Welcome to Radiator Springs

The boys have a new obsession these days - the Cars movie. A few weeks ago, they stayed the night with Mimi and Papa and at a desperate attempt to watch something other than trains again, Cars was suggested. Then, this last weekend when Papa and Gma watched the boys, Cars was suggested by Gma since Papa had never seen it.

Now, the boys are requesting the Cars movie...and the pajamas...and the Cars shirts...and their Lighting McQueen camp chairs.

Apparently, this is a very popular movie with a lot of kids this age (and Mommy has to agree it is more age appropriate than their other favorite, Barnyard).

Weekend Update...

What a beautiful weekend....nice preview for the spring/summer months just around the corner! Of course, we couldn't hardly get the boys to change their "routine" of being indoors. When I suggested to Connor that he could go outside and burn off some energy, he suggested back that he would like to save it for Monday at school. We did spend a little time outdoors....Daddy worked on landscaping, mommy swept the garage, and Brady showed off his new "milestone" of truly riding his tricycle.

Saturday evening, hubby and I had the opportunity to go on a double date with our good friends, J & A. We had a very nice evening of dinner at Nagasaki before heading to the Guns & Hoses charity boxing event where the firefighters were pitted against the police officers. It was my first boxing experience and since it was a "charity" event, it was more entertaining than I imagine real boxing would be.

While we were enjoying an evening out of boxing, good music, and friends, the boys spent the evening with Papa and Gma. I think they had a good time, although it sounded like they were pretty exhausted by the end of the evening. They watched the Cars movie, which Papa had never seen and they also had a stinky sock fight. I wonder who won?

Thank you Papa and Gma for spending the evening with the boys! Later Sunday morning we learned that Connor went commando to bed last night. He CLAIMS that Papa suggested it...wonder what the true story is??

Why can't I have a cow?

Connor has decided that he wants a pet and that pet needs to be a Cow because he doesn't like cats and dogs and Cows don't go potty.

But the Cows do have to go potty....Connor said "Okay, if the Cow has to go potty, he will just Moo and we will let him out." (Apparently, the Cow will get to stay in the house).

But Cows live on the farm...Connor said "Okay, we will paint the house red and it will be a barn."

I'm sure he would also name it Otis...from his new favorite Cartoon, Back at the Barnyard.

Day 2 - the cow discussions continue...Did you know that Cows can make us milk? What planet are cows from? Did God move them from another planet to Earth?

Date Night out...

Showing off my NEW red shoes...

Chris and I had the opportunity to go out for a date night this weekend. The boys had a sleepover at Mimi and Papa's, while we went to a dinner/dance fundraiser for Connor's preschool. The fundraiser aspect was primarily from the silent and live auction of various donated gift certificates, medical packets, gift baskets, and more. We bid heavily during the silent auction, but managed to escape with a minimal amount of restaurant and museum gift certificates. The live auction was related to classroom quilts and pictures and they went for some shocking prices (one quilt went for $1,200). Dinner was spent visiting with a co-worker and her husband. After the live auction ended, there was no dancing as everyone was anxious to check out for the silent auction wins.

It was a nice night out and it was reported that the boys behaved well.

Happy Birthday Sophie!

The Seaton Family enjoyed celebrating Sophie's 2nd birthday today. The kids ate, played pin the nose on Elmo, played with balloons, and had fun. Happy Birthday Sophie! Thanks for letting us share your day!    

Seaton Winter Blues...Is Spring here yet?

We really hibernate during the winter months and avoid getting out...it has been so cold lately and then we had a period snow and ice that further prompted the hibernation. Also, Connor NEVER wants to get out of his pajamas on the weekend unless there is a REALLY good excuse to.

A couple weekends ago, when we had that brief warm-up, we were able to venture to Mesker Park Zoo for a couple hours. That was interesting since there was still ice on the ground and several animals were still sheltered away for the winter, but the boys still enjoyed it. That same evening the boys had a slumber party at Gma Darla's, although they pooped out on her a couple hours during dinner and went to bed at 9. Mommy and Daddy had a nice evening out...we went to a Couple's game night to play Loaded Questions and Newlywed Game with 6 other couples. Most of the couples did not know each other, so that made it that much more interesting.

This weekend, we decided to have a family night with another couple and their almost 2-year old son. It was nice to visit with them, but unfortunately the boys had been cooped up all day and were starting to show it. They were a little whiny and tired. Lesson for next time...get out of the house even if for a quick errand. Unfortunately, the boys usually tell one of us to run the errands and the other parent can stay home with them.

We are really looking forward to warmer weather and today's sunny weather is a nice preview (except it is 27 degrees)! We are hoping to take a mini-Road Trip in March. We are already planning our family vacation for May, where we are going to spend a few days in Huntsville, AL visiting the sites and with my friends (from when I lived in the area in middle school (Hamilton)). We are then heading south for the Boys' first beach vacation.

Spring can arrive anytime...no complaints here!

Connor...Practical Life learning

At Montessori, one of the areas of teaching is "Practical Life". They introduce works that the kids can apply to life at home. You would think that would mean that would be able to HELP at home with chores....apparently, not as exciting at home.

Below are a couple of pictures of Connor from school...hand washing or baby washing and penny polishing. Like the look of concentration on his face as he carefully uses an eye dropper for the lemon juice? He really enjoys telling us about the baby washing steps from the beginning where he has to prepare the bath water using a pitcher of water, to the actual washing and drying of the baby, to the end where he has to clean up by dumping the water carefully and drying the bath basin. He did ask us one night if he could have a baby so he could practice...uh, no! And no, Brady doesn't count (which was his 2nd question).

Mommy's Weight Loss Journey Update...

Just an update on my progress..from my last posting.

I have stuck to my guns for the most part and have continued to see progress. On the days I don't have lunch or dinner plans, I keep the calories low, limit myself to one soda for the day, and drink LOTS of flavored water. My new favorite...Crystal Light Metabolism+ Peach Mango Green Tea. It is really good and is supposed to increase metabolism also. I find myself drinking 128 ozs.+ of water with ease.

I am down 16 lbs since Jan 2008...6 lbs since Jan 2009. I would like to lose about 6 more. To increase the exercise, I have worked out an arrangement with Mimi that will allow me to go to Hot Yoga twice a week instead of Sunday only. Thank you Mimi!

To be honest, it is so easy to call it quits at this point. Does that extra 6 lbs really mean that much to me? I have potentially hit another road block...is the extra effort needed worth it?

I'm going to try...please send motivation vibes my way!

Happy Valentine's Day!

What better day to start the match-making attempts than on Valentine's day? I took the boys to McPlayland for an early morning playdate with a friend's daughter. She is 6 months younger than Connor and 1 year older than Brady. She liked to say Connor's name a lot during the tunnel play and turned very bashful when offered Valentine's day sentiments from Connor, so she may have an interest in the older men. Only requirement of the future mother-in-law is that the son-in-law has to be handy...I think we are covered there based on his interest in engineering and tinkering with tools.

They had a good time together and as always, I enjoyed visiting with my friend. We'll have to get the kids together again.

Happy Valentines Day to all of our friends and family!

Are they trying to tell me something?

I was going through some stacks of papers the other day when I came across some of my birthday cards from family. I had to go back through the stack a couple times when I realized that I had not ONE, not TWO, but THREE of the same birthday cards. Upon further examination, I realized that all three cards were from Debbie, my mother-in-law and Ross for my birthday in 2005, 2006, and 2007. I could not wait to point this out to her!

Now, pay close attention to the front of the card..."You must be a Genius...great wisdom and unmatched intelligence". Why thank you Debbie! Of course, Ross claims he must have gotten a bargain deal at Sam's Club.

By the way, the inside says "...you married into this family".

As honest as they come...

One thing you have to love about kids this age is their honesty and openness. Sometimes, the comments they make can make you embarrassed by their behavior such as the comment Connor made to Papa yesterday "Why are YOU here at our house?". Sometimes, you get tickled by their keen observations like the comment Connor made to uncle Matthew (who is usually in flight mode) "What are YOU doing here?". Other times, you are surprised by their honesty and willing to admit to their own behaviors.

Today, I commented to Connor that this has been a good weekend and that you boys have been very good this weekend. This was the following conversation...

Connor: I'm sorry I gave you a hard time yesterday.

Mom: You didn't give us a hard time yesterday. You guys were really good and we had a fun day. We went to McDonald's, we went to the zoo and you guys spent the evening with Gma and Papa while mommy and daddy had a date night.

Connor: I was kind of bad yesterday.

Mom: You were, I don't remember that.

Connor: I gave you a hard time when it was time to get me dressed and I wasn't listening. I'll try to not give you a hard time next time.

Like I said, gotta love their honesty. However, I will believe the promises when I see it! Also, so far I have escaped the public comments to strangers about their looks or public displays.

By the way, if Connor has no reason to leave the house (and he will defend that position), there is no reason to change out of the PJs. He likes his comfort.

How much I remember about my first pregnancy!

On one of my social networking sites, a different kind of survey was distributed among friends for a change - it's all how much you remember about your first pregnancy! It was a nice trip down memory lane to remember these details....

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? I was very excited, especially since we had a miscarraige the first time.

4. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 29

5. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? home pregnancy test

6. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Our parents, but we didn't for awhile until we knew for sure because I had a miscarraige the day after I told my parents the first time.

7. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Absolutely, I am a planner

8. DUE DATE? Jan 13, 2005

9. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? yes and major cravings for grease to remedy it

10. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? McDonald's McGriddle every morning at 9am (at the time, I worked directly across from the McDonald's on Main)

11. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Certain people at work that had no clue!

12. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy

13. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Was a little disappointed when I first found out, but knew that this was just my first baby. However, I now have 2 boys and can't imagine it any other way.

14. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 30 lbs I think or more

15. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, several of my friends joined together to throw me one.

16. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? It was a relatively easy pregnancy except for the coughing, cracked ribs, and difficult delivery at the end.

17. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 5 hours was the actual pushing part, contractions started about 8 hours prior to that.

18. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? My husband, after we stopped at Smokey Bones (husband says Applebees)for dinner. I was scheduled to be induced.

19. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Chris (husband), my parents, Chris's mom and stepdad, my sister. My friend Kelly had to leave before I delivered.

20. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Regular

21. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Epidural was great and the family got some great footage of me also during that time explaining the proper way to apply makeup

22. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8LBS 3 OZ.

23. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? Jan 11, 2005

24. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Connor

25. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 4