Natalie and Harrison are really starting to "play" together. We've had a ton of outside time this fall and hope the snow stays away as long as possible!
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Halloween
Harrison and Natalie had a wonderful Halloween. Our neighbors had a little party and then we all headed out to trick or treat together. It was much warmer this year, and the kids are starting to really get into the concept of free candy. Batman and our little Owl were a hit!
Monday, August 31, 2015
Summer 2015
We cannot believe that this is the final weekend in August. The summer moved fast – just like
Natalie and Harrison!
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| At the Lake |
We went to the lake with our close friends, who are kind enough to invite us to their amazing place every year. It's become a tradition that we hope continues well into the future. Harrison and Natalie look forward to seeing their friends and riding the boats. Harrison is pretty much convinced that our friend Todd owns the entire like. And that is why it is called "Todd's Lake."
Fourth of July in our neighborhood perfectly captures why we love it so much. The city blocks off a long stretch of street, and there is a kids parade. The neighborhood kids decorate their bikes, wagons, and strollers, and then parade together down the street to a church parking lot for popsicles.
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| July 4th Parade |
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| Parade |
Harrison attended his very first soccer camp. It lasted one week and Tom was able to work from a park bench and watch Harrison practice every morning. The weather was great and Harrison had a great time. He really liked the coaches and the kids got along great. On the last day of camp, the kids got to wear costumes. Harrison "dressed up" like a soccer player.
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| Soccer Camp |
Natalie loves being outside, and we've been fortunate enough to enjoy countless afternoons and evenings just playing in the backyard. One of Natalie's favorite activities is "painting" the house and toys. She uses a paint brush and bucket of water to paint, and this can keep her busy for minutes on end. (Minutes are a very long time for Natalie. She does not typically stay in one place for very long.)
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| Painting |
Both kids love some good old fashioned sprinkler time.
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| Sprinkler Fun |
Harrison enjoyed a 3 night sleep over with Amy's parents. He certainly enjoyed being the center of attention with Grams and Grandpa. They went to the park, watched movies, visited a science activity center, visited Grandpa at his work, and just had an all around blast. The plan was for this jigsaw puzzle to last several days. But Harrison knocked it out in about an hour.
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| Puzzle King |
Natalie showed an early interest in potty training, and we're going for it. She's doing remarkably well and the entire family is ready to be done with diapers once and for all. But even with frequent sprints to the bathroom, we can still enjoy indoor "picnic" dinners.
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| Picnic Time |
Harrison took swimming lessons this year. He loves going to the pool and splashing around, but he's been hesitant to go under water or attempt to swim on his own. The swimming lessons were great, and now he is going under water with goggles, and trying to float on his back and use a kick board. The light has gone on, and we're going to try and do more swimming lessons this fall.
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| Swimming Lesson |
Tom and Harrison got quite a surprise on Father's Day in the form of Royals tickets. The Royals suffered a rare home loss, but Harrison wasn't discouraged by the 10 run deficit. He made it to the 8th inning, and left the ball park yelling "LET'S GO ROYALS" at the top of his lungs. It was pretty funny how many other fans jumped into the chant in the concourse and parking lot. Everyone appreciated his spirit! Natalie has also been known to start the impromptu "LET'S GO ROYALS" chant at the grocery store or restaurant.
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| Ball Game |
Harrison officially started the kindergarden program this year at his Montessori school. He's one of the older kids in the classroom now, and that will allow him to work on his leadership skills as he helps to develop the younger children. He's fully adjusted to his new school and very happy. Here is a picture before heading out to school on the first day of kindergarden. Natalie was very proud of her big brother, and she would like to go to kindergarden too ... ASAP.
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| First Day of Kindergarden |
We are all happy and healthy. Tom and Amy are busy with work and even busier trying to keep up with the kids. We would not have it any other way!
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| Planning Next Move |
Friday, June 12, 2015
Spring Storm!
Spring has been fast and furious in the Seymour household. Natalie turned 2, we celebrated Easter, Harrison turned 5, and we took a family vacation to Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Somehow, 2 years have passed and Ms. Natalie is growing up. On her birthday, we had friends and family over for a cook-out and Natalie got to show off her new play-house and slide. Harrison was very proud about the fact he helped put together her play-house.
Natalie loves her daycare. Her list of words is expanding daily, and she is even identifying several letters and numbers. We’re just trying to keep up!
We had a great Easter this year. Harrison and Natalie were happy to see their cousins John, Avery, and Ben. As you can imagine, the chocolate and jelly beans made it hard to get them all in one place for a picture.
5 years old suits Harrison very well. He seems to have fully adjusted to his school after being there almost a year. He is developing new friends through school and played in his first soccer league this year. He had a blast and looks forward to soccer camp this summer in the mornings.
He was the star of the show at his birthday party, which was held at a local petting zoo. The kids had a blast and Harrison’s favorite part was catching a fish!
The weather on the Gulf of Mexico was wonderful and we all enjoyed the sun and “sea shore” (as Harrison would say). We were happy to get a break from the Kansas City weather, where it rained all but 4 days in May.
The kids absolutely loved the beach, the pool, a dolphin cruise, and generally just taking it easy for 7 days. We’ll definitely go back to Gulf Shores, but we may re-think driving next time. Two full days in the car both ways was a bit “challenging” at times. Tons of fun most of the time ... but hard to get anywhere fast and we think even the kids were sick of fast food by the time we were done.
We are all doing great and enjoying the summer. Please also enjoy the new pictures we posted on Flikr.
Love,
Tom, Amy, Harrison, and Natalie
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Every Day is Independence Day
Spring is finally here, and it seems to be inspiring
goofiness in Harrison and independence in Natalie. Take a look at some of their favorite sayings over the past
few months and you’ll see what we mean.
From Natalie:
- Natalie do!
- I can do it!
- My turn!
- Right here!
- I don't like it.
- More chip dad.
- Walk away!
- I help!
- No touch, I do!
From Harrison:
- Get this... (something random)
- I don't have to go to bed; I’m nocturnal. That means that I stay up all night and sleep during the day.
- Mommy, are you allergic to traveling?
- Roger that
- You got it
- I love you too much to argue (this is his way of shutting down a conversation to get what he wants)
We’ve had a wonderful start to 2015 and are very excited for
the spring and summer. Harrison
had 11 days off school for spring break.
And he got to spend a few nights at his Grandparents' house in
Topeka. This was his first
“sleepover” and we were more nervous than he was. He told us that he would miss us, but that he was
brave. He stayed only two nights,
but insisted that next time he would stay 100 nights.
Natalie’s language and independence are exploding. She has been very into drawing with
crayons and doing anything outside.
We’ve never met a child with so much energy and drive. If she wants something there is almost
no stopping her. We’re keeping a
very close eye on her, but she’s getting really good at going up-and-down
stairs. She’s always thought she
was really good … but her skills are starting to catch-up with her ambition,
which makes things much safer!
Amy has had a very busy start to the year at work, and Tom
has had several trips out of town to Phoenix, Chicago, New York, and
Minneapolis. We’re staying home
for Easter in Kansas City this year and we’re all very excited. We’ll still see friends and family, and
enjoy multiple Easter egg hunts!
Summer will be here before you know it. Soccer season starts soon for Harrison and we’re all looking
forward to our family vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We’re driving so hopefully we make it!
We’re all good and hope everyone else is the same. We’re so blessed to have these children
in our lives, and to have the opportunity to share these experiences with so
many family and friends.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Holiday Happenings
Happy New Year! Our family enjoyed a fun and healthy holiday season this
year, but what a whirlwind! We were all over the state, and the boys even
headed to Colorado! We enjoyed a great early Christmas brunch in Wichita
with Tom’s paternal grandparents and all of the cousins. As hard as we
tried, Natalie just wasn’t having any of the Santa Claus experience. Even
with Dad holding her! So you should be able to see the requisite Santa
picture, with Natalie mad as hell. We will treasure it always.
Christmas. Harrison went to ski school and Tom got some “me time” on the
slopes. We think Harrison largely enjoyed the experience, but definitely
did not like the sense of being out of control on his skis. Go figure. The
boy likes to be in control. Of everything. Nonetheless, he enjoyed the
time away with Dad, the chance to be out in the snow, and of course, the
plane rides!
cousin, Miss Lucy Louise, and spend time with Aunt Kelly. It was wonderful
to spend some quality time with Grams and “Pops” in Topeka and with Kelly’s
little family. Lucy is beautiful and the kids can’t wait to get to know
her better.
Christmas was a joy. Harrison’s big gifts were transformers this year,
while Natalie loved her new baby doll and stroller. They continue to do a
much better than expected job of sharing their new toys and playing well
together, which we love to watch. We were able to take a lot of time off
work this year around the holidays, so we all got a little spoiled with
lazy days and nights together. Last week was definitely an adjustment!
But we are all settling back in to work and school life and so far and just
hope for continued health this winter season.
Enjoy all the new pics of the holidays, skiing, and play dates. Hopefully
it shows that we are having a blast with these kiddos!
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