is so appreciative of her service and years of dedication to these kids. We are going to miss her!

After the graduation ceremony, we headed to our favorite local Mexican restaurant and had a great time eating and visiting with everyone.

Casen received some 'Guardian of the Galaxy' guys from us for graduation, a gradation owl and money from Melissa and her family, money from my parents and also cards. I love that our kids have the support of their family - I pray they also know how fortunate they are.

Casen, I can't believe you are finally heading to kindergarten. As they say, the days have been long, but the years short with you. Your stubborn, but overly loving soul will no doubt help you in the years to come. I can't wait to see how you flourish once you get to 'big school'. I am so proud of you and in no time at all, I will be sitting at your high school graduation, again, tears streaming down my face, as I remember all that you have accomplished and anticipating what the world will have in store for you. We love you and are so proud of you!