Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!

Some of you may know that my job a few years back entailed much work with NASCAR. I had to attend races quite often - all around the country. It was some of the most fun I've ever had. I always wanted to go into Sports Marketing - I just didn't think it would involve stock cars! DH took full advantage of the "perks" of my job at the time and was able to accompany me quite often. Mr. A, however, was too young to appreciate it all. So, when we were given the chance to attend a race nearby, we jumped at it - and at the opportunity to introduce Mr. A to the cultural experience that is a NASCAR race (if you haven't yet had the privilege, you really should try it at least once).

He talked about "the race" for days - "when are we going to the race?" "today we go to the race?" "Mom, are we at the race yet?"

We scored with primo parking and suite passes (I don't think I would take a 3 yr old any other way) and the first thing he saw - "Lightning." He was in heaven from the get go.

We did a "trackside tour" where we walked on the track and could see the cars just over the wall as they came out of the garages. We met one of the drivers (KH - #29 - Mr. A still calls him Mr. Kevin), saw the activation area and were ready for the race.

Once the drivers had been introduced, anthems sung, and F-16s flown over, the engines started and away they went. Mr. A cheered loudly for about an hour. After the first 100 laps, however, he found the stairs in the suite and the brownie tray far more fascinating. We stayed for just over 1/2 of the race and are so glad we took him.

He says he wants to go again. I'm sure he will someday - maybe at another track. After all, Lightning doesn't strike the same place twice, right?

The Legend to a 3 yr old
Taking it all in

Trackside Tour

Like father....

...like son

The Monster

The view from the top isn't all that bad

Finally

For chronological sake I posted Miss M's birthday pics here and Girls' Weekend here. Extra, extra! Read all about it!

Be-HIND

That's me. Right now. So I'll make an attempt at catch-up but I may just pick up from here. We'll see. Where to begin. This post will be about random things - with random pictures - of random summertime activities (that took place before it decided to be the April showers month re-do; hopefully that will pass after this week and we can have summertime back just as July begins - TBD).

Whenever you say "hi" to Miss M, she immediately puts up her hand to give you a hi 5

I'm not a celebrity, but get me outta the house!

Mr. A's first time going "real bowling" - gotta love the "lining up" of the ramp

Fely trying to help Miss M practice walking - she's kind of lazy - probably because Fely is so nice and carries her around all day!

Mr. A and his buddy, Mr. C at the Dogwood Parade

Lots of fun! More to come on Miss M's b-day, Mr. A's first stock car race, and I am finally going to publish my San Antonio Girls' Weekend post (it's been sitting in my queue for weeks patiently waiting for me to find the cord to the small camera to download the pictures).

Here's to a weekend of catching up, going to sleep early, and starting to pack for 3 months away from home. And, of course, celebrating DH and all the fathers in our lives. I'm relaxed already.

Kindness

kind: of a sympathetic or helpful nature (adj.)

While talking to a my soul sist-ah (that's what our husbands call us, apparently) on the phone the other night, she so eloquently expressed, "I just don't want my kids to be losers."

And neither do I. I replied, "I just want me kids to be KIND." Is that so much to ask? Sometimes I feel like it is.

Not because they don't want to be or know how to be. Not because I don't want to be or don't know how to be. I'd like to be all the time. At home I don't always succeed, but at least I know it's my own fault when I stray.

When I leave my home, however, I find that sometimes kindness doesn't necessarily begin with me. Even when I'm kind others are not.

The word seems so juvenile. I even remember some cheesy quote about it: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle." It seems so simple. So 1920's. So pre-school-ish.

But it's not. Kindness is a trait that should be admired in all ages. I wish it were something that more people cared about or tried to behave with and treat others with. I admire those who manage to treat others with kindness even when not being treated with it in the first place. i'd like to be more thoughtful in my kind approaches when my kindness is not being reciprocated.

i hope for my children that they will always be kind to others - at any age. i hope they will try often to treat one another with kindness (they will most certainly need to band together at some point against their crazy parents). i hope i can be an example of kindness - now and in all my ages to come.

Kindness doesn't hurt - ever. And it matters - always.

Miss M's Birthday "Party"

Miss M's birthday party menu:

• Homemade Mac n' Cheese (her dad's specialty)
• Applesauce
• Peas and Carrots
• Blueberries

Attendees at Miss M's party:

• Mom
• Dad
• Mr. A

Miss M's Birthday Cake (I made one for her and one for the rest of us - and a good thing I did):

• A giant cupcake cake (ordered this mold)
• Cake Flavor: Devil's Food
• Homemade Frosting Flavor: Buttercream
• Decorations: Easter M&Ms (which I pulled off as soon as she started trying to pick them off)

Miss M's Bath after consuming her cake: Chocolatey

WARNING: A plethora of pictures follows...we were a bit excited by just how much she got into it (Mr. A - not so much).

Auntie Lexy sent some jammies to be consistent with her "theme" of the day

She'll forever have her big brother looking out for her - they are so cute together

1:23 PM 05.30.08

After participating in the Suicide Death March that is Costco on a Saturday (with two kids in tow), I hopped into the driver's seat and breathed a sigh of relief. Phew. Made it.

A quick look at the clock: 1:23 PM. On the dot. And back I went...it was really just one year ago today at the exact same time:

"Whitney, her shoulders are out, do you want to reach down and pull her on to your stomach?"

Without too much thinking (who's in any condition to think after birthing a baby?) I reached forward and lifted the screaming (good sign), pink, gooey little baby with that perfectly round head right up on to my chest. And before savoring the moment I double checked - yes, it really was a girl (DH did the same thing, might I add).

And then I cried. Those sweet tears of sheer joy, awesome relief, and partial insanity. Our sweet Miss M had arrived without so much as a hiccup. After a false start the night before, we arrived at the hospital at 7:45 AM (after walking the neighborhood with all sorts of contractions from 5:45-7 am).

"Great. You're at a 6," our cute and so awesome nurse, Julieanne, explained matter-of-factly. "I'll double check with the dr, but I'm pretty sure we'll keep you."

Epidural at 11. Sweet manna from heaven, I call that.

Start pushing at 1:15. Just one push into it.

"Don't push anymore. I've got to go get the dr."

A doctor and 2 pushes later, the marvelous Miss M joined our family.

(DH even offered up to the dr 3 minutes later that he thought he could talk me into #3. Timing is everything, my dear.)

And so, today (and for a few more days), we get to celebrate. Celebrate birth. Celebrate life. Celebrate relief. Celebrate family. Celebrate nestling-in cuddles and wide open mouth kisses. Celebrate crawling and eating and babbling and standing all by yourself. Celebrate humming yourself to sleep and reaching and grunting for what you so decisively know you want. Celebrate bat wings in your hair and blue sparkles in your eyes. Celebrate squinting your nose and throwing your food. Celebrate graduation to whole milk and a front-facing car seat. Today, Miss M, we ceremoniously celebrate YOU.

And, thank you, for choosing US. Happy First Birthday, Sis.

Seamons Sisters Storm San Antonio

The ladies of the Seamons Family (all but 2 of them - next time, L&T!) moved into San Antonio for the weekend. After properly indulging ourselves in accessories of every sort at one Sam Moon locale in Dallas, we took in the Riverwalk, slept IN, ate a whole lot of Mexican/Tex Mex, viewed the expanse of San Antonio from the very top of the tower, ate Mexican, chit chatted, howled over the moon (no questions, please), ate Mexican, read gossip magazines, ate Mexican, slept, celebrated my MIL's birthday, watched movies, gabbed, and generally lived it up for 3 days! A big thanks to all of you for indulging my Mexican hunger pains - sadly, we have nothing like it here.

And, 3 of the sisters announced they are pregnant! Can you guess which ones they are?! (Hint - I'm not one of them and the one with 6 kids isn't one of them either!)

We are hoping to make this an annual affair. Thanks to all of you. Love and appreciate all you do for me, the examples you set, and for teaching that great brother of yours about women!

A cruise along the Riverwalk

Kelly, Mom S, and Julie getting ready for the 3D "Ride over Texas" (watch out for the spitting seats if you ever go)

Michele and Mego - "Hook 'em Horns"

Kel and me on the Riverwalk cruise

The things we do for pictures (ps - i still want to see yours, Michele)

All of us in front of the Alamo (can we say disappointing? - the alamo, that is. not what i expected at all)

Taking a rest after indulging in snow cones

A Seattle Summer

Lots to report on (great Girls' Weekend in Tay-Haas, Miss M's 2 new bucko beavers {for a grand total of 4} and the first dog days of summer). That will come soon.

For now, we are going West for the summer (July, Aug, Sept) months to spend some time in Seattle with family and new friends! We're looking forward to it and hope that if you're even remotely close that we will get to see more of you!

I Spy

Mr. A's favorite game lately is an old staple: "I SPY."

He puts the cutest spin on it, though, no matter how many times we try to tell him what to say.

His quick, little footsteps dance down the hallway in the mornings and he JUMPS into our bed (carrying "li-luhl" blankie in tow), positions himself in the middle on top of some pillows (like most good dogs do - we don't need dogs at our house to do that - we have children) and starts his day with: "Hey, Mom?! Mom?! Mom!"

I finally open my eyes.

"Mom, you wanna play 'I Spy'?"

Not waiting for an answer.

"Mom, let's play! Ok. I'll start. I spy some-sing with my li-luhl eyes, I spy some-sing BLUE!!!" (the color is said as loud as possible)

I guess a few things and get it right.

"Ok, Mom. Your turn."

"I spy with my little eyes something RED."

"Mom, what is it?"

"I don't know! You have to guess it - that's why it's a game."

"OHHH!"

"Is it _______? (He gets it right). YAAAAYYY! Ok, Mom. Tell me it's my turn."

And thus proceeds our colorful game of "I Spy." Mr. A's a fan.

Sorry

If I haven't called you back lately. I'm sorry.

If I haven't emailed you back. I'm sorry.

If I didn't wave back. I'm sorry.

If I didn't reply to your text. I'm sorry.

If I forgot something you told me 5 minutes ago. I'm sorry.

If I was a little too impatient, DH, Mr. A, and Miss M - I'm sorry.

No, I'm not pregnant. I am just going crazy. A few more weeks and it should all pass.

Some fun Seamons Family news coming soon, though. I repeat, no, not baby news. Stay tuned.